It had barely been two days since we returned from a short four-day vacation in St. Kitts—four lovely days of sun, sand, siestas, postcard-perfect views, and an unavoidable tan (not exactly ideal for already brown skin). You could say the break was enough to get me writing again, but in truth, it was one particular evening in San Juan, Puerto Rico that really sparked the inspiration to write this post.
San Juan wasn’t even our actual vacation destination. We had a one-night layover there on our way back from St. Kitts, and I found myself typing this post on my phone while waiting for dinner to arrive. Once I started, I was on a roll.
We didn’t expect to find Indian food in either St. Kitts or Puerto Rico—well, at least I didn’t. I should have known better. There always seems to be an Indian restaurant wherever Girish goes. This is my foodie husband, who has developed an uncanny ability to “sniff out” Indian food in the most unexpected places. Perhaps it’s the business traveler in him, or maybe it’s the craving for home-style food that has evolved into this unique skill set—armed with an iPhone and Google Maps, capable of locating desi food in the remotest corners of the world. We haven’t tested this theory in the middle of a desert yet, but Girish, consider that your next challenge.
To make a long story short, we decided to make the most of our overnight stop in San Juan. We rented a car, drove around the city, and naturally, searched for a good place to eat. A quick iPhone search turned up Tantra, along with another intriguing spot called Bangkok and Bombay. Tantra was the farthest from our hotel, which made it the obvious choice—we wanted to drive around and take in as much of San Juan as possible in those few hours.
An online menu search described Tantra as an Indo-Latin inspired restaurant, which immediately piqued our interest. We soon found ourselves on what appeared to be the restaurant row in the heart of Old San Juan. What followed was an unexpectedly interesting culinary experience—quite impressive for a place we stumbled upon during a single night in Puerto Rico.
The décor was striking and eclectic: a blend of East Indian elements with hints of Oriental or Buddhist influences. A large Ganesha statue, a dramatic cobra perched atop the bar, Thai or Vietnamese-inspired figurines, ancient Indian artifacts, and traditional Indian cooking utensils adorned the walls. There was also a cozy, hookah-bar-style lounge area that felt warm and inviting. Bollywood music videos played on plasma screens, which is not uncommon in Indian restaurants, but in this setting, it felt especially well-suited to the ambiance.
I’m vegetarian, but I still enjoy browsing menus for creativity and innovation. Items like Shark Tikka, Seafood Rasam, and Plum Duck Taco sounded incredibly imaginative. Eventually, we turned our attention to the vegetarian options and ordered Artichoke Tempura with a Madras chili (rajma) accompaniment, along with an Avocado Uthappam. Only after it arrived did we realize the uthappam was fish-based, so we politely sent it back. A reminder that reading menus carefully always helps.
The presentation of the dishes was impressive, and I couldn’t resist documenting it here.
For the main course, Girish and I ordered the vegetarian sampler for two, which included palak paneer, rajma, chana, masala dosa, and sambar rice.
I asked if we could substitute the sambar rice with Kerala vegetable kurma and khichdi, and to my pleasant surprise, the staff readily agreed. That flexibility alone earned them high marks. As a vegetarian, I sometimes feel limited when dining out, but thoughtful service like this opens up the menu and makes the experience far more enjoyable. It speaks volumes about a restaurant’s philosophy and confidence in its kitchen.
The Kerala kurma and khichdi turned out to be the highlight of the meal. It was evident that the chef’s strength lay in South Indian cuisine. The khichdi (or Venn Pongal-style preparation) had an authentic, homely flavor that stood out, especially impressive within the context of a fusion menu.
We later learned that Tantra is also known for having some of the best martinis in San Juan. We didn’t try any that night, but the menu featured intriguing options like a blue cheese martini, once again showcasing the restaurant’s creative approach.
Overall, Tantra was a wonderful find—unexpected, creative, and satisfying. It’s a place I’d happily recommend to fellow travelers and would certainly revisit the next time we find ourselves in San Juan.
