El Asador

I ordered the ceviche & lobster risotto both delicious. I love the atmosphere of the restaurant very open (doors & windows) and the music was nice. The wait staff could’ve been more alert and friendly, but I’d still return if I’m ever back on the island.

Food is very good. Mushroom risotto, mahi mahi, red snapper were very good. If you can relax for a while it is a good place. Mofongo with chicken, local Puertorican dish was excellent. Wait staff was very helpful.

Excellent passion fruit mojito! Tried the fish taqueria and they were perfect. Beautiful building and perfect service. Will certainly be back.

Stop! Don’t waste your time. Terrible service even though it only at 40% full (should have never stopped somewhere that empty). Wine was blah. Even the ceviche was not very good.

Went here for lunch one day strolling the streets of Old San Juan and came across this open-​air, rustic charm. GREAT service from our server. Hands down the BEST risotto we have ever had. I couldn’t stop eating it. I even called the chef out to tell her… she came out and was just as humble as can be. I was beyond full, but I knew if I took it home, the microwave wouldn’t have done it any justice. When we go back, this is the FIRST place we are eating! We’ll have to try dinner.

The neighboring Niyorican café wasn’t gonna open till 9pm so we decided to chill here for drinks.
Just because it’s locally yummy, I opted for piña colada and my BF got a mojito. Mojito was crisp and colada also refreshing. We snacked on the fish ceviche and found that it was even more refreshing than the two drinks combined. Puerto Rico famous for those fritters, substituted the regular chips or tostadas ceviche normally have. Add to taste: lime and tapatio. I commend them for a well kept resto, clean and modernized. It’ll be the closest to an industrial gastropub feel. Do have bug spray handy as mosquitoes are rampant anywhere really in Puerto Rico.

I would give this place zero stars if I could. First when we get there, there is no hostess or anyone in sight to seat you. The waitress comes out after about ten minutes of standing around with other tourist looking dumbfounded on what to do. Even though the bartender was there, she didn’t lift a finger to greet guest and just seemed bothered if anyone spoke to her. Then the waitress tells us that if we are in a hurry the kitchen is backed up with large parties of five (?) so she said it will take a long time to eat. We thought about it, noticed how angry the clients looked in the front of the restaurant and promptly left. DONT GO HERE!

The worst customer service ever! The restaurant was not packed when we visited so I’m still confused as to why the waitress managed to forget my order and then bring me out something that I never ordered. The waitress then had the nerve to give me attitude when I told her I no longer wanted the food I originally ordered after waiting so long that all my friends had already finished their meals when mine had finally arrived to the table. Aside from that, the waitress did not ask to replenish our water, nor did she check on us at all throughout the dinner, in fact, she disappeared. I had to walk up to another waitress and ask what the heck happened to my food. I truly believe my waitress just forgot but I was really put off when she acted stank about me not wanting the food anymore after everyone else was already finished. An apology or explanation would have been nice. The only saving grace to this place would be the mushroom risotto that the restaurant serves as an opening taster to each table! Good grief, I’m not sure what they put in that stuff but it is so good! I could have scraped the plate…

So sad this didn’t work out! This was our date night out and the kids stayed at home so that is a rare treat. We picked El Asador because of the location, upscale vibe, menu and ability to use opentable to make a reservation. We arrived at our reservation time and were seated immediately. The restaurant was half full but we were seated in what appeared to an after thought for seating. Our table was one of four in a large hallway where people had to pass by on their way to the bathroom. Not ideal but forgivable. The only other issue was the hallway pumps music for the rest of the more secluded areas of the restaurant so the techno groove music was super loud. So loud that we were almost yelling to one another to be heard.
After 30 minutes of waiting a waitress came by and took our drink and food order. They were completely out of chicken, ceviche and other items so we scrambled for new dishes. We only made it fifteen more minutes! I noticed basically no one eating or drinking. One table got up and left, a table of six sent someone to inquire with the bar and the three waitresses were at a loss for where to begin. It appeared to be disorganized or some very bad server training.
I cannot comment on the food because we walked out after 45 minutes without as much as a glass of water. A beautiful spot like this needs major server support, stronger kitchen help and a manager to keep all the wheels spinning.

Jesus Chris, 15 min to get just a glass of water (and that’s because I asked one more time for it). 50min to get my dish which is just a grilled chicken and this place is way to empty. Never again

Best mushroom risotto! I came here 2 ½ years ago and had been dreaming about their risotto. Finally got to taste it again. Love the décor too

The best experience on my last day in PR. Miriam is awesome not only as a bartender but server as well. My friend and I loved her along with the other waitress that served us. This was my first time having mofongo. Miriam explained what it was so I decided to give it a try. No more of their Seafood Mofongo was left on my plate. Delicuousness! Her salmon was great too with the mango sauce and yucca. Very chill and as my friend called it «modern, mimimalistic, chic». Took a picture of the place and logo so I can come back when I return to PR.

We sat at at the bar and had drinks, but the ambience here was great for Old San Juan, and the menu looked really good. I think I will have to come back here for dinner.

Absolutely the worst restaurant experience I’ve ever had. The food was rubbery, tasteless, and served inconsistently. We made a reservation through opentable only to find an almost empty restaurant and no table prepared. The staff is inattentive and unreliable. The food and drinks was served without a without a waiter’s tray. Do not be deceived by the pictures and high rating. El Asador was a disastrous Saturday night dinner. No wonder the restaurant was empty. AVOID!

A little irritated with the service. I walked in and walked out after 5 mins. Tipping point for me, the bartender couldn’t look at me while attempting to give me a menu, then proceeded to talk to another customer. Leaving me to keep reaching as she pulled the menu away. I eventually got it, only to be ignored. Coincidentally, her shift was ending. So, she could give zero F’s I’m sure. So, don’t let the service stop you. FOOD was extraordinary to day the least. Skirt steak was fantastic.

This is a great seafood restaurant in Old San Juan, just steps away from the fort. We had a variety of items… all of which were very good. Started the meal with a passion fruit mojito that was perfectly executed. The man behind the bar knows what he is doing. Some of the highlights included the seafood soup, which was very savory yet light, and creole style fish, which was well prepared. No detriment come to mind… everything was terrific.

As I walked in I was a bit nervous about this place. It seemed dark and mysterious. The servers greeted us with huge smiles and pleasant attitudes. Now the darkness and mystery of this place was just a beautiful rustic scenery and open space. I was very comfortable now to order what was about to be one of the most delicious meals I have eaten in Puerto Rico. I ordered the catch of the day; Red snapper. It was absolutely amazing. So meaty and well cooked. Let’s not talk about my starters; it was a seafood risotto that was totally incredible. I would totally recommend this place to anyone!

If I have to choose a favorite restaurant in PR it would be El Asador. Based in the beautiful historic streets of Old San Juan, El Asador offers a great mood to eat with friends, family or a love. Softly lit, rustic raw decoration and open doors and windows, is the perfect setting for what’s about to happen… simple and delicious food.
This restaurant never disappoints, from the small taste of the mushroom risotto when you sit down mmmm, to everything in the menu which is not an extensive one, food is always flavorful, simple, almost like mom cooked it and she went to cooking school… made with love and technique. To start, the ceviche is stellar, the chorizo great and every single risotto, from the apps to the entrées are to die for. Even the drinks, specially the mojito, is very good. Try the fish, you won’t regret it and the classic puertorrican dishes like the pork chops, the mofongo, even the churrasco are flavorful and perfectly cooked.
I recommend El Asador to everyone that asks me where to go eat, I’ve never seen this place very busy, I don’t think people realize the gem it is, decent service, great ambiance and even better food deserves to be nonstop at all times but I won’t complaint, every time I come eat here, there’s always a table waiting for me.

Great food and decent service. From when we walked in they sat us quick. Food was great didn’t even leave a single bite. Once we were seated our server walked away… they used him for other tables while the other girl tended to her friends. Other than that a great authentic Puerto Rican food… I shall return

Absolutely the best meal of our trip! Great friendly service outstanding drinks… Overall outstanding dining experience! Astrid and William were awesome!

Sit in the little callejon (tiny cobblestone street next to the restaurant and enjoy the BEST Ceviche EVER!
It comes in either an appetizer-​sized portion ($ 13) or entrée sized ($ 22). It’s made with Grouper and it’s worth a try! Excellent service and great Mojitos too.
Great serbice, as Juan Carlos to make your Mojito!

Been here twice and both times we just ventured to the bar for their mojitos, so I cannot speak for the food. A little rough with English when we came back the second time, but luckily my brother was with us and he was able to help translate.
I love the openness of the place and the restrooms were clean.