Dorado is well known for its beauty, making it a romantic little town. It offers a good deal of restaurants ideal for that special date night you’d like to enjoy during your trip. One of the biggest pluses of a Dorado date night dinner is you get all the great choices minus the crowd you would probably find in San Juan. Here we’ve picked out the most romantic and date-worthy places where you can enjoy a lovely dinner with your significant other.
Best Places for a Romantic Dinner in Dorado
1. El Ladrillo
This rustic restaurant, located in the heart of Dorado, the old town or ‘el pueblo,’ has been around since 1975. It has earned several culinary awards and is certainly a staple in the town. Its rustic and welcoming ambiance makes it a great choice for a date night.
Their specialty is meat cuts, but they also offer a great variety of fresh seafood. Their menu is centered on traditional Puerto Rican cuisine, meaning tostones, mofongo, and chillo frito, which are certain to be found there. And don’t forget dessert to end on that sweet note.
2. COA
This beautiful restaurant is home to Puerto Rico’s largest wine cellar and the Caribbean’s most extensive wine list. What can be more perfect for a date night than a delicious meal paired with the perfect wine? COA is a ‘grilled-inspired’ restaurant with a wide variety of wine choices, top-notch service, and a beautiful design that makes it great for a special date night.
We always recommend making a reservation beforehand to secure your spot. After enjoying dinner, COA’s bar is a welcoming space to sit and chat while you enjoy some of the best cocktails. You might even catch one of their live music performances and end the night on those romantic notes.
3. Melao by Mario Pagan
This fine-dining restaurant is located inside Plantation Village, a well-known golf club in Dorado due to its PGA Tour-recognized golf course. Melao was created by world-renowned Chef Mario Pagan and offers a modern Caribbean menu to delight your taste buds.
As you may well imagine, dimmed lights and the perfect sunset view distinguish Melao and make it a romantic setting, perfect for a nice date. Reservations are required for this popular spot. The food presentation and the views from the terrace are certain to woo you and your significant other into the magic notes of Melao.
4. Grappa
Grappa’s charm is undeniable from the moment you arrive. It’s a restored old townhouse right at the heart of Dorado, for which they kept its original structure, and the inside ambiance is just magical. Nothing says ‘romantic’ more than authentic Italian cuisine in a cozy home-like place like Grappa.
Their small but complete wine cellar is perfect for picking out some good wine and clinking glasses to honor love. As usual, we recommend making a reservation to secure your spot and enjoy a lovely date night. We’re sure Grappa will tangle you like spaghetti on a fork with its fresh pasta.
5. Kikita Beach House
Kikita will leave you breathless during the golden hour. This rooftop restaurant has the best view in town. You can see Kikita Beach and the horizon, perfect for a romantic sunset dinner with your partner.
Kikita’s menu offers a variety of creatively well-thought-out dishes. From the appetizers to the desserts, flavors keep you as entertained as the view. For an even more perfect date, request balcony seating so you don’t miss out on those lovely views.
Conclusion
Dorado’s best choices might be a little more pricey, but the experiences each one has to offer are unique and will make it worth the romantic getaway. Between the perfect sunsets, the well-paired wine, and the burst of flavors, we’re sure you’ll fall even more in love with your stay in this paradise town. And if you happen to get a chance to visit more than one of these restaurants, we say go for it, you will not be disappointed!
