It is not surprising that Puerto Rico is known for its gastronomy. With some of the top food festivals in the region attracting some of the best chefs in the world, recognition from organizations like the James Beard Foundation and the superstar chefs opening stores on the island, it’s easy to see why so many people are goes from here. raving about food.
But you don’t have to hit the fanciest restaurants or hang out with culinary greats to appreciate the island’s culinary offerings. In reality, we always visit humble restaurants, kiosks, and street food when we visit Puerto Rico. (Not that we turn down dinner at a world-class “rich” restaurant like Pikayo). But you will find that even the humblest restaurant and stall in Puerto Rico can offer tasty food. And these food and drink tours will take you to a mix of restaurants to give you a taste of what island cuisine is all about.
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Flavors of San Juan
Direction
Plazoleta Rafael Carrion, Calle Recinto Sur, San Juan, 00901, Puerto RicoGet directions
Telephone
+1 939-397-3343
Web
Visit the website
Leslie Padró’s tour is a wonderful combination of culture, history, and food. What we love is that you don’t just head to a restaurant and sit down for a four-course meal while your guide explains each dish. At Flavors of San Juan, you can experience a four-course meal at four different restaurants. Leslie will take you to the streets of Old San Juan, stopping at predetermined restaurants where you will sample Puerto Rican staples like mofongo, and Old World imports like chorizo. Along the way, Leslie offers fun and fascinating insights into Puerto Rico’s history and culture and takes you to the most popular landmarks in the city.
Leslie also offers a few other culinary tours. You can visit La Plaza del Mercado, one of our favorite places in the city. Finally, Leslie offers culinary courses in Old San Juan. You can learn how to make mofongo from a Puerto Rican chef or make a rum cocktail.
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Spoon Food Tours
Direction
Plaza de Armas, San Juan, 00901, Puerto RicoGet directions
Telephone
+1 787-598-6008
Web
Visit the website
Tours and classes
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Paulina knows the food scene in Puerto Rico as she organized the first Puerto Rico Restaurant Week. We are so happy to hear about your latest foodie adventure, Spoon Food Tours. Spoon features a few different tours. The Old San Juan Walk & Taste is a morning excursion to Old San Juan, where you will learn about the history, culture, and architecture of the walled city and sample local coffee, pastries, frozen yogurt, and a final of sangria and fritters. .
Spoon also offers a San Juan tour that takes you through San Juan, with stops on blue-necked Loíza Street for local flavors like arepas, empanadillas, and taquitos; Piñones beach for mofongo and rice and beans; and La Placita in Santurce for a market tour, a cigar rolling demonstration, and a flan and coffee restaurant.
Finally, the Gastro Gourmet takes place during the night and visits some of the best restaurants in the gastronomic neighborhoods of Santurce and Condado. You stop at three excellent restaurants where your food is paired with liquor.
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Legends of Puerto Rico
Direction
Ing. Ismael A. Colon Street, San Juan, 00918, Puerto RicoGet directions
Telephone
+1 787-605-9060
Web
Visit the website
We were at Debbie’s Night Tales on the San Juan Tour and we were there when Spirits of Puerto Rico first compiled. It has changed a bit since then, and now the experience is a food and rum tasting in a typical homey setting. Debbie and her team are seasoned guides who know the history of the island like few others, and their stories are often highly entertaining. Over the course of the meal, you can sample 8-10 rums and make your own rum cocktails.
Debbie also goes on a very special Thanksgiving tour that will take you to the countryside, to Guavate, the house of the pig or the roast suckling pig. If you’ve never been to Guavate or have tried this Puerto Rican specialty, there is no better place for suckling pig.
