A tale of two restaurants

Over the past few years, The Giri Café in the beautiful northern village of San Juan has earned itself a well-deserved reputation as the place to be for a countryside escape. It’s no surprise, with world-class daily breakfast and brunch, an impressive juice menu, ever-changing daily specials, the special Sunday artisan and organic market on their doorstep, and a beautiful garden space to relax in that gets even more beautiful each year, as the plants, flowers, fruits and vegetables come into their own. But there’s another side to The Giri Café, one that is well-known to local lovers of gastronomy but lesser known to island visitors, and a side worth getting to know if you have yet to discover it. After dark, The Giri Café is transformed into a stylish and sleek fine dining destination, with a (slightly) more formal ambience, soft and elegant lighting and a streamlined menu concept. This grown up, more sophisticated Giri big sister is perfect for romantic dinner dates, group celebrations and late night cocktails, bringing an all-new element of evening appeal to the tranquil village. For The GIri Café, it’s a tale of two restaurants. All the more reasons to visit San Juan, my dears…

By day: It’s a totally relaxed and tranquil aesthetic. Anything goes – wear flip flops, flowers in your hair, throw a kaftan over your bikini if you’re popping in on the way to the beach… By night: Make the most of the experience and dress up a little more – after all, experiences are always heightened with high heels and jewellery, right?

By day: Stroll on in to The Giri Café and make yourself at home. Pull up a sofa, take a table in the garden or under the beautiful bougainvillea – wherever you feel happiest! By night: Reservations are recommended, and you’ll be warmly greeted at the door, and then led to your table by The Giri Café’s experienced maître d, who is on hand to assist you with anything throughout the evening.

By day: Sit in the sunny garden under a protective shaded cover and listen to the sweet sounds of the countryside – from birds tweeting to sheep bleating and baa-ing in the surrounding fields. By night: Enjoy the blissfully tranquil evening ambience of the candlelit garden space or within the stylish main terrace – outside, you’ll hear the sounds of the bamboo rustling in the breeze and inside, be treated to The Giri Café’s carefully curated playlists.

By day: Tuck into casual light bites, snacks and salads or order from the changing lunch special menu, with an emphasis on freshness and lightness, and of course, good health. By night: The healthy and fresh food philosophy continues, but presentation and platters are stepped up a notch, focusing on fresh seafood prepared in innovative ways, succulent meat straight off the grill, rich and authentic curries, divine risottos and more. Be sure to save space for the specialty desserts…

By day: Choose your favourite from the new fresh juice menu, sip on herbal teas and aromatic coffee, or perhaps indulge in a crisp white wine By night: The Giri Café bar becomes about the impressive cocktail list – made up of bespoke and classic blends – and the exquisite wine list can be matched to suit your meal.