About.com Rating

The Bottom Line

Creative Caribbean dining with 'Rican flair and hospitality is the recipe at Susie's, a cute spot that defines Culebra living at its best. Come for the friendly ambience, the tasty cuisine, and the warmth that Susie (who cooks in her shorts, and invites her guests to be equally informal) infuses into her place.

Pros

• Some of the most inventive and tasty fusion meals you'll find on the island.

• Susie's exudes a friendly vibe, led by an outstanding and amiable staff.
• Fairy lights always make a place feel cuter, and they certainly enhance the decor at Susie's.

Cons

• On the pricier end of dining options in Culebra.

Description

• A small place that gets frequently packed, Susie strongly recommends reservations. Call 787-742-0574 to book a table.
• Susie's is only open for dinner from Wednesday to Sunday, 5:30 to 10 pm.
• The restaurant prides itself on seasonal, fresh local produce, and uses native fruits and herbs in their sauces.

Guide Review - For Tropical Latitudes Cuisine in Culebra, Head to Susie's Restaurant

Located over the bridge and across the water from the ferry dock in Dewey, Susie's is a modest-looking, rustic spot that happens to serve some of the best dinners in Culebra.

Susie is usually bustling about in the kitchen, but her terrific, friendly staff is always on hand to welcome you by name (once they learn it, of course). The place does a good job of welcoming you as well; fairy lights abound, a long bench covered with cushions offer an intimate space, and the rustic and funky bar in the front serves up great cocktails.

If you're an octopus fan, I highly recommend starting your meal with the octopus salad in a seville orange vinaigrette. Tangy and tender, it's got plenty of big flavors to kick off your meal (you can get it as an entree as well). Then I went with the mahi-mahi filet (a rather large one at that) that arrived with a scrumptious roasted garlic, ginger & scallion curry beurre-blanc. Accompanied by classic and excellent rice 'n beans, it proved a hearty, filling, and rich dish.

After a traditional flan for dessert, I left Susie's feeling happy and fulfilled. The reception and the ambience lived up to Susie's reputation on the island, and her cooking, which she describes as "Puerto Rican kicked up a notch" lived up to her style and ability.