San Juan's rich culture is a unique synthesis of historical preservation and modern innovation, elements also at play in the unique and varied cuisines found throughout the city.

Puerto Rican food is influenced by Spanish and other Caribbean cuisines and based around products grown or found on the island, such as plantains, yucca, pork, beans and seafood. Appetizer specialties include canoas (fried plantains covered in ground beef, sour cream and red sauce), surullitos (sweet cornmeal fingers), frijoles negros (black bean soup), and sopón de pescado (fish head soup). Soups are flavored with sofrito, a mixture of onions, garlic, coriander, and peppers browned in olive oil. Many meats are prepared using an adobo rub, made by crushing together peppercorns, oregano, garlic, salt, olive oil, and lime juice or vinegar. Mofongo, the national dish of Puerto Rico, is a starchy side typically made from fried green plantains, or sometimes with fried yucca and breadfruit, mixed with garlic, olive oil, pork cracklings or bits of bacon. It is served with various proteins including pork, shrimp, chicken and beef.