Best Neighborhood Gem Restaurants in Old San Juan

Marmalade was incredible. From the moment we entered until we left, we were made to feel welcome and every question answered, every request granted. We had tuna tartare, popcorn shrimp, beets, white bean soup- their signature, mushrooms with lentils, rabbit garganelli, romanesco pasta, grilled tuna, vegan pasteles, beef tenderloin, choco L8, pears, and B3- bacon, blueberries & bourbon. There were also 3 different palate cleanser sorbets with their own unique sauces-pineapple, plum, and matcha. One of our party was vegetarian and there were so many options for her, both on and off the menu. Each dish was a work of art, including the cocktails. The service was professional but warm and friendly. Truly one of the best experiences we’ve ever had. Our food was so wonderful, I can’t imagine how good the staff meal must be at a place of this caliber.

I especially liked the ambiance of the restaurant. They have very interesting cocktails and very good desserts made from local produce and based on Puerto Rican cuisine. Very good all around experience

The restaurant was amazing. The food was great. Especially the appetizers. We had ceviche and foie gras. The foie gras was the best we ever had. We sat at the bar and the service was excellent even though the restaurant was very busy. The host was a little arrogant. We arrived early and he said they were booked except for the large tables and he wouldn’t seat two at a table for 4. Our reservation was for the bar, which was empty, so I asked why we couldn’t sit there. He responded, yes, any seat at the bar is fine. We sat at the end and ordered drinks. The host came over and rudely said we had to move because a regular customer was coming and she liked these seats. We didn’t mind moving but didn’t like his rude attitude.

The piano music is amazing and is the centerpiece of the restaurant. The decor is lovely and depending on what you want, you can sit inside or outside. The kitchen is clearly a variable response and talking to other people who are regulars— this seems to be a recurring issue. Some of our food was excellent. The chicken was seemingly boiled or overcooked, and although it said grilled, there wasn’t a single sear mark on the chicken. The “glaze” was basically a watery broth with hints of apricot jelly and the garlic cloves were oddly uncooked. The ceviche was excellent with the tostones. The tuna was cooked perfectly and was amazing and despite having very poor timing from the kitchen with an hour wait for the food we had a wonderful time and the service itself was charming, and the drinks were very tasty. The owner is a very nice guy, and it is a pleasure to be able to sit and listen to him play piano and well worth the price of admission. Despite the spotty food service, we would definitely go back.

Second Christmas Eve eating at Eter, and the experience was great as always!!!