La Bombonera
Step into another era in Old San Juan
Maura Curley
In the Old City that embraces buildings from the 1500's, a 107-year-old cafeteria may not seem especially newsworthy. But La Bombonera, in Old San Juan, is a refreshing haven, in an historic area that unfortunately has given way to a Burger King and MacDonalds
This landmark, which dates to 1902, on Calle San Francisco, one of Old San Juan's more commercial streets, has remained unabashedly the same. It serves breakfast, lunch and an early diner, and closes at 8p.m.
Look for the tile facade and a window brimming with freshly made Puerto Rican pastries.
Inside there is another display case, boasting a selection of pies, which often disappear before teatime. The lemon meringue is pucker up tangy with sweet dense meringue, a mile high - so good it's worth risking transport on a seaplane.
La Bombonera has long been a meeting place for island friends, but the waiters who know the regulars by name are never smug- even if you're a stranger and your Spanish is confined to Hola.
The affordable menu offers a traditional egg breakfast but with a twist - lovely mallorcas sweet swirls of bread, dusted with sugar, which are grilled to order.
Lunch offers sandwiches and traditional Puerto Rican fare like asapao and mofongo.
You can relax in one of the booths for a meal or just order a cup of cafe con leche. And there's counter too.
La Bombonera is referred to as a cafeteria, but it's not self-service.
The waiters, who dress in a crisp uniform, can be quite attentive, if there is not too much of a rush, and they like your smile.
Maura Curley is publisher of virginvoices.com
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