Magdalena Cocina Creativa Restaurante — Restaurant in San Juan

Magdalena Cocina may look impressive on social media (so great that we selected it for a special family celebration), but the experience was not what we thought it would be.

From the moment we arrived, the service felt off. We were placed in an empty, dimly lit dining hall with a broken table under the advice that our party of three couldn’t be accommodated in the main section—only to watch a group of four seated there half an hour after our arrival. It set the tone for an evening of feeling like an afterthought.

The food was just as disappointing. The filet mignon was a poor-quality cut, seemingly seasoned only with salt. The empanadas arrived burnt, a clear sign that attention to detail is nonexistent in this kitchen. The lobster ravioli? Good—but nowhere near good enough to redeem the rest of the meal. And the “potatoes gratined” turned out to be a baked potato cut in half, topped with cheese and caramelized onions—a fancy name for a dressed-up budget dish.

Service was equally underwhelming. Our wine request was forgotten until we reminded them, and the tasting was sent to the wrong person - a faux pas in fine dining. The appetizer took nearly an hour to arrive, which might have been tolerable had we received a single check-in during that time—but we didn’t.

The host, meanwhile, seemed more interested in theatrical engagement than genuine hospitality, coming across as forced and insincere.

Ultimately, this place is a tourist trap with an inflated sense of self-importance. The food was definitely not worth the wait, nor the money. I gently recommend that you spend your money elsewhere—San Juan has other dining options that don’t rely on smoke and mirrors to justify their price tag.

Please note: the online site requires reservations; and our group DID make those arrangements ahead of time. However, there were spare tables in the dining hall we were seated in (for context: Winter Season,...

Magdalena, we were so excited for your experience. Tonight, however fell short of our expectations. We reserved a patio seat but were unfortunately sat inside even though the breeze outside was beautiful.

Our waiter, all good intentions aside, frequently created many road blocks. First he stated we could order “any drink” as this is a full bar restaurant but was not able to make a simple carajillo. This was okay! However, this painted the picture for the rest of the night.

I have a dairy allergy and our waiter insisted he had to check with the chef for each individual dish we ordered whether it had dairy. Many foods you would not otherwise expect to have cheese(i.e. filet mignon and pork dumplings)would be served with cheese. And he insisted that if he checked with the chef, the chef would most likely be unwilling to accommodate ANY requests if the original dish had dairy. Even though, this is a “creative cuisine” restaurant it did not come across as “creative”. Third our waiter stated the chef had a special gift/dish for us to try but then recanted and said this was not true. Altogether this was an okay experience, leaving nothing to be desired for future visits as we spent well over $170.

Important to note: Samuel, was a FANTASTIC server and we very much appreciated...

If you’re looking for a Brunch culinary experience that will make you smile . Magdalena Cocina Creativa is the place for you! Firts the parking is comfortable, and with a space for people with disabilities, because here, accessibility is not an extra, it’s a standard!

Now, let’s talk about the heroine of our story: Lee, our waitress. With a smile that could light up even the cloudiest day in London, Lee welcomed us with a courtesy worthy of royalty. She truly knows how to make each guest feel special!

The atmosphere at Magdalena Cocina Creativa embraces you like an old friend. It’s cozy, it’s warm, it’s practically a hug in the form of a restaurant! And the menu So varied it makes you feel like a kid in a candy store, but with a gourmet touch that reminds you, you’re definitely not at the town fair anymore.

But wait, there’s more! The food didn’t keep us waiting. Each dish was a work of art: impeccable presentation and flavors that danced tango in our mouths.

In summary, if you haven’t been to Magdalena Cocina Creativa yet, you’re missing out more than the team that doesn’t choose Messi. It’s a highly recommended place, where each bite is a celebration of...