El Asador The Grill House Old San Juan

El Asador The Grill House has a great location in the heart of Old San Juan with a rustic, welcoming vibe and live jazz that really sets the mood. The staff was polite and the ambiance made for a nice evening out. I ordered the tuna steak, which was cooked well and had a good sear, but it lacked seasoning and felt a bit underwhelming for the price. The sides were just okay—nothing particularly memorable. Service was a bit slow, even though the restaurant wasn’t too crowded at the time. Overall, it’s a decent spot if you’re in the area and looking for a relaxing meal, but there’s room for improvement in both flavor and pacing.

Stumbled upon El Asador in Old San Juan and so glad we did! We had a cozy, satisfying breakfast, huevos rancheros with lentil soup and delicious fresh coffee. The interior is stunning, with historic charm (it was once home to monks from the monastery across the street) and a beautiful interior patio. A perfect blend of culture, flavor, and atmosphere right near the city’s entrance and nightlife hub.

Such a nice spot in Old San Juan. We have been here multiple times and have brought friends with us and everyone is always very happy with their meals! Today we had pumpkin soup, ceviche, skirt steak, seafood linguine, and crème brûlée and it was delicious as always.

❌ WARNING: DO NOT EAT OR WASTE YOUR MONEY AT EL ASADOR – THE GRILL HOUSE ❌ El Asador – The Grill House in Old San Juan has a beautiful vintage atmosphere, but unfortunately, the experience was disappointing. The service was lacking, and the kitchen clearly didn’t put in the effort to match the charm of the restaurant. I ordered a medium-cooked steak, confirmed it with the waiter, and when it arrived overcooked to well-done, even he admitted it wasn’t what I had ordered. I still ate it only because I was starving, and it was my first meal of the day. To make matters worse, the special hot sauce I was promised—supposedly really spicy—didn’t arrive until I was already finished eating. The ceviche was also underwhelming—nothing special, and honestly, both the steak and ceviche are dishes I could make better myself. What stood out the most was that the staff didn’t seem to care when customers were visibly disappointed. It became clear that people dine here mostly for the vintage structure, not because of the food or service. To top it off, the ceiling fans were filthy, and I even posted a picture showing how dust was being blown onto the food below—a serious hygiene issue. If negative ratings were possible, I’d give one, because a beautiful place means nothing without good people behind it. Until management starts prioritizing food quality, service, and cleanliness, I wouldn’t recommend dining here.

Amazing atmosphere and food! Wonderful jazz! Great service! Get the fish tacos, the sangria and crème brûlée!