The Poet’s Passage

San Juan, Puerto Rico

4.7

Open now

20 reviews

Accepts Credit Cards

Contacts

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Telephone:
+1 787-567-9235
Address:
203 Calle Cruz, San Juan, Puerto Rico, 00901
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
150 ft10
160 ft8
350 ft9
Categories:
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Bussiness info

Accepts Credit Cards
Yes
Parking
Street
Bike Parking
No
Dogs Allowed
No

Today

Today 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Open now
Local time (San Juan) 2:31 PM Wednesday, June 4, 2025

Business hours

Monday 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Tuesday 10:00 am – 10:00 pm
Wednesday 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Thursday 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Friday 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Saturday 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Sunday 10:00 am – 8:00 pm

Description

Specialties

Poetry, art, handmade goods, coffee, pastries, and sandwiches.

History

Established in 2007.

The idea for The Poet’s Passage came in 1997, when local poet Lady Lee Andrews was working multiple jobs in her hometown of San Juan. Originally conceived as a place for poets to celebrate and share their work, The Poet’s Passage is an everyday haven for tourists and locals who can’t say no to a good turn of phrase.

Vicinity

Near this location:
30
ft
Café Poético
Calle Cruz 203 Viejo San Juan
60
ft
SuperMax
Calle Cruz 201
80
ft
Marshalls
154 Calle Rafael Cordero
150
ft
Bad Ass Coffee
202 San Francisco
180
ft
Puerto Rican Art & Crafts
204 Calle Fortaleza
200
ft
Puerto Rico Drug
Cll San Francisco 157

20 reviews of The Poet’s Passage

No registration required
Place rating: 4
St. Augustine, FL
We stopped in for a late breakfast. Latte was flavorful and strong. Guava pastry was fresh an flakey. My daughter had a chicken empanada that came right out of the oven — delicious! The staff here was extremely friendly and accommodating.
Place rating: 3
San Jose, CA
Cute gift shop area with poetry readings in the back
Too bad we weren’t able to go on their scheduled time. I wonder how they are!
Place rating: 5
Forest Hills, NY
I stopped by this store/​café after seeing it bookmarked with outstanding reviews on Unilocal and wanted to see what all the hype was about. This review is just for the arts and craft store since I had already ate breakfast and didn’t check out the café part.
As soon as I walked in the store I was warmly greeted by the staff. The store had an amazing selection of different life quotes that were inspiring and funny. I enjoyed the miniature photos and pieces of local doors of Puerto Rican culture. There were a lot of unique souvenirs to choose from and the prices were very reasonable. They had a small area in the back for poetry slams on Tuesdays and had I known I would’ve definitely checked it out.
It was the beginning of my day so I didn’t buy anything to avoid carrying it the entire day. I meant to go back and purchase something for me but got caught up in being a tourist. :-) I will definitely come back and support this business the next time I’m in town.
Place rating: 5
Fresno, CA
Stumbled into this place trying to find somewhere open on new years day. Friendly staff and really tasty breakfast food. Shame it is all the way in san juan… oh well, it’s a reason to go back!
Place rating: 5
McDonough, GA
Nice place to set and have a quiet drink. Shop a little with local art and crafts. Nice peaceful scene in busy Old San Juan.
Place rating: 5
San Francisco, CA
It is a gem to stop by, relax and collect your thoughts. The art store connected to the shop gets you thinking or if you are looking to pick up souvenirs or gifts. Order a coffee or beer with a snack, sit back and enjoy.
Place rating: 5
Chicago, IL
I stopped here because I had seen some amazing reviews. I am glad I did! The stuff can be considered expensive but then it’s what an artist deserves! There was a small coffee shop as well. The staff at the store was nice and helpful. A must visit for poetic people!
Place rating: 5
Oakland, CA
Ha! Great recommendation by our CouchSurfing host. It is conveniently located right across one of the main plazas. The Poet’s Passage is not only cutesy but its coffee also stands to its cuteness. The names of different types of coffees are lyrical and poetical (hence, the name). Everything is a «sonnet,» a «metaphor,» etc. The place is decorated similar to how a modern café in Paris might feel like.
Other pluses about The Poet’s Passage: über-​friendly baristos, free wi-​fi, comfortable couches, ample plugs (for charging laptops and miscellaneous electronics), and — of course — outstanding coffee. They also serve the local beer on tap. Beer and coffee all in one place?! Unheard of!
We’ve been coming here at least once a day since we’ve arrived in Puerto Rico and we’ve been happy every time.
Recommendation: 12 oz. caramel macchiato. THE. BEST. EVER. 5-​star coffee right thurr.
Place rating: 5
Miami, FL
Lovely GEM!
I have been coming here for years and truly enjoy the beautiful poetry for purchase. The best part is the Tuesday Night Spoken Word where you have a little mix of Spanglish with locals and tourists enjoying the adventure of opening up for strangers. Really a treat.
It’s also great to enjoy a coffee from their café next door and making it a regular Tuesday night spot!
Place rating: 5
Chestnut Hill, MA
The shop is beautiful and has an amazing feel. We decided to eat at their coffee shop. Had the veggie patty in a wrap. It was good. Also had their non-​alcoholic piña colada and my husband had a pineapple smoothie. Both items were good. Quaint coffee shop and store and great location.
Place rating: 5
Charlotte, NC
It’s been some years since I’ve been in this quaint little shop but it was memorable. I had the pleasure of meeting Lady Lee Andrews and have enjoyed all 4 of her books that I purchased that day. Be sure to visit if you’re ever in Old San Juan and enjoy pure art.
Place rating: 5
Skokie, IL
I stopped in here because my sister is a poet and I figured this would be a good place to get her a gift.
Such beautiful words! Such great art! Such a reasonable price.
Great atmosphere in the store. Norma was so incredibly helpful. Open mic on Tuesdays.
I felt inspired when I left. Thank you.
Place rating: 4
Tampa, FL
What a really cool place to explore in Old San Jaun! This inviting & totally charming shop offered a bit of everything. Beer, wine, soda, scrumptious sugary desserts, memorabilia, original poems & other assorted items.
It is the type of store you can enter and hours latter still find something you had not seen. The vibe was cool and laid back. The atmosphere was alive and had a feeling of wonderlust. These are the little places I love to find while traveling!
It had a little something for everyone or you just relax and have a refreshing cold beverage. It was a pleasure and pleasant surprise to explore this establishment.
What’s a girl to do? Keep looking for hidden gems & treasure.
Place rating: 5
San Diego, CA
Spent New Year’s Day and then a week and a half later in Old San Juan. This is far and away my favorite place! Both sides are sweet!!! Yummy iced lattes. Poems that brought tears to my eyes (of course, especially Little By Little). All the staff I encountered could win warm and fuzzy awards! The food offerings are delicious. I did all my gift shopping there… PR coffees and the oil with major heat. I can’t do that, but my friend said it was HOT and TASTY! Support locally owned!!!
Place rating: 5
Hauppauge, NY
Quick service and delicious sandwiches and salads. My wife and I shared the tuna curry sandwich, bean salad and the spinach salad. Inexpensive, comfortable seating and free wi-​fi.
Place rating: 5
Lake Jackson, TX
This place was made to tantalize all your senses. Amazing gem of s coffee shop slash poetry bar. Could have spent hours upon hours in here!
Place rating: 5
Atlantic City, NJ
BEST Iced Coffee in Old San Juan. BEST Brownies in Old San Juan too. This is a simple café with a poetry theme that is a favorite among the Artsy crowd. A quiet respite in Old San Juan right across from the Plaza de Armas (Plaza de Marshall’s!!!)
Place rating: 4
Green Bay, WI
What a magical little place! The husband and I stopped in for some coffee and I am so glad we did, the coffee was delicious and the atmosphere bewitching. I really want to sell the atmosphere, because out it was completely unique and artsy compared to everything else we saw in Old San Juan. There is local art to peruse, scrap paper and pens to brainstorm and write poetry on at every table, and the poetry room is adorable with a wall painted like the night sky. 4⁄5 because there was a really loud obnoxious bird in there too, which would have been cool if it hadn’t been so loud!
Must stop by if you’re in the area, offers a one-​of-​a-​kind San Juan experience.
Place rating: 5
Keansburg, NJ
This is also listed as «Café Poetico» here on Unilocal!
My wife and I were back in Old San Juan after our honeymoon, and the coffee here was just as good as we remembered. The True Love is still our favorite, and Lady Lee Andrews is possibly the nicest person you’ll ever meet. Service is fast, the menu is diverse, the everything is made fresh. Can’t wait to go back for a poetry night!
Place rating: 4
Ventura, CA
This place is all about poetry, arts, and crafts. It’s a terrific gem of a store with lots of unique local artists’ pieces. They have readings at various times as well.