​Food and Drink Highlights of Vieques

Since Vieques is a larger island than Culebra, there’s more to do there. That means more opportunities for building up your appetite and thirst. Whether you’ve spent the day fishing, snorkeling or tucked away in a bungalow, you’ll enjoy delighting in the many Puerto Rican specialities offered on the island.

Plantains

Puerto Ricans love plantains, so it comes as no surprise that this banana-like fruit is found in some of the island’s most popular comfort foods. This larger and tougher cousin to the banana cannot be eaten raw but when cooked it turns into a delectable ingredient that tastes of the isles. Favorite dishes are created from both green and ripe plantains. Mofongo, a sort of national dish, is made from mashed green plantains, butter, olive oil, garlic and other seasonings. It can be served as a side dish or as an entrée when stuffed with fillings such as vegetables, meat or seafood. For a real mouthwatering mofongo, go to Biekes Bistro. At Rincón del Sabor, a food truck that also makes deliveries, you can savor all kinds of authentic Caribbean food, including mofongo and tostones, a quintessential side dish of Puerto Rico made from mashed green plantains that have been fried. Puerto Ricans are big on fried food in general, likely an influence from the African roots of many of its people. You’ll find that these foods help to replenish the salt in your body after a day in the heat. You’ll discover other forms of fried plantains both savory and sweet throughout and would you believe they even make a plantain lasagna?

Rice and Beans

Rice and beans, another traditional Puerto Rican dish, are, in fact, often eaten with a side of fried plantains. This classic combo is either stewed or served with the beans on top of the rice. These, too, are most delicious at authentic restaurants such as Biekes Bistro and Duffy’s and typically served as a side dish.

Paella

Paella, another rice-based dish most often served as a main course, showcases the seafood and meats of the island. Restaurante Billi, one of the finer dining establishments of Vieques, has gained great acclaim for both its seafood and vegetarian paella. The former saffron-enhanced dish combines fresh lobster, conch, calamari, mahi mahi and shrimp whereas veggie lovers will regal themselves with a paella composed of onions, peppers, pumpkin, zucchini, eggplant, mushrooms, cauliflower and carrots in a rich coconut curry version of this classic rice dish that originated in Spain. For paella in a more casual setting, go to Bananas Beach Bar & Grill.

Pastries, Bread and Coffee

Coffee shops in Puerto Rico are a way of life. It’s no wonder since the coffee in PR is so delicious. Add to that homemade breads, pastries and ice cream and you have a super sweet formula for success. Such is the case at D’Frozz, an artisanal ice cream and coffee bar that might very well become your go-to for everything yummy in Vieques. Best of all, for those that don’t want to drink hot coffee, you can order yourself a cold and creamy frappe.