CASA BORINQUEÑA brings a vibrant new chapter of Puerto Rican cooking to the border of Fishtown and East Kensington—one that honors tradition while cooking entirely from plants. The café is the latest evolution of chef-owner Lourdes “Lulu” Marquez Nau’s journey. Raised in a Puerto Rican enclave of Brooklyn, she carried those pantry staples and family techniques west, first launching Casa Borinqueña as a pop-up in California in 2018. A personal shift toward plant-based eating during the pandemic steered the project in a new direction. By 2022, Casa Borinqueña had become a fully vegan, brick-and-mortar restaurant. Now, after a stint living in Philadelphia while her kids were in college, Nau has returned to open a sister location here. “Philadelphia felt like the perfect city to build our future in,” she says, noting that “this corner of Fishtown and East Kensington stood out with its balance of tradition and growth.”
Step inside the Amber Street space and you’ll find tropical blues, golds, and greens. There’s Puerto Rican flags. The vibe is casual and welcoming, with counter service and a coffee menu that invites lingering. “We want vegan food to be more than an option—we want it to be part of people’s regular food culture,” says Nau.
On the plate, the kitchen translates Boricua staples with care and confidence. Think arroz con gandules with deep sofrito perfume; maduros caramelized just enough to melt on your tongue; crisp tostones for dunking and stacking; and savory fritters like pasteles. Many of these dishes are typically built around meat, but they’re re-imagined here with plant-based fillings. Nau points to the relleno de papa as a signature: the usual beef is swapped for Impossible picadillo and the potato is turned into achiote-scented masa. “Now it’s one of our bestsellers with vegans and non-vegans alike.”
Everything that comes out of the kitchen signals a clear point of view: bold flavors, generous portions, and a commitment to accessibility without sidelining the island’s soul. “At the heart of it, we want everyone who walks into Casa Borinqueña to feel at home—welcomed, cared for, and connected to Puerto Rican hospitality,” Nau says.
CASA BORINQUEÑA
2557 Amber St.
267.764.5735
casaborinquena.com
