Sábalos Marina Grill & Rooftop — Restaurant in Fajardo

Parking was a little confusing having not been here before. We arrived at the restaurant just before 6:30 and took a table on the roof top. The atmosphere was very relaxed with beautiful views of the marina. The waitress arrived about 5 minutes after we were seated and took our drink order. At 7:05, tables that had arrived later than us were already served their drinks and appetizers while we were still waiting on our drinks. My husband wanted to walk out, but I decided to go down stairs and speak with the manager. I really hate doing that, but we need to advocate for ourselves, right? Management was very polite and was able to expedite our drinks and they were at the table within a couple of minutes. We tried the Guava and the Peach Sangrias and unfortunately they just didn’t taste that good. However, it was alcohol and I figured that if the food was bad then the alcohol would make it taste better. Logic, yes? So for the appetizers we ordered the mahi mahi and the rice balls. I thought the mahi was pretty good for being fancy fish sticks and I actually enjoyed the rice balls. My husband wasn’t happy, but that sangria was working its magic! For our entrées I ordered the Pan Roasted Chicken with the risotto and asparagus. Risotto really is one of my favorite foods in the world. But what I was served wasn’t risotto. It was medium grain rice in a cream of mushroom sauce. It tasted just like Campbell’s cream of mushroom soup as a matter of fact. The asparagus was missing from the plate and at this point I really didn’t want to make more of a fuss so I didn’t say anything. The chicken was actually juicy, tender, and well seasoned so kudos! My husband said the sword fish tasted frozen and was dry and didn’t enjoy any of the food. Don’t get me wrong, the aesthetic and presentation was fabulous, but the food, and maybe our expectations are just too high, was just not where it should have been. You’re selling knock off gastronomy to customers that are willing to pay for the real thing. It kills me a little inside that you call your cream of mushroom rice risotto. If you put wheels on your grandmother, it doesn’t make her a bike. Please don’t add paella to your menu. And I’ll leave it at that. I am going to let it slide and not say anything about the bread pudding because the ice...

I held high hopes for this restaurant as a vegan option on the East coast considering other reviewers and the simple fact that their menu specified a vegan option (Vegan Dish of the Day) which is basically you picking from their sides. Nothing is clearly marked as vegan so my husband and I asked our waiter.

Rey was our server (who primarily mans the bar) and so I asked which options were vegan..

According to the menu on their site, ceviche only consisted of various plant based ingredients and Rey assured us that it was vegan (it is NOT; it has mahi mahi). He also indicated that the mushroom risotto was vegan and when I asked separately if it had dairy, he said ‘yes’. Other than the other clearly marked cheese-containing sides, we ended up ordering mofongo, plantain/root veggie mash, coconut rice, beans (off menu), yuca fries and mamposteao between the two of us. There was a side of some dipping sauce of which I’m pretty sure it was mayo based so that was left alone.

After being assured that our order was vegan, I became suspicious of the ceviche so when Rey came back, I asked him again what was in the dish and that’s when he told us there’s fish in it. He didn’t realize fish was not vegan - luckily, I don’t have major allergy issues but others do. If a server is not confident in the information he/she is giving to a customer, play it safe and ask the kitchen staff or clarify with the customer. That was a hugely off-putting and made me question the rest of my meal.

Food was fine, nothing outstanding. Not as well seasoned as I’m accustomed to but wasn’t sure if it was more of a cultural thing having more ‘neutral’ flavors.

Service in general was slow, we were never checked in on following us placing or order, never offered a second round of drinks and this on top of not even being confident in what I was eating.

Location was interesting right off the side of the marina where you can watch the sabalos fish swim around but that also meant folks could park their boats and blast their music at you.

Pretty disappointed with the overall experience. Staff needs better training. NOT recommended for vegans due to uneducated...

After exploring several dining options in the area, we decided to try Sábalos—and we’re so glad we did. This charming restaurant delivered a truly memorable dining experience, from the warm hospitality to the flavorful, well-prepared dishes.

We started with the shrimp-stuffed arepas, which set the tone for the rest of the meal. The arepas were perfectly crisp on the outside, generously filled with savory shrimp and seasoned just right. A delicious appetizer that we’d definitely order again.

For our main courses, we tried two very different entrees—both standouts in their own way. The Mahi Mahi, served with rice and asparagus, was fresh and perfectly cooked. The fish was flaky, moist, and subtly seasoned .The asparagus was tender-crisp, and the rice paired nicely!

On the other end of the spectrum, the Bacon Jam Smashburger was Juicy, flavorful, and topped with a rich, sweet-savory bacon jam that elevated every bite. It was indulgent in the best way, and the generous portion size made it a hearty choice.

Service throughout the meal was attentive and friendly.Portion sizes were generous, and the presentation of each dish showed care and attention to detail.

Overall, Sábalos is a gem worth seeking out. Whether you’re craving local seafood or a well-crafted burger, this spot delivers with flavor, quality, and hospitality. Highly recommended for anyone...