Delicious Foods To Savor When Visiting Puerto Rico

Flavors distinctly Caribbean, yet elevated with Spanish and African influences you can taste with every delicious bite.

Old San Juan is our go-to spot for our Puerto Rico culinary journey. Every cobblestone street lined with several restaurants and eateries all within a walking reach from our stay in the city.

When visiting Puerto Rico, here are some of the island’s delicious offerings that is worth sampling.

Mofongo

First item on the list has got to be something made with plantains. Mofongo is fried plantains, mashed, and cooked with onions, and other species. They are typically served with beef, pork, and fresh seafood. In some places, lobster.

Where to Try:
Cherrascu or Skirt Steak Mofongo at Vaca Brava
Shrimp Mofongo at La Barrachina

Tostones

Tostones are lightly-salted, flattened, deep fried plantains usually served with mayo-ketchup. They can be eaten as a snack, or just as perfect as a delicious side dish.

Where to Try:
Most restaurants in Old San Juan. We loved the one in Vaca Brava

Empanadillas

Mini half moon shaped turnovers great for snacking while relishing local flavors. Golden brown exterior with a slight crunch around a richly seasoned, hearty filling. Popular filling options on the island include beef, lobster, conch, and shrimp.

Chuleta Can-Can

Chuleta can-can is a style of pork chop (chuleta) with the rib meat, fat, and skin all still attached. The entire slab is deep fried to golden brown perfection. It’s like having a gigantic pork chop with some chicharrones or fried pork rinds all in one massively mouth-watering piece.

Where to Try:
Raices at Old San Juan

80% Pure Puerto Rican Hot Chocolate

A must try for all chocoholics. It’s not your typical cup of hot cocoa where it is mostly milk flavored with cocoa powder and sugar. Thick serving of local chocolate takes center stage as all other ingredients serve to elevate the flavor.

Where to Try:
Chocobar Cortes at Old San Juan

Quesitos

A delicious pastry popularized in Puerto Rico made with puffed pastry dough wrapped around a filling of sweetened cream cheese. It’s like a Caribbean cannoli that goes beautifully with hot chocolate. Definitely worth a try.

Where to Try:
Chocobar Cortes at Old San Juan

Avocado Toast

What’s so special about avocado on toast? Only if you have it the Puerto Rico way! This one is layered with guacamole, fried egg, smoked bacon and cherry tomatoes atop toasted Brioche bread. All that flavor and texture is sure to put your buttered toast to shame.

Where to Try:
Chocobar Cortes at Old San Juan

Piña Colada

A refreshing cocktail with flavors from the tropics. It is made with rum, cream of coconut or coconut milk, and pineapple juice. It is usually served either blended or shaken with ice. Better yet, its birthplace is in Puerto Rico at the La Barrachina restaurant in Old San Juan.

Where to Try:
La Barrachina at Old San Juan.

Flan de Queso

Cream Cheese Flan or Flan de Queso is a smooth cream cheese custard topped with a sinful layer of homemade caramel. Pretty simple dessert with robust creaminess and exquisite delight.

Where to Try:
We loved the one at La Barrachina

Street Ice Cream or Helados

While strolling around cobblestone lined streets of San Juan, you’ll notice ice cream vendors with vibrant carts. These sweet treats are perfect for snacking under the scorching Puerto Rican sun. They usually serve three different flavors in cups or cones. You can mix them up or savor them one flavor at a time.

Various Coconut Sweets

Look for vendor kiosks stationed along the marina area of Old San Juan. You’ll find several colorful treats made with coconut and among other flavors. They’re great for snacking or just trying out local delicacies.

Mavi

Mavi is a drink made out of fermented tree bark and is popular among the Caribbean islands. It has a naturally mild sweet taste almost like root beer with a slight aftertaste that is hard to describe. It is usually served cold and somewhat refreshing. You can buy them in stores, or in kiosks along Old San Juan’s Marina area.

Carne Frita

Carne Frita (Fried Pork Chunks) are delicious pork chunks that are seasoned and marinated in Puerto Rican spices and then fried to golden perfection. They are slightly crunchy on the outside while still pretty tender and juicy on the inside.

Assorted Fried Local Delicacies (Turnovers, Fritters and Croquettes)

Puerto Ricans love their fried foods, simply because they are delicious! You can find them on a short road trip to Piñones or just stay in Old San Juan and get them as part of an appetizer platter served in various restaurants.

Where to Try:
Drift – Piñones Puerto Rico