Patio del Nispero

We are so happy we found this restaurant! We were totally charmed — the setting is beautiful and the outdoor setting (outdoor but protected and mostly covered as it is in courtyard of the Hotel El Convento) is so romantic. We were uncertain when we saw the menu but opted to expand our horizon’s and order a variety of tapas to share — every one of them was fabulous. We ordered a bottle of a delightful Italian wine which won over these wine snobs and was very moderately priced.
The staff were all very charming and engaging and the history of the hotel added to the delight.
I would definitely recommend this restaurant for anyone seeking an island elegant relaxing and charming dining experience.

Service is so slow. Took 45 mins for our breakfast to come out. It was a simple sandwich and French toast.
Luckily the ambience was excellent. Probably one of the better dining settings we had in Old San Juan. But don’t come if you’re impatient or in a hurry.
That being said, the French toast is amazing. And service friendly.

There were so many mosquitoes in this courtyard! I was eaten alive here.
We came a couple times, once for a wedding where the service was excellent, but the second time we came during the day and the bartender was dismissive towards me. There is easy access to clean bathrooms at Patio del Nispero.

Fantastic service, beautiful courtyard, and the best pina-​colada in Puerto Rico.
My mom and I went on a week-​long quest for the best pina-​colada, trying the highly recommended bars and hole-​in-​the-​walls, and El Convento was the winner. This pina-​colada is made with no ice, so it doesn’t get ruined by a watery flavor. It was topped with Don Barrilito rum. It was a work of art: not to sweet, perfectly creamy and cool, and just enough of a kick.
For lunch, we split 2 lunch entrees: the Cuban sandwich, and their soup of the day. Our kind waiter asked if we’d like our meals (since we were sharing) on two plates, so we could each have a little meal. He did this no extra charge, serving the soup first, and half a sandwich with fries on a little plate for the both of us. It was 5-​star service.
Would return in a heartbeat to enjoy the incredible airiness of the historic hotel, the attentive waitstaff, and of course, the pina-​coladas.

We rush to get there what a mistake
Manager angel was great
Soo slow service
Was not fresh orange juice as menu stated substituted ham for salmon on eggs for someone who does not eat pork without ask
We left advise you to do the same

The menu isn’t large but the breakfast selections are decent. I had their French Toast which was delicious and unique. Try the fresh squeezed orange juice. I don’t drink coffee but my husband said it was the best coffee he has ever had. The courtyard seating is beautiful. My only con was slow service but we did go on a Sunday morning.

The hotel is totally fabulous, but the breakfast here was unimpressive. I got the brioche french toast, and it was on the dry side and nothing to write home about — how can you mess up french toast, really? I was traveling with my mom, who ordered quiche, and the egg was perfectly cooked, but the crust was sweet to the point of being dessert-​like, which was bizarre for an otherwise savory item. I’d skip this and eat breakfast elsewhere.

It’s not often that I give a restaurant 5 stars but this was exceptional. The ambiance was exceptional and our waiter Mathew recommended dishes that delivered with a burst of flavor. I had the skirt steak dish and my wife had the salmon, both absolutely delicious. Highly recommend.

Friendly courteous staff in a pretty courtyard, but the food was uninspired, and someone needs to confiscate the chef’s salt shaker.

If you are exploring to Old San Juan I would have to say that the best place to stop and eat is at El Convento Hotel. Patio del Nispero is located inside is a scenic courtyard with partially covered dining area. Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner the menu is somewhat limited, but the food and service is beyond amazing. (I’ve also been told that the mojitos here are something worth raving about)
Portions were small, but the quality was far beyond what we had experienced in other restaurants. We tried the empanadas, croquettes, and avocado salad. For our main dish I had the Ropa Vieja, my father tried the Carne Asada, and my mother had the Snapper. My brother’s Arroz con Pollo was the largest portion. Overall we had one of the best experiences with our servers professional manner and timing of the meal. The pitcher of Sangria may have had too much ice, but it was a large pitcher. For the service, quality of food, and atmosphere I would surely come back– but don’t come here too hungry or you won’t leave totally satisfied.

We went there for lunch. The turkey club was good but the tomato-​basil flat bread was exceptional. The service was friendly and fun. The atmospher was wonderful.

Beautiful restaurant in an immaculately restored convent turned hotel. Great ambiance night and day. Server was attentive at my late breakfast but the pancakes were heavy and the eggs over cooked. The cook threw them on the grill and covered them with a lid rather than flipping them. Made the bottom crispy and the yolk less runny.

Excellent service and food. Tuna tartar is amazing. Service very professional. Had a great night at this unique restaurant. Extra point for atmosphere.

We thought the location was charming and beautiful, music was perfect for the setting. Staff friendly and helpful. Kids had the yellow rice and calamari (best ever!). Adults had the ropa Vieja and gratis salad. Both were great and we swapped half way. Sangria was great also and their new back lit menus were cool and new for us.

Maybe not so good if you are in a breakfast grab-​and-​go kinda timeline, but just perfect for an elegant start to the day while waiting for El Morro to open at 9am. So lovely here in the courtyard under the massive Nispero tree! Eggs benedict with smoked salmon very tasty!

We stayed at El Convento and splurged on breakfast for our last day. We had the eggs Caribbean, with sweet plantain mash and roasted pork, and the banana walnut pancakes. The restaurant is in the open courtyard and it started to rain during our meal, so they cranked out the visor. Service was polite, food was delicious. Breakfast was $ 40 for two. I think they filmed the last part of Top Chef season 3 here.

We where there on June 15, 2013 for breakfast… Awesome service and food (and coffee)…GREAT atmosphere!

We stumbled across this café while exploring Old San Juan. It’s named for the giant nispero tree in the courtyard. Hotel Convento and the courtyard café are the perfect blend of old Hollywood glamour and Spanish colonial authenticity. Pablo Casals himself once played cello there. Be sure to pick up a brochure detailing the history of this beautiful Convento at the front desk! Then you can fully appreciate this piece of history as you dine. Nispero is totally worth the slightly higher prices once you realize the true cost of renovating and maintaining this beautiful old building.

My husband & I enjoyed our brunch here a few days ago in Puerto Rico. We loved the steak n egg breakfast & banana pancakes.
We were only 1 of 2 couples enjoying our meals. Didn’t understand why service was slow & refills for our drinks was slower. Our waiter disappeared after he took our order. We hope to try this place out again on our next visit. Crossing our fingers, hoping to get some attention & service next time around.

We were staying in the hotel and had a long day and didn’t want to travel too far for dinner so we ended up going downstairs, into the courtyard for dinner.
Here’s what we ordered:
–Jibarito salad ($ 15): standard salad
–beef stew with side dish of lobster risotto ($ 18): small portion of beef stew. The risotto was okay.
The food could have been better and the price was expensive. Service was bad as we never got bread (another table got it). You sit under this massive tree that keeps dropping its seeds or worse, the fruit. The seeds don’t hurt, it’s just annoying that every once in awhile, you get hit on the head or arm or lap with a seed.