If you're looking for a cool bar to meet up with friends, you have to visit Antillano on Calle Cerra.
Antillano specializes in highlighting Caribbean flavors across its food and cocktail menu. Its owners, Edrick Colón and Stephen Alonso, have more than 10 years of experience in the cocktail and spirits industry. If you stop by, you can most likely find them behind the bar. The idea of opening Antillano came about while both were working at Bar La Unidad. When they found the right space, they decided to go ahead and open their own place.
Antillano is on Calle Cerra in Santurce and has parking in a lot a few meters before you reach the bar. They work on a first-come, first-served basis and have limited space, so arriving early is recommended.
Inspiration
The owners chose the name "Antillano" to represent the Caribbean inspiration behind the concept, drawing from the Greater and Lesser Antilles. You can find Puerto Rican influences (the amarillitos in the tuna crocante), Jamaican influences (the wings with Jamaican jerk seasoning) and even Japanese ones (the piña colada bao buns). Their cocktail program also has a tropical focus, and many of the drinks on the menu are Caribbean classics like the Cuba Libre, Piña Colada, Daiquiri and Mojito.
Platea Picks
Crocante de Atún: Spicy tuna with sweet plantains and scallions over crispy rice.
These tuna crocantes are a great way to start the night. They're fairly light and the amarillitos add a touch of sweetness.
Piña Colada Fish Bao: Coconut-breaded fish, spicy pineapple jam and cucumber inside a bao bun.
If you're still hungry and want something more, the Piña Colada Fish Bao are tasty. They don't taste exactly like a piña colada, but the coconut breading on the fish mixed with the spicy pineapple jam makes this dish surprisingly refreshing.
Pineapple Vesper: Beefeater 24, Brugal Extra Dry, pineapple-infused Cocchi Americano, Lemongrass Tincture.
This is Antillano's take on a martini, very light, slightly sweet and very spirit-forward.
Recommended dishes
The ideal Caribbean fusion
Antillano is the perfect spot for a night when you want to snack and enjoy cocktails. With its focus on Caribbean flavors, you find Puerto Rican tastes with a twist. Give it a try and let us know what you think.
This content was translated with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
