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

Santaella

4.8
4.8
3711 Reviews
$31 to $50
Puerto Rican

Make a reservation

2 people
10:30 p.m.
Booked 51 times today
Experiences are available.
  • Good for special occasions
  • Great for creative cocktails
  • Fancy
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
  • Neighbourhood
    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
Gift card

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Experiences

  • Christmas Eve Menu

    US$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

    US$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
  • New Year's Eve Dinner - Second Seating 8:30PM+

    US$350.00 per person

    Prepaid

    Dec 31, 2024 only
    Ring in the New Year with elegance and excitement at Santaella! Join us for an evening of culinary delights, with our second seating from 8:30 PM+, presenting a 4-course prix fixe menu thoughtfully crafted to showcase an exclusive Puerto Rican-inspired dining experience. Kick off your celebration with a welcoming toast of Moët & Chandon, followed by an elegant Puerto Rican-inspired dinner that masterfully blends the rich flavors and traditions of Puerto Rico. As the clock strikes midnight, toast to 2025 with a glass of Dom Pérignon. Let the rhythm of a live DJ carry you away as you soak in the vibrant energy of Santaella. This night is dedicated to creating unforgettable memories in style. https://josesantaella.getbento.com/newyears/
    New Year's Eve Dinner - Second Seating 8:30PM+ photo

What 3,711 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
  • 4.4Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Caribbean

    Puerto Rican

  • Caribbean

    Most Booked

  • Puerto Rico

    Puerto Rican

  • Puerto Rico

    Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Santaella in San Juan offers an enchanting dining experience with "amazing food" and an elegant ambiance. Guests consistently praise the "phenomenal service," especially from standout servers like Gabriel and Juan. The atmosphere is lively, perfect for enjoying "delicious" Puerto Rican dishes and "amazing cocktails." Reservations are recommended.

3,711 Reviews
  1. Harry

    VIP

    Caribbean

    3 reviews

    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    Pizza was soso Fried pork was dry and tough Cheese Quesadilla was outstanding Pot de creme was fantastic Coffee ok not great which is surprising in PR

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  2. Teryluz

    VIP

    Chicago

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great food and service. A little pricey but worth the splurge.

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  3. Amaury

    Caribbean

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    I recently visited with high expectations, but unfortunately, my experience fell a bit short. While the atmosphere and service were pleasant, I was disappointed to find that several menu items I had been looking forward to were unavailable. This left me with limited options, and I ended up only enjoying the drinks and the ceviche. The drinks were well-crafted, and the ceviche was fresh and flavorful, but I couldn’t help feeling that the experience was incomplete without being able to explore more of the menu. I’m giving 3 stars because I believe the restaurant has potential, but I hope they can address the issue of unavailable menu items to ensure a more satisfying visit for guests in the future.

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  4. Jennifer

    Los Angeles

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I brought my friend for her birthday and we were very disappointed. The ambience and cocktails were great. The food is way too overpriced for the quality and quantity.
    SantaellaResponded 6 days ago
    Thank you for sharing your feedback. I’m glad to hear you enjoyed the ambiance and cocktails, but I’m truly sorry the food didn’t meet your expectations. We strive to provide a dining experience that reflects the quality and value our guests deserve, and it’s disappointing to hear we fell short during such a special occasion. Your feedback is invaluable, and I’ll share it with our team to help us improve. Thank you for bringing your concerns to our attention, and we hope to have the chance to provide a better experience in the future.

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  5. Shelly

    Las Vegas

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    Had to wait 30 minutes for a timed reservation, but the host was very attentive and eager to sit us and the 6 other groups waiting. Expect a long wait even though you have a reservation. It’s due to parties taking up a table by drinking one glass of wine over 2 hours to just chat, sit there on their phones and take up space. The food was expectedly delicious, amazing, flavors were harmonious no matter what we ordered. The drinks were strong, a little difficult to finish.

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  6. Gregory

    VIP

    Miami

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    It was a great experience overall. The food and the drinks are exceptional. Our bartender Ronny is easily among the best bartenders in the world. He knows his trade and is passionate about it. You just give him a hint at what you like in a drink, and he will come up with a delicious concoction. He is a true artist and master bartender.
    SantaellaResponded 6 days ago
    Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We’re thrilled to hear you had such a great experience and enjoyed the exceptional food and drinks. Ronny truly is a gem, and we’re so glad his passion and talent made your visit memorable. He takes great pride in crafting unique and delightful cocktails, and I’ll be sure to share your kind words with him—it will mean the world to him. We look forward to welcoming you back soon for another fantastic experience! Cheers! 🍸✨

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  7. Terry

    VIP

    Detroit

    5 reviews

    1.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on December 13, 2024

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 2
    Disappointing dinner on our last night. The ambience looked promising, but the music was entirely too loud and the service was extremely poor. It took over an hour to receive our appetizers with no updates or explanation from the waiter. We realized that others that had come in much later than we were enjoying their food, which was very frustrating. We had ordered a salad and croquettes; not dishes that should have taken over an hour. After finally getting our apps and waiting a half hour further, we asked for our bill. No manager came over to apologize and nothing was comped. Very shocked at the lack of customer service and disregard for patrons.
    SantaellaResponded 7 days ago
    Thank you for sharing your feedback. I’m truly sorry your experience didn’t meet expectations, especially on such an important evening. The delays, lack of communication, and service issues you described are not the standard we aim to uphold. I understand how frustrating this must have been, and I apologize for not addressing your concerns in the moment. Your comments are invaluable, and I we will be addressing this with our team to ensure improvements are made. Thank you again for bringing this to our attention.

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  8. Tanya

    Caribbean

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 13, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    La comida estuvo deliciosa y el servicio fue excepcional!

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  9. Maria

    VIP

    Chicago

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on December 12, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had a lovely time celebrating our friend’s birthday. The cocktails were great, the food was delicious and the service was great.

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  10. Mayleen

    VIP

    Washington DC

    11 reviews

    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on December 11, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The service received was excellent and the food delicious. We had a great time over all and loved the daily specials.

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FAQs

Santaella does offer delivery in partnership with Uber Eats.

Santaella is rated 4.8 stars by 3711 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
10:30 p.m.
Booked 51 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
  • Neighbourhood
    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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