Santaella

4.8

3718 Reviews

$31 to $50

Puerto Rican

Make a reservation

2 people

Dec 23, 2024

7:00 PM

Booked 32 times today

Experiences are available.

Good for special occasions
Great for creative cocktails
Fancy

Chef José Santaella refined his culinary expertise with top chefs like Ferrán Adrià, Eric Ripert, and Gary Danko. His years of apprenticeships and a thriving catering career led to opening *Santaella* in Santurce’s La Placita Marketplace. The restaurant offers a rustic yet elegant atmosphere, with exposed brick walls, Edison lights, an indoor garden, and a stylish bar. Chef Santaella creatively combines local and international ingredients, crafting Puerto Rican nouvelle cuisine. The tapas-focused menu features favorites like ahi tuna skewers, goat cheese quesadillas, crab-topped ‘alcapurrias,’ and foie gras terrine with fruit jelly. Known for its vibrant ambiance, *Santaella* also boasts one of the island’s best cocktail bars, with expertly crafted drinks by its skilled mixologists. Praised as a culinary treasure in San Juan, *Santaella* impresses with "amazing food," "exceptional service," and "top-tier cocktails." Ideal for special events or memorable evenings, it’s a must-visit.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Puerto Rican, Contemporary Latin, Cocktail Bar
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
Website
http://www.santaellapr.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Smart Casual
Executive chef
Chef José Santaella
Catering
For Caterings, please contact: https://santaella.tripleseat.com/party_request/26218
Private party facilities
For Group Dining Inquiries please visit our website at: https://santaella.tripleseat.com/party_request/26218

Location
219 Cll Canals, San Juan, PR 00907
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, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Gift card

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Experiences

Christmas Eve Menu
$145.00 per person
Prepaid
Dec 24, 2024 only
Join us for Christmas Eve dinner with a festive 3-course menu dinner curated by Chef José Santaella. Chrismas Eve Prix-Fixe Menu Hors D'Ouevres: Ahi Tuna Pinxtos, Blood Sausage Turnovers 'Morcilla Empanadillas' First Course: 'Pasteles' Puerto Rican Chicken & Banana patties with Avocado and Local Cheese Salad Main Course: Crispy Pork Belly in Tamarind sauce, Rice with Pigeon Peas and Green Banana Escabeche Dessert: Chocolate Tart with Nougat Ice Cream For any questions, please contact us at reservations@santaellapr.com We look forward to welcoming you at Santaella restaurant to celebrate Christmas Eve. Full Menu published at: http://www.santaellapr.com Beverages, taxes and gratuity extra, not included. $95 per child (under 12y/o).
Large Group Prix Fixe Menu
$125.00 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.
New Year's Eve Dinner - Second Seating 8:30PM+
$350.00 per person
Prepaid
Dec 31, 2024 only
Ring in the New Year with elegance and excitement at Santaella! Join us for an evening of culinary delights, with our second seating from 8:30 PM+, presenting a 4-course prix fixe menu thoughtfully crafted to showcase an exclusive Puerto Rican-inspired dining experience. Kick off your celebration with a welcoming toast of Moët & Chandon, followed by an elegant Puerto Rican-inspired dinner that masterfully blends the rich flavors and traditions of Puerto Rico. As the clock strikes midnight, toast to 2025 with a glass of Dom Pérignon. Let the rhythm of a live DJ carry you away as you soak in the vibrant energy of Santaella. This night is dedicated to creating unforgettable memories in style. https://josesantaella.getbento.com/newyears/

Popular dishes

Sandía Mojito$17.00
bacardi superior, fresh watermelon, mint, fresh lemon & lime juice
Perfect Lady$17.00
citron vodka, santaella herbal syrup, st. germain, fresh lemon and lime juice. egg whites and lavender
Spicy Paloma$17.00
Mezcal, tequila, pink grapefruit juice, lemon, ginger soda, crushed red pepper spicy salted rim. Garnished with dehydrated citrus
Paper Plane$17.00
woodford reserve bourbon whiskey, cappelletti aperitif, amaro, lime juice
Barrilito Daiquiri$17.00
ron del barrilito 3 stars, fresh lime and lemon juice, apricot brandy, angostura bitters, burned orange peel
Placita Martini$17.00
bacardi superior and bacardi 8 aged rum, fresh coconut water, cinammon syrup & bitters
Jibarito Mule$17.00
bacardi 8 añejo tum, hot pepper-infused syrup, fresh lemon & lime juice, ginger beer
Parchita$17.00
bacardi 4 añejo rum, fresh passion fruit, agave, lemon & lime juice, ginger juice
Tamarind Margarita$17.00
tequila silver, puréed tamarind juice, cointreau, fresh lemon & lime juice, cinnamon-infused syrup. served up or over ice. salted rim.
Jalapeño Margarita$17.00
patrón silver tequila, jalapeño-infused syrup, fresh lemon & lime juice, orange liqueur, salted rim
Oaxaca Old Fashioned$19.00
zacapa 23 rum, mezcal, honey, 'sal de gusano', garnished with dehydrated orange
Spiced Old Fashioned$19.00
bacardi 8 aged rum, angostura bitters and all spiced syrup
Santa Guanábana$17.00
white rum, fresh guanábana (Soursop) pulp, fresh l&l juice, dark chocolate dust & basil.
Golden Family$17.00
Bacardi 8 añejo rum, pineapple juice, fresh lemon juice, sage and ginger infused syrup, bitters. Gold leaf garnish
Lady Bullet$17.00
woodford reserve bourbon, fig marmalade, lavender syrup, orange bitters & lime juice
Butterfly Knee$17.00
gin, honey, rosemary, lemon juice, butterfly pea tea, orange bitters
Tito's Mule$17.00
tito's vodka, simple syrup, fresh lime and lemon juice, house-made ginger beer
Santaella Side Car$19.00
hennessy vs cognac, orange liquor, angostura bitters and fresh lime juice
Carajillo$17.00
espresso coffee & licor 43

Martinis

Classic Martini$18.00
Gin or Vodka? Dry, Dirty or Perfect? Shaken or Stirred? Bitters? Your Martini your way
Cosmopolitan$17.00
vodka, cointreau, cranberry juice, and freshly squeezed lime juice
Espresso Martini$18.00
Grey goose vodka, tequila reposado, espresso shot, coffee liquor, chocolate bitters. Garnished with coffee beans and powdered sugar

Negronis

Classic Negroni$17.00
gin, sweet vermouth, campari, orange

Luxury Cocktails

Casameloni$25.00
casa dragones blanco, cocchi americano, watermelon aperitif liquore
Green Dragon$25.00
casa dragones blanco, agave, lime, ancho reyes verde, pineapple tepache

What 3,718 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
4.7Service
4.7Ambience
4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Caribbean
Puerto Rican
Caribbean
Most Booked
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rican
Puerto Rico
Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Santaella in San Juan offers an enchanting dining experience with "amazing food" and an elegant ambiance. Guests consistently praise the "phenomenal service," especially from standout servers like Gabriel and Juan. The atmosphere is lively, perfect for enjoying "delicious" Puerto Rican dishes and "amazing cocktails." Reservations are recommended.

3,718 Reviews

G
Gary
VIP
Philadelphia
2 reviews
3.0
2 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 3
It operates under a different name on Sunday nights with a variant of the menu posted. Food was fine. The margarita was great. But it wasn’t quite the restaurant we thought we had booked.
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M
Melanie
Charleston
13 reviews
4.0
13 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
We are visiting from the states and was given the recommendation to try Santaella. I made the reservation on Open Table, but when we arrived we discovered the reservation was not for Santaella. It was for Azotea. We were disappointed to see we couldn’t get the food options we had seen on the Santaella menu. I wish there was a distinguishing feature to tell us that. Overall the food and service were great. Our disappointment was from the switch up of restaurants. Maybe locals know but as travelers we didn’t.
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C
Creadell
Washington DC
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
So far, this is the best meal I’ve had during my vacation in Puerto Rico. Great service, nice ambiance.
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p
peggy
VIP
Berlin
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
A highlight of our time in Puerto Rico. Delicious and creative menu. Fun atmosphere
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S
Susie
VIP
Toledo
34 reviews
5.0
34 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Outstanding! So glad we saved this for our last night out!
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M
Maritza
VIP
Caribbean
24 reviews
4.0
24 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Food is incredible and service was very good. We sat at the bar and had a lot of fun. Nice music.
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R
Rachel
VIP
San Francisco
12 reviews
5.0
12 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Fantastic! Fun and creative takes on PR dishes. Great cocktails.
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H
Harry
VIP
Caribbean
3 reviews
3.0
3 reviews
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
Pizza was soso Fried pork was dry and tough Cheese Quesadilla was outstanding Pot de creme was fantastic Coffee ok not great which is surprising in PR
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T
Teryluz
VIP
Chicago
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined 6 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great food and service. A little pricey but worth the splurge.
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A
Amaury
Caribbean
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on December 15, 2024
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
I recently visited with high expectations, but unfortunately, my experience fell a bit short. While the atmosphere and service were pleasant, I was disappointed to find that several menu items I had been looking forward to were unavailable. This left me with limited options, and I ended up only enjoying the drinks and the ceviche. The drinks were well-crafted, and the ceviche was fresh and flavorful, but I couldn’t help feeling that the experience was incomplete without being able to explore more of the menu. I’m giving 3 stars because I believe the restaurant has potential, but I hope they can address the issue of unavailable menu items to ensure a more satisfying visit for guests in the future.
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FAQs

Santaella does offer delivery in partnership with Uber Eats.

Santaella is rated 4.8 stars by 3718 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

Dec 23, 2024

7:00 PM

Booked 32 times today

Experiences are available.

Order delivery or takeout

219 Cll Canals, San Juan, PR 00907

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
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Puerto Rican, Contemporary Latin, Cocktail Bar
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, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Chef José Santaella
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.santaellapr.com/
Phone number
(787) 722-7600
Catering
For Caterings, please contact: https://santaella.tripleseat.com/party_request/26218
Private party facilities
For Group Dining Inquiries please visit our website at: https://santaella.tripleseat.com/party_request/26218

Gift card

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

Send a gift card

Santaella

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Gift card

Christmas Eve Menu

Large Group Prix Fixe Menu

New Year's Eve Dinner - Second Seating 8:30PM+

Sandwich de Nutella

Escargots

Quesadilla de Pernil

Cócteles

Sandía Mojito$17.00

Perfect Lady$17.00

Spicy Paloma$17.00

Paper Plane$17.00

Barrilito Daiquiri$17.00

Placita Martini$17.00

Jibarito Mule$17.00

Parchita$17.00

Tamarind Margarita$17.00

Jalapeño Margarita$17.00

Oaxaca Old Fashioned$19.00

Spiced Old Fashioned$19.00

Santa Guanábana$17.00

Golden Family$17.00

Lady Bullet$17.00

Butterfly Knee$17.00

Tito's Mule$17.00

Santaella Side Car$19.00

Carajillo$17.00

Martinis

Classic Martini$18.00

Cosmopolitan$17.00

Espresso Martini$18.00

Negronis

Classic Negroni$17.00

Luxury Cocktails

Casameloni$25.00

Green Dragon$25.00

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

Does Santaella offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Santaella restaurant rated?

Does Santaella offer gift cards?

Is Santaella currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Gift card