You can see them from the terrace. Fritters made right there: seafood empanadas, alcapurrias, bacalaítos and pinchos, with cold beer and a little rum. No website, no phone — they open when they open, usually afternoons, busiest on weekends. When you catch the smell of seafood empanadas cooking, they are up and running.

Pizza, cheesy garlic sticks, lasagna and wings, brought to the door. Confirmed: they do deliver here at the Villa Pesquera. Open every day 11am–9pm, until 10pm Friday and Saturday. The easiest call if you would rather not go out, or if it is a Monday or Tuesday.

Del muelle a la mesa, en el Malecón de Patillas — mariscos frescos con los pies en la arena. Mofongos rellenos, ensaladas de pulpo y carrucho, pescado frito del día, pastelillos y vasos de mariscos. Música en vivo los sábados, 8pm. Miércoles cerrado.

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Rustic criollo spot with music — mofongo, carne frita, mojitos and piña coladas. Wednesday to Sunday.

The closest table after the Malecón — lobster tail, stuffed mofongo and the sunset straight ahead. Wednesday to Sunday, 11am–8pm.

Practically on the sand. The mero pincho is the thing to order. Thursday to Sunday — closes early, 6pm midweek and 7pm on weekends.

For the late drink — open until 1am, Tuesday to Sunday. The pulpo in red sauce is worth it.

Fish tacos and a water view — manatees turn up sometimes. Open seven days, 12pm–10pm: the safest bet on a Monday or Tuesday.

In downtown Patillas. Churrasco, tacos and good cuts of steak, all open-air. Wednesday to Sunday from noon.

Opens at 7am — the only real breakfast nearby. Tables on the sand or inside with A/C. Wednesday to Sunday.

Beach bar with tables under the palms. Thursday to Sunday — weekend nights get lively.

The best-rated spot around here. Seafood paella made for sharing and an enormous view. Open Mondays and Thursday to Sunday.

Up Route 181. Criollo cooking, mofongo fritters and an octopus salad that surprises people. Thursday to Sunday.

Long menu, live music and the sea behind it. Also open seven days.

High on the ridge in Maunabo, looking out at the lighthouse. The drive up is half the reason to go. Open seven days.

Smoothies, Mega Té, Liftoff energy teas, lemonades, detox drinks and açaí bowls — with add-ins like aloe, collagen, probiotic and fiber. Delivery available in nearby areas.

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Fresh bread, hot avena and Cuban sandwiches, on Muñoz Rivera beside the plaza. Open at 4am seven days a week — if you are heading out to fish early, it is the only thing awake.

Bakery and cafeteria, 5am to 8pm every day. A proper sit-down breakfast: eggs, waffles, and cinnamon rolls that turn up in nearly every review. There is usually someone on staff who speaks English.

Family panadería and coffee shop in Bo. Palmas, Arroyo, right on PR-3. Fresh-baked bread, sandwiches (the tripleta has a following), fresh-squeezed orange juice and good coffee — open early, seven days.

Small, cozy café in town with really good coffee and homestyle breakfasts (French toast, pancakes, montadito). They also do açaí bowls and sandwiches for lunch.