Going Beyond Rice & Beans

Rice and beans (arroz y habichuela) is a staple of Puerto Rican cuisine. Most people eat it at least once a day, some even eat it for breakfast. As much as I like eating comida criolla (local Puerto Rican food), I don't eat it everyday. I'm not a health nut, and I don't follow a specific diet, but I do try to avoid eating a lot of red meat. Unfortunately, comida criolla is meat-heavy. One of the things which I do miss about living in New York is the food! Chinatown, Koreantown, Curry Hill, the East Village, and the list goes on, were some of the neighborhoods which I often ate at. Of course, when speaking of New York's restaurant scene to that of Puerto Rico's is like comparing apples and oranges.

For those looking for something besides your traditional rice and beans in Puerto Rico, all is not lost. Here's a list of my favorite non-Puerto Rican eating establishments on the island (most are in the San Juan-metro area):

Peruvian: Lima, Perurrican
Chinese: Great Taste Restaurant
German: Casa Bavaria in Morovis (they also serve comida criolla)
Mexican: Frida's
Pizza: Juan Pan
Argentinian: Chimichurri
Seafood: Pez Dorado, José Enrique
Steak: BLT Steak
Sushi: Jinya

For a more detailed listing of restaurants located throughout the island, check out Sal PR. Unfortunately, the Website is only in Spanish. Some of the search functions don't work very well but it's perhaps the most comprehensive guide we have in Puerto Rico.

(Please note: I am not in any way affiliated with Sal PR or any of the restaurants listed above).
(Photo above is of Casa Bavaria's schnitzel)