Al Dente, San Juan Antiguo

I frequent Puerto Rico for business. I received a referral over 10 years ago about Al Dente and have been going back through the years. It is a good place for a romantic dinner and it is a good place for business. The paintings in the restaurant were created by the owner's wife. If you like Italina food, it is the place to go in San Juan - new or old. My neice said "the gravy tastes just like grandmom's." Her grandmom is a great cook...Enjoy!

Truly Italian feast with a colonial surrounding flare. Perfect place to dine while visiting old colonial city. The food is absolutely delicious - whether an appetizer, main course or a dessert. You can choose between typical Italian and some international dishes - we tried their Escargots in a creamy sauce - to die for. Dessert must is their home-made tiramisu and blueberry cheesecake. Great ambiance whether you want a romantic dinner for two or a casual lunch with friends. We spent 10 days in Puerto Rico and we went to AlDente twice - for lunch and dinner - excellent service every time. I would recommend it to everyone.

RUDE , INSULTING and UNFRIENDLY A middle of the road restaurant posing as a Fine Dining Dress Code restaurant. We arrived to San Juan and spent a great day shopping! My cousin told us to meet him in a restaurant called Al Dente, which he highly recommended. Being a tourist getting off a cruise ship, I was dressed like a tourist visiting a tropical island. My office is on Wall Street and I am accustom to be treated accordingly, with respect. The owner of Al Dente asked my cousin to go to his home to get better clothes for me and my friend (PS the owner was wearing a t-shirt himself). Otherwise he gave us two alternatives - to leave or to dine on a street-side walk way in the humid heat next to the exhaust of the cars facing a parking building (Tropical Dining at it's best). Needless to say we left. Being a New Yorker who dines in NYC every evening, never have I experienced such ill mannered behavior from a restaurant and its owner. I do not recommend this to any traveler who doesn't keep a suit or tux in their travel bag for the Al Dente "Fine" Dining. And be sure you'll be the only one in the restaurant wearing one. Anyway with the tux or without there are much better and friendlier places to eat. The result - a great evening in a restaurant called the Parrot Club - one street up. Great food, great drinks, great atmosphere and unlike Al Dente - Parrot Club welcomes New Yorkers dressed as tourists wanting to have a great dining experience. Regardless of a great trip and shopping, Al Dente left a bad taste in my mouth... without even having a bite. Robert, NYC

we came here the day before our cruise, the place was really cute, it was a little resturaunt with big taste, i loved it, we went there twice, the day befor the cruise, and the day after, it was that good .servise was amazing .calamari was the best ive ever had . baked pasta and salmon were FANOMINAL

Since 1997 my husband and I make it a point to do two things every winter...visit Puerto Rico and eat at Al Dente. Since 1997 the food, the people and the ambiance been consistently excellent. We've tried many different dishes and they're all wonderful. My all time favorites...spinach rice balls, calamari and spahetti carbonara. Oh, don't forget to save room for dessert.

Everything from the service to the food was incredible. This place will work for a large group of people or just a romantic dinner for 2. I have been to this establishment both times I have been to San Juan and will be going back in a couple of weeks. My wife and I are already talking about what we are going to eat!

My wife and I visited Puerto Rico recently and we had the pleasure of dining at Al Dente. This charming restaurant hit all the right notes; great food, excellent service and "to die for" ambiance. We sat at the very cool bar and feasted on simple, well-prepared and delicious Italian fare. Best of all was meeting and chatting with the very friendly owner, Giancarlo. Al Dente is a jewel. Truly a "must do" for any visitor to Old San Juan.

The food was awesome as well as the service. Very enjoyable dining experience. Personal touch was very evident. Will add to list of places to retun to on next visit to Old San Juan.

Loved everything, disliked nothing! Excellent food, service, and atmosphere. Will definitely be back next visit with guests. great ambiance in the old city best Italian food in San Juan

On a trip to PR I was invited to this restaurant. I love italian cooking and really into homestlye food. I don't consider frozen appertizers good italian cooking.