
Pirilo Pizza Rustica - Old San Juan
A rustic pizzeria in Old San Juan serving artisanal pizzas with a 300-year-old starter crust and unique toppings, set in a charming, historic building...

Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

Pirilo Pizza Rustica - Old San Juan

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A rustic pizzeria in Old San Juan serving artisanal pizzas with a 300-year-old starter crust and unique toppings, set in a charming, historic building.
"Best pizza in Puerto Rico! Unique toppings, amazing crust, and a fantastic atmosphere."
Second Floor Ambiance
Ask to sit on the second floor for a unique atmosphere with dark wood and vintage photographs.
Creative Topping Combinations
Don't shy away from unique pizza toppings! Consider dividing your pizza to try multiple flavors.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Italian, Pizza, Tapas
Price
Mid-range
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Artisanal Pizzas with Unique Toppings
Savor creative pizzas featuring unique toppings like smoked salmon, plantains, and prosciutto. All pizzas boast a homemade crust from a 300-year-old starter yeast.

Rustic Ambiance & Cozy Second Floor
Experience a rustic atmosphere with red walls and brick details. Opt for the second floor for a different vibe with dark wood, vintage photos, and high-backed seating.

Generous Portions & Flavorful Dishes
Enjoy hearty portions of delicious food, from pizzas with light, fluffy crusts to flavorful lasagna and creative tapas. Perfect for sharing or a satisfying meal.
Plans like a pro.
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Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Second Floor Ambiance
Ask to sit on the second floor for a unique atmosphere with dark wood and vintage photographs.
Creative Topping Combinations
Don't shy away from unique pizza toppings! Consider dividing your pizza to try multiple flavors.
Off-Peak Hours for Waits
Visit during off-peak hours to avoid potential long waits, especially during busy seasons.
Don't Miss the Desserts
Save room for dessert! The cuatro leches cake is a highly recommended sweet ending.
Tips
from all over the internet
Second Floor Ambiance
Ask to sit on the second floor for a unique atmosphere with dark wood and vintage photographs.
Creative Topping Combinations
Don't shy away from unique pizza toppings! Consider dividing your pizza to try multiple flavors.
Off-Peak Hours for Waits
Visit during off-peak hours to avoid potential long waits, especially during busy seasons.
Don't Miss the Desserts
Save room for dessert! The cuatro leches cake is a highly recommended sweet ending.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Pirilo Pizza Rustica in Old San Juan is highly praised for its exceptional pizza, boasting a unique crust and creative toppings. Diners also love the rustic yet cozy atmosphere, especially the distinct ambiance of the second floor. While most reviews are glowing, a few minor complaints mention inconsistency in pizza thinness or slight oiliness in some dishes.
"Sorry I found it on my last day instead of my first day. fantastic pizza, service and atmosphere. Thank you Gabriel! If you can't decide what toppings you like they let you divide the pizza in two. Best crust i gave had in a very long time. Good happy hour beer special all day. Unique toppings and great pizza."
Pro Peller
"Looked a little shady from the outside but once you go up the stairs the restaurant has the cutest decor throughout! The staff was very attentive and the food was top tier!
I had the fried eggplant with plantains and it was fresh and flavorful! My sister had the lasagna, was a little oily due to the cheese but overall it had good taste. My other sister had a pizza, great flavor. My older sister got the breaded chicken breast, it had good flavors but it was a little chewy in some parts.
Would come back, enjoyed the experience and food."
Denise Esparza
"Rustic indeed and a very good pizza!
Apparently the starter yeast they use for the bread has been passed on for close to 300 years now!! Read up on that history.
We tried the mushroom and the arugula personal Pizzas. Good portion to fill you up but the slices were light and fluffy by themselves. Highly recommend!"
Nithin Ravooru
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
The crust is made from scratch using a starter yeast that has been passed down for approximately 300 years.
Yes, making a reservation is recommended, especially for dining during peak hours or on weekends. Reservations often need to be made in person.
The restaurant has a rustic charm with red walls and brick details. The second floor offers a different, cozier ambiance with dark wood furnishings and vintage photographs.
Absolutely! You can find creative toppings like smoked salmon, plantains, and prosciutto, alongside traditional options.
The menu includes traditional Italian dishes, tapas, calzones, and even unique options like churrasco and milanesa.
Yes, they offer the option to divide your pizza into two halves to enjoy different toppings on each side.
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You may not think of pizza when you think of San Juan, but Pirilo has a loyal following with its freshly made artisan numbers, served against a backdrop of rustic red walls, bricky details and soft lighting. The menu aims wide – tapas treats include setas rellenas (mushrooms with manchego and mozzarella cheese, green onions and bacon). Besides the classic cheese and pepperoni pizza, there’s a tasty one made with smoked salmon, mozzarella and goat cheese.
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Day and night, locals flock to Pirilo to indulge in San Juan's finest pizza. Owner Eduardo Rubio makes everything from scratch, most notably the crust, which uses a 300-year-old starter as its base. Ask to sit on the second floor, which has substantial seating, high ceilings, and a bar focused on craft beers.
Eating Like A Local in Old San Juan
Pirilo Pizza Rústica Okay, yes, it’s a pizza place–but when our Airbnb host raved to us about this spot within a few minutes of our arrival in Old San Juan, I knew we had to add it to our list. There are tons of creative pizza topping combinations and a cuatro (cuatro!) leches cake available, but what made the experience is the second floor seating. A steep staircase hidden behind narrow swinging doors at the back of the restaurant leads up to an entirely different ambience, one marked by dark wood furnishings, old photographs lining the walls, and high-backed seating.
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Pirilo es de esos restaurantes de pizza que puedes ir con quien sea porque tienen algo para todo el mundo. Además de tener pizzaz y calzones, ofrecen una variedad de platos como churrasco servido con salsa chimichurri, milanesa de pollo y ensalada genovesa. Sus sabores de pizza son únicos y varían desde sabores típicos como queso y pepperoni, hasta sabores bien boricuas como su pizza de tripleta, servida con potato sticks de topping y todo.
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One night we were craving pizza and we read really good reviews about Pizza el Pirilo. I would say that the pizza is pretty good, but it is more american style than italian, so I wouldn’t necessarily go back (I know I know, I am so annoying at times!). The place is perfect though if you are looking for a laid-back evening in a cute spot and are in the mood for some pizza while you wander around Old San Juan!
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A local contact at the tourism board and a guide both suggested Pirolo Pizza Rustica as the best pizza in Old San Juan, and it did not disappoint. I had the 5 cheese pizza with some extra pepperoni, but the signature Pirilo pizza was also recommended to me, which, like so many dishes on the island, has plantains. Pirilo also has a second location in San Juan in the Ocean Park neighborhood by the beach.
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Pirilo Pizza has several locations on the island and they are all popular spots. The Old San Juan location is in a really cool 400 year old building and the atmosphere is fun. Pirilo serves unique artisanal pizzas with Puerto Rican influences, provides full bar service, makes great sangria and is generally a good time if you're in the mood for pizza....
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Pirilo is a rustic pizzeria in which they prepare, with dedication, delicious classic Italian and international dishes; always using the freshest local products. The space is designed and decorated by combining the typical Italian trattoria with the emblematic colonial architecture of Old San Juan, creating a picturesque and warm environment.
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When it comes to satisfying your pizza cravings, Pirilo is the place to be. This charming pizzeria is known for its delectable thin-crust pizzas, if you’re a fan of classic Margherita or prefer more adventurous toppings like prosciutto and arugula, they have it all. Their dough is made fresh daily, and they source their ingredients locally.
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We love this spot because it's got great service, delicious food, and just all-round good vibes. Pirilo specializes in pizza, but has plenty of awesome menu options. Everything from the tapas to the steak was so good, and our waitress and the bartender were attentive, always having a smile on their faces.
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The first time that I went to Pirilo in old San Juan, it was because of their delicious homemade sangria (I’m starting to see a pattern here). It soon became one of my favorite pizza restaurants in San Juan. They take pride in their fresh ingredients, and authentic Italian dishes.
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Pirilo Pizza Rustica: Another local favorite in Old San Juan is Pirilo Pizza Rustica. Located in Calle Fortaleza, it is a tiny spot beloved by tourists and locals alike. I enjoyed their large pizzas which arrive on a pedestal at your table.
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If you’re looking for some late-night food, a big delicious pizza from Pirilo is it!. Open till 10 PM on the weekdays and 2 AM on the weekends, Pirilo serves up pizza to tourists and locals alike. You can expect a line and wait.
11 Great Places to Eat and Drink in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico
While there are multiple locations in San Juan, we visited the one in the old town. I loved the exposed original brick interior and mosaic tile floors. The menu has a wide selection of Italian food.
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Pirilo Pizza Rústica is a family restaurant, created with the intention of offering pizza lovers a space where they can socialize and enjoy good food with their loved ones.
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Everyone time we visit Old San Juan, Puerto Rico we make sure to eat at one of our favorite restaurants called, Pirilo. I highly recommend you don’t skip eating here.
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I’m from New York City, so you know I hate recommending pizza that’s not from the Big Apple. That’s how you know that Pirilo’s Pizza is worth your time.
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Myself and 9 other attendees of #ROCKtreatPR had the ultimate Pirilo experience. I had been to this Old San Juan location 3 years previous and never...
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