El Vino Crudo

We had time to kill before dinner, which is often when the best decisions or the worst get made. So we went looking for wine. Old San Juan doesn’t make it easy. The streets twist and repeat themselves like a memory you’re not done with, all mosaic stone and quiet defiance. Getting lost there feels intentional, like the city wants to know how badly you want to arrive anywhere at all. Eventually, we found El Vino Crudo. It hides the way good places should, no neon, no desperation. You earn it. We ordered wine, then oysters, because that combination has been solving human problems since people first learned how to linger. Or maybe it was just the wine thinking. It was the right call nonetheless. Briny, clean, honest. We lost track of time, then of ourselves, the way you do when conversation matters more than destination. Outside, the street grew louder, touristy, bright and cheerful, the night announcing itself with clatter and laughter. Inside, we stayed still for a brief moment. There’s a moment like that between daylight and dinner, between getting lost and being found, where everything feels briefly aligned. And if you’re paying attention, you realize that’s the whole point.

I held my wedding rehearsal dinner at El Vino Crudo this past October for about 45 people. Amianka and team made the evening incredibly special. From the beginning, Amianka approached the planning so thoughtfully, accounting for how I saw the evening going, and suggested a format that best suited our group. The evening started with grazing tables that were beautifully designed, then there was passed bites, a massive and gorgeously delicious pan of gnocchi that the chef served directly to people's plates, and an amazing and interactive desert table that was made right in front of the guests (a total show stopper). The staff were also so kind and attentive, and they helped make our evening all the more special. El Vino Crudo makes amazing and thoughtful food, and plan creative and thoughtful private events. Of course I can't recommend this place enough for a meal, but if you're considering planning a private event here, do it!!! You and your guests will have an amazing time.

Atmosphere and service were great. The food was probably very good but our experience was overly influenced by how awful the wine was. The four of us tasted 5 different glasses of wine. One of the rose wines smelled like a moldy basement and we sent it back. First time any of us had ever sent anything back at a restaurant. Three of the other four wines (two reds and a white) lacked any kind of pleasant nose or finish, and were very thin in body. Maybe this is what vino crudo is referring to?!

Found this place online. Did not disappoint! When we arrived we were immediately drawn in by the unique ambiance of the bar. Got to try Fianl minutoll - orange wine for the first time. It was so delicious, perfect combo of sweet and dry. Tasted similar to white but with a different twist, being light and refreshing. We chose the focaccia appetizer which was delightful. Only critique we had is wishing there was an element of sweetness to the dip but the fluffy, flavor packed bread made up for this. Following this, was the gnocchi. It was the smoothest, richest, I’ve ever had. Like pillows that melt in your mouth. Possibly even better than ones I’ve had in Italy. Overall pleasant experience, would recommend trying while visiting and in great location of old San Juan, with lots to do nearby!!!

El Vino Crudo is my favorite spot in Puerto Rico, and the best place to take visitors! I’ve been coming since it first opened, and the owners have expanded the food program, so you can now have a proper meal. The wine selection is still phenomenal. Everyone that works there is so lovely and the space is beautiful. Make sure you don’t miss it as it’s tucked away a bit - it’s next to Malavita (same owners).

El Vino Crudo is easily a top restaurant in Old San Juan, and possibly the best restaurant in San Juan! This place just hit every mark for us. -The menu is unique. -The food is clean, refreshing, and innovative, with extremely fresh ingredients. -The drinks elegant.(We became wine lovers after trying some of their natural wines.) -The music was 100 out of 10. -The atmosphere felt like we were on a vacation from our vacation. We met some great people at the bar. -The staff made us feel like we were family, we even got a chance to meet the chef and the owner! From the host to the chef everyone was extremely warm, friendly, and clearly grateful for our patronage. El Vino Crudo is just amazing! I wish we could try the entire menu! We will definitely be back. (I wish there was one near me!) Highly Recommend!

I absolutely cannot wait to come back here! The wine list is excellent and the hospitality is even better! I look forward to trying the foos next time, I'm so sad that I ate before coming. They're truly doing great thing here

More than just a wine bar. Vino Crudo is one of these "hidden gems" that only come so often. It's one of these places you don't really want to talk about as you want to keep the secret to yourself (if you were selfish ;). Whether for a romantic dinner or drinks with friends, this is the place to go in Old San Juan!

We stopped in here for a quick glass of wine at the end of our evening in San Juan. The wine was good but the antipasto was not great and the staff were a little snooty. Probably wouldn't recommend it to someone looking for a friendly atmosphere, but the vibe was cute with the lighting, seating, and disco ball. Go here if you're looking for something refined.

Found this gem waiting for our reservation across the street at Marmalade! What a cute spot! No huge sign in front, just a small neon wine symbol got us through the back door and down a small alley way. Felt like something out of Harry Potter and very intriguing. There was a small food menu with a few tapas, but you can definitely tell this is where the good wine is at, and we were right. Would absolutely come again. Highly recommend for at least a glass or bottle!

Quite a wine list, a more restrained food menu . . . and they're proud of every bit of both. Food and wine we had were good (not great - a bone in my lamb ragu could have been problematic had I been chomping with more gusto); service was good and friendly. Despite the cheery attentiveness of the staff, this was my most disappointing meal in Viejo San Juan: the pappardelle were just fine (pleasantly al dente) but the ragu itself was tragically bland. Dessert was tasty but not memorable and that's not the point of supper, anyway. Also, you have to collect your check and pay at the bar for some reason - strange. Edited: the owner called me as soon as she saw my three-star review on Open Table. She was very troubled by the issues we'd had and offered recompense (I declined - not at all necessary) since an "average" review is far out of their ordinary (raves). She explained their building's funky WiFi necessitated the payment at the bar and said it should have been explained, but that it was an unusual night - Valentine's Day - and they'd only opened that night (usually closed Tuesdays) because of the holiday. She said she would have replaced the pasta had I mentioned the bone (certainly true, but I don't send things back and it wasn't a big deal - just not expected). I'm impressed with Management's responsiveness and am sure that it's worth looking at all the other reviews of others' experiences here.

I randomly discovered this place while walking to take a gym for Pokemon Go. I told myself I was going to return later on, and I'm glad I did. The ambiance was really nice... Customers could either sit on the bright side or the dimly lit side. I decided to go for the dimly lit side and be the only person at their small bar. Do not come to this place hungry! They only have snacks -- though one of those snacks is this phenomenal coconut cheesecake. It had chunks of pineapple in a jelly form on top and the flavor was just out of this world! I took a suggestion on the best wine to pair with it, and a rosé was recommended. It was a great rosé and the cheesecake really did enhance its flavor profile. Otherwise, I drank wine, chatted with the staff, enjoy the music, and really enjoyed my time there. It was a little expensive, but it was worth it. Honestly I would return just for the cheesecake itself -- random, I know!

If I could give this place 10 stars I would. The ambiance is amazing, the staff is so friendly and knowledgeable on recommending excellent wine selections. The food, oh my gatos, it is divine. I would have come back the next day to eat the same thing if they were open on Mondays. Everything we ate was beyond amazing. This place is a gem. If you are in old San Juan and you want an amazing meal, the kind that makes you dance a little in your seat with excitement, you must come here. Skip all the tourist trap restaurants and run here. Seriously, it will make it to the top of your best food ever list.

I cannot say enough good things about this dinner. We came on a Thursday and loved the wine flight option and enjoyed several dishes including the incredible shrimp caviar chips and mussels. The ambiance is amazing - dimly lit but not dark and just felt sexy overall. Great for locals, tourists, and travelers alike. Was surprised at how few people at nearby bars had heard of this incredible place!

Would give 100000000 stars!!!!! Highly recommended! Great products and vibes! There isn't any other place like n PR! They literally bottled an experience (yup, pun intended)! This is a MUST while in PR

Loved everything about El Vino Crudo. The wine was spectacular and the sommelier was incredibly knowledgable and gave us the best guidance. But it is worth noting that it was also the best meal I've had in a long time. The menu is small but every dish is perfection. Fantastic agnolotti, the langostino blew us all away and everything was sauced and cooked brilliantly. I can't wait to return on my next trip to San Juan.

We are here last night and it was delicious. We tried almost all of the tapas and every single one was excellent. Definitely recommend.

Tucked in an out-of-the-way alley, it's easy to miss this cozy spot. I just wanted a glass of wine and a small snack, and this for the bill perfectly. The by-the-glass selection was limited but all bottles on the wall are available for drinking in-house or takeaway. The small plates all pair perfectly with a bottle. The staff was helpful in explaining the menu and detailing the types of wine.

Very much an off night. Waited for table despite reservation. Poor ability to respond to dietary restrictions. And the wait. Took 90 min to get all the food. No one ate at the same time. The food was extremely small, but good. Skip it.

Adam the bartender at Sofia referred us to Crudo. What a awesome tapas wine bar. Love the wine, food, vibe and music. Layout of bar is pretty cool too. Great place to chill with friends after long day of sightseeing! A must see when in old San Juan.