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This restaurant now offers Takeout

This restaurant now offers Takeout

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Santaella

4.8
4.8
2869 Reviews
$50 and over
Puerto Rican
Chef José Santaella has trained with some of the best chefs in the world, including Ferrán Adriá, Eric Ripert, and Gary Danko. His apprenticeships and successful catering career paved the way for Santaella, his signature restaurant in Santurce's La Placita Marketplace. The decor is rustic yet elegant, with exposed walls, Edison light fixtures, an interior garden, and a sparkling bar. Chef Santaella fuses local and international ingredients to perfectly execute Puerto Rican nouvelle cuisine. The menu is dominated by tapas, which you can easily make into a meal. Favorites include the ahi tuna skewers, goat cheese quesadilla, 'alcapurrias' topped with crab, and foie gras terrine with fruit jelly . The cocktail bar is one of the best on the island, so don't leave without trying one of the concoctions by Santaella's mixologists. -Fodors

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 50 times today
Experiences are available.

Order delivery or takeout

Other options

  • Order online
  • Logo image for Uber Eats

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style

    Casual Elegant

  • Cuisines

    Puerto Rican, Caribbean, Latin / Spanish

  • Hours of operation

    Lunch Tue–Fri 11:30 am–5:00 pm Dinner Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–11:00 pm Sun 5:00 pm–10:00 pm

  • Phone number

    (787) 722-7600

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Pay with OpenTable, Visa

  • Dress code

    Smart Casual

  • Owned/operated by

    Latinx or Hispanic, LGBTQ+

  • Executive chef

    Chef José Santaella

  • Catering

    For Caterings, please contact: events@santaellapr.com or visit www.josesantaella.com

  • Private party facilities

    For Group Dining Inquiries please visit our website at: http://josesantaella.com/

  • Private party contact

    Kristian Toro: (787) 725-1611

  • Neighborhood

    San Juan

  • Cross street

    La Placita de Santurce

  • Parking details

    Santaella has valet parking thru Valera Parking ($10) and there are also two public, paid parkings nearby.

  • Public transit

    Stop #19. Bus lines: A5, B21, M3, B16

  • Additional

    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Gift card

Gift card

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Experiences

  • Large Group Prix Fixe Menu

    $120.00 per person

    Prepaid

    Multiple dates available
    Enjoy a delicious selection of dishes perfectly sized for your group. Select from a variety of dishes to create your custom Santaella 3-course prix fixe menu. Visit our menu section at santaellapr.com to view our group menu options or email us at reservations@santaellapr.com with any questions. Once booked, we will follow up with you to select desired menu. Group menus are required for parties of 11 or more guests. THIS EXPERIENCE IS NON-REFUNDABLE.

Popular dishes

What 2,869 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 recent ratings
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.8Ambience
  • 4.5Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Caribbean

    Puerto Rican

  • Puerto Rico

    Best Food

  • Puerto Rico

    Puerto Rican

  • Puerto Rico

    Most Booked

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Filters

  1. OpenTable Diner

    Las Vegas

    8 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Everything was great as it always is. Perhaps one of the most consistent restaurants in Puerto Rico.
  2. ChrissyLove

    New York Area

    8 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Birthday dinner did not disappoint. Brought a 3rd to my rezzie for 2 and it was handled graciously. The croquetas were delish we got 2 orders the pork the whole sea bass off the charts Just go!
  3. HeleneC

    Portland

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service4ambience4
    The food was beyond fabulous and expensive. This is a destination restaurant worthy of any celebration
  4. Leah

    New York Area

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amazing place and staff. Incredible food and ambiance!
  5. DCFoodie

    Washington DC

    30 reviews

    5.0

    30 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Best meal we had while in Puerto Rico. Beautiful interior, delicious food, fun cocktails, and friendly staff. The service was excellent, we weren't rushed. There were so many items on the menu we wanted to try that we can't wait to go back. Recommend having a reservation any night of the week. The restaurant is understandably busy all the time.
  6. RoseO

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excelente y el servicio excelente. La música un poco muy alta.
  7. OpenTable Diner

    Baltimore

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall2food4service2ambience3
    My bf and I were disappointed at the restaurants ability to offer food options. When you come to a fine dining restaurant and you think they know their business in terms of how many are coming and are reserved. But Santaella failed! They were out of the appetizer we wanted. And the cherry on top, they said we are out of desserts. Only have one left. What? Are you kidding? This is what I call poor management. I chose them over marmalade for our anniversary dinner and regret it. Otherwise our entrees were cooked good. But other things made this is an underwhelming experience because I was excited looking at their menu
  8. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    33 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    33 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    My husband, young son, and I are on vacation and haven’t visited this restaurant in quite a few years and it was BETTER than we remembered it! We ended up getting appetizers as tapas and they were absolutely amazing! The goat cheese quesadillas and popcorn curry chicken are MUSTS! We were so happy to hear the croquettes and the empanadillas of the day were exactly what we loved. The pairing of the Albariño we ordered was perfect. We’ll be raving about this dinner for a while! We can’t wait to go back!
  9. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 19, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Place is great- had a great time sitting at the bar. Cocktails are interesting and the food was good. The door guy is terrible. Didn’t believe we had a reservation and hassled us because he didn’t hear my name correctly. Terrible start to the experience but other wise service is fine.
  10. ZaniaD

    Las Vegas

    11 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on March 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We enjoyed an amazing meal! Kenneth was the best server and he gave great food recommendations. The sea bass special, he suggested, was delicious. The cocktails were well made and the restaurant had very intimate feel. We would definitely go back and ask for Kenneth.
  11. LauraH

    New Mexico

    10 reviews

    4.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on March 16, 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience5
    Drinks were great and dinner was delicious! Shareable portions to try a variety of plates.
  12. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This is the best restaurant in Puerto Rico, hands down.
  13. CelesteC

    New England

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Incredible and super unique cocktails and food! Also amazing service. 10/10 restaurant!
  14. danam

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amazing!!! Best burrata salad I have ever had! Party in my mouth. Our server Sheeky was funny, friendly and his menu suggestions were on point! The cauliflower soup was out of this world! Wish I lived here I would be a regular for sure ! Cheers!
  15. OpenTable Diner

    Caribbean

    6 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on March 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Always consistency with amazing food, ambiance and mixology. Great wine list as well.
  16. CeeJay

    Pittsburgh

    12 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on March 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We enjoyed every bite. Started with the goat cheese quesadilla and it definitely did not disappoint ! My husband ordered the filet and he did not stop smiling until the plate was clean . I ordered the salmon and it was marvelous Delicious vegetables and perfectly cooked fish covered my plate We will definitely dine here again on our next trip to Puerto Rico
  17. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Had a wonderful time. Our waiter Chickie was Amazing really gave us outstanding service . I also work in the service industry and i was definitely impressed by Everything .
  18. OpenTable Diner

    Dallas

    1 review

    vip
    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 14, 2023

    overall4food4service2ambience4
    The food quality was very good and the cocktails were delicious, but the service was casual for an upscale restaurant. The weirdest thing was that salads were served at the same time as entrees. We were visiting the area and had this happen to us at two different places. Maybe it’s a PR thing?
  19. OpenTable Diner

    Minneapolis

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food was outstanding, the service was amazing, all around a wonderful place to dine! They were also able to cater to my food allergies (gluten/dairy/eggs/pork). Highly recommend the Brussel sprouts!
  20. Maggie

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 14, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience4
    The food was amazing. There are a lot of small plates that we shared amongst our group. It was some of the best food we had in Puerto Rico. The service was great, and the restaurant was very cute on the outskirts of San Juan. The cocktails were also so good and they have a lot of great options for food and drinks.
  21. FoodMom

    New York Area

    49 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    49 reviews

    Dined on March 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great lunch for a day in town from a cruise. Very helpful staff
  22. OpenTable Diner

    Baltimore

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on March 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Everything we ordered was amazing!
  23. MichaelB

    Las Vegas

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Never thought we’d enjoy a 5pm res. Totally reco. Peaceful, no rush from the wait staff, etc. every dish we ordered was beyond expectations. We shall return!
  24. PatrickN

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    All the dishes we ordered were amazing (the octopus, red snapper, and filet), and the cocktail I had was one of the best I've had anywhere in the world (spicy paloma). If you want to treat yourself to one of the best (if not the best) restaurants in Puerto Rico, then go to Santaella.
  25. JeanK

    San Francisco

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on March 10, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Everything from the ambiance to the service to the food exceeded our expectations! We would highly recommend Santaella.
  26. AmandaS

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 10, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Incredible food and atmosphere. Best place to have dinner in PR!
  27. CarolP

    New York Area

    6 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on March 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food was delicious and unique! Can’t wait to go back.
  28. JWolfe

    Raleigh

    9 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on March 8, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Outstanding food, wines, and service, all in beautiful and festive surroundings. We loved the fresh, inventive menu.
  29. OpenTable Diner

    Portland

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on March 8, 2023

    overall5food5service3ambience4
    Everything was delicious! Highlights of the meal were the quesadilla (goat cheese w/ honey and truffle oil dressing, topped w/ arugula) and the avocado salad (avocado, marinated with grated ginger and a red wine vinaigrette, micro greens, local fresh cheese, and thinly sliced onion rings).
  30. Deee

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 8, 2023

    overall4food4service3ambience5
    Excellent food, ambiance was great, service could’ve used some work. Also, food took a long time.
  31. OpenTable Diner

    Raleigh

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Mofongo was delicious! Our group of 8 people had a great time, would come back again!
  32. Treds80

    New York Area

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on March 3, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had a wonderful experience at Santaella. The food was exceptional and the service was perfect. We had the salmon and steak. Both were perfection and well worth it!!! Thank you for a great night!
  33. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    4 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on March 2, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience4
    The food was amazing ! We had octopus, empanadas, and pork belly. Our writer was also great. However, we had a reservation at 9:30 and didn’t get set until after 10:00 so we were starving by the time we sat down to eat.
  34. StephanieB

    New Orleans

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on February 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Vacation! Great recommendation from someone at our hotel! We are from New York and have high expectations when it comes to food…..they were met!
  35. OpenTable Diner

    Miami

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on February 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Awesome food. We love the atmosphere.
  36. Happytoeat

    San Diego

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on February 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Had an amazing lunch at Santaella. Ten of us enjoyed the entire meal from the cocktails to the wine and the unbelievable food. 100% enjoyable from the moment we walked in the doors. If ever we are back in PR we will go again!
  37. OpenTable Diner

    Philadelphia

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on February 26, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent food and service. The menu offers you different options of high quality delicious tasty food. As a wine enthusiast, the wine list its broadly, you are going to be able to find a bottle of your favorite wine region at an affordable price. The overall experience was great. I hope you enjoy the restaurant like me.
  38. Emma

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 26, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    One of the most enjoyable dining experiences that we've had in awhile. We followed recommendations from our server Alex and were very pleased. Can't wait to come back next time we are in San Juan!
  39. AlGg

    New York Area

    11 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on February 26, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Delicious meal with Latin flavors. The goat cheese quesadilla is a most!!!
  40. cvgjbc

    Caribbean

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on February 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Reliably excellent food and service.

Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Surfaces sanitized between seatings
    • Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
    • Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers
    • Contactless payment available
  • Protective equipment

    • Waitstaff wear masks
  • Screening

    • Sick staff prohibited in the workplace
    • Staff is vaccinated

FAQs

You can order delivery directly from Santaella using the Order Online button. Santaella also offers delivery in partnership with Uber Eats. Santaella also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (787) 722-7600.

Santaella is rated 4.8 stars by 2869 OpenTable diners.

Santaella does offer gift cards which you can purchase here.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 50 times today
Experiences are available.

Order delivery or takeout

Other options

  • Order online
  • Logo image for Uber Eats
Google Map for Santaella

219 Cll Canals, San Juan, PR 00907

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross street

    La Placita de Santurce

  • Neighborhood

    San Juan

  • Hours of operation

    Lunch Tue–Fri 11:30 am–5:00 pm Dinner Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–11:00 pm Sun 5:00 pm–10:00 pm

  • Cuisines

    Puerto Rican, Caribbean, Latin / Spanish

  • Dining style

    Casual Elegant

  • Dress code

    Smart Casual

  • Parking details

    Santaella has valet parking thru Valera Parking ($10) and there are also two public, paid parkings nearby.

  • Public transit

    Stop #19. Bus lines: A5, B21, M3, B16

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Pay with OpenTable, Visa

  • Owned/operated by

    Latinx or Hispanic, LGBTQ+

  • Executive chef

    Chef José Santaella

  • Additional

    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Wheelchair Access, Wine

  • Phone number

    (787) 722-7600

  • Catering

    For Caterings, please contact: events@santaellapr.com or visit www.josesantaella.com

  • Private party facilities

    For Group Dining Inquiries please visit our website at: http://josesantaella.com/

  • Private party contact

    Kristian Toro: (787) 725-1611

Gift card

Gift card

Send gift cards instantly by email or print to present in person.

Send a gift card
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