Despite being known for not so healthy cuisine, including fried foods and meat-heavy dishes, Puerto Rico is home to a growing vegan-friendly, health-conscious food scene. Even in the most remote destinations we visited, we were able to enjoy some delicious vegan dishes, either ordered straight from the menu as offered, or modified by request to be vegan. Below are some tips about where to find vegan delights in three different areas of Puerto Rico. The Island of Enchantment is a wonderful destination for those who appreciate natural wonders and great vegan food!
Island of Vieques
Vieques is a 52-square-mile island off the east coast of mainland Puerto Rico. Reachable only by small airplane or 75-minute ferry ride, its remoteness is part of its charm. Wild horses roam the island freely, and a number of undeveloped and deserted beaches are reachable via well marked hiking trails.
Wild horses on the island of Vieques
When we visited in July 2018, even though the island was still somewhat shaken by Hurricane Maria’s impact, we found plenty to see and do to make the visit to Vieques completely worthwhile. Our favorite meal in Vieques was enjoyed at Bili in Esperanza. Our cab driver told us this was the best restaurant on the island, and I have to agree. Their menu includes a daily vegetarian special, which was Paella Vegano when we visited, as well as some creative vegan-friendly entrée salads that sounded wonderful. We had the paella, which was a vegan version of the traditional paella dish featuring roasted cauliflower, carrots, mushrooms, and rice in a savory sauce.
Paella, salad, and amarillos. (Picture via HappyCow.net)
We also enjoyed fresh mango rum cocktails with our meal in the open air dining room. For breakfast in Vieques, I recommend enjoying fresh fruit, either from a local restaurant or picked straight from the tree, as a wide variety of fruit grows plentifully all over the island.
Tip: Be sure to take a night kayak paddle in the bioluminescence of Mosquito Bay with one of the local outfitters while in Vieques.
Rincón
Rincón is a town on the west coast of Puerto Rico known for its beautiful beaches and laid back vibe. Live music floats out of many of the beach bars. We enjoyed a wonderful dinner at Roots Rincon, which is located just steps from the main square in downtown Rincón. Vegan options on the menu included lettuce wraps with Pad Thai, a ropa vieja platter, and we found they would gladly substitute tofu for the protein listed for any of their regular menu items.
Pad Thai at Roots Rincon
We also had an excellent vegan mofongo in Rincón. The meat-free version of this traditional Puerto Rican dish is made of primarily mashed plantains, which can be served with a delicious broth and vegetables, and it is fantastic! We also found some delicious smoothies and acai bowls at several of the roadside food trucks in Rincón.
Tip: Be sure to visit Steps Beach in Rincón, where you can snorkel right from the shore and might see hawksbill turtles and tons of gorgeous fish swimming around the reef.
San Juan
San Juan, Puerto Rico’s capital and largest city, has become something of a vegan hub in recent years, and there are some incredible vegan food ventures happening in this area. The Dreamcatcher is a dreamy vegetarian B&B in the Ocean Park neighborhood. They often host a four-course vegan dinner prepared by local chefs. The menu for this dinner during our stay included an avocado coconut gazpacho with mango cucumber pepita salsa, cashew-Caesar salad with local greens and raw multi-seed crackers, giant gnocchi with yellow sweet potato served over charred vegetables in creamy arrabiata sauce, and for dessert a jackfruit coconut flan with caramel sauce. Talk about creative vegan cuisine!
Gnocchi over charred vegetables in creamy arrabiata sauce at The Dreamcatcher
The Dreamcatcher has vegan breakfast options available to purchase, and non-dairy creamers are offered with the complimentary coffee every morning. They also offer morning and evening yoga each day for a reasonable fee. It is quite an oasis! In Old San Juan we enjoyed a savory breakfast casserole of scrambled tofu, roasted veggies, and potatoes complete with gooey housemade vegan cheese melted on top at Cafe Berlin.
Vegan breakfast casserole at Café Berlin
We also had a delicious dinner at Ocean Park Cafe, which has an entire section of veganized dishes on their menu, and the portions are quite generous. They even have a special vegan lasagna made with plantains instead of noodles. There are a number of strictly vegan restaurants in the San Juan area listed on Happy Cow so vegans will have plenty of places to try!
Tip: Even though as of this writing many parts remain closed, a visit to El Yunque National Forest just outside the San Juan area is a must for any Puerto Rico visit. After exploring the Forest stop by the Degree 18 Juice Bar for a snack and a smoothie. The coconut energy balls from their all vegan menu make a perfect treat after exploring El Yunque.
Other Areas
Some things that you can find at almost any restaurant that serves Puerto Rican food are sweet plantains, tostones (smashed and fried plantain slices), mofongo (mashed plantains), and beans and rice. Several times we combined these side dishes to make a hearty meal. Just confirm you are ordering the version of these that has no meat or dairy in them and you will have a tasty and inexpensive meal. Most restaurants we visited were more than happy to create a special vegan meal for us when there wasn’t anything already vegan on the menu, so don’t be afraid to ask. The more often they are asked, the more they will realize the demand that exists for vegan options!
About the author: Kerry Heyer is a marketing professional and aspiring world traveler who loves exploring plant-based cuisine and outdoor adventures all over the world, as well as in her hometown of Asheville, North Carolina. Follow her adventures in food and travel on Instagram @wncveggie.
