El Champi Spanish Tapas Restaurant — Restaurant in San Juan

This place is an absolute gem and the fact that it isn’t on every guidebook is crazy to me. During our trip to PR we stumbled across this place while out in Old San Juan and I’m so glad for that. We ended up going twice, just so our trip could end on an especially high note. First thing, the service is excellent and the staff is attentive and friendly. Our server on the setting night—I can’t remember his name exactly and I’m so sorry, I think it started with a B—was just delightful.

The food is something you can’t miss while out in Old San Juan. We had the Shishito Peppers (amazing), Patatas Bravas, Chorizo, Smoked Mussels, and the Mar Y Tierra paella. All were outstanding, with the mussels being particularly memorable. My companion is also gluten free and the paella and patatas bravas and shishitos are all a-ok.

On the second night we were offered to try a Japanese fusion tapas selection that the restaurant is piloting for a new location next door and I’m so glad we did. The chicken karaage, katsu, and takoyaki was spectacular. The cocktails were also excellent, with The Hugo being the table favorite.

When we come back to PR this will be the first...

Went there with my son and his fiancé to have authentic seafood paella. We were greeted by a lovely waiter who guided us as we ordered to make sure we didn’t order too much. We selected the tortilla espanola to start as well as the muscles in garlic sauce and the seafood ceviche. The tortilla was made perfectly prepared and served warm, the muscles were delicious and served with crispy toast to dunk into the sauce and the seafood ceviche was fresh and tasty. The waiter recommended an Albariño wine to accompany our dishes. We had 2 glasses each as it was the ideal pairing. Then came the seafood paella, the presentation was beautiful, the rice was flavorful and the right consistency and the paella was filled with seafood. I highly recommend El Champi for seafood and paella. The decor was very European, rustic and quaint. The food was wonderfully prepared and the service was exquisite. Don’t miss out on eating...

Champi, nestled in the heartland of San Juan, promises a taste of Spanish cuisine with its tapas and paella offerings. While the mushroom tapas received a nod of approval, the overall dining experience left much to be desired. The wine chorizo failed to impress, and the paella fell short of expectations, resembling more of a ketchup-infused rice dish than the authentic Spanish delicacy it aims to replicate. Even the dessert, a banana flan, failed to deliver, lacking the homemade touch and tasting store-bought. However, amidst the disappointments, the Sangria stood out as a lone beacon of satisfaction. With a need for significant improvements in both food quality and authenticity, Champi falls short of earning a recommendation.

Despite attempts at a unique atmosphere, the removal of certain decorations only adds to the...