Santaella

"Santaella, located near the vibrant La Placita market, has been setting the standard for upscale Puerto Rican cuisine for over a decade. Chef José Santaella, a culinary veteran who trained with luminaries like Ferran Adrià and Eric Ripert, brings his expertise to a contemporary interpretation of Puerto Rican classics, often referred to as “Puerto Rican nouvelle cuisine.” His menu is filled with must-try dishes like tuna skewers, crispy artisanal morcilla (blood sausage), fried red snapper with cilantro mojo and tostones, goat cheese quesadillas, and a pastelón del día. Don’t miss the creamy guava and cream cheese budín for dessert. The ambiance is just as noteworthy; think lush indoor garden, exposed brick walls, Edison bulbs, and a vibrant bar that’s perfect for sipping inventive cocktails like a watermelon mojito or St. Germaine-infused Perfect Lady. This is the place to see and be seen while enjoying impeccable service and a wine list as fun as the colorful, pop art-inspired restrooms​." - Paulina Salach Antonetti, Alicia Kennedy

"Santaella might not look like much from the outside, but inside, you’ll find an elegant dining room, indoor garden, and a tropical-themed bar. The cocktails are fantastic (two highlights: the Perfect Lady with St. Germaine and the watermelon-y mojito de sandí), and so is the menu—think a contemporary take on traditional Puerto Rican food. Start your meal with the tacos de tartar de atún, pastelón del dia, or the chillo frito, and don’t skip the budín de queso crema y guayaba for dessert. This spot is buzzy and always booked, so make a reservation in advance." - adriana silva, tiffany yannetta

"Santaella might not look like much from the outside, but inside, you’ll find an elegant dining room, indoor garden, and a tropical-themed bar. The cocktails are fantastic (two highlights: the Perfect Lady with St. Germaine and the watermelon-y mojito de sandí), and so is the menu—think a contemporary take on traditional Puerto Rican food. Start your meal with the tacos de tartar de atún, pastelón del dia, or the chillo frito, and don’t skip the budín de queso crema y guayaba for dessert. This spot is buzzy and always booked, so make a reservation in advance." - Adriana Silva

"After working with renowned chefs like Ferran Adrià and Éric Ripert, chef José Santaella has made his own name in Puerto Rico by highlighting traditional cocina criolla in the context of modern gastronomy. His namesake restaurant serves a luxury take on a trifongo of yuca, green plantain, and sweet plantain, finished with bits of salty bacon to hammer home the flavor. It’s served alongside the chef’s own magnificent spin on jumbo shrimp in a pool of creamy garlic sauce." - Gabriela Torres

"At Santaella, exposed concrete walls, hanging lights, and candlelit, reclaimed-wood tables all center around a lush tropical garden. The vibe feels earthy, sexy, and chic—without trying too hard. But this is an Instagram-worthy restaurant and knows it. The drinks here taste as good as they look and the food comes from chef José Santaella who has trained with the likes of Eric Ripert and Ferran Adriá." - Kris Fordham