Enjoy superb local coffee at sleek Habitante in Santurce.
Now, don’t get us wrong… we love an empanada and a cold Medalla as much as anyone else, but sometimes, we just need a few more options to satisfy our cravings. Thankfully, Marco Polo Travelers with gourmet penchants are in luck. San Juan’s trending culinary outposts offer an irresistible immersion into the islands’ diversity of flavors. From meticulous local roasts and velvety, matcha creations to gastronomic delights, these six destinations promise to add some flare to your next visit to Puerto Rico.
GREEN TEA WITH A TWIST
MATCHA MUCHACHA
The Neighborhood: Santurce Art District
The Vibe: Sleek wellness aesthetic meets youthful interior in shades of pastel.
The Scoop: San Juan’s premier dedicated matcha bar eschews traditional coffee for high-grade Japanese green tea—served with an indie twist. Expect an inventive menu featuring customizable house-made fruit jams, signature cold foams, and artisanal pastries.
Find it: 960 Ave Ponce de León, Ste 2, San Juan, 00907; matchamuchachapr.com
ARTISANAL COFFEE
HABITANTE CAFÉ
The Neighborhood: Santurce Art District
The Vibe: A San Juan spin on white-on-white Scandi minimalism
The Scoop: Helmed by a Q-Grader certified barista, this sophisticated neighborhood hub takes roasting seriously. Sunlight floods the sleek interior, where travelers gather for precision pour-overs.
Find it: 959 Av. Manuel Fernández Juncos #35, Santurce; @habitantecafe
SeTYLISH SOCIAL BISTRO
CAFÉ MÔMe
The Neighborhood: Puerta de Tierra
The Vibe: Sun-drenched Mediterranean coastal elegance meets historic San Juan charm.
The Scoop: Serving as the stylish social anchor of The Môme Hotel, this gorgeous all-day bistro transitions effortlessly from morning matcha and delicate ricotta pancakes to Mediterranean-meets-Caribbean plates as the afternoon unfolds.
Find it: 54 Ave. Luis Muñoz Rivera, Puerta de Tierra, San Juan; casacollectionpr.com/hotel-mome/cafe-mome/
COMFORT CUISINE WITH LOCAL FLARE
FEFIS
The Neighborhood: Calle Loíza, right near Ocean Park
The Vibe: High-design retro parlor reimagined with a fun color palette
The Scoop: A breakout favorite on the local culinary circuit, Fefis elevates historic neighborhood gathering spots with mid-century style. The kitchen pairs nostalgic breakfast staples with contemporary Puerto Rican ingredients, alongside curated morning cocktails and an exceptional weekend brunch.
Find it: 1917, 18 Calle Loíza Local 2, Santurce; fefispr.com
JAPANESE BITES WITH PANORAMIC VIEWS
KUMO ROOFTOP
The Neighborhood: Isla Verde
The Vibe: Bohemian beach club meets a hip rooftop with Atlantic views
The Scoop: Perched atop the transformed boutique hotel, Aire de O:live, this stunning open-air terrace serves premier Peruvian-Japanese fusion cuisine. Guests enjoy 360-degree ocean panoramas while sampling small plates cooked over an open-fire “robata” grill.
Find it: 2 José M. Tartak Ave, Isla Verde; kumorooftop.com
Gastronomic Chic
lala
The Neighborhood: The Mall of San Juan in Carolina, across the Teodoro Moscoso bridge from Isla Verde
The Vibe: Glamorous, design-forward dining room defined by intentional hospitality
The Scoop: Under the direction of Chef Guillermo López Folch, this culinary destination masterfully layers contemporary, Caribbean-inflected global cuisine, complemented by a mixology program lauded by local media
Find it: 1000 The Mall of San Juan Blvd.; lalapr.com
STAY CLOSE TO ALL THE ACTION
Stay with the Marco Polo Collection in San Juan’s top neighborhoods—Condado, Ocean Park, and Isla Verde—and enjoy stylish accommodations that are a quick Uber ride away from San Juan’s tempting culinary offerings. Browse our properties & book your stay today.