The Caribbean is all about exotic restaurants and nightlife. But for me, nothing comes close to San Juan for its restaurants and nightlife. San Juan restaurants are noted for their fantastic décor, excellent service and live music.
In San Juan, you can choose from Spanish, Argentinean, French, American, Italian, Mexican, Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Lebanese and Arabian as well as steaming Puerto Rican delicacies.
Check out Augusto’s in Miramar for classic dining, Il Perugino for Italian, Bistro de Paris in Plaza de Diego for French, and Ramiro’s on Av. Magdalena for Spanish food. Parrot Club in Calle Fortaleza and Ajili Mjili on Av. Ashford are the best for contemporary Puerto Rican specialties and La Bombonera, Calle San Francisco for seafood.
The BLT Steak in De los Gobernadores, the burger joint El Patio de Sam on Calle San Sebastin, Mike & Charlie’s Pizzas at Av. Ashford, and Ben & Jerry’s ice cream in Calle del Cristo are other restaurants and eateries you wouldn’t like to miss.
Nightlife in San Juan means music, dancing, bar-hopping, and gaming. In most bars, classic Jazz and hip-hop vie with Meringue and Salsa. For the real Latino zest, head up to San Sebastian Street, lined with restaurants and bars frequented by the fashionable crowd.
The avant-garde Candela holds experimental music and art exhibitions. The Rumba has live tropical music while Aqui Se Puede has a jukebox and live music performances. Tantra is where you can enjoy a meal while smoking mogul hookah pipes and watching belly dancers draw raucous applause from the crowds.
You can rake in some fast money at the Ritz Casino in Isla Verde, the grandest and plushest casino in San Juan. Some other casinos include the grand El San Juan Hotel & Casino, Condado Plaza Hotel & Casino and the splashiest of all, Old San Juan Hotel & Casino.
