5 Culinary Gems Along Puerto Rico’s Beaches and Backroads

Influences from Puerto Rico’s diverse inhabitants have made their way into the mouth-watering cuisine found across the Island. Between the intoxicating scent of lechón wafting through the mountainous Ruta del Lechón or “Pork Highway”; the rich mofongo awaiting you in one of Piñones’ many food stands; and the enticing sight of empanadillas tucked in the weathered kiosks of Luquillo, there’s a whole world of flavor packed into this small Island. Of course, if you need to wash it down, there’s more than enough rum to go around, too.

The following places are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the many flavors of Puerto Rico, and while you may live a lifetime without eating all of the food it has to offer, you have to start somewhere—just don’t forget your appetite.