Manzana de Java: The [Current] Best Restaurant In San Juan

Bisteca fritta. Manzana de Java. San Juan, Puerto Rico.

We have been to San Juan, Puerto Rico numerous times. It is one of our very favorite places to eat and drink, especially thanks to some restaurant recommendations from local friends. Last weekend, we returned for a long weekend simply to escape the cold. Given that two of our favorite restaurants are permanently closed (Jose Enrique and Celeste), I had to find some new restos! I came across Manzana de Java in my research and then saw that it was one of Bad Bunny’s favorite restaurants. Sold. I booked a reservation several weeks in advance and could only get the first seating of 6:30 PM.

The entrance to Manzana de Java restaurant in Santurce, San Juan, Puerto Rico

The entrance to the restaurant.

La Manzana de Java, literally translating to the Java Apple, is located in Santurce on a quiet street. It’s truly a whole in the wall with only 20 seats. Hence, the difficulty in securing a reservation. La Manzana has 3 seatings nightly, the early seating (5:30, 6:00, and 6:30), a regular seating (7:00, 7:30), and a late seating at 9:00 or 9:30. Tables are grouped in groups of 2 or 4, and it could be difficult to have a much larger party here without renting out the whole restaurant.

Continue reading

How We Spent An Anniversary Weekend In San Juan, Puerto Rico!

A colonial street in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, on our anniversary weekend

Dan and I flew to San Juan, Puerto Rico at the end of August to celebrate our 7th wedding anniversary(!). This was our 5th trip to San Juan and it was as fun and delicious as always. In light of the recent comments about Puerto Rico, now is a better time than ever to write about how much fun we had (and always have) in San Juan! This post details how we spent our long weekend, including what we did, where we stayed and what we ate and drank.

Colorful colonial buildings lit up along a street in Old San Juan at night

Colorful buildings of Old San Juan at night.

Continue reading

Celeste: A FANTASTIC Restaurant in San Juan, Puerto Rico!

Monkfish vindaloo at Celeste, the wine and seafood bar in Puerta de Tierra, San Juan

On our yearly 2024 vacation to San Juan, Puerto Rico, I scoured online reviews for the best new restaurants. Celeste kept showing up in my searches, and it was recommended to us by a foodie friend with family in Puerto Rico. We booked a dinner before leaving home, despite the menu being very seafood heavy (and us not being seafood people!). In the end, Celeste was absolutely FANTASTIC and our favorite meal in Puerto Rico! HIGHLY, HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!

Dan at the table at Celeste, San Juan, on our seventh wedding anniversary

Dan at Celeste on our 7th wedding anniversary!

CELESTE

Celeste is a small wine and seafood bar located in San Juan’s Puerta de Tierra neighborhood (between Old San Juan and Condado). We walked to Celeste after drinks in Old San Juan, as it was our anniversary! The restaurant itself is quite small on a quiet street. The dining room is decorated in an airy fashion, with clean white tables and local art decorating the walls. We were given a warm welcome and promptly seated on arrival.

The small dining room at Celeste, with white tables and local art on the walls

Celeste’s dining room.

Continue reading

Best Cocktails in San Juan Puerto Rico!

Cocktails at Casa de Montecristo, the cigar bar and lounge in Old San Juan

Dan and I have been to Puerto Rico numerous times, and recently have found ourselves visiting San Juan once a year. We also enjoy good cocktails, and have carefully cataloged our favorite ones in San Juan. This post tells you where you can find our favorite cocktails in San Juan!

Casa di Montecristo – a perfect cigar bar/cocktail lounge combo.

Casa di Montecristo is a wonderful cigar bar in Old San Juan. In addition to cigars, Casa di Montecristo serves well-prepared, and strong, cocktails. We always stop in for a cigar for Dan and a cocktail for me (and sometimes for Dan, too). Casa di Montecristo also has great AC and the prices, which are higher than other places in Old San Juan, keep out the crowds. Go for great cocktails in a quiet setting.

An Old Cuban cocktail at Casa de Montecristo, the cigar bar in Old San Juan

The Old Cuban at La Casa di Montecristo.

A gin and egg white cocktail at Casa de Montecristo in Old San Juan

A gin and egg white beverage.

Continue reading

Airport Lounge Review: The Lounge San Juan (Puerto Rico) at Terminal C

La Marqueta, a market in San Juan, Puerto Rico, used as this post's featured image

San Juan Puerto Rico’s Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport is home to one of my least favorite airport lounges – The Lounge San Juan Terminal C. That being said, the staff is always nice and they drinks freely flow, so Dan and I usually stop in since we have complimentary access through our Priority Pass (along with everyone else, LOL). This post reviews The Lounge at San Juan’s airport, Terminal C (there is also a Lounge location in Terminal A, but I have never visited it).

The entrance to The Lounge at San Juan's Luis Munoz Marin airport, Terminal C

Welcome to The Lounge.

THE LOUNGE LOCATION IN TERMINAL C

The Lounge is technically located in Terminal C of San Juan’s international airport, just past security, through the duty free shop to the left. While technically in Terminal C, Terminal B is a very short walk away (literally if you went right out of the duty free instead of left). As such, Terminal B passengers can easily access The Lounge without disrupting plans. The signage for The Lounge is truly right after duty free before you really get into Terminal C. Passengers access the lounge via the elevator behind the below sign. A checkin desk is right at the exit of the elevator. A line can form upstairs when busy.

Signage for The Lounge just past the duty free shop in Terminal C, San Juan airport

Signage for The Lounge.

Continue reading