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

Santaella

4.8
4.8
3837 Reviews
$31 to $50
Puerto Rican

Make a reservation

2 people
7:30 p.m.
Booked 100 times today
Experiences are available.
  • Good for special occasions
  • Great for creative cocktails
  • Hot spot
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
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Experiences

  • 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
  • Rooftop Experience

    Multiple dates available
    Azotea by Santaella, perched above the famed Santaella Restaurant in San Juan’s Santurce district, is a chic rooftop bar and eatery that draws both locals and visitors. Its laid-back, open-air setting offers stunning cityscape and sunset views. The menu highlights Puerto Rican-inspired dishes with global touches, including fresh seafood, light, shareable plates, and inventive cocktails with local twists. Coupled with a curated wine and beer selection, lush décor, and lively music, Azotea creates a vibrant nightlife atmosphere perfect for romantic dates, group gatherings, or simply taking in the scenic backdrop. Sunday Menu on the Rooftop: https://www.josesantaella.com/menus/#azotea
    Rooftop Experience photo

What 3,837 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 is a vibrant culinary gem offering "excellent food and service." This restaurant is known for its "delicious and creative dishes" with Puerto Rican flair, making it a "must-go" for any food lover. The cocktails and ambiance are highly praised, providing a "fun atmosphere" perfect for special occasions. Reservations are recommended due to its popularity.

3,837 Reviews
  1. OpenTable Diner

    Baltimore

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined today

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    came for the pork belly but it was sold out. the red snapper though with salsa verde! too good. it was hard to get a table and valet, but once you do; amazing experience.

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  2. kim

    VIP

    Washington DC

    34 reviews

    5.0

    34 reviews

    Dined today

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent service, recommendations for ordering and food was fabulous. Highly recommend!
    SantaellaResponded today
    Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re thrilled to hear you enjoyed both our service and the recommendations, and that the food exceeded your expectations. It means a lot to us that you’d highly recommend us. We look forward to welcoming you back soon for more great dining experiences, and we truly appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback!

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  3. Daniel

    Fiji

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined today

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Sat at the bar. Very lively atmosphere. Bartenders take their cocktails seriously. Food was great and service very attentive and accommodating.
    SantaellaResponded today
    Thank you so much for sharing your experience at the bar! We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed the lively atmosphere and appreciated our bartenders’ dedication to crafting top-notch cocktails. Your compliments on the food and attentive service truly mean a lot to us. We strive to create memorable moments for our guests, and it’s wonderful to know we hit the mark. We can’t wait to welcome you back for more great sips and bites soon! Cheers! 🍸✨

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  4. Rebecca

    New York City

    2 reviews

    1.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 2
    Reservation made for this restaurant was actually a bait and switch and made for their rooftop section since the real restaurant is closed on Sundays. No mention of this in the reservation confirmation or anything. The menu is completely different. We had diners with dietary restrictions and I specifically chose Santaella based on their menu options, to arrive and be handed a menu that’s completely different. They also didn’t know how they could accommodate anything. They asked if we wanted water and we said yes. Obviously. They come back with bottled still water and don’t leave the bottle. Then we asked for sparkling water. Again they come back and pour but don’t leave the bottle. We got charged $7 and $9 for these waters without being able to even pour them ourselves. So stingy and such a tourist trap move that’s sketchy. They also had NO restrooms and were making guests use portable potties outside. Yes you read that right. I was shocked. I couldn’t believe it. We ordered 2 appetizers and left immediately. Water and 2 apps was $84. Probably one of the worst restaurant experiences I have ever had.
    SantaellaResponded 2 days ago
    Oh wow, what a *shocking* experience—truly a **travesty** in the history of dining. A different menu on a Sunday? The *horror!* And the **water scandal**—$7 and $9 for premium bottled water? Outrageous! Almost like… you could’ve asked the price first. But no, much better to act *scandalized* after the fact. And portable restrooms? Yes, because clearly, we *live* to inconvenience you personally. Ordering two appetizers, leaving in dramatic fashion, and then whining about the bill? Classic. But don’t worry, we won’t miss a **bad tipper** who expects VIP treatment on a budget. Safe travels! 😊

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  5. Ignacio

    Caribbean

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Espectacular, excelente ambiente y la comida como siempre buenisima
    SantaellaResponded 3 days ago
    ¡Muchísimas gracias por tu increíble comentario! 🤩 Nos alegra saber que disfrutaste del ambiente ✨ y que la comida estuvo buenísima como siempre 🍽️🔥. ¡Esperamos verte de nuevo pronto para otra experiencia espectacular! 🙌🎉

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  6. Miranda

    Caribbean

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    The restaurant have excellent food, tasty and balanced!!! The food is full recommend, the service was very good but the space is small (you can talk with the next table) and it could be too noises.
    SantaellaResponded 3 days ago
    Thank you for your feedback! 😊 We're thrilled that you loved the food and found it tasty and well-balanced! 🍽️✨ We appreciate your recommendation and your kind words about our service 💁‍♂️. We understand your concern about the space and noise level, and we’ll take it into account as we strive to improve. Hope to welcome you back soon for another great experience! 🙌🎉

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  7. Jonathan

    Unspecified

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    La experiencia estuvo bien. Los meseros muy atentos y un muy buen servicio, incluyendo los host y valet parking. La comida le faltaba algo más de cariño con el sabor, pero el plateado es toda una obra
    SantaellaResponded 4 days ago
    ¡Gracias por tu comentario! 😊 Nos alegra saber que disfrutaste del servicio y la atención de nuestro equipo, desde los meseros hasta el valet parking. 🚗💨 Tomamos en cuenta tu observación sobre el sabor de la comida 🍽️, ya que queremos que cada platillo no solo luzca espectacular 🎨, sino que también conquiste tu paladar. 😋✨ ¡Esperamos verte pronto para seguir sorprendiéndote! 🎉👏

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  8. Liza

    New York City

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent food and service. The best we had in PR. The cocktails were particularly excellent
    SantaellaResponded 5 days ago
    Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! 😊 We're delighted that you loved the food, service, and especially the cocktails 🍸✨. It’s an honor to be your best dining experience in PR! We can’t wait to welcome you back for another unforgettable meal. ❤️🍽️

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  9. Jennifer

    VIP

    New York City

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I dined here when I was on vacation 6 years ago and loved it, but this time was even better. Every dish was delicious! We wish we had room to try it all. This is a can't miss meal in Puerto Rico. And the service was outstanding. Our server was extremely knowledgeable and made excellent recommendations. Can't wait to come back!
    SantaellaResponded 4 days ago
    Thank you so much for your kind words! 🤩 We're thrilled to hear that your experience this time was even better than before! 💫 It’s wonderful to know that you enjoyed every dish and that our team provided outstanding service. 🍽️✨ We’ll be sure to pass along your compliments to your server! We can’t wait to welcome you back for another unforgettable meal in Puerto Rico. 🇵🇷❤️ See you soon! 👏🍷

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  10. Michael

    Baltimore

    4 reviews

    2.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 4
    Ordered the pork cheeks. Very small portion for $46 USD but savory. I did not order appetizers, a salad, additional sides, or dessert. The main course looked like an appetizer. The $17 USD cocktail was just okay - poor choice on my part, too sour. I was disappointed in the dining experience as a customer but the bartender was engaging.
    SantaellaResponded 5 days ago
    Thank you for sharing your feedback. We’re glad to hear you enjoyed the flavors of the pork cheeks and that our bartender provided great service. However, we're sorry to hear that the portion size and cocktail didn’t meet your expectations. We strive to provide a balanced and enjoyable dining experience, and we appreciate your insights as they help us improve. We hope to have the opportunity to serve you again and provide a more satisfying experience.

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FAQs

Santaella does offer delivery in partnership with Uber Eats.

Santaella is rated 4.8 stars by 3837 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
7:30 p.m.
Booked 100 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.

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