La Taberna — Restaurant in Vega Baja

One of my past favourite locations every time on my way home from the beach until on two separate occasions made to feel I was somehow invisible to the serving staff.

Well two years later and decided to try again. I was greeted quickly and with a pleasant smile by Johmar (apparently working both the bar & as a server) and can’t complain about the overall service.

I was surprised but impressed that the management does reference on their menu the possible issue of waiting time due to staff shortages and their operations model that calls for preparing food as it’s ordered (I really like this), especially when the restaurant is packed.

The food was very good and plentiful and the drinks were also enjoyable and well balanced. From observations I did realise that the staffing has changed and this time didn’t feel invisible.

La Taberna is back on my list of stops when...

Only one star because I could not give a zero. Absolutely terrible service. It took 15 minutes to seat us. Waitress walked us toward the table then half way there handed the menus to my wife and said away there pointing toward the table. We literally never got served. Not even asked what to drink. We sat at the table for over 30 minutes and waitresses walked by us with our menus opened and no drinks on site. We asked 3 times for some service from another waitress walking by. I even got up to ask for service. We got a waitress and she only spoke Spanish, we only speak English, so she just walked away. No one else immediately came so we just walked out. This absolutely ruined our day and some respect for this part of PR. Not to mention we are at Walmart right now to get something to eat....

Great location minutes away from the beach and big open outdoor area to feel the breeze.

Our server was pleasant and took great care of us however I feel like she was the only one working the outside area and making her own drinks at the bar as well. I understand it’s a week day so might be a little slower but she didn’t stop moving.

The food did take an awful long time for the amount of guests there were. I get it, on island time and we didn’t have any plans afterwards so I didn’t mind waiting. But an hour plus for lunch is a little lengthy in my opinion.

With that being said the food was good, not great, but overall good hence the 4 star rating. I would like to go back and try a different day and see if the wait times are a...