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Roasted SeaBass over 'Batata' purée - Santaella, San Juan, PR

Santaella

4.8
4.8
3689 Reviews
$31 to $50
Puerto Rican

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 37 times today
Experiences are available.
  • Good for special occasions
  • Great for creative cocktails
  • Good for business meals
Chef José Santaella refined his culinary expertise with top chefs like Ferrán Adrià, Eric Ripert, and Gary Danko. His years of apprenticeships and a thriving catering career led to opening *Santaella* in Santurce’s La Placita Marketplace. The restaurant offers a rustic yet elegant atmosphere, with exposed brick walls, Edison lights, an indoor garden, and a stylish bar. Chef Santaella creatively combines local and international ingredients, crafting Puerto Rican nouvelle cuisine. The tapas-focused menu features favorites like ahi tuna skewers, goat cheese quesadillas, crab-topped ‘alcapurrias,’ and foie gras terrine with fruit jelly. Known for its vibrant ambiance, *Santaella* also boasts one of the island’s best cocktail bars, with expertly crafted drinks by its skilled mixologists. Praised as a culinary treasure in San Juan, *Santaella* impresses with "amazing food," "exceptional service," and "top-tier cocktails." Ideal for special events or memorable evenings, it’s a must-visit.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Puerto Rican, Contemporary Latin, Cocktail Bar
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch Tue–Fri 11:30 am–5:00 pm Dinner Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–11:00 pm Sun 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (787) 722-7600
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Executive chef
    Chef José Santaella
  • Catering
    For Caterings, please contact: https://santaella.tripleseat.com/party_request/26218
  • Private party facilities
    For Group Dining Inquiries please visit our website at: https://santaella.tripleseat.com/party_request/26218
  • Neighborhood
    San Juan
  • Cross street
    La Placita de Santurce
  • Parking details
    Santaella has valet parking thru Valera Parking ($10) and there are also two public, paid parkings nearby.
  • Public transit
    Stop #19. Bus lines: A5, B21, M3, B16
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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Experiences

  • Rooftop Experience

    Multiple dates available
    Azotea by Santaella is a chic rooftop bar and restaurant in San Juan's Santurce district, set above the renowned Santaella Restaurant. Known for its relaxed, stylish open-air setting with cityscape and sunset views, Azotea attracts locals and tourists alike. The menu spotlights Puerto Rican-inspired dishes with international influences, featuring fresh seafood, light, shareable plates, and creative cocktails, including Puerto Rican twists. With a curated wine and beer list, lush decor, live music, and DJ sets in the evenings, Azotea delivers a vibrant nightlife experience ideal for romantic dates, group outings, or scenic relaxation. Sunday Menu on the Rooftop: https://www.josesantaella.com/azotea-menu/
    Rooftop Experience Photo
  • Christmas Eve Menu

    $145.00 per person

    Prepaid

    Dec 24, 2024 only
    Join us for Christmas Eve dinner with a festive 3-course menu dinner curated by Chef José Santaella. Chrismas Eve Prix-Fixe Menu Hors D'Ouevres: Ahi Tuna Pinxtos, Blood Sausage Turnovers 'Morcilla Empanadillas' First Course: 'Pasteles' Puerto Rican Chicken & Banana patties with Avocado and Local Cheese Salad Main Course: Crispy Pork Belly in Tamarind sauce, Rice with Pigeon Peas and Green Banana Escabeche Dessert: Chocolate Tart with Nougat Ice Cream For any questions, please contact us at reservations@santaellapr.com We look forward to welcoming you at Santaella restaurant to celebrate Christmas Eve. Full Menu published at: http://www.santaellapr.com Beverages, taxes and gratuity extra, not included. $95 per child (under 12y/o).
    Christmas Eve Menu Photo
  • Large Group Prix Fixe Menu

    $125.00 per person

    Prepaid

    Multiple dates available
    Enjoy a delicious selection of dishes perfectly sized for your group. Select from a variety of dishes to create your custom Santaella 3-course prix fixe menu. Visit our menu section at santaellapr.com to view our group menu options or email us at reservations@santaellapr.com with any questions. Once booked, we will follow up with you to select desired menu. Group menus are required for parties of 11 or more guests. THIS EXPERIENCE IS NON-REFUNDABLE.
    Large Group Prix Fixe Menu Photo

What 3,689 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.5Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Caribbean

    Puerto Rican

  • Caribbean

    Most Booked

  • Puerto Rico

    Hot spot

  • Puerto Rico

    Puerto Rican

  • Puerto Rico

    Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Santaella in San Juan is a culinary gem offering "exceptional food and service" with a trendy ambiance. Nestled in La Placita, it's perfect for those seeking "amazing cocktails" and a vibrant dining experience. Renowned for its creative Puerto Rican dishes, reservations are recommended to enjoy this "top-notch" restaurant.

3,689 Reviews
  1. michael

    Raleigh

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Fantastic food, and Nicholas was an excellent server. Cocktails were also delightful!

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  2. Denise

    Miami

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food was amazing and the service was amazing! I would definitely go back again

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  3. Nicole

    New York City

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on November 17, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Santaellea was the perfect restaurant for a vibey dinner out. The ambiance was perfect and the food was amazing! Every bite was full of flavor, fresh, and tastefully crafted. If you’re looking for a great dinner spot, that’s lively, look no further. Recommendations: burrata and quesadilla for apps. Dinner: the sea bass was cooked perfectly. Hands down one of my favorite preparations of seabass. The only complaint is we had a 9:45 reservation and our table was not ready until 10:15. The kitchen closes at 10:30… so we had to get our orders in quickly. Being on vacation and kids free … we were okay with the slight delay. Bravo to the service team and kitchen!

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  4. Abby

    Louisville

    15 reviews

    5.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on November 16, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Good atmosphere, good food. Felt very nice and approachable. We easily made early dinner reservations. The place was full by the time we left. It is a spot for celebration.

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  5. Janjse

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 16, 2024

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 1
    I went here for my birthday and I really wish I didn’t. I booked a reservation a few weeks maybe even a month in advance and we were sat at the closest table to the restrooms. I didn’t say anything just wanted to start my birthday night. I ordered my appetizer and after my friend’s appetizers came out is when the server told me they were out of what I ordered. How he didn’t know this a few minutes after I ordered is strange to me. I asked him what he recommended so he described the quesadilla to me and I told him I would get that instead. The quesadilla came out immediately like 2 minutes later which is strange to me. It was terrible. He seen that I didn’t eat it when he picked up my plates and the entire thing was still there. He didn’t ask me why I didn’t eat my food. One of my friends didn’t like her food either and he said the kitchen was already closed so she couldn’t order anything else. Now I have never been to a restaurant that did not announce the kitchen was closing to see if we wanted to put anything else in. The service is lacking in my opinion. Like I stated, it was my birthday and I told them this and I couldn’t order a dessert or even get a comped birthday dessert because he didn’t tell us the kitchen closed. That was really the last straw for me. Lastly, when the bill came he charged me for the appetizer that they apparently didn’t have and the quesadilla. If i could rate it 0 stars I would because there was truly nothing I enjoyed.
    SantaellaResponded on November 17, 2024
    Oh, where to begin! First, let me apologize for seating you in our luxurious "restroom-adjacent" dining area—truly the pinnacle of ambiance. And of course, our server should’ve had clairvoyance to know your appetizer was unavailable; we’ll look into crystal ball training. The lightning-fast quesadilla? Clearly, we’re *too* efficient, and its lackluster taste was just the cherry on top. No dessert for your birthday? That’s a new low, even for us. And double billing for good measure? Truly masterful. We’ll strive to improve, but honestly, sounds like we’ve already set the bar *so* low it’ll be hard to miss.

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  6. Alafaye

    New York City

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on November 16, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    La comida realmente deliciosa. Las quesadillas y el foie gras de otro planeta !! Recomendable !

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  7. Ana

    Raleigh

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 15, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Food and service were wonderful. Would definitely come back again!

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  8. Jeanna

    Toledo

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 15, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great experience. Food was authentic and delicious. We will visit again!

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  9. Roily

    Caribbean

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 14, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Me encantó, felicito al personal tan adiestrado que tienen. La comida estaba muy buena y el local esta hermoso. Facil de accesar y llegar. Cuentan tambien con servicio de Valet y eso para mi es un plus.

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  10. Gary

    Miami

    12 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on November 12, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent dinner. I had the Lacon and my wife had platenos.

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FAQs

Santaella does offer delivery in partnership with Uber Eats.

Santaella is rated 4.8 stars by 3689 OpenTable diners.

Santaella does offer gift cards which you can purchase here.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 37 times today
Experiences are available.

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Santaella

219 Cll Canals, San Juan, PR 00907

Additional information

  • Cross street
    La Placita de Santurce
  • Neighborhood
    San Juan
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch Tue–Fri 11:30 am–5:00 pm Dinner Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–11:00 pm Sun 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Puerto Rican, Contemporary Latin, Cocktail Bar
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    Santaella has valet parking thru Valera Parking ($10) and there are also two public, paid parkings nearby.
  • Public transit
    Stop #19. Bus lines: A5, B21, M3, B16
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Chef José Santaella
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
    (787) 722-7600
  • Catering
    For Caterings, please contact: https://santaella.tripleseat.com/party_request/26218
  • Private party facilities
    For Group Dining Inquiries please visit our website at: https://santaella.tripleseat.com/party_request/26218
Gift card

Gift card

Send gift cards instantly by email or print to present in person.

Send a gift card
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