Considered one of the classier spots in San Pedro, although you might not believe it looking at the fake windmill out front, Don Udo’s (13 Av. NO between 7 Calle and 7 Calle A, tel. 504/557-7991, 11 a.m. onward daily) offers a variety of international dishes and a sizable wine list. Through ownership has changed, it remains popular. There is indoor and patio seating.

Past its heyday but still popular with the local jet set and businesspeople with expense accounts is Pat’s Steakhouse (Av. Circunvalación at 5 Calle SO, tel. 504/553-0939, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. and 5:30–11 p.m. daily), generally thought to have the best cuts of beef in town. The churrasco runs US$17 for 8 ounces, US$21 for 12, with soup and a large salad, while the house specialty is the tenderloin (US$18–21). Quality fresh seafood is available also, and the wine list is extensive. The atmosphere is elegant with linens and dark wood, if a touch dated.

The menu at Bistro 188 (8 Calle SO, at the corner with 19 Av. SO, tel. 504/504-4815, noon–2 p.m. and 5:30–9 p.m. Mon.–Fri., noon–2 p.m. Sat.) may be short, but when each dish is this well-executed, who cares? Chef María José Rivera studied at the Johnson and Wales culinary school in Rhode Island, and her version of standards, such as niçoise salad, have flair (in this case, moist grilled salmon and dill sauce instead of the usual tuna and vinaigrette). An adjacent wine and tapas bar was under construction at the time of our visit.

In Barrio Los Andes Deriva Wine Bar is another chic eatery with a decent selection of Argentinian, Chilean, and French wines; a Peruvian-influenced menu including ceviches and seafood platters; and grilled meats (US$9–17).

Run by a Colombian woman, Crepes (7 Calle SO between 19 and 20 Av., tel. 504/553-5797) turns out its namesake dish in any number of sweet and savory versions, but also has Colombian snacks such as arepas (corn griddle cakes), as well as heartier dishes like chicken and steaks.

A laid-back place to get a tasty plate or ribs or even German sausage is Jardines Café, across the Río Piedras in the northwest corner of town, not far from the new mall Galerías del Valle. Thursday night is popular with local expats.