Food and Drink

The best food and drink experiences in Puerto Rico

The food and drink scene in Puerto Rico is an eclectic blend of tradition and innovation that mirrors its rich Caribbean heritage and the diversity of its inhabitants.

The island is celebrated for its delicious comfort food. Must-tries include mofongo, a tasty combination of fried plantains, garlic, and pork cracklings, often served with seafood or meat. Also noteworthy is the traditional lechón, slow-roasted whole pig that’s a centerpiece of celebrations, and pasteles, banana leaf-wrapped parcels filled with seasoned pork and root vegetables that are especially popular during holidays.

Puerto Rico’s food scene also includes fresh seafood preparations like mahi-mahi in coconut sauce, alcapurrias (fritters made with yautía and plantain), and jibarito sandwiches that use fried plantains instead of bread. Prefer something sweet? Tembleque, a creamy coconut pudding, tres leches cake, and quesito, a sweet cream cheese pastry, are beloved treats that every Puerto Rican knows, and every visitor to the island should try.

The Food and Drink Scene in Puerto Rico

The Puerto Rican drink scene is equally impressive, especially as the world’s rum capital. Fun things to do here include sampling everything from white rums to aged reserves and visiting historic distilleries that have been perfecting their craft for over a century, producing more than 70 percent of the rum consumed in the United States.

Many visitors are surprised to learn that Puerto Rico’s home to a thriving coffee culture. In fact, the island’s mountainous regions produce some of the world’s finest Arabica coffee beans. The climate of the Puerto Rican highlands is ideal for growing coffee that develops complex flavors, leading to beans once known as the “coffee of popes and kings.”

Whether it’s hearty island meals, sweet tropical treats, world-class rums, or artisanal coffee, Puerto Rico’s exciting food and drink scene offers something for every palate. To learn more, be sure to visit LuxuryPuertoRico often.