Puerto Rico’s Condado Area and its Neighbors Go Hand in Hand

Where Lodging and Gastronomy Unite for Benefit of the Traveler

By: N. Michelle Rodríguez Amadeo

Issue March 2016

For years, the Ashford Avenue in Condado area and the Ocean Park sector have been traditional landmarks of lodging establishments located nearby beaches at the northern coastal zone in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Among the areas of Condado and Ocean Park, travelers may find a diversity of lodging options such as hotels, inns, boutique hotels, guesthouses, and bed and breakfast lodgings. From hotels such as La Concha Reinassance San Juan Resort and the Condado Plaza Hilton to guesthouses such as the Dream Inn and Tres Palmas Inn, travelers may choose their lodging of preference based on the amenities of their interest and budget.

The Ashford Avenue has become famous for its restaurants’ specialties. Some restaurants strive to surprise travelers with their fine cuisine or creative or fusion cuisine. To experience this specialty cuisine, travelers may visit Pikayo, Perla or Budatai. Other restaurants serve Puerto Rican food or specialize in international, Spanish, Mexican, Italian or Asian dishes, among others.

For the past years, the culinary offers have increased around nearby areas of the touristic zone comprising Ashford Avenue. Currently, travelers have a wide selection of restaurants to choose from in areas such as Loíza Street, Ocean Park and Miramar neighborhoods. Following the establishment of new restaurants in Loíza Street, a sector of this urban street has been revitalized.

Travelers may savor creative or fusion cuisine at Cocinando Suave or Mere Pescao in Loíza Street, or Peruvian cuisine at Lima restaurant or Mexican food at Bartola, both in the Miramar neighborhood.

Pizza lovers have an ample variety of pizzerias to choose from, such as Via Appia, Danny’s International Pizzeria or Serafina in Ashford Avenue, Pirilo in Ocean Park, Si No Corro Me Pizza, Piola, or Pizziology in Loíza Street, Fahrenheit Pizza in De Diego Avenue, or Pizza e Birra or Melanzana in Miramar.

Beef lovers may eat hamburgers at The Place or Buns Burger Shop in Ashford Avenue, or Yam Burguer in Miramar.

Finally, travelers may indulge themselves tasting traditional Puerto Rican food at La Tasca de Yiyo or Molini’s Café & Restaurant in Loíza Street, or Casita Miramar in Miramar neighborhood. For a selection of both traditional local food and creative local food, travelers may visit Casa Lola in Ashford Avenue or Jaquita Baya in Miramar.

Therefore, travelers staying at lodging establishments in Condado or Ocean Park may take advantage not only of the amenities found in these touristic zones, but also of the gastronomy options available in nearby areas where restaurants have arrived to stay.

Photographer: N. Michelle Rodríguez Amadeo