Vaca Brava - Old San Juan

3.7

167 Reviews

$30 and under

Puerto Rican

Make a booking

2 people

15 Mar 2025

19:00

Booked 1 time today

Hot spot
Lively

Vaca Brava is the most famous Puerto Rican steakhouse that spice your experience with farm to table ingredients and the heartfelt jíbaro hospitality. The platters themselves are grandiose odes to local comfort food, chicken wrapped in churrasco, wrapped in bacon and smothered in cheddar cheese. Try it family style or go for it solo with classic dishes like mofongo with carne frita. Kick back with a refreshing flavored mojitos like mango, strawberry and the shockingly good apple. Reserve today!

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Dining style
Home Style
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Puerto Rican, Steakhouse, Seafood
Hours of Operation
Lunch Daily 11:00–17:00 Dinner Daily 17:00–19:00
Phone number
(787) 723-3700
Website
http://vacabravapr.com/
Payment Options
AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Resort Casual

Location
Recinto Sur 253, San Juan, PR 00901
Area
San Juan
Parking details
Private Lot
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Beer Garden, Cafe, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeaway, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Plato de la VacaUS$20.00
Assortment of exquisite local fried appetizers
Fried CheeseUS$9.00
Crispy cheese with homemade guava sauce
Chicken WingsUS$14.00
Twelve pieces of crunchy chicken wings
Bolitas de MofongoUS$7.00
Crispy mashed plantain fried balls
Mamposteao CroquettesUS$9.00
Tasty croquettes filled with mamposteao rice
Yucca SpheresUS$9.00
Stuffed with juicy sausage and cheese
AlcapurriasUS$8.00
Tasty road-side mashed plantains fritters
Pastelitos de CorozalUS$7.00
Delectable rice wrapped with plantain leaf
Stuffed Tostones
- Fried Plantain Stuffed with LonganizaUS$9.00
- Fried Plantain Stuffed with ShrimpsUS$12.00
- Fried Plantain Stuffed with Ropa ViejaUS$10.00
Turnovers
- Guava and Cheese | Guayaba y QuesoUS$6.00
- Chicken or Meat | Pollo o CarneUS$8.00
- Spinach and Cheese | Espinaca y QuesoUS$8.00
Brava FriesUS$16.00
With pulled ribs and melted cheese

House Drinks

Rum AntiguoUS$12.00
Bacardí®8, sugar and angostura, it's our old fashioned made with rum
Rum San JuanUS$12.00
Bacardí®8, bitters and orange from our local farmers
Ultimate Cuba LibreUS$10.00
Upgrade your drink with Bacardí®8 years aged
Bacardí Mojito the OriginalUS$7.00
Bacardí® Superior Rum, lime, mint leaves, sugar and club soda
Mojito BravoUS$8.00
Our award winning Bacardí®mojitos! From the yerba buena classic to our fruity variety, including: passion fruit, coconut, mango and others
BarrileroUS$8.00
Bacardí® Black, honey, ginger and soda

Originals and Shareables

Vaca Brava's Surf TurfUS$85.00
Skirt steak stuffed with chicken a lovely lobster tail, mofongo balls, fried plantain and mamposteao rice
Tendedero de la VacaUS$85.00
Assorted grilled meats and chicken served on a rod with rice, fried plantain and fries
Trio de la VacaUS$50.00
Chicken breast, sirloin and ribs served with fries
Cordillera CentralUS$84.00
Mofongo stuffed with sirloin steak and chicken breast smothered with marinara and mozarella cheese
Vaca AcostáUS$45.00
Angus sirloin steak served on a bed of fries, mushroom sauce and parmesan cheese
Pablo MarmolUS$40.00
Delicious full rack of ribs smothered in bbq sauce served with french fries
Chillo de la Vaca
Enormous! Fresh red snapper on top of skirt steak stuffed mofongo
- M/P

Just for You

Monte AdentroUS$14.00
Tasty country style grilled chicken
Mila MilaUS$16.00
Indulging crispy Milanese chicken breast
Monterey ChickenUS$16.00
Chicken breast smothered with monterey cheese, spanish sausage, bacon, bbq sauce and pico de gallo
Carne Frita FestUS$14.00
Half pound fried meat chunks for crispiness lovers
Orocovix SausageUS$15.00
Crisp and tasty traditional sausage from Orocovis, Puerto Rico
Pork ChopsUS$18.00
Delicious and juicy pork medallions
Pablito MarmolUS$16.00
Half rack of pork ribs with fries
Barranquitas SmokedUS$16.00
Half pound of smoked pork meat nugget
KankanUS$19.00
Enormous pork chop served with mamposteao
Ropa ViejaUS$18.00
Cuban! Delicious shredded beef and vegetables stew
Brava ShrimpsUS$25.00
Sautéed in vegetables and your choice of creole or garlic sauce over mofongo
Bistec Encebolla'oUS$16.00
Steak and onions, is a spiced flavorful skillet steak

Steaks

Grilled ChurrascoUS$22.00
Fresh grilled skirt steak
New York Steak
Fresh grilled New York steak
- M/P
Ribeye Steak
Fresh grilled ribeye steak
- M/P
T-Bone
Fresh grilled t-bone steak
- M/P
Muu BurgerUS$11.00
The statement of burgers, juicy and tasty in locally made artisan bread
Mofongo Grilled ChickenUS$16.00
Stuffed mashed plantain with juicy chicken breast
ChurrascoUS$20.00
Stuffed mashed plantain with tasty grilled churrasco
Carne FritaUS$15.00
The model! Delicious mashed plantain stuffed with fried pork meat
Sauté ShrimpsUS$18.00
Delicious sauté shrimps filling our crispy mashed plantain

Gone Fishing!

The Sea LandUS$28.00
Delicious skirt steak and tender shrimps Vaca Brava's way
Brave Lobster
Indulging lobster with mamposteao rice or tostones
- M/P
Red Snapper
Taste it with any of your favorite Puerto Rican side
- M/P
SalmonUS$18.00
Chunky and juicy fillet over a bed of salad for your delight
DoradoUS$18.00
Mahi Mahi fillet to taste with any of our sides
ShrimpsUS$18.00
Get delighted, either if its with garlic or creole sauce or even breaded

Sides

Mashed PotatoesUS$3.00
Fried PlantainUS$3.00
French FriesUS$3.00
Sweet PlantainUS$3.00
Mashed Plantain BallsUS$5.00
PaellaUS$5.00
Mamposteao RiceUS$5.00
Mashed PlantainUS$5.00
Mashed CassavaUS$4.00
TrifongoUS$6.00
Fried Crunchy PlantainUS$7.00
Green SaladUS$6.00

Desserts

CharolaiUS$12.00
Crepes filled with an indulging sweet cream
El CebúUS$8.00
Get delighted with our spongy carrot cake
Vaca Pinta
It's our chocolate cake ready to be devoured
- ChambrayUS$8.00
- CheesecakeUS$9.00
Homemade CustardsUS$8.00
Sweet and creamy coffee, cheese or almond homemade custards
Tres Leches CakeUS$8.00
Experience the sweet mix of milks and in a delectable spongy cake
Ice CreamUS$4.00
Ask for our variety of ice creams

What 167 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

3.7

3.7 based on recent ratings

4Food
3.7Service
4.1Ambience
3.7Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Vaca Brava in Old San Juan offers "amazing food" with standout dishes like Puerto Rican meats and generous portions. While the vibe is fun and casual, and the location convenient, service can be "brutally slow" and the atmosphere loud. Despite some inconsistencies, the culinary experience is generally well-appreciated.

167 Reviews

A
Angel
Caribbean4 reviews
4.0
Dined on 2 March 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Nos encanta la calidad de la carne y comida en general, lo único es que siempre es el tiempo de espera. Siempre es mas de 1 hora para los platos y aperitivos. Por lo otro s una buena experiencia.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Tampa1 review
4.0
Dined on 27 February 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 3
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
It was nice food comes out hot workers are friendly and location is good
Is this helpful?
L
Lori VIP
Dallas16 reviews
3.0
Dined on 31 January 2025
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 3
We arrived early for dinner, only ones there. The server was very nice. The service was crazily slow. It took 15 minutes to get the drinks ordered, 25 to get the food. The food was just average. It is in a good location. I don’t know that I would recommend
Is this helpful?
R
Robert
Orlando13 reviews
1.0
Dined on 3 January 2025
1. Overall 1
2. Food 3
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 1
Reservation for 11am. Workers inside, but they didn’t open the doors until 11:15am. Told us to seat ourselves. The server and all the workers did not seem to enjoy their jobs and all seemed miserable. When asking for advice on items on the menu - all we were told was “everything is good”. Food was fine, albeit overpriced. The service is where this place failed. Go to other places in town with better service and probably less expensive food.
Is this helpful?
S
Stacey
Coastal Georgia1 review
4.0
Dined on 29 December 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 4
The hostess is a bit underwhelmed. Almost rude when we came up to let her know about our reservation.
Is this helpful?
C
Chris
Nashville18 reviews
5.0
Dined on 27 December 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great food and vibe. Very casual and good location. Loved the food and service!
Is this helpful?
D
Danitza
Greater Boston2 reviews
2.0
Dined on 14 December 2024
1. Overall 2
2. Food 2
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 4
Waiter messed up our drink order multiple times. Guayaba and cheese empanadas. Had no cheese only tasted the guayaba. Alcoholic drinks especially passion fruit mojito was watered down and no flavor. Overall not the best experience. Will probably skip next time.
Is this helpful?
N
Nikkia
Caribbean5 reviews
5.0
Dined on 5 October 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great food. Saw this place on YouTube. Portions are large. Very tasteful food. Service was good. 15 minutes walk to the fort and other historic sites.
Is this helpful?
DI
DIego
Toronto4 reviews
3.0
Dined on 15 July 2024
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 2
Not enough servers. Very slow service. Good food though
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Miami2 reviews
1.0
Dined on 14 July 2024
1. Overall 1
2. Food 1
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 1
Made reservation for 8:00pm, got there at 7:55 and they told us we were not in their books. Waitress wrote our information in her book and told us she would call us when she had a table for 2. We waited patiently and at 9:30 we decided to leave, other bigger parties kept coming in without reservations and they were able to get a table faster than us 2.
Is this helpful?

FAQs

Vaca Brava - Old San Juan offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (787) 723-3700.

Vaca Brava - Old San Juan is rated 3.7 stars by 167 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people

15 Mar 2025

19:00

Booked 1 time today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Vaca Brava - Old San Juan

Recinto Sur 253, San Juan, PR 00901

Additional information

Area
San Juan
Hours of Operation
Lunch Daily 11:00–17:00 Dinner Daily 17:00–19:00
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Puerto Rican, Steakhouse, Seafood
Dining style
Home Style
Dress code
Resort Casual
Parking details
Private Lot
Payment Options
AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Beer Garden, Cafe, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeaway, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://vacabravapr.com/
Phone number
(787) 723-3700

Vaca Brava - Old San Juan

Make a booking

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Appetizers

Plato de la VacaUS$20.00

Fried CheeseUS$9.00

Chicken WingsUS$14.00

Bolitas de MofongoUS$7.00

Mamposteao CroquettesUS$9.00

Yucca SpheresUS$9.00

AlcapurriasUS$8.00

Pastelitos de CorozalUS$7.00

Stuffed Tostones

Turnovers

Brava FriesUS$16.00

House Drinks

Rum AntiguoUS$12.00

Rum San JuanUS$12.00

Ultimate Cuba LibreUS$10.00

Bacardí Mojito the OriginalUS$7.00

Mojito BravoUS$8.00

BarrileroUS$8.00

Originals and Shareables

Vaca Brava's Surf TurfUS$85.00

Tendedero de la VacaUS$85.00

Trio de la VacaUS$50.00

Cordillera CentralUS$84.00

Vaca AcostáUS$45.00

Pablo MarmolUS$40.00

Chillo de la Vaca

Just for You

Monte AdentroUS$14.00

Mila MilaUS$16.00

Monterey ChickenUS$16.00

Carne Frita FestUS$14.00

Orocovix SausageUS$15.00

Pork ChopsUS$18.00

Pablito MarmolUS$16.00

Barranquitas SmokedUS$16.00

KankanUS$19.00

Ropa ViejaUS$18.00

Brava ShrimpsUS$25.00

Bistec Encebolla'oUS$16.00

Steaks

Grilled ChurrascoUS$22.00

New York Steak

Ribeye Steak

T-Bone

Muu BurgerUS$11.00

Mofongo Grilled ChickenUS$16.00

ChurrascoUS$20.00

Carne FritaUS$15.00

Sauté ShrimpsUS$18.00

Gone Fishing!

The Sea LandUS$28.00

Brave Lobster

Red Snapper

SalmonUS$18.00

DoradoUS$18.00

ShrimpsUS$18.00

Sides

Mashed PotatoesUS$3.00

Fried PlantainUS$3.00

French FriesUS$3.00

Sweet PlantainUS$3.00

Mashed Plantain BallsUS$5.00

PaellaUS$5.00

Mamposteao RiceUS$5.00

Mashed PlantainUS$5.00

Mashed CassavaUS$4.00

TrifongoUS$6.00

Fried Crunchy PlantainUS$7.00

Green SaladUS$6.00

Desserts

CharolaiUS$12.00

El CebúUS$8.00

Vaca Pinta

Homemade CustardsUS$8.00

Tres Leches CakeUS$8.00