El Rastro

We found parking immediately upon arrival, and the staff was extremely attentive and friendly from the moment we walked in. The interior is beautiful and cozy, creating a very inviting atmosphere. We also enjoyed playing some of the board games available while sipping on an exceptional Japanese whiskey flight. Food Review (photos included): Brisket Baos: The baos were good, but the brisket flavor was a bit overshadowed by the hoisin sauce. A stronger brisket presence would make this dish much better. Lamb Chops: Cooked to the requested medium, and they had the characteristic slight bitterness that lamb naturally carries. I personally enjoy that flavor, but it’s something not everyone may appreciate. The spinach and mushroom risotto served on the side was decent. Picanha with Udon (my daughter’s dish): The picanha had an unexpected mint or basil note that we couldn’t quite understand. The udon had a citrus touch that was pleasant at first, but became less enjoyable as you continued eating. Additionally, the udon left a heavy, greasy feeling on the palate—likely due to the oil or cheese used. Pairing it with a wine or something that could cleanse the palate might have helped, but that wasn’t the case here.

We found parking right away. Service was on point. Dishes were ordered were great. After appetizers it took a bit of time before we got our food. That was a bit of a mood kill. But everything else was good.

I had an excellent experience at El Rastro in Ponce. From the moment we arrived, the service was attentive, warm, and very professional. The staff made us feel welcome and took the time to explain the menu and offer recommendations, which made the dining experience even more enjoyable. The atmosphere is beautiful and unique, with an artistic and cozy ambiance that makes it perfect for a relaxed evening or a special outing. The restaurant combines creative international cuisine with a stylish setting, creating a memorable culinary experience. One of the things I appreciated the most is that the restaurant is pet friendly. They have a lovely outdoor garden patio where guests can dine comfortably with their pets, making it a great option for animal lovers who don’t want to leave their furry companions at home.  Overall, El Rastro offers excellent service, great food, and a welcoming environment for both guests and their pets. I highly recommend it to anyone visiting Ponce who is looking for a unique and enjoyable dining experience.

We went today for the first time after a friend reccomendation and it was superb! Food was delicious and oitstanding service from Yay, Alanis, and Alady. Highly reccomended 👍

BEST IN PONCE! A one-of-a-kind spot with urban vibes in a small, town-like city. The service and food are outstanding. They change things up monthly to showcase unique dishes, but their signature is the orange chicken hot bowl.

It’s such an unique experience! Their menu changes monthly so it facilitates culinary creativity. Yayrimar went above and beyond to make our first time unforgettable.

The kind of place that makes me sad I’m not a local! Everything on the menu sounded amazing. We tried multiple dishes, and everything was delicious. Reasonably priced as well! Our cocktails were only $6&$9! Very cute and quirky inside. All of the servers were super nice. I also appreciated the security guard in the parking lot(he was also super nice)- it made us feel a lot safer in the dark in an area we weren’t familiar with.

I had such a wonderful experience at El Rastro. The food was fantastic—everything was so flavorful and delicious. What really touched me was how kind they were to my pet. They were so welcoming to her and even gave her a puppuccino, which made her (and my) day! A huge shoutout to the staff—Niro, Yay, and Alanís were the absolute best. They were so kind, attentive, and gave us spot-on recommendations. I certainly plan to come back the next time I’m in Ponce!

The food here never disappoints. Reservations are a must. They have great drinks. We are vegetarian and plenty of options. The pot stickers and melted feta with honey are amazing starters. The pasta and Mac cheese are excellent. They made ramen for my husband that was vegetarian with vegetable broth and tofu. The brisket over Mac and cheese is a favorite of our friends we've taken here. Go hungry there's so much good food.

I'm ur first choice today was closed and I am glad that it was. This was hands down the best meal Of the entire week in Ponce. Craft cocktails, craft ingredients and fine attention to the details are clearly a hallmark of this spot Make a reservation if you have time to plan. If not wait it will be well worth it. I have the bacon glazed waffle and chicken. My crew each ordered a full combo which included the largest omelette ever served open and not folded. If you only have one meal to eat when in Ponce, this is your place!!! Our server team was absolutely fabulous. Thank you Niroma and Julette you made this an incredible visit.

Came here for lunch during our day trip to Pince over the weekend. This was a real treat, well worth the trip. Excellent food and service. It's located in Downtown Ponce. They have limited private parking across the street. There is plenty of street parking available. The restaurant have indoor and outdoor dining. FYI, it can get hot in Ponce during the day (the south of PR is known for being hot and getting little rainfall). I would suggest you make a reservation for indoor seating if you want air conditioning. At night, I'm sure outside is cool. They do allow dogs inside and outside. They have a variety of dishes, from Asian to risottos to Mac & cheese. They have brunch on the weekends and a rotating menu that changes about every month or so. Instead of bread they give you complimentary popcorn. We loved everything we ordered: Porkbelly Tacos, Japanese Handmade Baos with Tamarind Chistorras, Octopus, and Chorizo and Manchego Croquetas. Everything was delicious.Our son loved his mini pancakes. I highly recommend checking this restaurant out. I will be back.

Located in the downtown area of Ponce, El Rastro has a delicious and creative menu. They have a rotating menu of appetizers and main courses, so there is always something new to try. My favorite was the octopus appetizer. It was small but so delicious.I also loved the manchego and chorizo croquetas. The porkbelly tacos and Japanese bao with tamarindo chistorra and requesón were also very good. you can't go wrong with either. The serve brunch on the weekends. Our son had the mini pancakes from the kids menu. For a child that is a huge plate. It comes with three thick small pancakes, scrambled eggs, and bacon. He loved the pancakes, which were made with almond flour. They were delicious, I have to say. They also have a steady menu consisting of different mac & cheeses (among their best sellers), ramen and other Asian dishes, and risottos. Plus several cocktails. I had the Frida Kahlo margarita. Good but I've had better. I loved the vibe. It is cool and hip. They also sell gourmet items like jams and olives, etc... There is an outdoor patio. We were originally seated there because we didn't have a reservation and they were at capacity inside. We came for lunch on a Saturday. It was super hot. Luckily, a table opened up inside and we switched. The patio is nice, but maybe better in the evenings or on cooler days. I would definitely return and I recommend it. Service was super.

My wife Lisa and I came here for lunch and folks...it was AMAZING. First rate everything. Craft cocktails were superb. Food was fabulous. We started with the Croquetas de Chorizo and for mains I had the Risotto Gandules & Chorizo with Crispy Local Pork Belly and Lisa had Crispy Chicken On Lemon Sauce with Tagliatelle Three Cheese. Wow. Just wow. One of the owners María Isabel greeted us warmly and treated us like old friends even writing down places we should visit on PR (which we did!). She was fantastic. She even put together a craft rum tasting flight for us that blew our minds. No matter WHERE you are on PR you should do yourself a favor and make it a point to come to El Rastro for lunch or dinner. I so wish El Rastro was in our home base of Austin - but then again, if it was you would need to make reservations three months in advance ;) - Really though - we cannot recommend El Rastro high enough. Just go and enjoy. Thank you so very much María and Lucesita for such an incredible experience!!!

Food is delicious. Mimosas flights are perfect to try each one. The best? Lavanda and guanabana. Creative menu: Sesame toast? Love it! The ambience is beautiful. Highly recommend!

Came for brunch with my wife and kids. Fantastic atmosphere and ambiance. Mimosa flight was excellent and a good portion for the price. Service was very attentive.

The kind of place that makes me sad I'm not a local! Everything on the menu sounded amazing. We tried multiple dishes, and everything was delicious. Reasonably priced as well! Our cocktails were only $6&$9! Very cute and quirky inside. All of the servers were super nice. I also appreciated the security guard in the parking lot(he was also super nice)- it made us feel a lot safer in the dark in an area we weren't familiar with.

Really good spot!! Our tour guide recommended this place. Great ambiance and superb food! Their specialty is Mac n cheese and risotto - risotto is on point. Menu is LARGE - lots of choices and a lot of variety from all sorts of cultures - China Japan US etc. super creative. Definitely recommend a reservation!

Estuve en el Rastro el domingo pasado y lo pasamos muy bien. Ambiente cálido y la comida muy rica. La tortilla Japonesa estuvo sabrosa aunque le faltase un poco de salsa o mantequilla y jalea al pan. El arroz chino acompañante - delicioso. El salmón estaba muy rico también y el postre de budín ni hablar - lo recomiendo sin excepciones.

El Rastro is designed to highlight culinary experiences from around the world based on the owner/chefs travels and adventures. The restaurant is intricately decorated to match that theme, feeling like a hip European cafe, trendy New York cocktail bar, and colorful Puerto Rican watering hole all at the same time! Make sure to take a walk inside and admire all the pictures hanging from their travels. And the bathroom has a little thing of mouthwash with small plastic cups which is a nice touch. As you start with food, you will have popcorn which was awesome. The menu is diverse and caters to all dietary restrictions, especially vegetarians and vegans, which is a refreshing change in PR. Our group of 6 ordered the guava glazed salmon over pumpkin, the dorado, seafood risotto, spicy ramen with pork and a dumpling, and a spicy vegan ramen. Every person in our group loved our dish, though there were more rave reviews about the glazed salmon than anything else. We sat outside on the patio and got very lucky with the weather. The patio does have some shade but I can understand in other reviews that it could get hot. As mentioned in other reviews, the restaurant had about 3 parking spaces with security watching over, and there is plenty of street parking around.

The food was delicious and the service was also good. However, ask the server for the size of the portions because they are huge, specially for brunch.

I want to start off by saying that the hospitality was amazing before we even got out of the car! The security/parking attendant guided us through making a spot for our Jeep right in front of the restaurant. Then (I presume) the owner introduced herself and the menu; offered her services anytime. The ambiance was excellent! Exactly what I hoped for. The vibes were there, down to the music and wait staff. The DETAILS in both decor and plating were admirable. I can say that the picky eater may not like the food here; and that's okay. Go to McDonald's! Lol Only thing I can say is for as small as the water cups are, they should provide a little glass pitcher at the table for self-service refills. My boyfriend spent most of the meal asking for refills. Thank you for your hospitality!

Este restaurante es excelente. En el 2021 no pudimos venir porque en el momento que estábamos en Ponce estaban cerrado. Hoy pudimos llegar y la experiencia fue exquisita. El servicio, la comida, todo muy bueno. Los recomendamos sin titubear.

The ambiance and customer service was superb. The owner engaged with her customers and tried to make sure we knew she was available if needed. Pros: the oatmeal was to die for, they should definitely keep that on the menu. The customer service and attentiveness of the staff was also great. Which is the only reason for the 3.5 stars. Cons: I wasn't a big fan of anything else. The steak wasn't seasoned and not cooked to my liking and it being placed on top of that hash patty, Cause the patty to soak up all of the blood from my steak. Threw me off. My husband ordered the corn beef hash. That was actually okay, but the idea to place it on top of that potatoes hash patty, wasn't ideal and threw the taste and texture off. I would need to try this place once more to give it another try in hopes that my dinner experience is better then that of my brunch. All and all, I will Try dining here again and keep you guys updated.

Everything about this place is perfection. We sat in the outside patio which was perfectly decorated in twinkly lights and an abundance of foliage. It was almost like being transported to a completely different place. The waiters were all incredibly nice and explained everything we had questions on. The food was the best I had. It definitely is not traditional PR food but it is delicious. They have a rotating two week menu as well as a menu that is static. I ordered off the rotating menu and got the salmon and purple goat cheese risotto. It was absolutely amazing - the salmon tasted smoked in that it had no fishy taste. The risotto was creamy with hints of herbs and cheese throughout. For our appetizer, we got the vegetarian dumplings which were so tasty. For dessert, we got the cornbread and wow. It had sweet and savory notes that all came out individually and then blended together toward the end of the bite. I can't recommend this place enough.

My family came to Ponce this past weekend and are so happy that we chose to come to El Rastro. We had previously decided on another restaurant, but power issues forced us to look elsewhere. We did not have reservations (I highly recommend making a reservation), but they figured out a way to seat us on a busy night. I started with an Old Fashioned made with a local twist - really delicious and expertly prepared. I'm a bourbon snob and this drink was just fabulous. My wife had a classic Mojito and the kids had mocktails. The menu had a great variety to choose from infusing local ingredients into both traditional and modern cuisine. My wife and I had an expertly prepared ribeye with traditional risotto. My kids had Asian Sesame toast with brisket, pico de gallo and guacamole and mongolian beef and ramen noodle. Honestly this was one of the best meals we've ever had. The staff was exceptional and paced the meal very well. Our waitress was so sweet and even spent some time discussing local foods from the area. Prices are reasonable given the high quality of food and atmosphere. I highly recommend trying it out!

Amazing place with some of the best brisket I have eaten! The owner came to our table and explained the restaurant and it's food to us and that alone made me want to come back again. But I will definitely be back for the Mac n Cheese with brisket on top! AMAZING place go try it!

The kitchen was a little slow, but everything was cooked perfectly. The bartender was amazing. I highly recommend this restaurant.

This is a very whimsical location, the plates are very diverse. The outside patio is cute and the service was really good. The Chicken Pad Thai was a little too spicy for my taste (the chicken itself). Curious fact: they bring out popcorn when you first arrive ;).

We sat outside but the fans kept us cool enough were we weren't uncomfortable. The server was very professional and explained the menu very well. The food was hot , excellent presentation and DELICIOUS!!! I'm definitely going back!

Terrible ever. I order rumen soup. ...they brought me Ramen soup without broth....My Mom order raspberry margarita ...she get raspberry martini.....Worse experience.

The concept of the restaurant does not appeal to me nor my companions that went there for dinner. First, the cocktails were very small and with little alcohol. I asked for a vodka martini and what they brought to my table was a serving that barely reached two ounces. The margaritas were weak. The food, although tasty, was served in tiny portions. Too expensive for the minis Ike portions. The bill came around $150 for three people. That was excessive. I did provide a 15% tip as servers were cordial but the experience was awful. I will not be back at this place. The city of Ponce has better alternatives

Don't kiss out on this cute little spot. Don't be alarmed by it being in a sketch area because this spot is super quaint and nice. Food was delish. I ordered the egg spinach wrap and requested egg whites. My order was perfect and was delicious. Service is great. Super nice and attentive. I'd recommend for sure if you're visiting Ponce.

It's a beautiful small restaurant--the mix of nature at the patio, art, and gastronomic. Everything it's so perfect, decoration, music, even the waitress uniform match perfectly with the place. Well organized with this COVID situation, we call for reservations, and when we get there, the table was ready for us, no waiting time . Good service, and the Food was just excellent. For be honest, one of the best brunches that I ever eat at PR. Even the coffee it's deferent and delicious. I just found another happy place for me.

We drove to Ponce for the day from San Juan and arrived at lunch time starving. A quick search on Yelp to us to El Rastro and lunch alone made the drive worth it. We were very warmly greeted by the hostess and then again by our waitress and the manager. Everyone was very kind! We both had the sun dried tomato and spinach risotto, but I had the pork loin on mine and my husband had chicken. He was VERY happy with his but I really think I won. The pork loin was so flavorful and moist! I couldn't finish mine so I took it to go and ate in the car on the way home! They have a very extensive menu with a "creative" menu that changes every two weeks. Brunch too! They also had a great drink menu that included mocktails. It's not a huge place, but it was very nicely decorated and had a festive atmosphere for the holidays. A small but very nice patio as well. We HIGHLY recommend!!

OMG. Best meal in PR so far! Amazing flavor creations, beautifully presented,and wonderful ambiance. My husband and I both had risotto. The chef's creation with chickpeas spinach and octopus was a perfectly melded flavor explosion and the paella del mar was equally delicious!

I had a great experience at this restaurant. Service was attentive and on top of the game. The food is delicious and unique. Their sodas and liquors are unique and out of this world. I would 100% recommend.

Great place in Ponce. We have been here 4 times and the people and the food are nice and consistent. Reasonable prices as well.

Best in town! The ambience, the service, the FOOD was superb! The risotto was the best I've ever had and the cocktails were whimsical. Would recommend to anyone looking for something special.

We happened to find this place for lunch as we were going through town in our exploration of Puerto Rico. What a lovely spot we sat out side and had attentive, friendly service. We had the vegan poke bowl, the chicken wontons and the chorizo medallions. Each dish was special and fresh and fantastic. Highly recommend this lovely cafe!

If you're in Ponce to visit or just driving by, make sure to stop by "El Rastro". If you're lucky the owners of the restaurant, María Isabel and Luce will greet and host you, as soon as you walk in. The ambience is beautifully decorated and there's a welcoming vibe all over the place. I ordered the "vegigante" drink and it was refreshing and delicious. As an appetizer, I had the "montaditos" of dates and the other was the smoked salmon. The ingredients were fresh and tasty. You'll enjoy the combination of sweet and salty in both options. They have an amazing waffle version of the "patatas bravas". Make sure you try them, as the flavor will surprise you in a delicious way. As a main dish I had the pulled pork mac and cheese and the "paella"risotto. The pulled pork is so soft and yummy that in almost melts in your fork. The "paella" risotto is creamy and decadent. I can't tell you which one is better because when I visit again, I'm sure I'll order both. For dessert I had the carrot-pumpkin cake. If you could choose only one dessert before you die, this would be it. You'll feel that you're on your way to heaven when you realize that your final bite will have the crisp, crust of crème brulée at the top. Thank me later.

Loved it! Superó mis expectativas en todos los sentidos. El lugar es hermoso, tranquilo y la música muy bien elegida. El personal es muy atento y amable, tanto conmigo como con mi perro (ademas de darle mucho amor, le trajeron un postrecito y agua). La comida estuvo deliciosa, desde la entrada hasta el postre... el sabor y la presentación fueron increíbles. Les recomiendo venir a este lugar que con su ambiente, variedad de sabores y buen servicio, estoy segura les va a encantar!!!

This is a true gem of a restaurant - whether you're a local or a tourist you must go! The food is world-wide inspired, spectacular and shareable, the crafted cocktails are out of this world, the atmosphere is energized and service is best in class. This restaurant truly lives up to its motto of being detail oriented. Most importantly they truly bring together the community. We enjoyed beautiful music and artistic poetry readings during our dining. The verdict: go, enjoy and be part of the details.

I'm writing this review as I'am eating. I couldn't wait to give this place a 5 star rating! Brunch was incredible. And Felix, our server, was great! Definitely will be coming back!!

By far THE BEST I've visited in a loooooong time. Came to this place with a party of 11 and every dish was spectacular with absolutely no waiting time for them. I will come back

Loved! Tasty menu with lots of options, great for tapas style eating. Also has the most delicious cocktail, the bartender is the real deal.

We arrived at El Rastro at 11:30 on a Sunday morning with no reservation. No matter; they seated us immediately, outside as requested, despite a clearly busy morning. The hostess was gracious and gave us a good orientation to their *very* extensive menu. It was tough choosing from so many tantalizing options. We were promptly served very creative drinks (try the blackberry mimosa!), and our meals (omelet and French bowl, which was basically a sophisticated egg dish in a nice, crusty loaf of bread) were well prepared with creative combinations of ingredients. The ambiance is upscale and comfortable, and the staff were all friendly, efficient, and helpful. Really enjoyed our meal. Thank you so much!

Beautiful location; nice ambiance; delicious and creative cocktails. Menu is varied and creative. Reasonable prices. A hidden gem in Ponce!

A beautiful restaurant. Everything counts when a person goes to a restaurant. The reception, waitress/waiter's knowledge of food, their attitude, menu design, bar menu options, the taste of the food, presentation, quantity, quality among many other things. This restaurant hits bulls eye in almost everything. I'll be a regular here and visiting this place is a beautiful experience in itself. I'd highly recommend this place to anyone who is in PR. PS: Do have a chat with the lovely owners of this place if they're around. They are awesome people.

After two weeks on vacation, my wife and I were ready for something different. My sister in law suggested El Rastro and knocked it out of the park. As we walked in, we were greeted by Isaac, who proved to be very knowledgeable about the restaurant's culture and vision. At the table he answered all our questions with a beautiful smile like Remi Malik. I ordered the garbanzo risotto with octopus. The flavors and textures in this dish were very strong, yet surprisingly pleasing and satisfying. I asked for the Vegigante from the bar, delish as well. Last but not least, the prices are very affordable.

The food is special! I had the Ribeye medium well and it was perfect. The merlot was good. And my mojito had the right touch of ginger... I am waiting on my next excuse to go there and try a new combination.

Brunch, lunch or otherwise you have to stop here for all of the amazing variety on the menu! Let's start with lovely homey ambiance, an open kitchen, and exceptional organically concocted juices! The most refreshing margaritas made of natural fruit with your choice of parcha, melón, and amaretto acerola & champagne!! We had these combinations and fell in love! But, you must accompany these with one of the over 20+ choices from the Brunch Lunch menu: combinations of eggs, avocado, omelette, waffles, bacon, steak, corn beef hash, and I wish I could list it all correctly!! Our group of five ordered a different selection each and all items were amazing!! Of course, you can't end brunch without something sweet: we had carrot cake with almonds, blueberries on a tres leche créame. To fue for!! Additional amenities include parking and shopping inside for lovely Puerto Rico art!! Ask for Isaac for a true individualized a la carte experience!