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MELAO by Mario Pagan, Dorado, PR

MELAO by Mario Pagan

4.8
4.8
66 Reviews
$31 to $50
Puerto Rican
World renowned Chef Mario Pagan combines unique flavors that will inspire your imagination and relive your wildest dreams. Mixed into our music, song lyrics, and slang, Melao represents all the fun and flavor that defines who we are as Puerto Ricans. This is the ambiance we want you to share at our table. World renowned Chef Mario Pagan combines unique flavors that will inspire your imagination and relive your wildest dreams. Pleasures evoked by dancing taste buds as you embrace the company and laughter of friends united. You too will become a “Corazón de Melao” (sweetheart) when Mario Pagan’s exquisite creations conquer your heart.

Not bookable

Online reservations at MELAO by Mario Pagan can only be made directly on their website.

Additional information

  • Neighborhood

    Caribbean

  • Parking details

    Hotel Parking

  • Additional

    Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 66 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8
4.8 based on all time ratings
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.5Value

NoiseModerate

Sort by

  1. Robd

    New York Area

    10 reviews

    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on January 30, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Another great meal at Melao. The service was unbelievable again. Queeny, Joel, Rosado, and the bartender (sorry I forgot your name!) were knowledgeable, helpful, and friendly. Melao is a must-visit when in Dorado.

    MELAO by Mario PaganResponded on February 2, 2020Thank you for your review and for letting us know about your dinner experience with us. We see you soon! Warms Regards, Omar Negron Director Food and Beverage

  2. OpenTable Diner

    Caribbean

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 24, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Form beginning to end the experience was a dream!! They were great to our kids and beyond awesome to us! Also very accommodating to our girl that has a gluten free diet. Mario Pagán and his staff are THE BEST!

    MELAO by Mario PaganResponded on February 2, 2020Thank you for taking the time to let us know about your dinner experience with us, we're very delighted about your diner experience at Melao by Mario Pagan. looking forward to see you again. Warms Regards, Omar Negron Director Food and Beverage

  3. Diningexperiencer

    New York Area

    6 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on December 27, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Very attentive service, perfect descriptions of each dish, and especially helpful with kids. Hip, comfortable environment which was lots of fun.
  4. SamS

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 25, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The service was outstanding and the meal was fantastic. We had the pork meatball starter (which was our favorite of the night), the paella and yellowtail. Everything was delicious and we would definitely eat here again.
  5. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on December 22, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excelente!!!!!!

    MELAO by Mario PaganResponded on December 25, 2019Thank you for review and for sharing your experience at Melao. We wish you an amazing holiday season. Kinds regards, Omar Negron Director Food and Beverage

  6. ReinaldoT

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 19, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Ordene el Sea Bass para mi y mi esposa que en el menu su precio era de $32 o $36 pero luego de llegar a mi casa me fije que me cobraron a $48 cada uno.
  7. CarlosB

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 11, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excelente comida!!! 100% recomendado. Muy buena atención y facilidades.

    MELAO by Mario PaganResponded on December 25, 2019Thank you for taking the time to tell us about your dinner experience. We wish you an amazing festive season. Warms regards, Omar Negron Director Food and Beverage

  8. PCMichelle

    Chicago

    42 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    42 reviews

    Dined on November 14, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Such a gem. This restaurant fuses the
  9. Nina

    Miami

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on November 13, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amazing food, staff and service. It was truly memorable.

    MELAO by Mario PaganResponded on November 19, 2019Thank you for taking the time to let us know about your dinner experience at Melao. Warms Regards, Omar Negron Director Food and Beverage

  10. erinb

    New York Area

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on November 10, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Melao is always a dreamy and totally perfect dining experience. From the incredibly lovely staff to the creative & delicious food.

    MELAO by Mario PaganResponded on November 19, 2019Thank you for taking the time to let us know about your dinner experience with us, we're extremely happy about your diner experience at Melao by Mario Pagan. Looking forward to have you back with us. Warms Regards, Omar Negron Director Food and Beverage

  11. MorganS

    Atlanta Metro

    12 reviews

    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on November 8, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food, wine and service.

    MELAO by Mario PaganResponded on November 19, 2019Thank you very much for you review! We're extremely happy about your diner experience at Melao by Mario Pagan. Looking forward to have you back with us. Warms Regards, Omar Negron Director Food and Beverage

  12. Robd

    New York Area

    10 reviews

    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on October 24, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Everything was outstanding. Completely original menu with food expertly prepared.

    MELAO by Mario PaganResponded on November 19, 2019Thank you for taking the time to let us know about your dinner experience. Looking forward to have you back with us. Warms Regards, Omar Negron Director Food and Beverage

  13. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on October 20, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Todo fue exquisito, la comida, el habiente y el servicio. Hemos comido varias veces y siempre pedimos por Joel(Mesero), siempre acierta con las recomendaciones. Más meseros como él.
  14. OpenTable Diner

    Caribbean

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 13, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Anniversary
  15. OpenTable Diner

    Caribbean

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 29, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food was amazing and the service was spectacular!!!
  16. Cesar

    Caribbean

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on September 27, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excelente servicio, la comida exquisita, añadieron platos nuevos al menú y muy bien ejecutados. Lo recomiendo.
  17. PhyllisD

    Chicago

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on August 7, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Very welcoming staff!...chic contemporary decor...our server Queenie was friendly fun & super efficient...great food & wine...would definitely return!
  18. OpenTable Diner

    Caribbean

    5 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on August 2, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excelente servicio. La comida fenomenal. He ido cuatro veces y seguro que regreso.
  19. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    6 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on July 27, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Fantastic experience! Exceeded expectations, everything was top notch and delicious. Our server Caroline was excellent and friendly, manager was totally cool, it was a solid 5 star meal. Will be coming back
  20. Federico

    New England

    8 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on June 22, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    EXCELLENT AS ALWAYS!! GREAT TEAM. NOS VEMOS PRONTO!
  21. MicheleJ

    Kansas City

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on June 8, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food was scrumptious. The shrimp spring roll is a must try...:a crispy shell wrapped around a shrimp mouse... to die for. Sea bass with Batata purée and foie gras reflects the cuisine of the island with a note of sophistication. The service was incredible. The Manager Joel knew the menue inside out and provided fantastic recommendations and walked around to make sure we were well taken care of. Our server was also named Joel and was very pleasant, was able to describe the preparation of the dishes and also gave outstanding recommendation. the view was breathtaking Zane honestly there is not a bad seat in the whole place. Our favorite dining experience in Puerto Rico. I Highly recommend it
  22. VICTORC

    Caribbean

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 18, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Sino es el mejor restaurante de PR esta entre los primeros cinco!
  23. Ninja

    San Francisco

    32 reviews

    5.0

    32 reviews

    Dined on May 5, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent venue ambiance food was very good albeit portion on the small side.

    MELAO by Mario PaganResponded on May 18, 2019Thank you! for your review, looking forward to see you again. Warms Regards Omar Negron Director Food and Beverage

  24. MaDanielaRN00020180421000

    Mexico City

    9 reviews

    4.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on May 1, 2019

    overall4food5service4ambience4
    The food is great!! The menú is outstanding so creative with local Ingredients. A perfect restaurant for celebrating special occasions
  25. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    22 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    22 reviews

    Dined on April 30, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent restaurant with a great menu, the pegao paella is outstanding the foiagras unbelievable
  26. JosephQ

    New York Area

    8 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on April 14, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Restaurant is a treasure. Great menu and Joel was a masterful host. We had a great time and will be back!
  27. MarkA

    New England

    5 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on March 14, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had an amazing dinner at Melao two nights in a row. Our server Abraham did an excellent job by making us feel very welcome and explaining the menu. Joel the Maitre De was also excellent. This restaurant serves the best food in Dorado (including the Ritz Carlton Dorado) by a wide mile. The food is Tapas style and is delicious. I would highly recommend the Sushi Tartar, Beef Carpaccio and particularly the Duck Sliders - which will blow you away. The service was excellent and the restaurant did a great job working with you if you wanted to customize the portion sizes or accompaniments. Overall excellent.

    MELAO by Mario PaganResponded on March 27, 2019Thank you! very much for your review. We're extremely for your experience at Melao. Looking forward to see you back in the near future. Warms Regards, Omar Negron Director Food and Beverage

  28. OpenTable Diner

    London

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on March 10, 2019

    overall3food4service2ambience3
    We had an 8:30pm reservation on a Saturday night and when we arrived we were told our table was finishing dessert and would be another 10 mins. We waited on the porch and the bartender came to take a drinks order, followed by the GM who apologized for the delay and helped us to order a few appetizers which were on the house. I think he knew we were going to be waiting more than 10 minutes, even though strangely the restaurant was not full. Once we were seated the food was excellent but sadly the service wasn’t of the same calibre. The staff were so obsessed with a couple at the next table (food critic?) that we continually had to wait while people who arrived after us were served their food. The coup de grace was after the waiter explained that if we wanted the special chocolate dessert we should order it with the rest of our food to avoid a 25 minute wait which we duly did. Surprisingly after clearing our entrees we had to wait 30 minutes for dessert which arrived looking like it had been thrown onto the plate after I asked what in earth was going on. The aforementioned couple next to us were also persuaded to order the chocolate dessert after they finished their entrees and miraculously it appeared a few minutes later. Call me a cynic but I’m pretty sure they got ours and we were left to wait. Let’s hope the guy writes them a good review to offset ours. They even comped his bill so it’s likely that’ll be the case but if you’re just an ordinary bloke like me trying to have a nice meal with your daughter there are plenty of other places on the island that are far better than Melao in our experience.
  29. OpenTable Diner

    Caribbean

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on March 8, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food and service was great!
  30. tremendo

    New York Area

    34 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    34 reviews

    Dined on March 3, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    it was a perfect night good ambiance, good food good friends great service food awesome

    MELAO by Mario PaganResponded on March 6, 2019Thank you for your review. Looking forward to have you back with us. Omar Negrón Director Food and Beverage

  31. SWRegular

    New York Area

    61 reviews

    5.0

    61 reviews

    Dined on March 1, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Spectacular meal and even better service! The staff was very attentive to our needs. Gave detailed descriptions of each dish to help us decide what to chose. Every course was delicious!!! If you are staying in Dorado, we highly recommend this restaurant.

    MELAO by Mario PaganResponded on March 3, 2019Thank you very much for your review. We look forward to have you back with us in a near future. Omar Negrón Director Food and Beverage

  32. PCMichelle

    Chicago

    42 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    42 reviews

    Dined on February 23, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Wonderful! Service, food and drinks are fantastic. Brought foodie parents who were delighted by the appetizers and mains. If

    MELAO by Mario PaganResponded on February 26, 2019Thank you very much for your review we are glad for your experience at Melao. We looking forward to see you again. Omar Negron Director Food and Beverage

  33. SalB

    London

    27 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    27 reviews

    Dined on February 20, 2019

    overall3food5service5ambience2
    Excellent except for a family of 4 children all under age 6 running around and screaming. This fine dining establishment should have a policy for an age limit. This is not the place where a 2 year old can get chicken tenders, a hot dog or mac and cheese. It ruined our evening. Management was advised yet nothing was done. We are not coming back under these circumstances.

    MELAO by Mario PaganResponded on February 22, 2019Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experiences regarding your recent dinner. Please accept our most sincere apologies for any disappointment you experienced with our restaurant ambiance during your most recently visit. We genuinely appreciate your feedback and will take your comments into consideration so we can provide you with a better experience in the future. I hope that you will give us another opportunity to welcome you back. Warmest regards, Omar N. Director F&B

  34. JoshuaL

    New York Area

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 17, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This meal was absolutely fantastic. I got the ribeye and it was cooked to perfection and worth the price tag. Also service was impeccable.

    MELAO by Mario PaganResponded on February 22, 2019We're extremely joyful to hear about your experience at Melao. We will be sharing your review with our team. We look forward to have you back! Warms Regards, Omar Negron Director Food & Beverage

  35. Chacha

    Caribbean

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 17, 2019

    overall3food2service3ambience3
    service is great, but too long of wait times for food.

    MELAO by Mario PaganResponded on February 22, 2019Thank you for your feedback, we will make the necessary arrangements to provide you with a better experience during your next visit. Warms Regards, Omar N. Director Food and Beverage

  36. Sagarush

    Caribbean

    11 reviews

    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on February 16, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent experience. Great food, superb cocktails.

    MELAO by Mario PaganResponded on February 22, 2019Thank you! very much for your feedback. We will be sharing your review with our staff. Warms Regards, Omar Negron Director Food & Beverage

  37. Jmoll

    Caribbean

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on February 16, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Comida exquisita, servicio inmejorable. Recomendado

    MELAO by Mario PaganResponded on February 22, 2019Nos alegra mucho que hayan disfrutado su velada con nosotros. Muchas gracias! por sus comentarios. Esperamos verles pronto. Omar Negron Director Food and Beverage

  38. MommyDinesOut

    San Francisco

    10 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on February 9, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great place to eat. Food is phenomenal. The staff go out of their way to accommodate your needs. Suggestions are always spot on. It is a point of pride for the people who work here to make the guests feel welcome.

    MELAO by Mario PaganResponded on February 22, 2019We're joyful with your experience. We look forward have you back. Warms Regards, Omar Negron Director Food & Beverage

  39. asbran

    Charlotte

    12 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on February 9, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This place is by far one of our favorites on the Island. The food the staff the atmosphere are all top notch! All the wait staff goes above and beyond to make your experience spectacular. The food is always consistently fabulous every single time. Joel the manager is probably the best restaurant manager I have ever seen. He helps the staff in any way he can he makes sure he greats every single guest that walks through the door and makes a point to stop at every table to check on guests. He is the key that makes this place so amazing!

    MELAO by Mario PaganResponded on February 22, 2019We're extremely happy to hear about your experience with us. We will be sharing your review with our team. Warms Regards, Omar Negron Director Food & Beverage

  40. SJFOODIE

    Caribbean

    48 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    48 reviews

    Dined on February 9, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    MELAO is the best way to experience the local flavors presented by Mario Pagán if you are in the Dorado area. Great cocktails & wine list within a nice & cozy ambiance.

    MELAO by Mario PaganResponded on February 22, 2019Thank you! for taking the time to review us. We're extremely happy to hear about your experience with us. We will be sharing your review with our team members. Warms Regards, Omar Negron Director Food & Beverage

FAQs

MELAO by Mario Pagan is rated 4.8 stars by 66 OpenTable diners.

Not bookable

Online reservations at MELAO by Mario Pagan can only be made directly on their website.

Google Map for MELAO by Mario Pagan

500 Plantation Dr, Dorado, PR 00646

Additional information

  • Neighborhood

    Caribbean

  • Hours of operation

    Dinner Wed–Sun 6:00 pm–10:00 pm

  • Cuisines

    Puerto Rican

  • Dining style

    Casual Elegant

  • Dress code

    Formal Attire

  • Parking details

    Hotel Parking

  • Payment options

    AMEX, MasterCard, Visa

  • Executive chef

    Mario Pagán

  • Additional

    Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

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  • Terms of Use
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