Thanks to budding local entrepreneurs, visionary chefs, and artists uniting communities through collaborative spaces, Puerto Rico is evolving into one of the Caribbean’s most innovative destinations. The island’s growing cultural scene is evident, showcasing a culinary rebirth and a revival of cultural heritage alongside a push for sustainable living.
From San Juan to Ponce, Loíza and Vieques, now is the ideal time to experience a fresh wave of restaurants, venues, and galleries highlighting the island’s pride in its roots and rhythms.
San Juan: A New Wave of Sustainable Cuisine
Aside from Old San Juan and its architectural wonders, the city’s diverse neighborhoods are crafting their own narratives. Locally grown food is essential for climate action, leading to a flourishing farm-to-table scene. Residents have pioneered an organic food movement that is rapidly becoming a model for other Caribbean islands.
Begin in Santurce at Lote 23, a formerly vacant lot converted into a vibrant arts and food park. Rotating kiosks feature a variety of cuisines from Puerto Rico’s finest chefs; sample local favorites like mofongo (a fried plantain dish), noodles, pizza, and Puerto Rican style pernil (slow-roasted pork). The park also hosts music and art events, including a bi-monthly artisan market with locally made goods. A short distance away, sushi and sake cocktails await at Sur Barra Nikkei, which fuses Peruvian and Japanese culinary traditions.
Along Calle Loíza, the emergence of independent restaurants and culinary talent has effectively sidelined fast-food chains. “All fast food chains such as Wendy’s, Burger King and Church’s Chicken shut down, and locally owned shops reopened instead,” says Stephan Watts, co-owner of The Dreamcatcher hotel. “A trend that is pretty impressive and contrary to what’s happening anywhere else in the world.”
Cafe Tresbé, based in a bright yellow shipping container, presents local seafood ceviches and poke bowls for diners to enjoy on a wooden deck. Alternatively, indulge in authentic Japanese cuisine at Round Eye Ramen PR, located off Calle Loíza near Ocean Park, offering fresh ramen made with handmade noodles.
In Old San Juan, within the renowned Hotel El Convento, Chef Antonio Pérez crafts whimsical surf-and-turf dishes at Santísimo restaurant and bar, which features a dimly lit covered terrace. With the founders of La Factoría behind this venture, the cocktails are as impressive as the freshly sourced menu.
No culinary experience is as groundbreaking as Oriundo, a six-course meal held in Cocina Abierta’s studio kitchen in Condado. Led by Chef Martin Louzao and featuring contributions from a food historian, beer brewer, marine conservation expert, and agricultural economist, this pop-up aims to revive Puerto Rico’s biodiversity by integrating the island’s native ingredients into each dish. This sustainable approach to dining allows guests to contribute to environmental preservation.
“They are reviving forgotten ingredients, vegetables, and fruits to motivate farmers to grow a wider variety of products, thereby creating demand,” explains hotelier Sylvia De Marco, who conducts a vegan dinner series at The Dreamcatcher. “What they’re doing is significant and ethical; it’s beyond just food.”
For hands-on enthusiasts, participate in Spoon’s cooking classes where you’ll shop at a local farmers’ market and create classic Puerto Rican dishes in a home kitchen. Afterward, visit the Casa de Montecristo cigar bar near La Fortaleza in Old San Juan for Bacardi tastings and mixology sessions.
Burn off those delicious calories by dancing the night away to live plena and bomba music on Mondays at La Terraza de Bonanza in Santurce. Alternatively, consider enrolling in a salsa dancing workshop at Casa Museo Ismael Rivera, launching this summer through a women-led social enterprise Local Guest.
Beyond culinary experiences and nightlife, make time for stunning new attractions. A collaborative artist space, :Pública Espacio Cultural features an ever-changing art and photography exhibition room, as well as community spaces for yoga and kombucha-making classes. The Museo de Arte y Diseño de Miramar (MADMi) captivates from the moment you enter its pink-and-white French neoclassical building, hosting rotating contemporary art exhibits that range from paintings to furniture along with year-round art workshops.
The five-acre El Distrito San Juan is set to open in phases starting March 20, 2020. This major entertainment hub will provide unique spaces for all ages and interests, including a music hall accommodating over 4000 people, a sports viewing area, a movie theater, zipline, bowling alley, virtual reality arcades, and a Kidzone. Guests can also enjoy dining, bar hopping, and accommodations at the new Aloft Hotel by Marriott.
Loíza: Community Workshops and Coastal Bike Rides
It’s easier than ever to immerse yourself in Afro-Puerto Rican culture. Join a group bomba session at the COPI community center in Loíza, or participate in Local Guest’s new Artisan Workshop where local artist Wilcelino will guide you in crafting your own travel-sized vejigante or “devil mask,” a symbol of Afro-Puerto Rican celebrations.
You can rent a bike at COPI or stroll along the boardwalk leading to a nature trail that begins behind the center. This trail meanders through a mesmerizing mangrove forest inhabited by iguanas, ultimately leading to Loíza’s rugged coastline and beach. Savor fritters, stuffed mofongo, and fresh seafood at the open-air eateries lining Loíza’s main roadway.
Ponce: A Cultural and Culinary Renaissance
Although some historical sites have suffered structural damage since the January earthquakes, Ponce has reopened to tourists. Isla Caribe has resumed its downtown walking tours, and local businesses and restaurants are back in operation. Speaking of restaurants, inventive food establishments have been emerging in this historic town.
Newcomer Cassava Pizza serves artisanal crusts made from cassava, available from a Taíno-themed food truck. Visit for lunch from Friday to Sunday and try the Ponceňa, topped with vegetables and pepperoni, or the Utuadeña, a vegan cassava pizza.
Inside Plaza del Mercado, you’ll find the newly launched Coffee Bar by RySmart, which offers gourmet coffee and diverse meal choices like salmon, salads, and avocado stuffed with beef strips on rice. Don’t miss the locally-made artisanal ice cream sticks (the piña colada flavor is a must-try) and live music on Saturday nights. Another favored spot is Ponce Food Truck Spot, boasting a variety of fried favorites alongside grilled steaks, tacos, and cocktails served al fresco.
Enhance your visit by exploring the Museo de la Historia de Ponce, where you’ll delve into Ponce’s rich nature and cultural heritage. The reopened Museo de la Música Puertorriqueña showcases the history of Puerto Rico’s musical genres, from bomba to salsa. Don’t forget to shop for locally-made arts and crafts at Utopia, and finish your day relaxing at the lively Plaza de las Delicias.
Vieques: Herbal Remedies and Homemade Rum
Botanical farm and boutique hotel Finca Victoria features the island’s first Ayurvedic wellness center, Casa Botánica Ayurveda. The center creates its own beauty and body treatment products derived from local plants and includes an apothecary that specializes in herbal remedies. Ayurvedic treatments will commence on March 15, 2020.
Additionally, Vieques proudly welcomes its first handcrafted rum distillery, Crab Island Rum, inspired by the island’s first creative rum artisans. Explore the distillery and shop for local crab-infused orange or coffee-flavored Crab Island rum. If you visit on Saturdays, you can enjoy live music, mixed rum cocktails, and delicious food as part of a grand showcase of Boricua culture.
Produced by iBestTravel for Discover Puerto Rico. All editorial views reflect the policy of editorial independence and impartiality of iBestTravel.
