Vegan Puerto Rico: Ultimate Food Guide & More
Puerto Rico offers so much for travelers — gorgeous beaches, lush rainforests and mountains, and a vibrant culture —but did you know it’s also an incredible destination for vegan travelers? When it comes to suggesting islands in the Caribbean for vegan clients, Puerto Rico is always at the top of the list!
People are often surprised to learn that Puerto Rico has a growing vegan scene and is home to multiple vegan and vegetarian hotels — there isn’t another island (just yet) that is quite at its veggie level. Whether you’re exploring the colorful streets of San Juan, catching waves in Rincón, or venturing into the El Yunque Rainforest, you’ll find plenty of plant-based bites and eco-friendly stays along the way.
This guide will help you discover everything veggie the island has to offer, from traditional Puerto Rican flavors with a plant-based twist to fully vegan hotels — pack your bags and get ready to enjoy a delicious plate of mofongo!
This article contains affiliate links (paid links) and Veggies Abroad is a member of Amazon Services LLC Associated Program. At no cost to you, I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — this helps keep Veggies Abroad churning out free content! For an explanation of our advertising partnerships, please review our privacy policy.
Is Puerto Rico Good for Vegans?
Yes, Puerto Rico is one of the best islands in the Caribbean for vegan travelers. In the capital, San Juan, you’ll be excited to know there are many vegan, super vegan-friendly, and vegetarian restaurants — nearly 20, to be exact! While the veggie scene isn’t quite as abundant outside San Juan, many popular areas like Rincon or near El Yunque have fabulous options. There is one other incredible thing that Puerto Rico offers that many other islands don’t — multiple vegan and vegetarian hotels! Are you starting to imagine your unforgettable veggie-filled getaway yet?
Vegan & Vegetarian Restaurants in San Juan
You’ve got some great veggie options; to narrow down the list check out this lineup for my favorite vegan and vegetarian restaurants in San Juan.
100% HP
604 Calle Cerra, San Juan, 00907, Puerto Rico
Open for lunch and dinner all week.
You’ll find veganized takes on popular Puerto Rican classics like relleno de papa (fried potato croquettes), empanadillas, arroz habichuela (with Impossible steak), and more. I really enjoyed the veganized Puerto Rican dishes at 100% HP.
Bori Vegan Guaynabo
43 Av. Esmeralda, Guaynabo, 00969, Puerto Rico
Open for breakfast & lunch Monday – Wednesday.
This vegan spot offers a creative mix of veganized Puerto Rican classics and globally inspired dishes. You might find stuffed avocados, tostadas, tacos, and more. Also, check out their fresh juices and smoothies.
Better Food Corps.
151 Norte, C. Labra, San Juan, 00912, Puerto Rico
Open for lunch on select days; some days are also carry-out only.
The menu is predominately vegan and gluten-free (the restaurant is vegetarian) and rotates daily dishes like colorful tacos, lentil and plantain cake, stews, and more. All of their dishes are house-made.
Mama Pacha – Cocina Vegana
271 Av. Ing. Manuel Domenech, San Juan, 00918, Puerto Rico
Open for breakfast & lunch.
You’ll find a little bit of everything at this greenery-filled café. For a healthy meal, check out their fresh salads or wraps, but for something heartier, maybe consider chick’n nuggets, a burger or even a hot dog! They also have a unique fig-based coffee; if you’re a coffee lover, give it a try!
Berlingeri
1954 McLeary Ave #1966, San Juan, 00911
Open for breakfast & lunch most days.
The farm-to-table menu features a variety of dishes that showcase the ingenuity of veggies and the artisanal creations of local farmers. The menu changes regularly, given the seasonality of their approach, but you might find stuffed avocados, pumpkin tostadas, house-made burgers (made with black beans and mushrooms), and more. If you love coffee, don’t skip their strawberry latte!
Govinda’s Veggie Garden
367 Cll Fernando Primero, San Juan, 00918, Puerto Rico
Open for lunch during the week and also dinner on Friday.
This small vegetarian café has a focus on Indian cuisine with fresh juices and smoothies.
Terrestre Cocina Compasión
1402 Av. Américo Miranda, San Juan, 00921, Puerto Rico
Open for lunch & early dinner, Thursday-Sunday.
The Asian-inspired menu features sweet and sticky tofu, kimchi nachos, dan dan noodles, and a colorful array of vegan sushi options. They also have a creative lineup of adaptogenic mocktails — fresh fruits mixed with powerhouse tonics like Ashwagandha, spirulina, and Lion’s Mane.
El Punto Vegano
esq El Tren, 6 C. Wilson, Cataño, 00962, Puerto Rico
Open for lunch Wednesday, Thursday, & Sunday and lunch and dinner on Friday & Saturday.
You’ll find plenty of comfort food favorites with lots of flavor — pizza, massive burgers, quesadillas, tacos, and more. They also have great smoothies and juices.
Semilla by ConGreka
C. Arzuaga, San Juan, 00925, Puerto Rico
Open for breakfast and lunch Wednesday – Saturday.
This bright and charming spot is a fabulous spot for breakfast and brunch. They’ve got a great lineup of pancakes (blueberry, chocolate chip, peanut butter, and more), waffles, French toast, and more. In addition to breakfast, they also have regular lunch fare.
Fela’s Vegetarian Restaurant
359 Calle de Diego, San Juan, 00923, Puerto Rico
Open for breakfast & lunch, all week except Sunday.
This casual buffet-style vegan spot allows you to load up on as much or as little as you want! You’ll find a mix of traditional Puerto Rican dishes along with veggie lasagna, Asian-inspired dishes, desserts, and more.
Paradoja
59 C. Arzuaga Local #2, San Juan, 00928, Puerto Rico
Open for lunch Wednesday – Saturday.
Vegan Italian food in Puerto Rico? Yes! This little spot has a fabulous menu of house-made cream-covered pasta, lasagna, paninis, and more.
Whether you’re in the mood for pancakes topped with caramelized nuts (one of their most popular dishes) or a burrifongo (a fun combination of the classic Puerto Rican mofongo in a burrito), you’ll find it here. It’s an excellent spot for creative comfort food.
Vegan & Vegan-Friendly Restaurants in Luquillo/Rio Grande
Whether you’re chilling out on Luquillo beach or headed into El Yunque, these spots will fuel your adventure.
Degree 18 Juice Bar
16 Cll Principal, Palmer, Río Grande 00721, Puerto Rico
Open for breakfast & lunch all week.
This small, outdoor vegetarian café has excellent options if you’re looking for something healthy. They’ve got a colorful lineup of smoothie bowls, juices, and a few house-made food items like a black bean burger and empanada. It’s also super convenient to the beaches and El Yunque — we went multiple times.
Rellena’o – Kiosko #33
Frontage Rd, Luquillo 00773, Puerto Rico
Open for lunch (Mon-Wed) and lunch and dinner (Thurs.-Sun).
If you’re interested in trying really delicious mofongo, come here. They have a “create your own” model, but there are only a few vegan options. Although there’s not a lot of choice, this was my favorite mofongo! It’s also right near Luquillo beach, which is a great place to enjoy your lunch and watch the waves.
Vegan Restaurants in Rincon & Nearby
Over on the west side of the island there are some great vegan-friendly spots, pop ups, and food trucks you should check out.
Vegan Wanderland
27 Calle Sol N, Rincón, 00677, Puerto Rico
Open limited hours on Saturday & Sunday.
Connected to the Galleria Boriké, this small vegan pop-up has a lineup of vegan breakfast sandwiches, tacos, quesadillas, and more.
Mokshav
Food truck – check IG for locations.
Open Monday-Friday for lunch
This little vegan food truck has a creative menu of colorful and tasty options with a bit of Asian and global inspiration. You’ll find poke bowls, sushi burritos, Tofu Bahn Mi, nachos, and more.
Life Garden Veggie and Vegan Restaurant
PR-2 Km. 139.7 Bo, Puerto Rico
Open for lunch all week except Saturday.
At this casual vegetarian restaurant, everyone will find something to enjoy. The diverse menu includes pizza, carrot hot dogs, quesadillas, smoothies, and much more.
Bo.ka.do scratch kitchen
La Plaza del Mercado, 2ndo nivel, Mayagüez, 00680, Puerto Rico
Open for lunch Tuesday – Saturday.
I haven’t come across many spots with vegan ramen in Puerto Rico, if that strikes your fancy, come here. The Asian-inspired menu features giant bowls of ramen, curries, pad Thai, and more.
Arte Sano Vegan Food
PR-4466, San Antonio, Aguadilla 00690, Puerto Rico
Open for lunch & dinner Thursday – Sunday.
Everything at this vegan food truck looks amazing — you might need to come more than once. You’ll find tacos, burgers, pizza, and much more.
Are There Puerto Rican Foods That are Vegan?
Usually, things like maduros and tostones are naturally vegan-friendly, but double-checking that they haven’t been cooked with animal ingredients is always a good idea. It’s not common, but I have encountered it. There are quite a few other things you can find veganized.
Mofongo:
Deep-fried green plantains mashed with garlic and salt are often made with meat; a veggie version can contain meat alternatives or other veggies.
Alcapurrias:
Deep-fried fritters made from yautia, green banana, and plantain dough. Often, these are filled with meat; vegan versions are plain or filled with alternative meat.
Arroz y habichuelas or Arroz con gandules:
Rice and beans or Pigeon Peas, which are mixed with a sofrito and served with rice.
Empanadillas:
Turnovers filled with veggies or other vegan-friendly filling.
Papas Rellenas:
Mashed potato croquettes stuffed with flavorful veggie meat or plain and then fried.
Vegan & Vegetarian Hotels in Puerto Rico
You can’t go to Puerto Rico without staying at one or more of these amazing vegan-friendly hotels. You’ll find them in San Juan, Utuado, Vieques, and Rio Grande!
Dreamcatcher
2009 Cll España, San Juan, 00911, Puerto Rico
Michelin One Key award winner for its eclectic design and service.
This creative boutique hotel is charming, from the colorful wallpaper to the vintage furniture and cozy hammocks; no two spots are the same. The hotel is credited as San Juan’s first vegetarian hotel, and others have popped up since then. The brand has also expanded and offers rentals throughout San Juan, Luquillo, and Naguabo.
La Botanica
1808 McLeary Ave, San Juan, 00911, Puerto Rico
Beautiful, wellness-focused boutique vegan hotel in Ocean Park.
This whimsical boutique hotel has a story to tell through each of its rooms, from the dramatic glasshouse to the owner’s personally designed suite. After a restful night, you’ll wake up to a morning yoga session and a colorful vegan Ayurvedic breakfast (included with your stay) that changes regularly to highlight unique dishes and seasonal flavors.
Casa Mountain Grande Retreat
Carretera 612 Km. 0.3, Barrio, Utuado 00641, Puerto Rico
Tranquil mountain retreat with a vegetarian restaurant.
Reset at this relaxing retreat tucked away in the mountains of Utuado. You’ll enjoy breathtaking mountain views and morning yoga, and if you’re interested, you can book a massage or facial. The onsite vegetarian restaurant features a seasonal menu with multiple vegan options at each meal.
Finca Victoria
Rt. 995, km 2.2, Vieques, 00765, Puerto Rico
Vegan hilltop retreat on the beautiful island of Vieques
If you liked the vibe of La Botanica, you will like its little sister, Finca Victoria. Located on the picturesque island of Vieques, Finca Victoria offers a peaceful and eco-friendly haven for those seeking a mindful escape. This boutique vegan retreat is nestled amidst lush tropical gardens and perched on one of the highest points on the island, providing fantastic ocean views. You can enjoy a complimentary Vinyasa Flow yoga class and a fresh vegan, Ayurvedic breakfast filled with antioxidants and superfoods every morning.
Rainforest Inn Boutique Bed and Breakfast
19 Cam Caribe, Río Grande, 00745, Puerto Rico
Vegetarian B & B tucked away in the El Yunque Rainforest.
Wake up to lush jungle views and the sound of the Coqui frogs at this vegetarian B & B. The included breakfast can be made vegan if requested in advance, and if you have an early start, they’ll even bring it to you in your room. One important note: this retreat is truly off the beaten path. It’s about 30 minutes from the nearest town and doesn’t have air conditioning (unless you’re going in July or August, which is not a problem).
Yuquiyú Treehouses
PR-966, Río Grande, 00745, Puerto Rico
Unique treehouses tucked away at the foot of El Yunque Rainforest.
It’s not often that you get to stay in a treehouse, right? No matter which treehouse you decide to stay in, you’ll be greeted with a fridge stocked with everything for a fantastic plant-powered breakfast — granola, coconut milk, cashews, yogurt, and fresh fruit. One important note: they don’t offer concierge services or air conditioning (like with Casa Grande, it would only feel really uncomfortable in the middle of summer).
Vegan Wellness Retreat
Check out this retreat if you want a one- or two-week total immersion experience.
Ann Wigmore Natural Health
Rincon, Puerto Rico
Comprehensive Living Food retreat on the beautiful beach of Rincon.
This serene beachfront retreat is focused on holistic healing through its own Living Foods Lifestyle method, a philosophy developed by Dr. Ann Wigmore. This vegan wellness center provides immersive programs where you can learn to prepare and incorporate raw, plant-based foods like wheatgrass, sprouts, and fermented dishes into your daily life. Beyond nutrition, the institute emphasizes mind-body wellness with daily yoga, meditation, and educational workshops to promote self-healing and sustainable health practices.
Puerto Rico Vegan Dining Tip
The operating hours for vegan and vegetarian restaurants throughout Puerto Rico are a challenge. Many places are only open for breakfast or lunch; only a few have hours past 4 PM. This means you need to plan ahead, or you will end up hungry. A couple of times, we ran into trouble finding somewhere that was open, so instead, we went to the Freshmart in Condado (there are multiple throughout San Juan) and picked up a few things to make a small dinner. They have a great mix of organic veggies, fruits, alternative vegan products, and more.
