Puerto Rico Food and Drink

Preserving its colonial culinary heritage, Puerto Rico cuisine is predominantly Spanish-based, with other European, African and indigenous influences added to the pot. Local dishes – comida criolla – are richly spiced, with rice and beans as the staple diet.

Seafood and tropical fruits are not as abundant on Puerto Rican menus as many visitors expect. Guava and papaya on a restaurant menu, for example, are often candied and served with cheese, as a tasty sweet-and-savoury dessert.