This year, the San Juan metro area has seen a wave of new restaurants and businesses open, reflecting the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit of its people.
Keep this list handy for options the next time you go out.
Scryer Rum opened a new barrelhouse on Avenida Universidad in Río Piedras. The space is now its main production warehouse, the company told Platea PR. Since 2015, it has set itself apart by producing its own Caribbean rum and by offering a tasting room and rum bar where visitors can see the finishing barrels.
To bring Mexican culture to more Puerto Rican palates, Tequila Cantina opened at Lote 23, a small bar focused exclusively on tequila, led by young Puerto Rican Xavier González Colón.
The space has a cocktail menu that includes margaritas and classic drinks with a tropical twist, more than 20 different labels of tequilas and mezcals, and Mexican-style beers, both international and local. All glasses and straws are made from the residual material of tequila production.
Kueros Island Bar & Kitchen recently opened on the second floor of Hotel Rumbao, a Tribute Portfolio by Marriott. The restaurant offers a menu centered on Puerto Rican cuisine with international elements. Standout dishes include the Coquito French Toast and the Chicharrón de Mero. The space has a bar with more than 50 international wines and cocktails that blend the traditional and the modern.
Ambar, the new and anticipated bar on Calle Cerra, offers a selection of wines and craft cocktails to enjoy alongside dishes such as rib eye with majado, tuna tiraditos or chorizo croquettes. Ambar's atmosphere is eclectic, and it's worth making a reservation on OpenTable. They also accept walk-ins.
A well-known space on Calle Wilson in San Juan that had been closed for more than 15 years was restored and reopened as the restaurant Basilisa. The menu features a wide variety of Spanish tapas with a Puerto Rican touch, including ceviche, pulpo a la gallega, shrimp, calamari and more.
Offering smash burgers, tapas, beers and cocktails, this space opened on Calle Cerra, steps from Miramar Food Truck Park. In addition to its menu, it hosts a stand-up comedy lineup and open mic nights.
"With Risas, my goal is to give comedians a space where they have complete freedom to experiment with their art," said José Eduardo Rodríguez, owner of Risas.
According to Rodríguez, the revitalization of Calle Cerra and its rich cultural history motivated him to open the venue in the central barrio.
"By bringing live comedy to this area, my goal is to contribute to its continued resurgence and offer a unique and entertaining experience for both locals and visitors," Rodríguez said.
This food truck, located on Ave. de Diego near Aurorita's, offers a concept suited to ramen and Japanese food lovers in Puerto Rico. Its casual, to-go menu features four types of dumplings, chicken bao, shrimp bao, mushroom pernil bao and pork belly bao. They also prepare sushi, poke and authentic ramen dishes such as the rich Tonkotsu, made with a creamy pork broth. DoorDash and Uber Eats delivery is available.
There isn't much that needs to be said about this mysterious bar in San Juan. Just visit its Instagram page and browse the photos of cocktails behind curtains. Once you've settled on your favorite, send a direct message via Instagram to make a reservation or get the location details. Psst… they have a drink called Azul de Cristian Castro.
With a location at Plaza del Sol, BoxLunch is the store for pop culture fans and fandoms, carrying a wide range of merchandise spanning everything from Disney to Harry Potter.
This matcha bar, a pioneer in Puerto Rico located on Calle Cerra in Santurce, grew out of a question: Where can you find ceremonial-grade Japanese matcha on the Island? With that in mind, Shayna Muskus and Liza Maldonado founded the matcha-focused business to make the drink more available in San Juan.
The name Matcha Muchacha came out of a wordplay exercise. Among the rhyming ideas they wrote down, the duo noted that the faces of the brand are women, and that's how they landed on the name.
Matcha Muchacha offers strawberry, mango and lavender flavors and is steps away from restaurants such as Peko Peko and 100% HP.
"We chose Calle Cerra; we love the community. We're surrounded by other local businesses that support each other and grow together," Muskus said.
Are you planning to open a business? We want to hear your pitch.
Santurce gets a new addition with La Barra La Patria and La Patria Rooftop Bar. The menu stands out for its finger food options, including sliders, quesadillas, tacos and montaditos, as well as a Mac & Cheese that has a vegetarian option.
Keyla Meléndez and Gerardo Méndez have expanded La Patria Restobar beyond their original Hato Rey restaurant with concepts such as La Barra de Patria, La Patria Rooftop Bar and Patria Yards, located in El Distrito de Convenciones. Their latest location is La Patria en La Cerra, which seats up to 200 people.
The well-known bubble tea brand will open locations at Plaza Atenas in Manatí and in Cupey. Known for its Milk Foam Bubble Tea and a variety of fresh teas, bubbles and coffee, Gong cha specializes in premium drinks and has a long international track record.
Located in Design Plaza, Guaynabo, this family-friendly space is well suited for brunch, with pastries and a focus on artisan breads.
Puerto Rico's first self-portrait studio, where visitors can take their own photos using professional equipment and a variety of sets, located on Calle San Justo in San Juan.
"The business was born from a concept in South Korea, where people on the street take their own photos with selfie sticks and backdrops," said Emilio Iglesias, the founder of Fotomatica Studio. According to Iglesias, most of the people who visit the studio are introverted and have never had the chance to take professional photos or be inside a photography studio.
This Pilates studio in Dorado is a wellness space for all levels, with a community atmosphere. Fully equipped, it offers classes in a naturally lit studio that encourages movement and relaxation.
Barra Negra offers a variety of cocktails and appetizers such as salmon handrolls, sliders with wagyu beef and the salmon mango tartar. We recommend trying their mezcal cocktail, the Puchi Pachi, and their creative Napoleón with rum and espresso.
Located at the Sagrado Corazón Tren Urbano station, Fetch is a pet-friendly oasis that offers everything from loyalty programs for your pet to grooming and dog boarding, along with events and modern classes for the best care of your pet.
In Liberty Square San Patricio, you'll find Beamina, a store founded by Puerto Rican mother-daughter duo Beatriz and Paulina, offering on-trend bags and accessories with a social impact mission.
Located in Urb. Villa Carmen in Caguas, this third location from basketball player Ysmael Romero offers a variety of gourmet cookies and other treats such as ice cream and coffee, and has a rooftop and drive-through service. Mr. Kukis also has locations in Bayamón and Santurce.
Located in Plaza Centro Mall in Caguas, Pasta To Go is a restaurant that specializes in dishes made with homemade sauces and a range of options that include catering, breakfast, pastas, desserts and pizza. They have distinguished their products with the "Hecho en Puerto Rico" quality seal, ensuring authenticity and support for the local industry.
This entertainment venue, located in The Outlet 66 Mall in Canóvanas, offers fun for all ages with attractions including LED bowling, an arcade game area, bumper cars and go-karts.
It offers a coffee experience with pastries in a pet-friendly setting on Calle Génova in Guaynabo. Behind this welcoming spot is Karen Saavedra Morales, an entrepreneur from Toa Alta.
This bakery, with locations at several spots including Hatillo and Calle Loíza, blends street art and hip-hop culture to offer a unique cookie-making experience with flavors like Red Velvet, Oreo, Purple Haze and more.
Located in Popular Center in Hato Rey, this aesthetics center offers a range of spa and massage services, from Hammam and Sauna to anti-aging treatments and laser hair removal. It was founded by entrepreneur Kyrsis Marrero and Dr. Luma Al-Attar.
Located in Trujillo Alto, this spot specializes in creative sandwiches (try El Beto) and a variety of drinks made with local coffee brand La Puya. Visit their online store to order their 14 oz bag of premium coffee.
This bar adds to the varied offerings on Calle Cerra in Santurce. Menu favorites include cocktails made with gin and Ron Barrilito 3 Estrellas. They post tapas menu updates on their social media, along with announcements of pop-ups and food events.
Known for the pastel de nata (a Portuguese custard tart made with egg yolk and puff pastry), La Nata now has a location on Avenida Juan Ponce de León in Santurce. They offer a breakfast, brunch and coffee menu. Keep an eye on their social media for announcements of brunch specials and unlimited mimosas.
This franchise, known for its wings and chicken sandwiches, has a new location at the Montehiedra outlets, with hand-cut fries and its own flavors.
Abracadabra has moved to a new avenue. Now on the Avenida Fernández Juncos side, they continue to develop the brunch concept they have been refining for the past 14 years. Their pancakes, for example, are hard to resist and can be ordered at any time of day. They also offer burgers, tacos, mimosas and craft beers to satisfy any craving.
Follow the "x" and step into the world of Furtivo, a speakeasy where you'll find a curated mix of mixology in an intimate, sophisticated setting. You can sample creative cocktails and wines, which pair well with a selection of tapas. You can also book your next event here, with the appeal of a clandestine bar, elaborate cocktails and a distinctive, intimate atmosphere.
This is a new dining experience led by chefs Xavier Toro and Javier Hernández. Have a craft cocktail or a glass of wine at the bar, which has booth seating, or in the main dining room, set up for both small and large groups. Consider dishes like the Veal & Beef Meatballs and the steak Al Caballo, and be sure to make your reservation by phone.
In the heart of Santurce you'll also find Cuore Pasta Bar, which opened in late October and offers pasta and wine. Pasta styles on the menu include mafaldine, fettuccine, creste di gallo and zucca. You can order by phone or request delivery through Uber Eats and UVA.
El Tap is back for a new season. This spot, which opened in 2017 and offers 46 taps of fresh craft beers, wine and sangria, always had a clear goal of contributing to the growth of the local craft beer industry. After weathering several setbacks, they decided to renovate their space to welcome this new chapter of El Tap.
The former Herrera López residence, built in 1914 in Aguadilla and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, now has a second life. Today, The Lopez Residence is a welcoming retreat for professionals and art and music enthusiasts, where you can enjoy cocktails in a historic setting. It is open Fridays and Saturdays from 6:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m., and enforces a dress code.
Cover photo: Matcha Muchacha y La Puya Café (via Instagram)
This content was translated with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
