Cafe Mimosa — Restaurant in San Juan

DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY The worst food I’ve ever had and the service was extremely disappointing. We visited on August 10 for brunch (around 11:20am). I ordered Eggs Benedict with smoked salmon and my friend ordered the same except with chicken. Our meal took close to 30 minutes to come out and when it did it was not “fresh” and we were never checked on again. Instead, the waitress IGNORED US and we did in fact have an issue with both meals. My friend’s chicken was extremely over cooked and impossible to cut into whereas, the smoked salmon I received was the worst I’ve ever eaten. With zero exaggeration, it tasted like vomit and I refused to consume it. The two of us only ate our potatoes and patiently waited to be checked on as we sat there for our waitress. I finally had to flag her down and when I did I explained our concerns and asked if she would remove the additional charge for chicken and smoked salmon (a total charge of $6) from our meals as neither of us were satisfied and we did not eat it. She did not say a word to either of us and instead just walked away…… 15 minutes later she came back with a STEAK KNIFE pointed directly at us and proceeded to cut into my friends chicken to “check how overcooked it is.” We were both shocked as we watched her struggle to cut into the over cooked chicken that was basically like cutting into rubber. She stated she would remove the $3 additional charge for the chicken but refused to remove the $3 additional charge for the smoked salmon because “that’s how the smoked salmon is” and when I expressed how dissatisfied I was with the taste and how I could not eat it she said “I can’t do anything about the taste” and walked away again.

I was extremely disappointed and offended that a server would come at clients with a steak knife and then proceed to argue over $3. I had to speak to a staff member at Hotel Casablanca as there was no manager present and expressed my concerns once again - emphasizing that I cannot continue to wait here for a check or on this waitress all day when all we’ve been doing is waiting. The hotel staff member was able to make the adjustments on our bill and expedite the process for us so we could pay and finally leave.

I will NEVER return and DO NOT recommend this place. While all of this was going on, we watched 4 separate unaffiliated groups leave because they were not being attended to. I would be extremely weary of all the positive reviews below because I cannot imagine someone would have a pleasant experience here. There are FAR BETTER places to eat in Old San Juan and I urge you to go...

Excellent brunch-only spot located in the beautiful lobby of the Casablanca Hotel on Calle Fortaleza, its a small operation with very few tables, for this reason, I highly recommend going there Monday to Thursday - they only have a handful of tables! Wish they had more. Remember that EVERYONE in the world associates brunch with the weekends but trust me, the staff will be happy to serve you their nicely presented items on the other days as well.

Cafe Mimosa is one of the only places where you can get a bagels lox and cream cheese platter with red onions and capers too, a hard thing hard to find in Viejo San Juan! Plus they offer terrific brunch sandwiches made on sweet Mallorca bread. If this is your first time in Puerto Rico (or if you want to hit a culinary bullseye 🎯) , you must try a sandwich served on Mallorca bread!!! Just don’t go on the weekends— EVERYONE else thinks to come here then!!! Think of a meal here as an early lunch, they’re are open until 1PM most days. . So my suggestion would be to be the “brunch rebel” and check it out during the week. That’s your best bet and you’ll be more likely to get a table without having to wait for one and possibly end up having to wait for your food as well..

They’re known for having the best Mimosas in the old city, using fresh juices such as;,Orange, Guava, Mango, Pineapple, Tamarind, Acerola Berry and Guanabana. Definitely have one.

Here’s what to try: Their Coffee ☕️ it’s very good but unfortunately they charge for refills. The do have almond milk as an option which is thoughtful. Try their Smoked Salmon 🥯 Platter, Smashed Avocado Toast w/ Sunny Side Up Eggs, Old Fashioned Oatmeal - done the Puerto Rican way sweet and creamy, Belgium Waffles & Chicken, Manchego Caprese Flatbread, Mixed Greens Salad w/ Blueberries & Feta Cheese, their delicious Mallorca Chicken Club, They also offer a Fresh Fruit Salad.

This is a great small spot to enjoy before touring VSJ, visiting some of its’ shops and museums, wind your way uphill and check out the interesting “Museo de Las Americas” across from El Morro, in the enormous building known as “the Ballaja” with it’s awesome courtyard, and learn all about the various cultures that make up the Puerto Rican people. A fun day rain or shine! 🇵🇷

¡Buen Provecho!

Cafe Mimosa Hours: Wednesday 8 AM–1 PM Thursday 8 AM–1 PM Friday 8 AM–1 PM Saturday 8 AM–2 PM Sunday 8 AM–2 PM Monday 8 AM–1 PM Tuesday 8 AM–1 PM

The hotel Casablanca also has a full bar offering all types of wine beers liquors and tapas too in it’s well air-conditioned eclectic...

We were visiting Old San Juan with friends, looking for a brunch spot on Sunday, when we happened upon the Hotel Casablanca and the absolute treasure within: Cafe Mimosa. Led upstairs to a very quiet and intimate booth, which was still spacious and comfortable for our party of four, we were excited from the beginning of our visit. Our server, Laura, was kind, friendly, and attentive, and offered many excellent suggestions. We practically ordered the menu. The frittatas were gigantic, full of ingredients edge-to-edge. The breakfast sandwich and the cheeseburger were served on freshly baked croissant-style buns that might have been the best bread I've ever tasted. The fruit salad was fresh, plentiful, and plated with artistic flair that made it as enjoyable to look at as it was to eat. Finally, when I say this was the BEST French toast I have evet had in all of my global travels, I must implore upon you that this is not hyperbole or fanciful exaggeration for the sake of a review. It was melt in your mouth, thickly sliced brioche, grilled to perfection, and covered in fresh fruit, whipped cream, and plated with syrup on the side. It could not have been a better meal. The coffee also deserves attention, as well as the Caribbean cherry mimosas, which we delightedly partook in. I cannot say enough good things about our experience. It is absolutely worth a trip if you're in Old San Juan, and definitely ask for Laura....