Kasalta

Sandwiches and soups are not as tasty as I’d imagined. They’re on the expensive side, there’s way too much hype about this place since Obama are hear more than half a decade ago. Service is friendly, orders don’t take too long either, but I wish the sandwiches had been delicious.
Heads up: you can order the pastries on one side and the sandwiches on the other. Make sure to order your main food first so that while the cooks are making it, you can grab some pastries. The pistachio muffin was decent, the coconut chocolate was basic, and the tiramisu was delicious.

This bakery was in walking distance of the house we rented. I think we single-​handedly kept them in business for five days. Coffee… to die for. (Espresso con leche double!) In fact, I will miss the coffee from Kasalta more than anything else in Puerto Rico! The warm pastries were absolutely addictive. We ate sandwiches here for lunch one day. Delicious! One day, we visited three (3) times! I can see why Obama ate here.

Delicious, lots to choose from, I mean you can have breakfast, lunch, tapas, baked goods and of course all served with drinks. This is a bit of a cafeteria style restaurant but everyone is friendly and becomes like family. Almost like Cheers where they know your name. Heck this place is so good and reasonable, even Obama ate here. For the amount you get, it is rather reasonable.

Rented a house within walking distance. Had coffee and pastries every day. Loved the guava pastries. Beware the coffee is ridiculously hot albeit delicious.

My wife and I had both breakfast and lunch at Kasalta and enjoyed it both times. The line system is a little confusing, as others have said, there’s one line for sandwiches, one for coffee and pastries and one for cold cut meat and cheeses. For lunch we had Cubano, Presidente, which seemed remarkably similar though the Presidente was on yellow bread. Both were good and average sized. For breakfast later in the week we had a croissant with ham and cheese and a potato and cheese frittata, both were good, though the standout was their coffee, hands down probably the best I’ve ever had. Strong, smooth, not even a hint of bitterness, I wish I could drink it every day.
Great job!

Like many folks who have reviewed, I stayed in the neighborhood and heard good, good things about this place. My husband and I visited it twice and found it to be just what I denoted in my stars — A-​OK. Let me break it down…
Parking:
This place has its own lot, which is a rarity for a business in this area. Spaces are tight, tight, tight but there’s always someone there helping you find a spot, back in, back out, etc. I think they even valet for some of their older and/​or more important clientele.
Service:
Ranges from friendly to just-​get-​to-​the-​point direct. No one was unfriendly and everyone was helpful. If you don’t speak Spanish do not fear! Someone will help you out.
Ordering:
Bulk meats and cheese has one counter. Coffee and pastries/​dessert another. Food/​sandwiches yet another. Be quick or get out of the way. This is a hopping joint and people have places to be!
Product:
Ok, in a review of mine from New Orleans I made the statement that there could be no such thing as a bad donut. Jaysus, was I wrong. This place has the worst freaking donut I’ve ever had in my life. It tasted like a dry white hot dog bun with sugar on it. I couldn’t take more than one bit and I almost NEVER EVER EVER leave food uneaten. I hate wasting stuff but I hated that donut more. Actually, avoid most of the more bread heavy pastries. The others (flan, tres leches, etc) tend to be better but none of them were what I’d call great.
The coffee? Shut your face! That’s the best coffee I’ve ever had. It’s so strong it’ll knock your socks off! I got mine with milk and it was perfection.
The sandwiches? Yes. Yaaaaaaasssssssss. Get one. They’re so good! That bread, that bread is good and toasted down flat. Good bread. Not bad hot dog bun bread.
Seating:
Long tables that are often reserved but if you look hard enough you’ll find a few free ones. If not, ask to share a table. It’s got a communal feel.
Other:
Place is spotlessly clean. Someone was wiping our table and taking our trash before we were even 2 steps away. Nice!

Yummy eggs and toast and pastilles. Fresh orange juice.
This is the place where our president came for a meal. Not too shabby!

Went here a few times during my short trip to San Juan. I stayed in the neighborhood and it was wonderful to have this little gem nearby. It’s nothing fancy but it’s clean, we’ll run and the food is good.
The first morning I stopped in before a snorkel trip and got a jamon, huevos y queso sandwich (ham egg and cheese) and a café leche. Delicioso! The sandwich was huge. About $ 10 total.
I came by and picked up a few desserts – the chocolate Hershey’s cake and a pistachio muffin. Both were great, I loved the pistachio muffin.
Also tried the beef empanada which was AMAHZING and only like$ 3 – 4.
It’s a little confusing when you go in, you order sandwiches at the far end, pastries/​other items you order at the register by the cases. I think for the most part it’s a local joint but the staff spoke English and I never had a problem ordering.

Kasalta is the first and last stop for my hubs and I every time we visit San Juan. Their coffee is SO GOOD and the place is just… classic. They’ve got beautiful dessert/​pastry displays, tantalizing cheeses (I feel like this is the only place in San Juan to get Delices de Bourgnone), and delicious tapas and entrees to satisfy pretty much whatever craving you have.
The food is simple and fresh… they are very Spanish in that way. Actually, one of the reasons we love Kasalta so much is because it reminds us so much of Spain. We love their coffee — careful though, it is scorching! I usually get a small glass of ice on the side so I can add a cube or two and chug immediately.
Food wise, you can’t go wrong with their pressed sandwiches. I got the garbanzo bean and chorizo soup last time, and it was DELICIOUS. I’ve never had anything there I didn’t like.
It can be a little confusing when you go there, as you can’t order everything from the same cash register. But, definitely worth whatever effort it takes to sort it out.

Tried a little bit of everything during the week. The pastries were amazing, especially the dulce de leche. Coffee was really good here and extremely strong.

Old school Spanish bakery producing an array of traditional desserts expanding into savory apps and meals. We came for the infamous Spanish sweet pastries, but stayed for their well-​dressed Octopus Salad at Kasalta. Octopus was well cooked, a classic rendition highlighting the clean Mediterranean cuisine. Sadly, croquets were dry and mushy.
Apparently President Obama graced Kasalta with a quick visit.

My husband and I arrived at 930, Sunday morning. It was bustling, lots of good energy, the staff were laughing and having a good time and almost all tables were taken. No worries though, just pull up a chair next to a stranger… it’s cool, they gladly make room for you (well that’s been my experience). The music is soothing, kinda jazzy but relaxed… you definitely feel at ease and not rushed to eat.
I ordered the Mallorca (see pic)…YUMMO (it’s even better than my beloved Pinky’s!). My husband ordered the Media Noche and we both got the café con leche… that is a strongggg drink but pretty good!

I was excited to try some Puerto Rican pastries. I ordered a couple of items (see picture). Overall, the pastries were subpar. They aren’t overly sweet but it just wasn’t to my likings when it comes to pastries. I think the best thing from this place are their sandwiches. I had their Triplet (steak, sweet ham, swiss cheese, pork) and Presidential Special (forgot what was in here). Both were good. If you like meat, get the Triplet. Toasty hero bread filled with meat and cheese– similar to a philly cheese steak but not as much cheese. The Presidential Special sandwich is your normal run of the mill sandwich. I wasn’t a huge fan of the bread that they used– similar to the potato buns you can purchase.

Everyone that comes to Puerto Rico, MUST come here.
I came here on my last day in Puerto Rico for breakfast and I could’ve kicked myself for not coming here everyday. It was THAT good.
The coffee was absolutely delicious and strong. The guava and cheese puff pastry was PERFECT. Empanadas were absolutely delicious and flavorful. I wish I could’ve taken it all to go on the plane.
My mouth is watering as I think about all the deliciousness that I had.

Beautiful looking bakery/​cafeteria in the touristy area of Puerto Rico. Great tasting sandwiches, fair prices and yummy pastries. Plus, the Obama sandwich! This was the bakery Obama visited while in Puerto Rico.

While working in Puerto Rico a co worker recommended this place. Immediately I saw about two signs (and a plaque where he sat) that president Obama had eaten there. Whatever that’s worth, just pointing that out. So it’s packed, but the service is great and everything looks delicious. I settled on a steak sandwich and some coated veggies or something, I don’t know I’m just a stupid gringo. But regardless everything was fantastic. It’s a large café type where you just walk up and order, and there is a huge bakery selection on top of the food. One of the top places I’ve been in Puerto Rico. The coffee was top notch as well.

Love this local bakery! I went here every morning for 4 days since the place I was staying was a short walk away from this place.
Their oatmeal is on point, a must try for breakfast. The mallorca bread and cheese twist. pancakes. amazing. basically carb heaven. Everything I had was delicious, I didn’t get a chance to try any desserts but I wish I had.
Tip: They only use whole milk in their coffee and espresso so you have to specify if you don’t want milk, otherwise they give it to you without asking!

Came in at 6am while waiting for our guesthouse to open its doors. Plus points for being open super early. Kasalta is a European bakery/​café that doubles as a restaurant in the evenings. I took it to be something of a landmark, frequented by tourists and locals alike. President Obama was one of the tourists – several plaques attest to it, and you can sit at his very table.
A local who saw our luggage started chatting with us, and recommended we get a Spanish Torta – basically a potato, onion, and egg quiche. A little greasy (and ours might’ve been a day old because we got it at 6:10am and they open at 6am), but it was swell. I’d have it again.
The same local also suggested we get a «center» toast, or tostada regular. It’s a sort of baguette, flattened as if on a pannini press, buttered. I’m not sure what was so special about this, except that buttered flaky bread is inherently wonderful, I guess?
Very few things we ordered stood out, but everything was pleasant. The one thing I remember really fondly, though, writing this review months after my visit, was the café and café con leche. Good, strong stuff, and though I usually have my coffee black and unsweetened, the café con leche tempted me back to it a few times. Silky, creamy, almost like a dessert, even when unsweetened.

Delicious and well priced food! Visited here three times during my week stay.
You order food cafeteria style at the counter. 3 separate counters: 1 for sandwiches and main meals and 2 others for pastries, cakes, and chocolates.
This place reminded me of Le Panier in Seattle, but instead of the French ambiance, a more cafeteria styled, simple and lively, place to be.
I tried the mini Cuban and chocolate mousse as well as the croissant ham and cheese sandwich and a chocolate vanilla cheesecake.
The mini Cuban was about 4 inches long and 3 inches wide– and only $ 3.00 compared to the normal Cuban that is about three times its size. The chocolate mousse and chocolate cheesecake were each a steal at $ 2.25. And the croissant sandwich was only $ 5.
After tax all, of the above cost less than $ 15

I know what you’re thinking, really? A cafeteria?, and for the most part, I agree with you. This isn’t your average macaroni salad type of place. I stayed in the area for a week, and passed by several times. Clearly it’s not fine dining, but they’re not serving wine (yes, wine) out of solo cups.
Kasalta has a surprising selection of foods, including desserts that look Whole Foods quality. I can say for sure the chocolate covered strawberries, and café con leche are fabulous!
If I’m honest, it wasn’t my first, or even fifth choice, but from everything else in the store, the recommendations, and the volume of customers, I’d definitely give it a shot.

Es un rico lugar con una variedad de sándwiches, la repostería muyyyu buena y exquisita. El café es espectacular.

Habia escuchado mucho de esta panaderia y fue una gran desepcion cara y mala sin duda preparan los peores quesitos de todo Puerto Rico.

Desayuno, restaurante, buena comida, tapas, vinos, casual. En área Ocean Park cerca playa y Condado

Excelente. Mi Deli favorita, se pasa bien relax en este lugar, el ambiente el servicio, los dulces, los quesos, la variedad en general aquí todo es muy bueno.

La mejor galleta de almendras se come en Kasalta!!!

Todas las sopa que ofrecen son muy buenas, tiene una buena variedad para desayunar y batidas de frutas naturales disponible todo el día! :)