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Santaella

4.8

2513 Reviews

$50 and over

Puerto Rican

Top Tags:

Chef José Santaella has trained with some of the best chefs in the world, including Ferrán Adriá, Eric Ripert, and Gary Danko. His apprenticeships and successful catering career paved the way for Santaella, his signature restaurant in Santurce's La Placita Marketplace. The decor is rustic yet elegant, with exposed walls, Edison light fixtures, an interior garden, and a sparkling bar. Chef Santaella fuses local and international ingredients to perfectly execute Puerto Rican nouvelle cuisine. The menu is dominated by tapas, which you can easily make into a meal. Favorites include the ahi tuna skewers, goat cheese quesadilla, 'alcapurrias' topped with crab, and foie gras terrine with fruit jelly . The cocktail bar is one of the best on the island, so don't leave without trying one of the concoctions by Santaella's mixologists. -Fodors

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Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Jun 29, 2022

9:00 PM

Booked 61 times today

Experiences are available.

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Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Cuisines
Puerto Rican, Caribbean, Latin / Spanish
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
Website
http://www.santaellapr.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Pay with OpenTable, Visa
Dress code
Smart Casual
Owned/operated by
Latinx or Hispanic, LGBTQ+
Executive chef
Chef José Santaella
Catering
For Caterings, please contact: events@santaellapr.com or visit www.josesantaella.com
Private party facilities
For Group Dining Inquiries please visit our website at: http://josesantaella.com/
Private party contact
Kristian Toro: (787) 725-1611

Location
219 Cll Canals San Juan, PR 00907
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, Non-Smoking, Wheelchair Access, Wine

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Experiences

Large Group Prix Fixe Menu
$110.00 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.

Popular dishes

CROQUETAS DEL DÍA$16.00
croquettes of the day
EMPANADILLAS DEL DÍA$17.00
turnovers of the day
ALCAPURRIAS$25.00
green banana & root vegetable fritters topped with white crab and herb salad
QUESADILLA DE QUESO DE CABRA$23.00
goat cheese quesadilla, honey and white truffle oil dressing, arugulas
MORCILLA ARTESANAL CRUJIENTE$21.00
crispy puerto rican artisanal blood sausage served with puerto rican mayo 'pique' dip
ESCARGOTS$18.00
escargots à la bourguignonne served with baguette toast
PULPO ESPAÑOL$32.00
grilled spanish octopus with fingerling potatoes, smoked paprika mayo, boiled egg, chistorras and green olives. jerez reduction
FRITURAS DE MALANGA$15.00
malanga root fritters topped with smoked turkey and chicken in tarragon
'WAGYU BEEF SLIDERS'$26.00
wagyu beef sliders in freshly baked brioche, blue cheese, local lettuce, tomato, onions, pickles, red wine cilantro mayo
'BERKSHIRE PORK BELLY BUNS'$19.00
gua bao buns, sprouts, cucumber, cilantro and oriental sauce
TACOS DE TARTAR DE ATÚN$18.00
ahi tuna corn tacos, chipotle sauce, fresh guacamole
BURRATA SOBRE PERAS AL OPORTO$22.00
fresh burrata over pears in port wine, nut vinaigrette
CALAMARES FRITOS$19.00
oriental-style fried calamari, mildly spicy sauce
'CURRY POPCORN CHICKEN'$18.00
popcorn chicken in curry agave sauce
TERRINA DE FOIE GRAS$35.00
duck foie gras terrine with fresh pineapple jam and nut vinaigrette over brioche toast

CRUDOS

PINCHOS DE ATÚN$22.00
ahi tuna skewers marinated in oriental spices, rice paper 'chicharrón'
CEVICHE DE PETO Y SALMON$32.00
fresh wahoo 'ono' and salmon ceviche in tropical juices, tomato, sriracha, sweet potato

SOPA

SOPA DEL DÍA$12.00
soup of the day

ENSALADAS

ENSALADA DE TOMATES CON HELADO DE PARMESANO$19.00
peeled organic cherry tomatoes salad, homemade parmesan cheese ice cream, micro basil, pine nuts, balsamic vinaigrette, focaccia toast
ENSALADA CÉSAR DE ROMANA Y KALE CON MANZANAS$24.00
romaine and kale caesar salad with apples, french baguette toast
ENSALADA DE AGUACATE CON QUESO DEL PAÍS AL JENGIBRE$22.00
fresh avocado salad, local fresh cheese, ginger dressing, thinly sliced onion rings, micro herbs

ESPECIALES

COLIFLOR GRATINADO CON QUESO DE PAPA$19.00
au gratin cauliflower with cheddar cheese
NASI GORENG CON SALCHICHAS CHINAS, HUEVO FRITO Y 'CASHEWS'$42.00
Indonesian fried rice with chinese sausages, cashews and topped with fried egg
LACÓN ASADO$34.00
braised pork shank caramelized and served with potato salad
RODABALLO EN SU CAZUELA$49.00
turbot 'cazuela' with chickpeas, local pumpkin, brussel's sprouts, and sherry wine spanish-style casserole
''HEN OF THE WOODS MUSHROOM'' ASADA SOBRE QUESO DE CABRA EN VINAGRETA DE JALAPENO Y REDUCCION DE PIMIENTO DEL PIQUILLO$22.00
roasted hen of the woods mushroom over fresh goat cheese, jalapeño vinaigrette and piquillo pepper reduction
ALBÓNDIGAS DE CORDERO$23.00
lamb meatballs with harissa sauce and dates, curry bread toast
TACOS DE ENSALADA DE POLLO Y ARANDANOS$17.00
crispy white corn tortilla tacos chicken salad
TOSTADA CIABATTA CON AGUACATE$16.00
ciabatta toast with avocado, dill shrimp salad

DEL MAR

LUBINA ASADA$62.00
fresh antarctic seabass over sweet potato purée, caper and piquillo pepper vinaigrette
FILETE DE SALMÓN CRUJIENTE$35.00
pan seared crisp fresh salmon fillet, mustard seed cream sauce, curry and honey roasted baby carrots, horseradish, dill garnish
CHILLO FRITO CON TOSTONES$39.00
crisp whole fresh red snapper, cilantro mojo, fried green plantains "tostones"
CAMARONES EN CREMA AL AJILLO$42.00
jumbo shrimp in garlic cream sauce, plantain, yucca and sweet plantain puerto rican 'trifongo' with bacon

CARNES & AVES

FILETE ANGUS EN CREMA DE SETAS$58.00
certified angus beef filet mignon over mushroom cream sauce served with corn rice with herbs
POLLO DESHUESADO EN CREMA DE SOFRITO CRIOLLO$29.00
boneless chicken in creole stew over creamy polenta
PASTELÓN DE CORNED BEEF CON MAJADO DE VIANDAS Y QUESOS$38.00
viads purée with corned beef au gratin with varieties of cheeses (serves 2)
CACHETES DE TERNERA EN FRICASÉ CRIOLLO SOBRE PURE DE YAUTIA$49.00
veal cheeks in creole stew over 'yautía' root vegetable puree

EXTRAS

Side ARROZ BLANCO$7.00
White Rice
Side ARROZ Y HABICHUELAS$12.00
white rice with pink stewed beans
Side ARROZ MAMPOSTEAO$12.00
mixed rice & beans
Side TOSTONES$12.00
double fried green plantains
Side AMARILLOS$10.00
sweet plantains
Side VEGETALES SALTEADOS$14.00
fresh sautéed vegetables

POSTRES

SANDWICH DE NUTELLA®$14.00
nutella sandwich in skillet served with whipped cream
POT DE CRÈME DE CARAMELO SALADO$14.00
salted caramel pot de crème
BIZCOCHO DE CHOCOLATE CALIENTE CON HELADO DE VAINILLA$14.00
warm chocolate cake, vanilla ice cream
BUDIN DE GUINEO Y NUCES, CON MANTECADO DE VAINILLA$14.00
banana bread pudding with nuts and vanilla ice cream
BAKED ALASKA$14.00
vanilla ice cream, raspberry sorbet, cake, flambéed meringue
COCADA$14.00
local coconut and almond custard
SORBETE DE GUANABANA CON WHIPPED CREAM Y MENTA$10.00
soursop sorbet with mint and whipped cream

What 2,513 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
4.8Service
4.8Ambience
4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Caribbean
Puerto Rican
Puerto Rico
Best Overall
Puerto Rico
Best Food
Puerto Rico
Best Service
Puerto Rico
Hot Spot
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rican
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Most Booked

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OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
10 reviews
5.0
10 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
What a great place to dine at. Service was outstanding and the good was delicious. We had the shrimp, seabass and a beef dish for 2 which were all very tasty. Our favorite was the shrimp in garlic sauce. We also tried the warm chocolate cake, caramel and salt custard and the coconut and almond dessert which were delicious too. Worth a visit and we would definitely revisit.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Central Coast
1 review
vip
5.0
1 review
Dined 1 day ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Outstanding food and service. A bit pricey but you pay for what you get, and it’s amazing!
OT
OpenTable Diner
Richmond
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Raphael was an amazing server. He was so knowledgeable on cocktails , wine and food. Every sip and bite was delicious, and we tried a lot of the menu. It was the most enjoyable evening. And my son left sunglasses and staff helped him retrieve the next day. Highly recommend!
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 4 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
40th birthday
VD
VintageDJ
Orlando
12 reviews
5.0
12 reviews
Dined 5 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Amazing! Sat at the bar and had great service from Pedro. Drinks are incredible especially the Sandia. All the food has incredible flavors. The winner by far is the quesadilla, one of the best dishes of my life. The only little flaw was the reservation booking, underbooked the early seating, we could have been in and out with a table reso instead of the bar but still thoroughly loved everything.
E
Edgard019642003
Caribbean
7 reviews
vip
5.0
7 reviews
Dined 6 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Spectacular food as usual. Jonathan the bartender very attentive. The atmosphere and the constant quality of delicious food, it what keep me coming back . Grateful to have this kind of experience in a PR restaurant.
S
Steve
Philadelphia
22 reviews
5.0
22 reviews
Dined 6 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Our second time here - first was 9 years ago and we were itching to go back. Did not disappoint!
OT
OpenTable Diner
Sacramento
3 reviews
vip
5.0
3 reviews
Dined 7 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Santaella was amazing! It is a bit expensive but if you are going then you know and it won’t matter because the amazing food and service was worth every cent. Our servers were great and I think we asked about every item on the menu. There were five of us in the group and we each had something different from the pork to the fish, filet, chicken, and multiple appetizers. Everything was so good. The desserts were amazing too, we ordered 4 different desserts and agreed the coconut custard was superior! Amazing, we will go back in our next trip to Puerto Rico!
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 7 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Absolutely fantastic. Hands down one of my favorite meals from our trip. Can’t say enough about how amazing the food was.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Savannah
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined 7 days ago
overall4food5service4ambience4
Definitely not the same vibe as we experienced eating here pre covid. The food and cocktails were still very good. We had tuna skewers, empanadas, salad, steak, and nutella sandwich for dessert. All were delicious. It was just not the same service or ambiance we expected from our previous experience. Having said all this we would still go back!
l
laszlot
Houston
1 review
vip
5.0
1 review
Dined 7 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
It was amazing. The food, the service and the vibe. A hidden gem for sure.
S
Shao
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 21, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Definitely a highlight of my trip in Puerto Rico. Great experience with delicious foods.
MM
MindyM
New York Area
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on June 21, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great meal!!
JM
JanM
Birmingham
8 reviews
vip
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on June 21, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
We sat at the bar and had excellent service and good recommendations! The Oriental Salmon was outstanding! Definitely recommend this restaurant!
r
rosaleenh
Washington DC
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on June 21, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Absolutely fantastic on every level! The food was outstanding, tuna a must, seabass the best! Giovanni our server was awesome 😎
C
Cici
Philadelphia
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 21, 2022
overall5food5service3ambience5
The food was amazing. We celebrate a 50th bday lunch and ordered a lot of items from appetizers and main dishes so all could sample. Everything that was ordered was savory and delicious. The tomatoes with parmasean cheese ice cream was a hit, grilled octopus, morcillas, lecon asado, chilló frito, camarones en crema al ajillo, desserts: pot de creme de caramelo and the cocada. Were all fantastic. We will definitely come back when we visit PR. Ps. Cocktails were also a hit!
JP
JorgeP
Caribbean
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on June 18, 2022
overall3food3service4ambience2
Overprice. Restaurant is not fine dinning category. Food ok. Beverages average. Nothing outstanding. Place too noisy. Not as expected. There are better places in San Juan.
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 17, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Santaella exceeded our expectations. Quality of food and drinks was impeccable. I loved my watermelon mojito and my partner and I shared the Red Snapper which was divine!
OT
OpenTable Diner
Caribbean
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on June 17, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Nice business long lunch
KL
KevinL
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 16, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great food, great service, awesome experience. We enjoy our time.
L
Local1
Chicago
19 reviews
vip
5.0
19 reviews
Dined on June 16, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Outstanding as always. Great service and great food
FR
FelixR
New Orleans
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 16, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Amazing! Great food. Great location. Will come back soon!
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 15, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
What an amazing experience!! Excellent service, food and drinks!!!
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on June 14, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Beautiful space, unique menu, enormous portions, 5 star dining experience with excellent service. What a special night!! Highly recommend.
NM
NowMrsHartmann
Miami
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 14, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
The ambiance - service were great but the real star of the show was the cocktails and food ! Had the goat cheese quesadilla - highly recommend! Had the tuna skewers which was the best tuna I’ve ever had and I live in Florida ! This place is a A must !!!
OT
OpenTable Diner
Des Moines
6 reviews
vip
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on June 11, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Maybe the best mojito I’ve ever had - and theirs is watermelon! Food was exceptional and service was wonderful. Highly recommend!
s
sarzie225
New England
2 reviews
vip
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on June 11, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
This place is such a gem, so funky charming inside. Service was outstanding. Food was excellent. I recommend trying all apps/tapas. Specifically the tuna lollipops, sweet plantains, bao buns and shocking the rice and beans were just such a perfect side dish. The jalapeño marg was over the top.
s
samuelr
Caribbean
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on June 8, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Always fantastic and very nice people, for me excellent always.
s
sariego
New York Area
84 reviews
vip
5.0
84 reviews
Dined on June 7, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
From our server Rafael to every single bite of delicious food, perfection. Do not miss out on the best morcillas, the flavorful empanadillas filled with chorizo and pepperjack cheese, the fried calamari that is crispy outside and soft on the inside with a great sauce, the elephant garlic and potato soup to die for, the tuna pinchos, the ceviche, the filet cooked to perfection, the veal cachetes, all of it just so scrumptious. Watermelon mojitos which they also offer alcohol free to my personal delight and we ended sharing a dessert of French toast filled with Nutella served with vanilla ice cream. Whenever we are in Puerto Rico we visit Santaella, it is our favorite restaurant.
d
dinner42
New York Area
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 7, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Delicious! Loved every minute. Service was kind, detail oriented and attentive. Restaurant in Beautiful
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
1.0
1 review
Dined on June 4, 2022
overall1food1service3ambience3
The drinks were good but I had really high expectation on the food. I ordered the chillo frito which okay. It came with tostones that were very hard which didn’t seem fresh. They didn’t offer any sauce. My husband ordered the fillet mignon with mushroom and he didn’t like it at all!!! For the price that we paid, it was not worth it. We got better food by Luquillo beach. Not worth going to this restaurant.
OM
OlesyaM
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on June 4, 2022
overall4food5service5ambience3
The ambiance was not the same as before covid. Santaella is strictly a dining experience right now (now you have to reserve the bar too to get in) as opposed to it being a lively bar crowd mingling in the past
DC
DarrenC
Chicago
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on June 4, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
One of the best places for a date in San Juan
OT
OpenTable Diner
Chicago
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 3, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
The food and service were phenomenal. Our server, Rafael, did an amazing job guiding us through experience. We felt right at home. Definitely a must!
GM
GermanMoyer
Caribbean
45 reviews
vip
5.0
45 reviews
Dined on June 3, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Wonderful special daily dishes!! I Yesterday for lunch had the Korean braised short ribs with cashew rice and kimchi with a fantastic Gin & Tonic at the bar!! What a great way for start the weekend!
SS
SamS
New England
13 reviews
vip
5.0
13 reviews
Dined on June 3, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Beautiful restaurant and food. Service is excellent. A very nice change from the heavy food of some PR restaurants. Highly recommend.
JM
JamaalM
Houston
2 reviews
vip
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on June 3, 2022
overall4food5service5ambience5
Excellent service, great ambience, food was delicious however the portions were small.
I
Icing01
Raleigh
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on June 2, 2022
overall4food4service5ambience3
Food was very good, server was friendly and helpful with food choices. It was a tight squeeze as we had a large party whose chairs frequently abutted with our table. And a very loud group behind us. But overall worth the trip and would recommend if you are in the area.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Caribbean
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on June 2, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Wonderful ambiance great food and drinks.
KR
KathleenR
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 2, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
This was a lively restaurant with delicious food and wonderful drinks. The chef set the tone for great service and a joyful atmosphere.

Safety precautions

Cleaning & sanitizing
- Surfaces sanitized between seatings
- Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
- Common areas deep-cleaned daily
- Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers
- Contactless payment available

Protective equipment
- Waitstaff wear masks
Screening
- Sick staff prohibited in the workplace
- Staff is vaccinated

FAQs

You can order delivery directly from Santaella using the Order Online button. Santaella also offers delivery in partnership with Uber Eats. Santaella also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (787) 722-7600.

Santaella is rated 4.8 stars by 2513 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.