DRGN — Restaurant in San Juan

If you ever had the chance to experience Treviño’s Dragonfly, walking into this spot comes with built-in expectations. We were excited. Maybe too excited. Unfortunately, things started off on the wrong foot. Our 7:45 reservation turned into an 8:20 seating. I know restaurants get busy, but part of the charm of a reservation is not feeling like you’re waiting for a table at the DMV. It’s the little things, right?

Luckily, things picked up once we sat down. Our server was kind, knowledgeable, and helped steer us through the menu. Drinks arrived quickly (always a good start). My wife’s “Nori Beats” was fresh and fun—she loved it. I had the DRGN Old Fashioned, and it held its own. Good balance, nice twist.

As is our tradition when exploring new places, we ordered a mini parade of appetizers: pork dumplings, duck pavé, tuna tataki, and the nigiri pata negra.

The pork dumplings? Total knockout—sweet, savory, rich—one of those “can we order more of this?” moments. The duck pavé looked great and was technically solid, but the duck itself felt a little dry and safe. Potatoes, however, were excellent. Tuna tataki was a bit of a miss—serviceable, but lacked the flavor or presentation spark we were hoping for. On the flip side, the pata negra nigiri was fantastic. Everything worked together beautifully, and that jamón was chef’s kiss. We only wish there were more than two pieces—it felt like a delicious tease.

The only hiccup in the flow was timing—all the starters landed at once, leaving us playing appetizer Tetris. A bit more pacing would’ve let each dish shine (and made the table feel less like a game of “clear a spot before something falls”).

For mains, I went with the duck breast—beautifully cooked, wild rice added great texture, and the portion was spot on. Still, it didn’t quite hit the emotional high note I was hoping for. My wife, on the other hand, absolutely won the entrée round. Her seared tiger shrimp lo mein was hands-down the dish of the night: chewy noodles, crispy bits of longaniza, perfectly cooked shrimp… I spent a little too much time staring across the table. 10/10 from both of us.

We wrapped up with the matcha tres leches. Light, moist, and the sesame touch added a nice twist—not your usual dessert, but it worked.

All in all, we had a good time. Some dishes were memorable, others not quite there, and while the start was rocky, the team made up for it with kind service and a few standout bites. It’s clear there’s talent in the kitchen—and a bit of tuning could take this place from “nice experience” to “must-visit”, especially given the...

Dining at DRGN was one of the best experiences I’ve had in a very long time. I was visiting Condado and San Juan from New York City—and as someone who knows good food, I can confidently say this is one of the best places I’ve tried to date.

From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere stood out: stylish, modern, and with just the right balance of energy and intimacy. The food was absolutely phenomenal—each dish was thoughtfully composed, beautifully presented, and packed with flavor.

The service was just as impressive. Michael was attentive and did not miss a beat. You could tell he genuinely cared about making our experience special. His recommendations were spot on, and he made us feel completely at home. Our experience would not have been the same without him.

What really blew me away was the attention to detail: from the elegant cutlery and unique cups to the custom chopstick rests—everything felt intentional and artistically crafted.

My fiancé and I came here to celebrate our engagement, and it couldn’t have been more perfect. To top it all off, Chef Treviño personally came out to greet us and make sure we were enjoying ourselves—such a meaningful touch.

The crispy eggplant melted in my mouth with flavors that were out of this world. The crispy tofu was incredibly unique—one of the best-prepared tofu dishes I’ve ever had, paired with bold, creative flavors. My fiancé was blown away by his strip steak and duck fried rice. And the DRGN roll? A must. Honestly, every single dish we tried absolutely blew us away. The lemon bar desert is the perfect palette cleanser and you can’t go wrong with any of their cocktails.

I’ll definitely be coming back the next time I’m in Puerto Rico. DRGN is...

DINING EXPERIENCE Dining at DRGN was an absolute delight—bold, inventive dishes delivered with generous portions and eye-catching plating.

SERVICE Attentive, genuine, knowledgeable and hands-on staff. The chef and owner both stopped by our table, adding a warm, personal touch.

FOOD Here’s what we ordered:

~ Hamachi Aguachile: electrifyingly fresh, nice citrus kick— one of the standouts of the night

~ DRGN Roll: playful crunch meets silky bliss

~ Guisado Pork Dumplings: cozy and savory bites

~ DRGN Karaage Chicken: golden-crisp, juicy bites that stole the show - was my personal favorite.

~ Duck Fried Rice: smoky duck folded through perfectly seasoned grains

~ Duck Breast: rich, tender slices melting on the tongue

~ Kão Churrasco: perfectly seasoned and cooked steak on top of tender ho-fun noodles glazed in sweet soy and crowned with crunchy chicharrón—another highlight

~ New York Strip: hearty, peppery cut with a perfect sear

DRINKS Unbeatable wine prices—top labels at wallet-friendly tags. Excellent cocktails.

PRICE Exceptionally fair for the quality, presentation, and portion sizes.

ATMOSPHERE Sleek, modern décor with a warm, lively vibe—ideal for a night out in Condado. There’s also a great bar area perfect for casual drinks or a pre-dinner cocktail.

LOCATION/PARKING Conveniently located on the first floor of O:LIVE hotel, in the heart of Condado off of Ashford Avenue. Valet service is available at the door.

OVERALL DRGN checks every box: inventive menu, standout service, and exceptional value....