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Sorry! We don't have any recommendations for The North Coast and the Cordillera Central right now.
Traditional Puerto Rican cooking is the norm in this part of the island. Many of the ingredients that will appear on your plate—breadfruit, coconuts, plantains, mangoes, root vegetables, and the ají pepper, to name a few—are sold at roadside stands throughout the region, and they are served at humble eateries along the highways and secondary roads. With a couple of exceptions, don't expect upscale dining or international influences in these regions. Do expect down-home cooking and memorable meals, especially along Route 184, where you'll find a number of restaurants serving slow-roasted lechón (suckling pig), a local delicacy cooked outdoors over coals.
Dorado's most charming restaurant—and perhaps the most appealing one on the North Coast—Grappa is spectacular, both in design and on the plate. Specializing in Italian fare, the kitchen staff makes pasta by hand, and it's served with fruits of the sea or delicious, tender beef. The setting is romantic and intimate, serving their meals in a small dining room. Reservations are essential and the service exceeds all expectations.
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