La Central by Mario Pagan

Love the food and the service. The smell of the burning wood charcoal is awesome. Meat is very tender and flavor, and the mix of different ingredients makes it unique to this restaurant

Jose’ (our server) and the entire team were amazing. We came for our wedding anniversary and had an amazing time. He is super knowledgeable about every item on the menu. He was super accommodating to my wife’s drink request (he made the experience WORTH it.

Wonderful restaurant with great service from very friendly staff. Food and drink were absolutely delicious... definitely coming back again. Our server Valerie was so nice and friendly.

This modern tropical steakhouse is the creation of renowned Puerto Rican Chef & passionate ambassador for the island’s cuisine, Mario Pagán. The ambience is lively and fun, the food full of flavor and the custom cocktails, like this tobacco infused one, hit the spot. We had a great time here!

Our first time here. We came for my wife's birthday. What a beautiful place. Live music and great service. The food was Delicious. The appetizer. The entre and dessert were soo good. I can recommend for some great food and an amazing ambiance. 😁👍🏼👍🏼

I loved this place! You can see the BBQ grills and watch how the steaks are made. Christian was the best , he not only took the time to craft my cocktail but also shared great insights about other Mario Pagán restaurants. I highly recommend this spot! The atmosphere is top-notch, and if you enjoy cigars, there’s a second floor just for that. Service was first-class!

I was a year ago on my solo Trip for my birthday, and I can’t thank the place more for a stunning luxurious atmosphere, wonderful steak and my birthday “cake” - a dessert ! If I ever back to San Juan I’ll definitely go again.

Me and my family visited this amazing restaurant today and had a great time. Giving this place 20 Stars. Food-- Amazing and really tasty, rich in flavors and well prepared, with the authentic Chalk smoke flavors (barbacoa). Great cooking time, the food was served really fast along with the mixed drinks and cocktails. The cocktails were outstanding, well executed and amazing presentation, everything was silky smooth and clean. Service -- Mr. Paul took care of me and family, he offered different options for the kids, his service timing was on point, giving us a great conversation about the place, food and cocktails. Atmosphere -- we love the rustic wood elegance and the aromas that the place has when you walk in, it had a band playing live Bossa which is perfect for this place. Overall -- The perfect place to take your family, friends or date, you will have the best time!!

Exquisite! Geat cocktails, stupendous customer service and amazing food.

First time here. The ambience is perfect with a nice and inviting lighting. The theme of the place is very Puerto Rican, the Central refers to the cane industry. The food was top notch, very tasty and plentiful. We went with 4 small plates for this visit, including the octopus, empanadas, montaditos and a cheese salad. All plates were great. The montaditos needed a bit more flavor and we let our waiter know so the kitchen can correct, but otherwise really great food. BTW, all food is passed through the BBQ so you get a nice Smokey flavor. The cocktails were at another level. Amazing rum old fashioned(s). I tried the original made with Bacardi as well as the one made with Barrilito - they have different taste and flavor profiles but both are equally great. Finally service was top of the line. Our waiter took amazing care of us. The place also have a cigar bar, which I may try on my next visit. The cigar bar looks like a high end lounge and I could see myself there with a cigar and an old fashioned just enjoying a quiet time. Overall this place impressed me and I will definitely be going back to try the meet.

We had a fantastic dinner there. Waitress was helpful, food was yummy. It was not too loud, which is a common complaint of mine. We started with tostones as an appetizer, then split a ribeye. The steak was perfectly cooked, melt in your mouth delicious. Great drinks, too.

We went for my husband's birthday celebration and I was impressed by the service, the food and the environment. Our waiter was the best, he took the time to talk about the resto and explain each plate we consider ordering. He also showed the typical Puerto Rican amazing vibes: helpful and he went beyond the expected. The food was delicious, I think the side plates can be smaller. Nice place to celebrate an important occasion.

At La Central by Mario Pagan in San Juan, I treated myself to an exquisite dining experience. The meal began with bread and a delicious butter, followed by a perfectly cooked Rack of Lamb, complemented by yellow mashed potato, a fresh Pineapple Sorbet to cleanse the pallet, finished off with a Chocolate Rum Cake with Hazelnut Mouse and Coconut Sorbet! The ambiance and meticulous presentation added to the overall enjoyment of this memorable solo dining experience.

Love the ambiance and the decoration of the restaurant. The food for me was an amazing experience. I had the angus beef filet, excellent choice! The desserts are out of this world, we had all of them, #1 was the chocolate rum cake. Go ready to spend over a hundred+ per person. The service was👌🏽.

Fantastic service, cocktails and cuisine. The beef tartare was exceptional. Definitely my favorite dish of the evening. People who complain about the portion size need to stick to Golden Corral.

La Central delivers an exceptional dining experience with delicious dishes, notably the New York Steak. The cozy ambiance and excellent service complement a memorable meal. Highly recommended!

Amazing experience! Wait staff was extremely helpful. Had dinner on the patio. The food was phenomenal! I had the branzino which was superb. The short rib appetizer was as good as promised. Octopus too. The prices would likely limit visits to special occasions. Well worth celebrating those occasions here!!

This was my first time at this restaurant. I sat at the bar I have to say everyone was really helpful and friendly. Would like to thank the bartender Kelvin for one of the best smoked old fashions I have ever had. I have traveled all over the world and by far it was one of the top 3 old fashions I’ve ever had. Thanks so much for your kind service! Remember ask for Kelvin best old fashions. ✅✅

I had the pleasure of dining at La Central de Mario Pagán to celebrate our anniversary, and it truly was an exceptional experience. We started with delightful appetizers: the "pan con lechón" was perfectly crispy outside yet tender inside, and the gouda cheese balls with guava created a unique and delicious flavor combination. For the main course, we savored the New York Steak with chimichurri sauce and charcoal-grilled shrimp, which I must admit, was among the finest meats I've ever tasted. The chimichurri sauce complemented the meat's flavor perfectly, and the shrimp were impeccably cooked. As a side dish, we indulged in the "pegaito a caballo," impeccably prepared and adding an extra layer of enjoyment to our meal. For dessert, we delighted in the "New World Crème Brûlée" with salty sweet caramel popcorn, which was the perfect ending to our dining experience. Kenneth provided exceptional service; he was attentive, knowledgeable about the menu, and ensured we felt welcome and well-cared for throughout our dining experience. In summary, La Central de Mario Pagán unquestionably deserves a 5-star rating for its outstanding cuisine, top-notch service, and inviting ambiance. We eagerly anticipate our next visit.

The fine dinning experience held at a exquisite standard. The service is A1; José was an excellent waiter who showcased mastery in the craft of waiting on guests. The food was worthy of a applaud! Shout out to the chef(s) in the back who put their heart and soul into this fine dinning experience! The tiny burgers were blasting with taste and flavor and the sauce to top it off (def ask for the “Black Garlic Aoili” This was the perfect dinning experience!!! Thank you so much for this opportunity to taste Puerto Rico in such a way to remember! Will be back - The Entrepreninja

Stopped at their exterior bar while at the T Mobile Arena, had some drinks and really enjoyed talking with Cristian whom was bartending that evening. We also tried an appetizer which was flavorful, I for drinks I had Buscando Guayaba, passion fruit mojito, and a painkiller. Maybe next time we visit we’ll try their restaurant and hopefully we see Cristian again, great guy 😎

Excellent steak! 7oz filet seemed very small on the plate, but it was filling. Potatoes were very good, too.

This review is long overdue! *La Central* by Mario Pagán is by far one of my favorite restaurants every time I visit Puerto Rico. The food is consistently amazing, and the service is simply superb. I’ve tried nearly every section of the menu and never been disappointed. My only wish? That they would add a soup! I’m a "sopero" at heart and would love to see a good "sancocho" make its way to the menu one day. Now, a quick story about their exceptional customer service: during my last visit in April, I took my youngest daughter to dinner. I’m a big Malbec lover, and unfortunately, the restaurant had just run out of my favorite, "El Enemigo." I was a bit disappointed but understood it happens. The waiter kindly brought me the wine list so I could pick another, but I was having trouble deciding. A few minutes later, the manager appeared—with a bottle of "El Enemigo" in hand! He had personally gone to another restaurant to get it for me. That, my friends, is customer service. I’ll be back in Puerto Rico in late October, and without a doubt, La Central will be one of my first stops.

My dinner experience last night was truly exceptional, and I wanted to specifically commend two members of your team: Bryan and Paul. They are absolutely amazing and represent the best of hospitality. From the moment we were seated, Bryan provided attentive and warm service. His recommendations were spot-on, and he managed our table with perfect timing, making sure everything was brought out exactly when needed. Paul was equally brilliant—friendly, knowledgeable, and incredibly efficient. The seamless teamwork between Bryan and Paul ensured our entire meal flowed effortlessly. They went above and beyond to make us feel welcome and valued. It's clear that they both take immense pride in their work, and their dedication elevated our dinner from great to unforgettable. We will certainly be returning, and we hope to be seated in their section again! Thank you, Bryan and Paul!

Not the kind of place I expect to enjoy, but we certainly had a nice time! The filet cannot be beat! Charred on the outside with perfect seasoning. Juicy and light on the inside. Cesar salad was ehhh, but that steak made up for ANY shortcoming! Smoky Old Fashioned was special. Service was perfect. Heads up! It is freezing inside!

Steaks, lamb chops, parmesian crusted potatoes, Brussel sprouts, carrots, bread, beef tartar, and so much more kept our table completely satisfied. Everything was delicious. The service is always fantastic.

Took my mom for her birthday today and loved the place. The attention to details were great starting with a bday card they placed on the table. Our server was cloud.... Very good and attentive !! Definitely will be back. Thank you Cloud and staff for a wonderful time!

Where do I start? My boyfriend brought me here during our vacation in PR and OMG it was the best experience ever! The service, the atmosphere and the food was beyond anything we've ever had before. The langostinos were fresh and flavorful. Let's talk about the corn brulee. Didn't know I needed this in my life, but glad we ordered it. The texture of the popcorn and the Maria cookies was genius. We will definitely be returning here. If you haven't visited La Central by Mario Pagan, make a reservation ASAP.

The food was delicious, the atmosphere was cozy, and the aroma was pleasant. They made us feel welcomed on our anniversary, and the service was excellent.

I gave a four star for the service not because of our waitress, she was pleasant, but the restaurant's service in general. We had a 5pm reservation. We got there 9 minutes early and we didn't get seated until 5:20pm. Every time we went to the hostess she mentioned that she has other people with reservation that got there ahead of us that she's trying to sit. What is the point of reservation then? Can you imagine standing in pretty, but uncomfortable heels, while trying to be nice about the whole thing. Everything went well after we were seated. The menu selection was reduced due to it being Valentine's Day. The meal was ok. I was still pissed from waiting so long to be seated that it messed up my appetite.

I wish google allowed half stars.. Really wanna give them a 3.5.. I'll te you why.... I've eaten at a lot of upscale restaurants. The ambiance here is amazing.. Very nice decor. Manager and staff are really nice.. Love the open kitchen concept.. The run flight amazing but when I see a restaurant this nice I kinda expect the flavor to be a little better .. I had the lamb. It just lacked flavor so I asked for a sauce which helped it... My wife felt the fried octopus was salty... Crunchy rice was different.. I would go back but probably go the steak route.

Adorable place beautiful decor large circle bar. Drinks and food were really good and nice selections; more in the expensive side. Friendly staff but we got there a few minutes before happy hour ended and they got to us a couple of minutes after it ended and would not honor any specials so that irked me a bit. Bartenders willing to engage in conversation which was nice. So many things I’d like to try on the menu

With the prices on the menu I was surprised that they even charged me for a 1 oz side of au jus for the $90 ribeye. We also shared a liter of sparking water. The server Continued to fill our glasses without ever asking if we’d like to add another bottle to our bill. Shady upselling tactics like this make dining on the island almost impossible. The food was delicious and I’ll happily return but I’ll be a little bit more reserved when ordering.

Food was amazing but didn’t had a good time with my baby. IT IS NOT KIDS FRIENDLY. Don’t bring your kids… PLEASE DON’T !!!

It’s a beautiful restaurant! Good service. I had higher expectations for food. It took well over an hour for the main course to get ready and they informed us that in general their cooking time is longer than typical restaurants in my mind okay not 20 minutes maybe 40 minutes. I ordered a Fillet Mignon steak Medium temperature but I received a well-done steak after an hour, which at that point I didn’t have enough time to request it to be fixed. For a steak house that was extended quiet on that day, I would have expected the temperature to come out on point but it was a disappointment. We ordered a salad as an appetizer which was forgotten therefore we sat for over an hour without any food. Will I go back? Probably not for food but maybe for drinks next time.

Came here twice in one week. I had a bit of a different experience on both days. 1st visit I order the picanha steak. First one the bark was burnt it was exposed to fired for too long but the inside was good, the bark created an aftertaste. Second visit order, gave them another chance, order the same cut of meat but this one was overly fatty more fat than meat. Service was good, I think it could’ve been better. The atmosphere makes up for it, very elegant laid back place.

This is a very elegant Steakhouse. Unfortunately the steaks (3) ordered were not very good. We all ordered medium well but one was undercooked. We asked to reheat it and they were very accommodating . Again all 3 were very tough and not tender. Jose our waiter was fantastic. We had a little accident but he was so helpful and professional. Had a great experience. Just wish out steaks were better for the price.

So this was for my girls birthday dinner. We had gotten rice with an egg over it, lamp chops, side of potatoes, and she had gotten the lobster tail. This meal was way over priced we spent $175. My girl did not like the lobster tail at all it did not taste fresh and was very bland. She actually ended up switching plates with me I wanted her to enjoy her meal on her birthday. The waiter was very snobby and rude as well as the hostesses. As well as they were not helpful either. The rice with the egg over it was delicious however the next day I had a sour stomach. For the price of the lamb chops. I would recommend the lamb chops. They are $35 and give a good portion. However I can’t speak for the potatoes she got as a side. It was $15 and there were like 4 small potatoes ( some were cut in half) She did say she enjoyed them and they were her favorite part of the meal. I would say the best thing was the truffle butter that was given complementary with bread balls. Besides the decent lamp chops and live atmosphere. This place was more hype I would recommend eating at other places. There are so much more tasty and less expensive places to eat than this one. Just because you put a famous chef on the name and hype it up doesn’t mean it has good food and proper service. Sorry but this really was not a good birthday experience I wanted to give my girl. I wish I made reservations else where.

We had reservation three days in advance. We get to the venue tonight and they all of a sudden have a private event going on the restaurant did not contact us. We have two children who are beyond hungry and zero empathy from the staff. The marred came out from the restaurant and all he could do was apologize to us. Very poorly organized, and horrible service. We’ve been coming to Puerto Rico for the last 15 years with our family and the last six years to this restaurant. This is the first time I have ever left a bad review for any restaurant. I will never come back here again.

Reservation for a party of six and seated outside since we made the reservation last minute. Everything seemed normal as we were able to order drinks and our food within 10 mins. After putting in our order everything went downhill from there. First round of drinks didn’t come out until 45 mins later and having to reach out to one of the managers. The manger did comp our first round of drink. After that the food didn’t come out until another 45 minutes later after getting our drinks. We had ordered tomahawk steak, steaks, sword fish, octopus, and other stuff. So we weren’t just dicking around and had a pretty good size bill, which would given any waiter an incentive to look after our table. We could clearly see other tables having been seated after us get their food and drinks. Not sure if our party being clearly foreigners having been a reason for such poor service. By the end of the night I could count on my fingers on how many times our waiter came by to check on us. Half include the manager bc they pretty much knew they were messing up. No transparency on why the drinks or food was taking longer than every other table. Having order a tomahawk steak it was served cold and we had asked for truffle butter on top which was given after the steak was presented and was cold. The swordfish and octopus was delicious it wasn’t anything standout that could have saved the experience. 2 members of the party had previously dined at this location and raved about the experience. They both said that this experience did not meet a quarter of their previous experience. The positive was that the drinks were great. Would come back to enjoy the bar but that’s about it.