Playa Tamarindo
Beloved for its refined menu and its upscale tiki-bar atmosphere, this open-air dining room has twinkling lights and lanterns, with a subtle dragonfly…
Must-see restaurants in Central America
Monteverde & Santa Elena
With its Nuevo Latino cuisine – a modern fusion of traditional Latin American cooking styles – Sofia has established itself as one of the best places in…
San José
Food court! American burger bar! Brewpub/pizzeria! Performance space/movie theater/lecture hall! The Stein, seized from German immigrants during WWII and…
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
A high-end favorite for drinks and dinner, this sleek eatery at the eastern end of town cranks up the lounge music and sports an interior furnished almost…
Panajachel
Usefully located in the nightlife zone, Chero's can get pretty lively, with beer-drinking patrons gathering around simple wood tables as tuk-tuks zip by…
Panajachel
Serving authentic Japanese cuisine, Hana is ensconced in the serene courtyard of the Casa Cakchiquel, graced by hanging plants and a gallery of photos of…
Central Valley & Highlands
If you want to impress a date, you can’t go wrong at this elegant restaurant with incredible views. The menu is a mix of Costa Rican and international…
Cahuita
Give chef/owner Walter a 'bum-bah-tah' and he'll shout back 'pata-boom-boom!' While his secret language remains so, there's no mystery why folks come to…
San José
Fans of bohemian chic will appreciate this quirky pizzeria, hidden in a mustard-yellow house (No 3396) along the railroad tracks north of Av Central in…
Central Valley & Highlands
Tucked away just off Hwy 32 in a quaint little blue house adorned with blue curtains, antiques and hardwood floors, this Spanish–Costa Rican fusion…
Nosara Area
Located on the beach, this trendy restaurant-bar has cushy couches right on the sand, perfect for sunset drinks. The interior is equally appealing, with…
Roatán
This adorable, friendly cafe with tables on the veranda overlooking the sea does excellent breakfasts (L190), including to-die-for pastries, bespoke…
Playa Sámara
The 'Luv' has moved from the mini-mall to the beachfront, and several sister restaurants have opened in Nosara and San José. It's all veggie, all the time…
Playa Tamarindo
Sprout specializes in – wait for it – healthy food. Here, 'healthy' is a code word for fresh, nutritious and delicious, with a menu featuring giant salad…
Antigua
The restaurant in this popular hostel whips up authentic Israeli fare. Nosh on falafel, kebabs or sabich – a wrap stuffed with hummus, eggplant and salad…
Mal País & Santa Teresa
The location right on the playa is hard to beat, and the list of ceviche and cooked fish shows it's more than just a pizzeria. It's a popular spot for…
Nosara Area
The secret is out: come to this sweet shack for an authentic gelato or sorbetto, made with love by Stefano and Frederica. For local flavor, go for coffee…
Jacó
Chef Richard Lemon (former instructor at Le Cordon Bleu Miami) has been inspiring with one of Jacó's swishest and most imaginative menus for more than a…
Managua
In affluent Las Colinas, Ola Verde falls squarely into the 'hipster eatery' category but without flogging you with the concept of wellness in a tiresome…
Montezuma
Take a taxi up to this gem in the hills above Montezuma – fittingly in the Delicias neighborhood. This Italian outpost seems straight out of the Tuscan…
San José
One of the most beautiful cafes in the city, this spot evokes early 20th-century Vienna. It's a perfect place to sip a cappuccino, enjoy a crepe or quiche…
La Fortuna
The vibe is trendy at this indoor-outdoor grill. The highlight is the perfectly prepared grilled meats: the New York Steak with mushrooms is to die for…
Quetzaltenango
An alternative cultural center focusing on the economic reintegration of returning migrants, La Red Kat also provides grants for young chefs in training,…
Arenal & Around
If you don’t mind a little detour, here is your lunch stop between Monteverde and Arenal. Simple Tico fare is done with panache at this dressed-up soda…
Península de Nicoya
On the east side of the main road, you’ll see this stunner cantilevered into the trees. This is not the restaurant you would expect to find in an…
Tortuguero Village
The site has changed but it's still the place to come for an Italian fix: Tutti's lasagna and spaghetti dishes remain a hit. There are also plenty of…
Central Valley & Highlands
By a tropical garden and a mountain stream, this bakery-restaurant tempts with spiked coffee drinks (hot mocha with Baileys and chocolate syrup), crepes…
Mal País & Santa Teresa
Get your burger on at this open-air rancho that in 2019 found a new home just north of Kina Surf Shop. Check the blackboard for daily changing specials,…
Granada
Tall ceilings, hand-carved furniture and gilded mirrors give this place a certain old-world grandeur, but the succinct menu is as contemporary as it gets,…
Panama Canal
This upscale restaurant is worthy of the canal, though prices do reflect the exclusive setting. Serving New Panamanian cuisine and using local produce, it…
Antigua
A hole in the wall if there ever was one, this eatery behind a 'mom and pop' store consists of two tables and a dining room behind the counter. Just a…
Nosara Area
Now with two prominent locations, this is the favorite soda in Guiones and it's a damn good one. It's a perfect spot for breakfast, whether it's banana…
Utila
Our favorite breakfast stop on Utila serves fresh bread and homemade bagels with all kinds of toppings, as well as delicious egg dishes, quiche, smoothies…
Quetzaltenango
This cute bistro just off the central plaza is liberally decorated with printing paraphernalia – the owner's great-grandfather ran Xela's first printing…
Quepos to Uvita
Run by a lovely local family, this cafe is tucked away at the end of the southern spur road. Organic coffee drinks, fresh juices and hearty breakfasts are…
Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio & Around
Adding to the diversity of cuisine to be found along the road, this falafel spot dishes up authentic Middle Eastern favorites. You'll also find plenty of…
The Pacific Slope
Popular open-sided restaurant that serves up a bit of everything, but leans heavily toward seafood (especially ceviche). Vegetarians are well covered, and…
Quetzaltenango
For breakfast and lunch on weekdays, la nicaragüense owner has a simple setup with a sunny patio and alternative vibe. You'll find creative variations on…
Antigua
Long a draw for coffee and chocolate mavens, this friendly corner cafe also bakes an array of fine pastries, including some delightfully gooey cinnamon…
Quetzaltenango
This centrally located branch of the city-wide bakery chain is worth stopping into just to admire the fancy pastries on display, or to grab a bag of fresh…
