Carli's Fine Bistro & Piano

4.6 (659)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

206 Calle Tetuan, San Juan, PR 00901

Make a booking

Carli's Fine Bistro & Piano

4.6

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Old San Juan

Make a booking

2 people

25 Oct 2026

19:00

Booked 3 times today

About this restaurant

Great for fine wines
Charming
Great for creative cocktails

Carli's Fine Bistro & Piano located in the heart of historic Old San Juan Puerto Rico was born on December 27, 1998, as a place where locals and international patrons could gather to enjoy a unique live musical and fine dining experience in a relaxed atmosphere.

We have world-class live music nightly: Mondays and Thursdays we have jazz music at around 6:30 pm, and on Tue, Wed, Th, Fridays & Saturdays we have Jazz Piano from 8 PM, and on Saturday, a Classic Rock Duo, from 6:30 PM.

Nested on the plaza level of the historic art deco Banco Popular building, Carli's warm and artistic vibe will charm you while you savor exotic assortments of gourmet tapas and exquisite international entrees, or sip on your favorite martini from our classic bar on our main room or under the stars with a view of the SJ Bay.

Carli’s excels in the art of fine dining and live jazz entertainment, without sacrificing the comfort of casual elegance and competitive pricing. Live music begins nightly.

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$50 and over
Cuisines
Contemporary American, Global, International, Puerto Rican
Hours of Operation
Dinner Mon–Thu 5:00 pm–11:00 pm Thu–Sat 5:00 pm–11:30 pm
Phone number
(787) 484-8438
Website
http://www.carlisworld.com/
Payment Options
Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress Code
Business Casual
Executive Chef
Carli Muñoz
Catering
On special order
Private party facilities
Please call 787 484-8438 for private events

Location
206 Calle Tetuan, San Juan, PR 00901
Area
Old San Juan
Cross Street
Recinto Sur and San Justo Streets
Parking Details
Street parking is available, as well as 4 public parking very close to the restaurant: Covadonga, Zona Portuaria, Doña Fela and La Puntilla.
Public transport
The bus terminal is Covadonga. Uber or taxi address is Carli's Fine Bistro & Piano, Recinto Rur, and San Justo Street, at the plaza of Banco Popular Building, in Old San Juan.
Additional
Gluten-free Options, Patio/Outdoor Dining

Concierge
AI Beta

Our AI assistant, Concierge, is here to answer your questions about this restaurant.

Manchego Cheese Cheese Plate Prosciutto & Olives
Cod Fritters / Buñuelos de Bacalao
served with salsa Tartare
Escargots
served off the shell in a brandy creamy salsa fresh with mushrooms
New Zealand Mussels / Mejillones de Nueva Zelandia
sautéed in a white wine and herbs
Grouper Ceviche
trozos de mero marinados en limon, extracto de mango, parcha y hierbas
Risotto Croquettes / Croquetas de Risotto
con nuestra deliciosa salsa marinara y queso palmesano
Cheese Quesadillas / Quesadillas de Queso
served with salsita picante
Quesadillas with Sautéed Chicken

Sopas & Ensaladas

Soup of the Day / Sopa del Día
Please ask your server
Neoclassic Ceasar / Cesar Neoclásica
with sautéed chicken
Organic Spinach Salad / Ensalada de Espinaca Organica
served with parcha vinaigrette, mango and toasted almonds. With Cod Fritters and Gouda cheese (Carli's Fave)

Pastas & Risottos

Linguine & Chicken Breast
choice of Marinara, Alfredo or garlic herbs sauce
Linguine & Shrimp
choice of Marinara, Alfredo or garlic herbs sauce
Linguine del Mare
served with shrimps, calamari and green mussels in a creamy brandy sauce
Pasta Primavera
choice of Marinara, Alfredo or garlic herbs sauce
Carli's Mac & Cheese
an American classic made with penne pasta and 3 cheeses
Organic Spinach Ravioli / Raviolis de Espinaca
served with pesto or olive oil, garlic and parmesan cheese
Lobster Ravioli / Raviolis de Langosta
served with our famous creamy champagne-shrimp sauce
Risotto with Pumpkin and Shrimp / con Gambas y Calabaza
Risotto Barolo with Filet Tips / con Puntas de Filete

Fish, Foul & Meats

Served with veggies and starch of the day

Grouper Filet / Filete de Mero Sellado Al Sartén
cooked with white wine reduction and fresh herbs
Blacken Ahi Tuna / Filete de Atún Cajon
seared with our blend of spicy cajun herbs
Macho Prieto (Carli's Special)
lightly seared blacken Ahi tuna accompanied by penne pasta
Filet Mignon U.S. Certified
seared in a white wine reduction au jus with wild mushrooms and herbs
Half Roasted New Zealand Rack of Lamb / Costillado de Cordero
seared and roasted in a blend of Port wine and fresh herbs
Whole Roasted New Zealand Rack of Lamb / Costillado de Cordero
seared and roasted in a blend of Port wine and fresh herbs
Organic Chicken Breast Apricot / Pechuga de Pollo Orgánico en Albaricoque
sautéed organic chicken breast in an apricot and brandy sauce

Reviews

OpenTable reviews from verified diners

Reviews from people who have dined at Carli's Fine Bistro & Piano.

4.6

(659)

4.6Food
4.7Service
4.6Ambience
4.2Value

Noise • Moderate

Diners' Choice Awards

Puerto Rico
Hot spot
San Juan
Hot spot

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Carli's Fine Bistro & Piano offers an enchanting dining experience with "excellent service, awesome ambient, real good food." Guests rave about the "intimate setting" and "live music by Carli himself." Signature dishes like ceviche and creative cocktails are highlights. Ideal for romantic occasions, this bistro is a must-visit in Old San Juan.

659 Reviews

J
Joseph Gold
Chicago / Illinois12 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
I go there every year. Their food is always consistently delicious. I love the music and the owner is very friendly and speaks to customers as he takes breaks during his music and you make friends with the folks sitting next to you. It’s a very friendly environment and beautiful Decor I go back every year. It always brings me home to Puerto Rico.
Is this helpful?
A
Alexis
Puerto Rico1 review
2.0
Dined on 15 October 2026
1. Overall 2
2. Food 2
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 3
My friend and I made reservations at Carli’s for my birthday dinner after calling ahead to confirm that a pianist would be performing from 8–10 PM. We booked for 8:30 PM, but upon arrival, there was no live music. Unfortunately, the service made the evening even more disappointing. When we ordered escargot, our waiter asked whether we had seen the price, which felt unnecessary and uncomfortable. Later, when I ordered the filet risotto, he questioned whether my friend and I would be sharing the entrée. When we explained that we were ordering separate meals, he appeared surprised. As two young Black women, we couldn’t help but feel assumptions were being made about our ability to afford our meals. His questions and overall demeanor left us feeling judged rather than welcomed. By 9:45 PM, the pianist still had not appeared. When we asked again, our waiter scoffed and said the pianist was eating and would perform shortly. The pianist finally began around 10 PM and stopped at 10:30 PM, despite the schedule we had confirmed in advance. The food was equally disappointing. My filet risotto and my friend’s lobster ravioli were both lackluster and certainly not worth the experience. When presenting the bill, our waiter hovered over our table while explaining payment restrictions, adding to the uncomfortable atmosphere. Despite my reservation clearly stating that we were celebrating my birthday, not once did our waiter acknowledge the occasion or offer a simple birthday greeting. Overall, this was an incredibly disappointing birthday dinner. Between the poor service, underwhelming food, and misleading entertainment schedule, Carli’s fell far short of expectations. An upscale restaurant should make guests feel welcomed and valued, not uncomfortable or judged. I sincerely hope management addresses these concerns.
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R
Remigio
Caribbean2 reviews
5.0
Dined on 9 October 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Excellent service, awesome ambient, real good food,
Is this helpful?
T
Tina Gold
Cincinnati / Dayton4 reviews
5.0
Dined on 21 September 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Excellent food served in an intimate setting. We had the pleasure of dining on a night when Carli Muñoz was playing the piano. Highly recommend for a memorable evening in Old San Juan.
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N
Nikki
Philadelphia County6 reviews
5.0
Dined on 24 July 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The absolute best ceviche I have ever had! Enrique was an amazing waiter. my husband had linguine and shrimp. He said it was very good. We sat outside. There was a guitar player. Also had the cod cakes that truly surpassed expectations
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M
Michael Gold
Philadelphia County22 reviews
2.0
Dined on 23 July 2026
1. Overall 2
2. Food 2
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 2
We were looking forward to a nice dinner at Carli’s, but the experience fell short. The fish arrived dry, the vegetables were overly salty, and the glass of wine tasted off. The dining room also smelled a little greasy, which you wouldn’t expect in a nice restaurant like that. It’s a shame, because the setting had potential.
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A
Alex
Unspecified1 review
5.0
Dined on 22 July 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Carli’s never fails to impress me. The ambiance and atmosphere of the restaurant perfectly portray the “fine bistro” theme. The food is high quality and flexible to accommodate guests in preference to their tastes. Amazing dining experience and I recommend it to anyone visiting Viejo San Juan.
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J
Judith
Caribbean2 reviews
5.0
Dined on 10 July 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Carli’s is always a favorite! Great food, service and ambience!
Is this helpful?
K
Kate
Atlanta1 review
5.0
Dined on 28 June 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Amazing dinner. Not the cheapest but you get what you pay for. Creative cocktails and live piano.
Is this helpful?
A
Allison Gold
Washington, D.C. Area6 reviews
2.0
Dined on 12 June 2026
1. Overall 2
2. Food 1
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
The food was salty, the sauces were not inspired and the prices were high. Staff were very pleasant and doing the best they could given extreme heat, no a/c and now water.
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Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$50 and over
Cuisines
Contemporary American, Global, International, Puerto Rican
Hours of Operation
Dinner Mon–Thu 5:00 pm–11:00 pm Thu–Sat 5:00 pm–11:30 pm
Phone number
(787) 484-8438
Website
http://www.carlisworld.com/
Payment Options
Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress Code
Business Casual
Executive Chef
Carli Muñoz
Catering
On special order
Private party facilities
Please call 787 484-8438 for private events

Location
206 Calle Tetuan, San Juan, PR 00901
Area
Old San Juan
Cross Street
Recinto Sur and San Justo Streets
Parking Details
Street parking is available, as well as 4 public parking very close to the restaurant: Covadonga, Zona Portuaria, Doña Fela and La Puntilla.
Public transport
The bus terminal is Covadonga. Uber or taxi address is Carli's Fine Bistro & Piano, Recinto Rur, and San Justo Street, at the plaza of Banco Popular Building, in Old San Juan.
Additional
Gluten-free Options, Patio/Outdoor Dining

FAQs

Guests describe dinner portions as nicely sized, one reviewer called their meal “the perfect size.”

Yes, Carli's Fine Bistro & Piano offers outdoor seating: the patio (an "under the stars" spot) overlooks Old San Juan and many guests enjoy live music while dining there.

Carli's Fine Bistro & Piano delivers a warm, intimate, music-forward atmosphere, art‑deco plaza surroundings, pendant lighting and a prominent piano create a cozy, romantic dining room while nightly live performances provide the evening’s soundtrack.

Business casual is the guide, aim for neat, polished clothing; many guests do dress up a touch for anniversaries and special nights.

Carli’s offers a warm main dining room with a classic bar, plus outdoor patio seating “under the stars” overlooking San Juan Bay, there’s also a VIP booth by the baby-grand piano for an extra-special spot.

Yes, Carli's is frequently recommended for date night and anniversaries thanks to its intimate, romantic atmosphere and live piano performances.

For families, yes, staff have rearranged seating to accommodate children (they moved a table indoors so a child could hear the music), and guests note kid-friendly dishes like mac and cheese.

Carli's Fine Bistro & Piano is busiest around its live-music sets, jazz piano typically from 8:00 PM (with some 6:30 PM sets on select nights), and reviewers frequently note overbooking and waits, so reservations are recommended. Early-evening bookings before the music (for example, around 7:00 PM) have been described as a calmer, more relaxed time to dine.

Yes, families are welcome: staff have moved tables so children can hear the piano, the chef has even prepared dishes for kids, and kid-friendly plates like mac and cheese have been enjoyed.

How FAQ content is generated

Make a booking

Carli's Fine Bistro & Piano

4.6

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Old San Juan

Make a booking

2 people

25 Oct 2026

19:00

Booked 3 times today

Carli's Fine Bistro & Piano

Make a booking

Carli's Fine Bistro & Piano

Make a booking

About this restaurant

Additional information

Starters & Tapas

Manchego Cheese Cheese Plate Prosciutto & Olives

Cod Fritters / Buñuelos de Bacalao

Escargots

New Zealand Mussels / Mejillones de Nueva Zelandia

Grouper Ceviche

Risotto Croquettes / Croquetas de Risotto

Cheese Quesadillas / Quesadillas de Queso

Quesadillas with Sautéed Chicken

Sopas & Ensaladas

Soup of the Day / Sopa del Día

Neoclassic Ceasar / Cesar Neoclásica

Organic Spinach Salad / Ensalada de Espinaca Organica

Pastas & Risottos

Linguine & Chicken Breast

Linguine & Shrimp

Linguine del Mare

Pasta Primavera

Carli's Mac & Cheese

Organic Spinach Ravioli / Raviolis de Espinaca

Lobster Ravioli / Raviolis de Langosta

Risotto with Pumpkin and Shrimp / con Gambas y Calabaza

Risotto Barolo with Filet Tips / con Puntas de Filete

Fish, Foul & Meats

Grouper Filet / Filete de Mero Sellado Al Sartén

Blacken Ahi Tuna / Filete de Atún Cajon

Macho Prieto (Carli's Special)

Filet Mignon U.S. Certified

Half Roasted New Zealand Rack of Lamb / Costillado de Cordero

Whole Roasted New Zealand Rack of Lamb / Costillado de Cordero

Organic Chicken Breast Apricot / Pechuga de Pollo Orgánico en Albaricoque

Diners' Choice Awards

Review summary

Additional information

FAQs

What are the portion sizes like at this restaurant?

Does this restaurant have outdoor seating?

What's the ambience/atmosphere like in this restaurant?

What is the dress code for Carli's Fine Bistro & Piano?

What seating arrangements/rooms does this restaurant have?

Is this a good pick for date night?

Does this restaurant have accessible or family-friendly seating?

When is this restaurant busiest and quietest?

Is this restaurant kid-friendly?

Make a booking

Carli's Fine Bistro & Piano

Make a booking