Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
Interior - Santaella, San Juan, PR
Icon

Santaella

$31 to $50
Puerto Rican
219 Cll Canals, San Juan, PR 00907

Make a reservation

A photo of Santaella restaurant

Santaella

4.8
$31 to $50
Puerto Rican
San Juan

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 57 times today
Experiences are available.

About this restaurant

  • Good for special occasions
  • Great for creative cocktails
  • Charming
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.

OpenTable Icon

2026

From the OpenTable editors: José Santaella trained under Ferrán Adrià, Eric Ripert, and Gary Danko before opening his namesake restaurant in Santurce's La Placita Marketplace, and the kitchen reflects all of it. The menu pulls from Puerto Rico's cocina criolla while folding in Japanese, Italian, and Peruvian touches. Tuna skewers and a tomato and parmesan cheese ice cream salad feature on a tapas-forward format built for sharing. Sip a Santa Guanábana, a house cocktail built around soursop, while you settle in. The room has the bones of an old Santurce building with exposed walls, Edison bulbs, and an interior garden that are dressed up with enough warmth to feel like a celebration.

Executive chef: Chef José Santaella

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
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • 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
  • Delivery & takeout
  • Award-winning
    1. OpenTable Icons 2026
  • 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, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine
Gift card

Gift card

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

Send a gift card

Experiences

  • Rooftop Experience

    1 - 10 people

    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 and music. 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

Concierge
AI Beta

Our AI assistant, Concierge, is here to answer your questions about this restaurant.

Reviews

OpenTable reviews from verified diners

Reviews from people who have dined at Santaella.

4.8

4.8
(4518)
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Puerto Rico

    Puerto Rican

  • Puerto Rico

    Most Booked

  • San Juan

    Puerto Rican

  • San Juan

    Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Santaella offers "phenomenal food and overall experience" with diverse dishes and an exceptional ambiance. Guests rave about the "excellent service," noting the attentive staff and standout cocktails. Signature dishes like the tuna skewers and camarones with trifongo are highly recommended. It's a must-visit for anyone seeking a memorable Puerto Rican dining experience.
4,518 Reviews
  1. Durward Gold

    Fort Lauderdale37 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had a wonderful experience. From beginning to the end. There was one thing that was a little disappointing but not something that was bad. We eat escargot all the time. We expected the garlic, butter and parsley flavors to be more prominent. Other than that the food was excellent freshly prepared and fantastic! The experience was the perfect birthday celebration. We had grilled octopus, escargot, chicken and whole fried red snapper.

    Is this helpful?

  2. Luis Gold

    Treasure Coast44 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Genuine Puerto Rican cuisine in a lovely upbeat setting with super attentive staff. I highly recommend it!

    Is this helpful?

  3. Jocquetta

    Kansas City4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We dined at Santaella’s during Azotea Rooftop Sunday hours and everything was wonderful. The atmosphere was was very refreshing with nice background music that was soft enough for conversation at the table. The food was phenomenal. The empanadas and the salmon were so delicious.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Ana

    Baton Rouge2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on October 31, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excelente experiencia. La calidad de la comida muy buena y el tamaño de las porciones muy razonables. Los cocteles muy ricos y el ambiente muy agradable. Can’t wait to return!

    Is this helpful?

  5. Julio Gold

    New York City13 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on October 31, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Food was very good. Really good environment. Fabián provided the best service I’ve had in a long time, in similar restaurants. Very attentive, aware of everything, careful, very quick turnarounds, knowledgeable of the menu.

    Is this helpful?

  6. Nicholas Gold

    Chicago7 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on October 31, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    My wife and I went to this restaurant on the suggestion of our butler at the hotel and it did not disappoint. My wife had the Snapper and I had the Camarones. Both were excellent. I had an espresso martini and honestly it was one of the better ones I’ve had. Definitely one of the best I’ve had in PR

    Is this helpful?

  7. OpenTable Diner

    Fort Lauderdale1 review

    5.0

    Dined on October 30, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Santaella made my birthday dinner an absolutely unforgettable experience! From the moment we walked in, everything was exceptional. The ambiance, beautiful décor, thoughtful touches, presentation, and attention to detail were impeccable. You can tell that every element of this restaurant has been carefully considered. Our waiter, Fabian, was phenomenal. His recommendations were spot-on, and every single one exceeded our expectations. From the food to the service, everything was outstanding. The quality, flavors, and presentation of each dish were incredible. Fabian’s knowledge of the menu, attentiveness, and genuine hospitality made the evening even more special. It is evident that the owner has a clear vision and truly understands what it takes to create an exceptional dining experience. The attention to detail, atmosphere, quality of food, and level of service reflect a restaurant that takes genuine pride in what it does. We came to celebrate my birthday, and Santaella delivered beyond anything we could have hoped for. This is what a five-star restaurant experience should feel like. If you’re visiting Puerto Rico and looking for an extraordinary dining experience, look no further. Santaella gets everything right. We will absolutely be back!

    Is this helpful?

  8. Ashley

    New York City3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on October 28, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Alex was an amazing waiter! He made sure the experience was memorable and worth every single dollar! The food was amazing and the drinks were delicious!

    Is this helpful?

  9. Pedro

    Caribbean22 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on October 28, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent dinner, top notch service and food! Great cocktails and wine selection, lots of options for food. A+

    Is this helpful?

  10. Ben

    Tampa1 review

    5.0

    Dined on October 28, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Phenomenal food and overall experience. Food was very diverse and Juan, our waiter, was amazing! Can’t wait to return on my next trip!

    Is this helpful?

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
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • 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
  • Delivery & takeout
  • Award-winning
    1. OpenTable Icons 2026
  • 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, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine
Gift card

Gift card

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

Send a gift card

FAQs

Guests often describe portions as generous and shareable, several parties left with leftovers, and some mains are reported to feed two to three people.

Yes, Santaella's rustic-elegant dining room, indoor garden and stylish bar make it well suited to special evenings, and guests report anniversary and honeymoon visits as memorable experiences.

Yes, families bring children to Santaella: repeat guests celebrate birthdays with kids in tow and reviewers describe warm, attentive service that made family meals feel welcome.

Smart casual is the guide, polished but relaxed, and many guests note dressing up a touch for birthdays or anniversaries.

The pinchos de atún (ahi tuna pinchos) are a recurring favorite, they’re on the menu and multiple guests single them out as a must-try.

For a calmer visit to Santaella, aim for weekday lunch, the restaurant runs lunch Tue–Fri (11:30 am–5:00 pm) and guests say lunch is quieter and service tends to be better; the bar is also a great spot for last-minute seats.

Santaella feels rustic‑yet‑elegant inside, exposed brick, Edison lights and an indoor garden frame a stylish bar, creating an intimate, refined dining room that contrasts with the lively La Placita streets outside.

How FAQ content is generated

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Puerto Rico
  4. San Juan
  5. San Juan

Make a reservation

A photo of Santaella restaurant

Santaella

4.8
$31 to $50
Puerto Rican
San Juan

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 57 times today
Experiences are available.
Discover
OpenTable
  • About Us
  • Blog
  • Careers
  • Press
More
Businesses
  • Restaurant Management Solutions
  • Restaurant Reservation Software
  • Restaurant Marketing Software
  • Restaurant Event Software
  • OpenTable For Restaurants
  • OpenTable For Restaurant Groups
  • OpenTable Pricing & Plans
Join us on
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2026 OpenTable, Inc. 425 Market St Ste 1200, San Francisco CA 94105 - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
OpenTable Logo