A visit to Puerto Rico isn't complete without trying some of Puerto Rico's famous foods. From mofongo to morcilla, Puerto Rican cuisine is delicious and unique. If you're on a mission to try genuine Puerto Rico food, the island is packed with excellent spots to do that.
In this guide, we'll list some of the most iconic foods in Puerto Rico, recommend a restaurant you can try them and give a brief history of Puerto Rico's cuisine. We'll even mention a spot where you can enjoy authentic Puerto Rican coffee because no food guide is complete without good coffee. If you're planning your trip and want to try all the essential foods in Puerto Rico, then put these great picks on your culinary to-do list.
1. Budin
Budin, a Puerto Rican bread pudding, is a familiar dish many islanders enjoy during the holidays. While you can find Budin in some restaurants, it's also made in Puerto Rican homes, from ingredients like evaporated milk, eggs, caramelized sugar and scraps of stale bread. It's an economical dessert commonly consumed by people in Puerto Rico. Try it in any restaurant, and you'll probably love it enough to want more. Luckily, you can make it at home with ingredients like cinnamon, berries, spices and nuts.
Where to try it: The Atlantic at the Tryst in San Juan.
The Atlantic at the Tryst is a San Juan restaurant on the ocean, with beautiful beachside views for patrons to enjoy. They have a varied menu, so you can find something for everyone.
2. Puerto Rico Coffee
Puerto Rico has cultivated coffee for hundreds of years. The island's coffee industry is more than just an important part of the island's agricultural economy: the brew is also an important part of Puerto Rico's traditions. Puerto Rican coffee is known for its sweet notes, fruity overtones and hints of chocolate. Due to its popularity, Puerto Rican coffee has been served to kings and popes.
Today, Puerto Rican coffee is served at several cafes and restaurants around the island. Many people native to the island, often called Boricuas, drink their coffee in espresso form, with steamed milk.
Where to try it: Peacock Coffee Bar in Gurabo.
Peacock Coffee Bar is known for its attractive interior and comprehensive menu featuring more than just coffee. Come for the espresso, stay for the delicious breakfast, appetizers, brunch and cocktails.
3. Flan
You're probably aware that flan is one of the world's most beloved desserts. It should be no surprise that Puerto Ricans have their version of flan. This dessert is much like the custardy treat you can find in Spain and Latin American countries, but with some differences.
Specifically, the Puerto Rican flan recipes rely heavily on canned milk to create a smooth texture. It's baked on a layer of sweet caramelized sugars, and when it's flipped over, the caramelized sugars form an attractive amber layer that gives flan its sweetness and beauty.
Puerto Ricans enjoy experimenting with flan, varying the flavor and ingredients. Traditional flan is vanilla-flavored, but this dish can also be made with coconut milk, cream cheese, and pumpkin during the holiday season.
Where to try it: El Condado Gastrobar in San Juan.
Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the El Condado Gastrobar is a Puerto Rican comfort food restaurant in San Juan. The extensive menu makes indulging in your cravy easy, and the dessert menu includes flan, Budin and more.
4. Mofongo
Mofongo has been called Puerto Rico's “unofficial national dish”: Fried green plantains mashed with chicharrón, garlic and cilantro. Mofongo can be served as described or with different ingredients, as a side or a main dish.
Traditional forms of mofongo are eaten with a bowl of chicken broth. Mofongo balls are a heavy food, but chicken broth balances it out and transforms it into a delectable meal that comforts and fills.
You can find mofongo at restaurants in various places around the island and in many forms. If you find a mofongo dish served with chicken broth on the side, tear off the pieces of mofongo and dip them in the broth.
Where to try it: Cocina Al Fondo in San Juan.
Cocina al Fondo offers seasonally-inspired, traditional Puerto Rican food, including mofongo and chicken broth. The restaurant also offers an extensive wine list and a long list of main entrées.
5. Empanadas / Empanadillas
Like many other Puerto Rico food options, empanadas are popular in many countries outside Puerto Rico. What makes empanadas (also known as empanadillas) so unique is the method of preparation and ingredients that Puerto Ricans use.
More than just a snack or appetizer, empanadas are almost a symbol of Puerto Rican cuisine. With a golden, crispy exterior and a savory or sweet interior, empanadas are fried turnovers often served with a range of Puerto Rican dishes.
Empanadas may be made with chicken, beef, fish or cheese, so you'll often see many choices on a restaurant menu. Some businesses add raisins to the dough or boiled eggs to the filling. The variations are never-ending. You could travel around the island collecting unique experiences as you sample these delicious turnovers.
Empanadas also make an excellent snack, easily consumed while walking down the street or on the go.
Where to try it: DPaellas in San Juan.
The beloved restaurant in San Juan sells traditional Puerto Rican fare. At one time a food truck, this restaurant now serves food solely indoors.
6. Chillo Frito
Chillo frito, a mild-tasting dish made from a fried red snapper, is desired for its lightly flaky exterior and moist, delicate interior. Spices used for chillo frito vary. Often, the dish is topped with a tomato-based sauce, or the sauce may be served on the side.
The fish is served whole, and although it may be breaded before frying, the unbreaded version is stunning. You'll find chillo fritos in restaurants all over the island, as seafood is one of the most important types of food for Puerto Ricans.
Where to try it: PYP Restaurant in Caguas.
Try chillo frito at the PYP Restaurant, a high-end farm-to-table restaurant that uses locally grown or obtained ingredients to bring the flavors of Puerto Rico straight to your taste buds.
7. Morcilla
This delectable Puerto Rico food is a sausage similar to chorizo. It's made from pork, pig's blood and spices.
While it may sound out of your culinary comfort zone, this outstanding dish has been served as a Puerto Rican delicacy for centuries for a good reason. The pork is mixed with various seasonings and filling options like chopped onions, rice and more, and then the mixture is piped into a casing to be flash-boiled. Like other sausages, it hangs in its casing to cure. Once ready to eat, morcilla is a deep red or even purple — sometimes nearly black.
This sausage dates back to the Middle Ages and can be found in Europe, South America and other places. Each country creates its preferred version of this old recipe. Puerto Rican Morcilla stands out because of its unique blend of spices and rice filling.
Where to try it: Santaella in San Juan.
This popular restaurant serves many unique Puerto Rican dishes, all expertly cooked and presented. The restaurant uses local ingredients and attracts tourists and locals alike.
8. Frituras
This food, beloved by beachgoers, can be found throughout the island. Frituras come in many varieties and may include ingredients like codfish, bananas, meat, and more. Frituras are handy finger foods and can be eaten while walking or lying on the sand.
Frituras were originally sold to people at the beach by street vendors, and eventually, those vendors established businesses. Today, frituras are sold at food kiosks, bars, counter-service restaurants and high-end establishments. You'll see why when you try frituras for yourself.
Where to try it: Santaella in San Juan.
Like many other popular Puerto Rican foods, this yummy snack can be ordered at Santaella. Try frituras with the empanada for a perfect combination of fried cuisine.
9. Tostones
Tostones are salty fried plantains that have been mashed into a pancake and then fried for a second time. Tostones are usually served with a sauce to complement the dry texture of twice-fried food. Tostones are offered as a side in so many restaurants that they're practically ubiquitous.
The recipe originated in the Dominican Republic and has spread to other parts of the Caribbean because of its creative use of plantains, which can be found in many tropical locations.
What makes tostones different from fried foods like frituras? The ingredients. Tostones are made from unripe plantains that are green and hard. It may not sound appetizing at first, but tostones are very popular and should be sampled.
Where to try it: Vaca Brava - Old San Juan in San Juan.
You can try tostones at Vaca Brava in Old San Juan. This steak and seafood restaurant offers traditional dishes in a great ambiance.
10. Arroz con gandules
Arroz con gandules is a traditional Puerto Rico cuisine that many islanders associate with the holidays. Made up of yellow rice, peppers and a tropical pea called gandules, this dish is hearty and filling. Although gandules are native to India, the Puerto Rican climate is perfect for its cultivation.
This staple dish combines easily with various meats, vegetables, and sausages. Most restaurants that serve this dish leave it simply as peas and rice.
Where to try it: Santaella in San Juan.
Santaella in San Juan serves this dish alongside other Puerto Rican foods like empanadas and frituras. In other words, one visit to this restaurant allows you to check many traditional Puerto Rican foods off your culinary bucket list!
Plan Your Trip to Puerto Rico With AAA
Puerto Rican food is filling and comforting, with some savory and some sweet. During your visit to the island, you'll want to try as much Puerto Rican cuisine as possible.
Before you leave for Puerto Rico, you'll need to know more about the essential foods in Puerto Rico and where to try them. You'll also want to know the landmarks, fun things to do and amazing things to see. This tropical paradise boasts lush plant life, beautiful beaches, outdoor activities, and more. In addition to a list of the best restaurants in Puerto Rico, you'll need a plan for your time on the island, and that's where AAA comes in.
Join the over a million people who are AAA members and start planning your trip to Puerto Rico today. Dream up the perfect trip with our Trip Canvas research tool and use your membership to get the best discounts on hotels, rental cars, and entertainment.