Best Neighborhood Gem Restaurants in Carolina

Amazing meal at Mario Pagan. Food was fantastic and creative. Special Kudos to our waitress, Mar, and the kitchen staff for their heroic (and ultimately successful) efforts to accommodate our very picky and vegetarian 10 yr old daughter. It was a really lovely time all around, and well worth it. Very glad we went. My only suggestion would be to turn down the AC - it was chilly in there!

I consider myself incredibly picky with high standards. I come from a restaurant family, this restaurant is the best restaurant I have ever been too. Absolutely incredible. Better than any place I have been in the states and the Caribbean.

The restaurant was amazing. The food was great. Especially the appetizers. We had ceviche and foie gras. The foie gras was the best we ever had. We sat at the bar and the service was excellent even though the restaurant was very busy. The host was a little arrogant. We arrived early and he said they were booked except for the large tables and he wouldn’t seat two at a table for 4. Our reservation was for the bar, which was empty, so I asked why we couldn’t sit there. He responded, yes, any seat at the bar is fine. We sat at the end and ordered drinks. The host came over and rudely said we had to move because a regular customer was coming and she liked these seats. We didn’t mind moving but didn’t like his rude attitude.

Second Christmas Eve eating at Eter, and the experience was great as always!!!

A Perfect Christmas Meal at Cocina Abierta We had the pleasure of enjoying a five-course Christmas meal at Cocina Abierta, and it was truly a night to remember. From the moment we arrived, the team went above and beyond to make us feel welcome. Our waitress, Celeste, was absolutely outstanding. She was incredibly knowledgeable about the menu, offering thoughtful recommendations and providing detailed explanations of each dish. She made the experience seamless for our family, who spoke a mix of Spanish and English, accommodating both languages effortlessly. As a family with a shellfish allergy, dining out can sometimes be a challenge, but the staff at Cocina Abierta handled it with care and professionalism. They were attentive to our needs, ensuring that every dish was safe without compromising flavor or presentation. The food itself was exceptional; each course was beautifully presented, and every bite showcased fresh, high-quality ingredients with masterful flavor combinations. It felt like a true celebration of Puerto Rican cuisine with a modern international twist. Overall, Cocina Abierta provided us with more than just a meal—it was an unforgettable holiday experience. If you’re in Puerto Rico and looking for a dining experience that blends incredible food, thoughtful service, and warm hospitality, we can’t recommend it enough. Thank you, Celeste, and the entire Cocina Abierta team for making our Christmas so special!