1. Brazo Gitano Franco
In Mayagüez, this panadería is so famous for its Brazo Gitano (a buttery kind of Spanish jelly roll stuffed with guava, mango, or other fillings) that it had to expand their operation to meet the demand for this one item.
Contact:
787-832-0070
276 Mendez Vigo y Pirallo, Mayagüez
2. La Bombonera
Photo © Zain Deane
like Brazo Gitano Franco, La Bombonera has reached near-legendary status for one specialty: their Pan de Mallorca, Puerto Rico’s answer to the Danish. This delicious, buttery sweet bread is toasted and sprinkled with powdered sugar, and filled with cheese, ham & cheese, ham & egg, or served plain. You'll want to chase it down with a cup of coffee, which is made in an antique Cuban coffee maker no longer available outside of Cuba. La Bombonera also a full menu of Puerto Rican food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but most of the people who come here do so for one reason: the mallorcas.
Contact:
787-722-0658
259 San Francisco Street, Old San Juan
3. La Ceiba
Photo © Zain Deane
This large panadería has excellent local specialties but is just as well known for its selection of classic imported Spanish tapas and foods. You can find authentic classics here like mussels, sardines, Serrano ham, tortilla, and turrón. They also serve wine and excellent cheeses.
Contact:
787-782-0419
1239 Avenida Roosevelt, Pueblo Viejo
4. Los Cidrines
There are several branches of this popular local chain, which has expanded to include several locations around the island. Depending on which branch you visit, you’ll find anything from a full-blown bakery or “express” bakeries. Regardless, come for their quesitos, which are a cannoli-shaped pastry filled with cream cheese that are one of the staples of any Puerto Rican bakery. Some branches also serve Spanish tapas.
Contact (Arecibo branch):
787-878-7860
Route 2, Km. 80, Barrio San Daniel, Arecibo
5. Panadería Don Nico
When you visit El Yunque, Puerto Rico's amazing tropical rainforest, you'll want to stop and get some food along the way, as there are limited options once you're deep in the forest. You'll find everything you need for your picnic lunch at Don Nico's, conveniently located on the way along Route 3. This no-frills bakery is popular island-wide for its quesitos, but you can find a variety of sandwiches and pastries here as well.
Contact:
787-809-2737
Route 3 Km 20.5 Cienaga Baja
6. El Hipopotamo
Photo © Zain Deane
Loated near the main campus of the University of Puerto Rico, El Hipopotamo started life as a busy panadería, but graudally grew to a full-fledged restaurant. It still retains its bakery roots though, offering local pastries and an terrific choice of deli meats and cheeses. Like many San Juan panaderías, El Hipopotamo is a popular haunt with politicians and intellectuals. You can rub elbows with students and senators at all hours here.
Contact:
787-767-2660
880 Muñoz Rivera Avenue, Río Piedras
7. Kasalta
Photo © Zain Deane
An Ocean Park institution, Kasalta has it all: an excellent bakery, café, a surprisingly well-stocked gourmet market, catering, and the down-home ambience of a local panadería. Come for a hearty breakfast, crispy quesito, rich dessert, homemade soup, or one of a wide range of sandwiches. On weekends, be prepared for long lines of Sanjuaneros waiting for their breakfast.
Contact:
787-727-7340
1966 McLeary Street, Ocean Park, San Juan
8. Panadería La Viequense
In Vieques, Panadería La Viequense typifies the panadería experience of a small-town gathering place where the neighborhood gets together. You'll want to come early on weekends to avoid the long lines of islanders. Also, this is the perfect place to stock up for a day on the beach: you can buy pan de mallorcas, quesitos, donuts, baked goods, or one of the many large and creative sandwiches (the Viequense is a gastronomic behemoth stuffed with pork, turkey, ham, pepperoni, and pickles).
Contact:
787-741-8213
352 Antonio G Mellado, P.O. Box 370, Vieques
