Craving Puerto Rican comfort food in Santa Cruz? Luna’s Borikén Bites brings Boricua flavors to the Octagon at Abbott Square Market in downtown Santa Cruz, California. From pernil and arroz con gandules to empanadillas and plantain-based bites, this small restaurant offers a taste of Puerto Rico on the Central Coast.
Whether you’re looking for familiar island dishes or trying Puerto Rican cuisine for the first time, Luna’s is a spot to check out. Behind the counter is owner and chef Ali Luna, whose connection to Puerto Rican culture extends from the kitchen to music and bomba.
Quick Info
Address / Phone Number
Inside the Octagon at Abbott Square Market
Map
Online
- Website: lunasborikenbites.com
- Menu: Luna’s Borikén Bites Menu
- Order Online: Order from Luna’s Borikén Bites
- Yelp: Lunas Boriken Bites on Yelp
- Facebook: Luna’s Boriken Bites
- Instagram: @lunasborikenbites
Hours
Hours may change. Please check with the business for current hours and holiday schedules before visiting.
Luna’s Google business listing, checked October 23, 2026, shows Monday–Tuesday, 12:00 PM–9:00 PM; Wednesday–Thursday and Sunday, 11:30 AM–9:00 PM; and Friday–Saturday, 11:30 AM–9:30 PM. These hours differ from the restaurant’s website, including its listed lunch and dinner service, so please confirm before visiting.
The restaurant’s online hours currently differ. Its contact page lists Tuesday–Sunday lunch from 11:00 AM–3:00 PM and dinner from 5:00 PM–9:00 PM, while its homepage displays a noon opening and other listings show different schedules. Call (510) 750-9061 to confirm your visit rather than relying on a single listing.
Food, Music, and Puerto Rican Roots
For Ali Luna, food and music are connected parts of his Puerto Rican heritage. In a June 2026 interview with Good Times, he shared that he has played percussion since age 13 and practices bomba. He described cooking and performing as work that both depend on rhythm, flow, and love for the culture.
His path to Santa Cruz includes an earlier Puerto Rican food business, a Bay Area restaurant, and pop-ups and catering. When an Abbott Square space became available, he returned to a permanent restaurant. Luna’s menu brings together recipes handed down through his family and his own ideas, giving this little kitchen a personal story as well as a place in the neighborhood.
Puerto Rican Favorites and Plantain Bites
The official menu includes chicken, beef, and cheese empanadillas, plus chicharrón de pollo and carne frita. Plantain lovers can try jibarito sliders with tostones in place of bread, piñón layered with sweet plantains and beef, or Loco Tostones, a Puerto Rican–Mexican-inspired take on loaded nachos.
For a full plate, look for pernil or pollo al horno among the house specialties, served with arroz con gandules and a side salad. The drink list includes malta, cola champagne, and fruit options such as parcha. Check the live menu before ordering, since dishes, prices, and availability can change.
Catering for Your Next Gathering
Luna’s also welcomes catering and private-event inquiries. Contact the business with your date, location, and guest count to ask about its current options. For more places to consider, explore our Puerto Rican catering guide.
Photo source: Nicole C. via Yelp, September 29, 2026.
Have You Visited Luna’s Borikén Bites?
We’d love to hear about your experience! Share your favorite menu item, recommendations for first-time visitors, or any helpful tips in the comments below. Together, we can help others discover and support Puerto Rican food businesses across California.
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