La Garita — Restaurant in San Juan

Hidden gem with million-dollar views! La Garita, located at 41 Calle Lucila Silva, sits in a somewhat overlooked area of Old San Juan, but don't let the modest surroundings deter you—this place offers some of the most spectacular views you'll find in the city. The restaurant occupies a strategic spot that rewards diners with breathtaking vistas—likely the same views that Spanish lookouts (garitas) once monitored centuries ago, hence the restaurant's fitting name. While the neighborhood might not be the most polished part of Old San Juan, the panorama more than compensates. Service here is genuinely warm and welcoming. Our server Evelyn was attentive, friendly, and made us feel right at home with her hospitality. It's clear the staff takes pride in creating a pleasant dining experience. I ordered the shrimp-stuffed mofongo, which came in a generous portion that could easily satisfy a hearty appetite. Let's be honest—mofongo isn't haute cuisine and never pretends to be. It's Puerto Rican comfort food at its most authentic, and La Garita serves a flavorful, satisfying version of this classic dish. The shrimp was fresh and well-seasoned, complementing the garlicky mashed plantains perfectly. We paired our meal with a Modelo and a Magna beer, which hit the spot on a warm San Juan day. The total came to $49.59 before tip—very reasonable considering the portion size and those incredible views you're getting with your meal. This is exactly the kind of place travelers hope to discover—off the main tourist track, serving authentic local food with friendly service and a view that rivals much pricier establishments. While fine dining connoisseurs might look elsewhere, La Garita delivers exactly what it should: honest Puerto Rican food in a location that showcases the island's natural beauty. Perfect for a casual lunch or dinner when you want to escape the more crowded tourist spots while still enjoying...

La Garita is one of my favorite places in La Perla right next to VSJ. There’s not a lot of places that offer well priced and delicious authentic Puerto Rican food especially in VSJ.. San Juan is a very touristy area and it can be difficult to find good food if you’re actually Puerto Rican and know what real home cooked Puerto Rican meals taste like that come from the soul. Anyways .. i saw a lot of people talk about how slow the service here is it can be true depending on the day but they are soooo nice in there and they will make sure you’re taken care of. I always get the snapper with tostones and rice and beans and their piña coladas are delicious.

I saw a review that said you can drive here .. I would NOT suggest that not even a little bit. And it’s dangerous to tell other people that, If the right person catches you it’s not the safest and they don’t want you driving in here either, Ubers will not go there and neither will cops. Come during the day, it’s better to walk , If you take either of these ways by taking the stairs down on Calle Norzagaray or through the tunnel by the cemetery you will be safe. La Perla is the hood but it’s a special neighborhood with beautiful people, please be respectful. It really is a town full of just locals and only locals come in and out of here unless somebody...

I decided to try this place based on all the overwhelmingly positive reviews. While I don't regret my decision, I did find the overall experience underwhelming. The staff was courteous, and the establishment clean. Our table was a little dirty and sticky, but not a huge deal. The views were incredible from the outdoor area, so make sure you go when there's daylight otherwise the views are non-existent at night.

The food itself was a little more expensive than you'd expect for the location it was in, and while it was good it wasn't great. The piña coladas we ordered were good, but not great. The service itself was good... but not great. I think this is a good restaurant, just not a great one.

While I think it's a nice enough restaurant for a unique experience, the drive alone could be enough to give you that. The streets leading here are narrow, uneven, full of speed bumps and potholes. It's an area of the island that doesn't seem to care about presenting an overly "tourist friendly" image so what you see if what you get; including the people walking the street trying to sell you items from their waistbands. I only mention this so no one is surprised by the drive getting here.

Be careful navigating the streets, good luck finding parking, and if you eventually make it here be sure to grab a drink and...