The 15 Best Places to Enjoy Mofongo in San Juan

At El Campeón in Old San Juan, Patrick and Cecilia Champion draw in crowds with their lively music and happy hour specials. Their relaxed yet upscale menu highlights seafood options like lobster risotto and whole fried snapper. Don’t miss the trifongo, which is filled with tender pork tenderloin that surrounds sweet ripe plantains and starchy mashed yuca, complemented by salty green plantains. A side of risotto with pork sausage and sautéed vegetables enhances the dish's rich flavors. If you’re more in the mood for seafood, explore their range of seafood-stuffed mofongos, such as shrimp in criolla or garlic sauce.

For over 70 years, Café Manolín has been delighting diners with its affordable, beloved dishes on Calle Justo in Old San Juan. Founded in 1942 by Don Ernesto Ruíz, the restaurant passed to his brother Manolín Ruíz and is now owned by Annie Rivera and Tomás J. Molina. Loyal patrons flock here for the traditional mofongo de camarones, topped with crunchy chicharrones and succulent shrimp in garlic sauce, often enjoyed alongside house specialties like medium-rare steak with chimichurri or freshly fried chicken. Pair your meal with a beer, and don’t forget to end with a cafe con leche or cortadito, just as Grandma would prefer.

At Ajo Del País, garlic shines in nearly every dish, honoring the flavor that embodies Puerto Rican cuisine while showcasing the depth of local ingredients. Alongside red snapper, salmon, and fried chicken, the restaurant features traditional mofongos, many served directly in pilones. Try the version topped with octopus salad; the seafood beautifully blankets the dish, balancing flavors of garlic, oils, and salt. For a twist, opt for bifongo or trifongo, which incorporate yuca, sweet plantain, or pana (breadfruit). Don’t overlook their refreshing watermelon or mango mojitos to balance the rich tastes.

Located next to La Verguenza, Palmas El Rincón de Paco is a cozy Mytoury that emphasizes fresh, local Puerto Rican ingredients. Don’t miss their indulgent mofongo topped with lobster tail in salsa criolla, a lively sauce made of garlic, peppers, and cilantro that perfectly complements the mashed plantains. Start your evening with their impressively large passionfruit margarita — it's quite a strong kick!

It's hard to beat the pairing of mofongo with homemade rum punch, but La Vergüenza, tucked away off Calle San Sebastián, elevates this combination with stunning ocean views and a vibrant music scene. While primarily a bar, their mofongo hits all the right notes, featuring a delightful blend of butter, garlic, and salt. For an extra flavor boost, add some mayo-ketchup to really amp it up. La Vergüenza promises an enjoyable evening of dining and dancing, so come ready to move!

Many visitors rave that this bar in Old San Juan offers the finest mofongo in the city. The shrimp-stuffed version is especially popular, with diners having the option to enhance it with salsa criolla or a creamy garlic sauce. Settle into a shaded spot under a patio umbrella and enjoy the vibrant scene in the plaza.

This beloved local restaurant is designed for family and friends, a community that has only strengthened as they've weathered hurricanes, earthquakes, and the COVID-19 pandemic together. Their rustic mofongo is rich and buttery, best enjoyed with bacalao guisado, a classic Puerto Rican dish that features salty cod stewed with tomato sauce, potatoes, onions, herbs, and garlic. Pair your meal with their signature drink, the refreshing mojito el caminante, which incorporates a hint of carambola (starfruit) for a unique twist.

This stylish venue on Avenida Miramar was created for Doña Aurora, the genius behind the delicious recipes now featured at Casita Miramar and Casita Blanca. Her grandchildren, Jesuito and Leonardo Pérez, currently manage this iconic restaurant, dedicated to preserving their grandmother’s culinary traditions. Begin your meal with exceptional bacalaitos (cod fritters) paired with a green banana broth, or the savory buñuelos de malanga (taro cakes). Then indulge in their renowned mofongo de yuca, generously filled with seafood. The cassava offers a rich foundation with a soft interior, expertly fried to a crispy shell, and the flavors are delightfully subtle. The chicken fricassee is also a fantastic choice, especially when served with a side of mofongo and slices of avocado for a fresh touch.

At the gastronomy bar Guararé, owners Joseph Boucher Martínez and Annette Giuliani proudly celebrate Puerto Rican agriculture with their comida criolla, complemented by local musical talent. Enjoy their innovative craft cocktails made with fresh ingredients like smoked lavender, blueberry syrup, and elderflower. Then, dive into their mofongo and trifongo, which pair wonderfully with churrasco encebollado, a skirt steak topped with glossy caramelized onions that enhance the mofongo's flavor.

Don’t be misled by the name; while this spot is known for its delicious alcapurrias (fritters), many patrons flock here for their impressive mofongo, just as rich and tasty as the rest of their offerings. This lively corner Mytoury has a hip vibe, but the homestyle cooking feels like a traditional chinchorro from the countryside. They serve various mofongo options made from plantains or fried yuca, often stuffed with hearty entrees or served alongside different dishes. The carne frita encebollada (fried pork chops with caramelized onions) and serenata de bacalao (cold, salted cod salad) are standout choices, especially when enjoyed with your favorite beer.

Having honed his skills under esteemed chefs like Ferran Adrià and Éric Ripert, chef José Santaella has carved out his own identity in Puerto Rico by showcasing traditional cocina criolla through a modern lens. His namesake restaurant offers an elevated trifongo made from yuca, green plantains, and sweet plantains, enriched with crispy bits of bacon for added flavor. This dish is paired with the chef’s exquisite take on jumbo shrimp served in a velvety garlic sauce. 

El Platanal is a beloved family-owned restaurant that has thrived for a decade. Established by Rafael Hidalgo in the Carolina neighborhood, it has expanded to several locations, including central San Juan and Loiza. The restaurant serves mofongo as a delightful side to dishes like chillo frito (fried red snapper) and chuleta kan kan (fried pork chop). Even on its own, the mofongo is a standout — simple yet stuffed with chicharrón and topped with caramelized onions that lend a buttery richness. Its soft, airy texture prevents it from becoming dense or dry, allowing you to savor every bite. The drink menu is quite varied too, so you can enjoy your meal with a Cuba libre, mojito, beer, or wine.

At Lote 23, a vibrant outdoor “gastronomic park” filled with food stalls, chef Pablo Rosas presents traditional Puerto Rican fare at El Cuchifrito. For #mofongolover enthusiasts, Rosas crafts mofongo using plantains, sweet potatoes, yuca, or a trifongo combining all three. Diners can personalize their mofongo with options like steak in demi-glace, carne frita topped with pickled onions, fish in criolla sauce, or a surf and turf featuring carne frita along with shrimp or fish. All dishes are served in eco-friendly bowls, perfect for enjoying at the park’s picnic tables or taking on the go.

At Trópiko, mofongo takes on a fast-casual vibe, with mashed plantains as the foundation for delicious toppings like arroz mamposteao (rice and beans with tomatoes), fresh veggies, and your choice of proteins. You can either create your own mofongo bowl or opt for one of the house favorites. The Boricua features rice and beans, carne frita (fried pork), caramelized onions, sweet plantains, bacon, and mayo-ketchup, while the El Tropical combines bifongo with mamposteao, steak, caramelized onions, arañitas (crispy fried plantain nests), shredded cheese, avocado, and the signature Trópiko aioli. However, the most sought-after dish may be La Vaya, which includes arroz mamposteao, avocado, ropa vieja, and a drizzle of Trópiko aioli. Don’t forget to pair your meal with a flavored mojito served in a charming pouch.

For over three decades, La Casita Blanca has showcased Puerto Rican flavors in magazines and attracted culinary luminaries. Its whitewashed wooden walls and lush interior make it a hotspot for visitors snapping food pics for Instagram. Despite its fame, the restaurant excels in delivering bold flavors. The shrimp mofongo is adorned with red peppers and shredded carrots, garnished with parsley, and served on a plantain leaf alongside mayo-ketchup and a special shot of rum with a coffee bean, symbolizing wealth, health, and love.