The story
1919 Restaurant serves farm-to-table Puerto Rican cuisine at 1055 Ashford Avenue in San Juan, inside the Condado Vanderbilt Hotel. It holds a Four-Star rating from Forbes Travel Guide (2026). The name marks the year the hotel first opened.
Ciarán Elliott leads the kitchen after more than a decade in Michelin-starred kitchens, including Per Se in New York. The menu follows the seasons and draws on local farmers and artisans. European technique shapes how the island's ingredients reach the plate.
Spaghetti with sweet crab is among the pastas to look for, and the wild sea bass anchors the seafood. A chayote salad with pickled ají dulce keeps the starters rooted in local produce. Dessert might be a mango passionfruit canelé or a yuzu crémeux. Some menu items change daily.
Dark woods, leather seats and burgundy tones frame wall-to-wall ocean views. Cocktails use local rum, as in the Honeysuckle (Don Q Cristal, honey and lime). The wine list has earned a Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence. The Cellar table seats up to four for a sommelier-guided wine and cheese pairing, with one reservation per day.
Recognition
Ambience
Details
History
From the moment you walk in, 1919 Restaurant captures the romance and grandeur of Condado Vanderbilt Hotel, setting the stage for one of the island’s best fine-dining experiences.The handsome, light-filled spacestrikes the perfect balance between chic and relaxed, featuring dark woods and leather seats, alongside burgundy hues, metallic accents and wall-to-wall ocean views.The menu elevates Puerto Rican cuisine by incorporating locally sourced ingredients with international techniques. Bold Caribbean flavors are paired with European culinary traditions for a celebration of the island’s vibrant food culture.Standout dishes include inventive pastas such as spaghetti with sweet crab, fresh seafood like the wild sea bass, and locally inspired appetizers such as chayote salad with pickledají dulce. Desserts, like mango passionfruitcaneléand yuzucrèmeuxpromise a refreshing, island-inspired finish.The bar program stars expertly crafted cocktails featuring local rum, fresh tropical fruits and premium Puerto Rican spirits. Try specialties like the Lady Vanderbilt (a zesty mix of Old Tom Gin, orange bitter, lemon and spice syrup) or the Honeysuckle (Don Q Cristal rum, honey and lime), while the extensive wine list offers both international and local selections. Part ofCondado Vanderbilt Hotel— an elegant, oceanfront Spanish Revival property in San Juan — 1919 Restaurant offers a sophisticated dining experience steeped in culture and history. Named after the hotel’s founding year, the restaurant gracefully infuses its rich past into the fresh, farm-to-table cuisine.At the helm is acclaimed chef Ciaran Elliott, who’s all about showcasing Puerto Rico’s finest organic and sustainable ingredients. The menu changes with the seasons, so you can expect dishes that celebrate the island’s vibrant flavors, from freshly caught seafood to locally grown produce — all plated to perfection.The atmosphere feels upscale yet inviting, with warm lighting, polished wood finishes and stunning ocean views complemented by an award-winning wine list and handcrafted cocktails.
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