Things to Do

Acqua Pazza Located at the Hilton Ponce Golf & Casino Resort. An authentic Italian restaurant offering a marriage of New and Old World Italian cuisine. Enjoy elegant food in a comfortable setting while overlooking one of the most pristine ocean views in the Caribbean.

Al Dente Al Dente is known for its authentic Italian cuisine, fresh pasta and innovative recipes. The restaurant's best-sellers -- spinach balls with rice, ricotta cheese, and pink sauce). Al Dente boasts a large wine selection and a wine bar including 15 different house wines. Located in an historical building, the decor of this charming ristorante will transport you to Palermo, native city of the chef and owner Giancarlo Amenta. Closed Sundays.

Allegro Ristorante The establishment has Italian specialties like Pasta Trio and Risotto Allegro. Allegro also offers a decent Italian wine list.

Andiamo Italian Restaurant

Barolo

Basilico Ristorante

Bruno's Marisqueria Italiana

Cafe Galeria Chef Figueroa prepares Italian and international cuisine featuring fresh pasta dishes and sauces (you mix and match), risottos, and seafood dishes as well as delicious local desserts like flan, arroz con dulce (rice pudding), and kiwi tart. Closed Sun. and Tues.

Capriccio Italian pasta and seafood dishes, exquisitely prepared by Chef Roberto Rivera. Open Tuesday to Sunday from noon to 9pm.

Capriccio

Caruso Menu items include shrimp scampi, filet mignon and grilled fish, to name just a few.

Casa Di Legno

Chalet Jordano Ristorante

Cuoco Classic Southern Italian.

Ecco L'Italia Ristorante

El Padrino

Fontana di Roma Open hours: Mon 6pm-11pm; Tue-Thu 12pm-11pm; Fri 12pm-11:30pm; Sat 6pm-11:30pm; and Sun 12pm-9pm

Garibaldi Ristorante Italiano Owner/chef Carmine Castiglia prepares classic Italian cuisine, with specialties such as papardelle. The veal dishes are excellent.

Giuseppe Ristorante

Grand Market Located at the Inter-Continental San Juan Resort & Casino.

Grottino

Guiseppe

Il Nonno The restaurant offers original pastas using a variety of creative sauces. Meals vary from traditional and original pastas to fish, poultry, and meat plates.

Il Perugino This small and intimate eatery set in a 200-year-old building stresses attentive service and delicious Italian cuisine. Classic carpaccios, scallops with porcini mushrooms and other exotic salads, homemade pastas like black fettuccine with crayfish and baby eels, hearty main courses such as rack of lamb with red wine sauce and aromatic herbs, and desserts like a killer tiramisu make this a must for serious gourmets. Closed Sundays.

Jules The restaurant features pasta, beef and poultry. House specialties include lemon chicken, maposteao rice, chicken parmigiana, eggplant parmigiana and fresh fish which is available on Thursdays and Fridays.

La Bella Piazza Authentic Italian food served in a warm and inviting atmosphere by Stefano and his staff. Enjoy an evening amidst great food and excellent service. Closed Wednesdays.

La Buona Lasagna Closed Sundays.

La Cava Located at the Hilton Ponce Golf & Casino Resort. La Cava is an elegant fine-dining restaurant, open daily for dinner. Gourmet menu features international cuisine and is complimented by an excellent wine list. This restaurant was awarded ''Best Hotel Restaurant in Puerto Rico'' in 1996 by ''Wine Spectator''.

La Torre de Pizza

Mangere

Mange're Ristorante Open for lunch Monday-Thursday from 12pm-3pm and for dinner from 6pm-10pm. On Fridays, dinnertime extends until 11pm and on Sundays until 9pm. Saturdays open from 12pm-11pm.

Mangore Dishes include dishes Penne a la Vodka, Veal Saltimbocca and Gnocci.

Marcano's Pizza Palace Serving pizza and other Italian specialties.

Martino's

Mediterraneo Ristorante Italiano You will be pleasantly surprised to find an oasis of authentic Italian cuisine in the heart of San Juan most famous tourist area. You will find an incredible selection of traditional Italian dishes.

Nina's The restaurant specializes in classic Italian dishes with an emphasis on Southern Italian dishes including an excellent 'escargots a la Genovese.' The veal dish of scaloppini di vitello alla Sorrentino is to die for.

Palermo Pizza & Itlalian Restaurant Palermo is a traditional, casual, family oriented Pizzeria and Italian Restaurant. It serves both traditional plates like Lasagna, Chicken Parmesan and Calzone, but also serves Puerto Rican specialties like mofongo al pilon, steaks and seafood. Open hours: Mon-Sun 11am-11pm. Closed on Tuesdays.

Palio

Passaggio Ristorante Creative Italian fusion cuisine prepared by the talented Chef Josean Rosado in an intimate ambiance whether for a productive business dinner or simply a leisurely fine dining experience with the superb InterContinental service.

Piccola Fontana La Piccola Fontana features impeccable, European-style service in a setting that's as formal as its host hotel. The menu features classic Italian dishes including many versions of pasta, the traditional risotto, lamb, and vitello (veal) as well.

Ristorante La Scala Specialties include fresh halibut cooked in parchment, rigatoni with shiitake mushrooms and ricotta, and rack of lamb in a red wine sauce. Music is offered on the weekends.

San Marino Pizza & Italian Restaurant

Soleluna Open hours: Mon-Fri 12pm-3pm, 6pm-11pm; Fri 6pm-11pm and Sat 10am-6pm

Tiramisu Cafe Ristorante Italian specialties such as pasta and Sicilian pizza are served at affordable prices. Breakfasts are also available daily. The signature dish is obviously the Tiramisú.

Toscano Located at the Paradisus Puerto Rico. Authentic northern Italian dishes with an antipasto and open pasta bar. Open daily for dinner.

Trattoria Gargani

Via Appia The only true sidewalk café in the Condado, this eatery serves pizzas, sandwiches, cold beer, and pitchers of sangria. It's a good place to people-watch.

Vivas