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PRICE RANGE
$10 - $49
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Late Night
CUISINES
Caribbean, Latin, Seafood, Spanish, Puerto Rican
FEATURES
Full Bar, Takeout, Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Street Parking, Highchairs Available, Serves Alcohol, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service
Reviews (404)
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354 results
Traveler rating
338
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LanguageEnglish
Traveler rating
338
9
4
2
1
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All reviews red snapper seafood shrimp mofongo blackberry mojito empanadillas pork rice and beans the owner san juan the ritz creole sauce bars and restaurants ocean view passion fruit you will not be disappointed delicious meal
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Reviewed April 2, 2023 via mobile

W O W.....we were in San Juan for a little more than a week and ate at several of our bookmarked establishments. This is tied for 2nd or 3rd place for our time spent in San Juan. This is a MUST visit!! My wife had...the Broiled Snapper in Creole Sauce and added Shrimp to the plate w/rice and beans. She was delighted with the entire plate, the sauce and freshness of the ingredients was very upfront, everything was cooked perfectly for her. I had the Shrimp Stuffed Lobster, added the Skirt Steak for a little Surf n Turf action and had the rice n beans as well. This was some of the freshest Lobster I've ever had and the same can be said of the Shrimp, the Skirt Steak was cooked to a perfect medium and was super tender, the rice n beans as good as any on the island. This place has made it back on our list of places we must eat at when visiting the island again.More

Date of visit: March 2023
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed March 18, 2023 via mobile

What can’t I say about El Nuevo Acuario. We first went there after reading another TripAdvisor review wherein the author said they tried to figure out how to get an order of their food back to the states and have it taste the same. An...unassuming location (see pic) in a rather busy area of bars and restaurants in a coastal area of eastern San Juan, don’t let the modest restaurant front fool you. The service, especially Dove (server), and Leo (owner and chef) are top notch! Friendly and down to earth. The food…well, amazing. The Firecracker Grouper (might be my favorite meal on the planet) is on the menu as an appetizer, but adding rice and beans will make it a delicious meal. The whole red snapper is the best I’ve ever had. The mojitos are made with hand smash fresh fruits (I suggest the blackberry or passion fruit if they are in stock). These are just a few of my favorites, but the menu is astounding (and yes, there are poultry and vegetarian options). With 5 days left in our trip, we went to El Nuevo Acuario for the 1st time. We ended up eating there a total of 4 times. That should say it all. Along with all of that, their prices are modest as well. If you’re in San Juan, go there!More

Date of visit: March 2023
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Reviewed February 11, 2023

To say there is nothing fancy or upscale about this place would be an understatement... until you are greeted by the staff and enjoy their food. We had dinner here our last night on the island. The lady that greeted us and served us could...not have been more friendly and helpful. Their sangria was wonderfully refreshing. The fire cracker grouper, the grouper fillet and the whole red snapper were delicious. Leo the owner, and all the staff made sure we were happy all evening and the restaurant was full by the time we were leaving. We were ready to leave and about to order an Uber. Leo overheard us talking and wouldn't allow us to call an Uber. He insisted on driving us back to our apartment on Isla Verde. What an interesting and fun fellow, going way beyond the call of duty. We will definitely be back on our next trip. Leo, thank you again.More

Date of visit: February 2023
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Reviewed January 4, 2023

I had the fried chillo, which was perfection! The gal that took care of us was great. Definitely visiting again on my next trip. Only sad thing is I dropped my cell phone in the Atlantic right after, so lost the pictures. :-(

Date of visit: December 2022
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Reviewed November 23, 2022 via mobile

Food and service were fantastic. A casual island vibe with great food and an owner who cares deeply about quality. Had a passion fruit mojito. I do not like fruit. This drink made me do a happy dance.

Date of visit: November 2022
Helpful?1  
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Reviewed September 2, 2022 via mobile

I don’t understand all the rave reviews. The ambiance is poor, walk up broken steps to metal tables outside on a concrete floor, and grungy. It is next to a busy parking lot with a bunch of other beach bars and restaurants. The bathrooms were...not nice either. The food was mediocre except for the lobster empanada ($16.95). Everything was very expensive. The Chillo, rice and beans ($45) was OK, it did not taste very fresh although they claimed it was. The Mero was mediocre. This was the most expensive meal I had in PR eating out nearly every night for two weeks and it was in the worst atmosphere and certainly not the best food. Service was good.More

Date of visit: September 2022
Helpful?2  
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Reviewed August 13, 2022 via mobile

This is the best seafood place that I ever eat, the owner and employees are awesome and it is absolutely delicious.

Date of visit: August 2022
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Reviewed July 12, 2022 via mobile

Phenomenal! Only word to describe our dinner! Best PR food we had all week! Sharlene’s service & recommendations on food & drinks did not disappoint! The owner stopped by our table to make sure everything was great & we ate definitely headed back 1 more...time before we leave. Nothing fancy but clean & excellent food!More

Date of visit: July 2022
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Reviewed July 6, 2022 via mobile

When people say here that it's no frills but good food, it's spot on. As a fellow Restaurant owner, I see why this place has 5 star reviews everywhere. This place was incredible!. Let's get down to business: From the beginning to end, the Service...was amazing. They were welcoming and very attentive with constant smiles. Although we spoke Spanish, they spoke English as well which is helpful for tourists that don't speak Spanish. The food itself blew us away, especially the seafood! The Snapper was by far the best I've ever had. My gf and I shared it because it was so big. The seafood sampler platter is an absolute must and I'm pretty every table had it. The blackberry mojito was a tad bit too string but the Coconut mojito and Passion fruit were amongst the best we'd had as well. My boyfriend had the churrasco which he loved as well. So get your compfy sandals and clothes on and get some of the best seafood in San Juan!More

Date of visit: July 2022
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Reviewed May 24, 2022 via mobile

The best authentic seafood on the island. We came here 5 years ago in our first trip and loved the food. In spite of two devastating hurricanes and a pandemic, the food was just as we remembered - awesome. Just like last time, the owner...takes the time to ask if you have questions about the menu and checks in regularly.More

Date of visit: May 2022
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Reviewed May 3, 2022

First of all there isn't a sign so you might find yourself going in circles. If you pull into the parking alcove area they are in the back right corner. Dove will usually wave you down! The food was wildly delicious and the staff were...some of the friendliest we found on the island. They make you feel like you've just entered their home and anything they can do to make your meal absolute perfection they will do. Thank you and we hope to come again in the future.More

Date of visit: April 2022
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Reviewed April 21, 2022 via mobile

Great and friendly staff. Awesome seafood (firecracker grouper and seafood rice were awesome) and great mojitos!!!!

Date of visit: April 2022
Helpful?1  
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Reviewed April 15, 2022

Quiet hidden gem in a busy, fun area. Very good food, not great, a bit pricey, beautiful scenic ocean view. Difficulty finding parking but worth the effort.

Date of visit: April 2022
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Reviewed March 6, 2022

If you are in Isla Verde and enjoy a nice long walk with a reward at the end, visit this restaurant. We started out with two beers that were nice and cold! We went straight to the entrees! The grouper was nice and fresh and...prepared by an expert! I had a side of Mofongo and it was also prepared well! My wife enjoyed the octopus Mofongo. The food was also seasoned perfectly! The staff were very friendly! The owner advised that after our meal, we continue walking along the path. It was a beautiful walk with incredible scenery! If it is too far to walk, use the hotel bicycles or take your car or taxi. You will not be disappointed. The restaurant has covered, outdoor seating. Wear comfortable, beach attire. We will be back!More

Date of visit: March 2022
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed February 27, 2022

The Margarita and Daquiri were made with fresh everything,excellent ceviche , empanadas of mixed fish and one with Rabbit, nicely made firecracker grouper pieces. The place is simple , local and if i lived here I'd be a regular.

Date of visit: February 2022
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Questions & Answers
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Amrita N
August 3, 2021|
AnswerShow all 2 answers
Response from nadine a | Reviewed this property |
The chef is very accommodating, I believe there are options
1
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wrios
August 7, 2019|
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Response from 456tanyac | Reviewed this property |
Very reasonable...much more reasonable than you’d find in the tourist areas of old San Juan.
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424bethz
June 12, 2018|
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Response from helenaw129 | Reviewed this property |
Yes
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EL NUEVO ACUARIO, Loiza - Restaurant Reviews, Photos & Phone Number - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about El Nuevo Acuario

Yes, El Nuevo Acuario offers takeout services.

El Nuevo Acuario is rated accordingly in the following categories by Tripadvisor travelers:
  • Food: 5
  • Service: 5
  • Value: 5
  • Atmosphere: 5