On the way up to El Yunque, we stopped at Coffee at The View for breakfast. The cafe is small and unpretentious, and not much effort has gone into the decor, but the atmosphere is friendly and relaxed. Despite being located not far from the busy PR-3 road, it feels surprisingly cozy once you step inside.
The menu consists of classic brunch dishes without much of a local twist. Eggs, omelets, pancakes, and coffee. Everything felt familiar, but when we asked about their Pumpkin Cakes, the sweet waitress told us they were pumpkin pancakes and one of their specialties, made from her grandmother’s old recipe. That immediately caught my attention, so I ordered the Pumpkin Cakes. The pancakes were flavored with cinnamon and brown sugar, and they had a lovely spiced taste. They were served with syrup and topped with bacon, and tasted delicious.
Steve ordered an omelet with ham and cheese, which was served with slices of bread spread with garlic butter and sprinkled with feta cheese. A slightly odd combination, but the omelet itself tasted perfectly fine. The coffee also deserves a mention. We had already noticed beforehand that there was a serious espresso machine behind the counter, and the coffee turned out to be really good.
When we arrived, we noticed a chain across the entrance to the café, which we thought was a bit strange. Were they worried someone might steal the espresso machine? We asked about the chain and were told that several buses sometimes arrive at the same time. To keep the line organized and prevent people from rushing in, they put the chain up, which made a lot of sense.
Coffee at The View is probably not a place you would drive far out of your way to visit, but it is a very nice stop for a bite to eat and a good cup of coffee if you are already on your way to or back from El Yunque.
Coffe at the View, Marginal Palmer, 197 Calle 10 Suite 1A, Río Grande, 00745, Puerto Rico
