Food

Casa Bavaria (Carr. 15, km 38.3, Morovis, 787/862-7818, casabavaria [at] prtc [dot] net, www.casabavaria.com [1], $7.50–36) marks the unlikely intersection of Puerto Rican and German culture and is reason alone to take a day trip to Morovis [2]. In a two-story open-air structure plastered with countless beer signs and banners, Casa Bavaria serves outstanding Puerto Rican and German cuisine. Alongside the usual mofongo, shrimp, lobster, and chicken, you can dine on heaping platters of bratwurst, Wiener schnitzel, and sauerkraut. Cocktails are a mere $3.50, and there’s an extensive wine list with offerings from Italy, Spain, Chile, and Germany.

Dine in the crowded, pleasantly raucous bar, or go around back and take a seat in the quiet dining room overlooking a gorgeous mountain view. There’s live music on Saturdays, and Oktoberfest is celebrated the first and second weekends of October with live bands all weekend long. Be forewarned: There’s an infectious party atmosphere here that will have you drinking shots of Jägermeister before you know it!

Morovis is known for its pan de la Patita echá, a delicious braided bread. It’s served at any number of the many panaderías (bakeries) found here, but the best-known place is Panadería Patria y Reposteria (20 Calle Ruiz Belvis and 155 Carretera Desvio, Morovis, 787/862-2867). Believed to be one of the oldest bakeries in Puerto Rico [3], it was established in 1862. Other options include Panadería y Reposteria Barahona (Carr. 155, km 4.1, Morovis, 787/862-2538, daily 8 a.m.–10 p.m.).