Monteverde & Santa Elena
Feeling peckish? Go straight to this lovely Santa Elena cafe, filled with art and light. Grab a seat on the front porch and take a bite of heaven. It…
Must-see restaurants in Central America
Caye Caulker
This new bistro might look like another casual, sandy-bottomed eatery, but make no mistake. The Southern French fare is hearty and the chef knows just…
Antigua
Baked goods – pies, cakes, quiches and house-baked whole-wheat sandwich bread – are the strong suit at this grand old cafe set around the patio of a 16th…
Comarca de Guna Yala
It would be hard to conjure a more idyllic setting than this tiny isle with deep white sand and three long picnic tables under the palms. Blas earned his…
Arenal & Around
Murals, masks and other indigenous-inspired art adorn the walls at this friendly cafe. Take your pick from the delicious sandwiches, well-stuffed wraps…
Playa Tamarindo
If you are craving a big bad burger, Surf Shack has you covered with a good selection of patties, thick-cut onion rings and irresistible milkshakes. Tin…
San Pedro La Laguna
Sabich, an Israeli sandwich lovingly stuffed with hard-boiled eggs, hummus and fried eggplant, is just one highlight on the menu at this cheerful Mideast…
Alta & Baja Verapaz
The best eating for miles around is oddly located a few kilometers west of town on the road to the Candelaria caves at the Candelaria Lodge. The small…
Antigua
At this small veggie cafe – sitting just the right side of hippie-dom – fresh organic ingredients are excitingly combined in soups, salads and drinks. How…
Utila
With real coffee and an enormous whiteboard menu that includes breakfasts, smoothies, burgers, wraps and a popular steak sub, this cute, brightly painted…
San José
This atmospheric Lebanese place is a great date spot, with creamy hummus, flavorful tabbouleh and an array of succulent meats – some cooked, some…
Northern Belize
This welcoming place on the highway has a large menu of Belizean and international fare, from rice and beans to authentic pasta and flavorsome steak…
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
A long-standing favorite for classic Caribbean flavors, Miss Lidia's enters its third decade of pleasing palates and satisfying the stomachs of locals and…
Península de Nicoya
A cozy little restaurant serving up all the best après-surf goodies: a hulking breakfast burrito; tropical tacos with grilled shrimp and mango; a…
Península de Azuero
This is an excellent choice for sunset dining or just drinks on Playa Venao. Open-air El Sitio offers sesame-crusted tuna and a host of Asian-inspired…
Mal País & Santa Teresa
Koji Hyodo's outdoor patio is a twinkling beacon of fresh, raw excellence. The atmosphere and service are superior, of course, but his food is a higher…
Playa Sámara
The carrot cake is really good, and the spinach quiche is better. But the cinnamon buns are otherworldly – so rich, gooey, sweet and chewy that you might…
Península de Nicoya
This colorful gastropub by the sea serves up tasty sandwiches and US pub fare, as well as top-notch (though expensive) cocktails. Try the Tica Linda, a…
Panama City
An Instagram darling, this clean-style eatery from Mario Castrellon caters to gourmet tastes on a budget. Think bubbly pizza topped with lobster or…
Central Pacific Coast
At the entrance to Punta Leona, this long-standing open-air favorite serves up delicious tangy ceviche served in a tall cocktail glass with a slice of…
Cahuita
The menu at this casual spot, decorated with classic movie posters, revolves around pizza, pasta and other Italian-themed mains, but it's better known for…
Jacó
This sleek and popular sushi spot has expanded from the central Pacific coast to open at three more locations in and around the capital. We're…
Antigua
An international crossroads, this natural-foods cafe does healthy fare for foreign students on the go. There's a tempting array of sandwiches (served on…
San Marcos La Laguna
This groovy little shack can be found by the creek east of the village. Japanese owner Seiko makes a mean miso soup, plus vegetarian sushi and tempura…
Copán Ruinas
There's a friendly welcome at this serious coffee-lover's place, where locally grown Casa Ixchel Arabica coffee is the fuel of choice and the espresso…
Quetzaltenango
A good recipe for any restaurant is to do one or two things, and do them well. Panque Waffles nails it with, um, waffles, as well as brilliant burgers…
San José
Drawing health-food devotees from the nearby university and further afield, this buzzing San Pedro eatery just off Calle de la Amargura serves a variety…
Antigua
Popular among the mature expat crowd, the Cinq is a faithful replica of its Parisian counterparts, offering zesty salads and classic entrees such as…
Quetzaltenango
Part of a hostel/arts center in the Pasaje Enríquez, Café Nativos is an inviting place with good natural fare, espresso, French toast for breakfast,…
Panajachel
The restaurant component of the Hotel Primavera serves some of Pana's finest cuisine, with a hefty dash of European influence and a wine list to back it…
Cahuita
Garlic shrimp, seafood pasta and grilled fish of the day come accompanied by crashing waves and sparkling-blue Caribbean vistas at this sweet spot…
Panama City
This wonderful homestyle bakery and cafe gets packed with locals hungry for sourdough, fresh bagels and amazing fat burgers with crispy french fries,…
Panama City
Packed with worker bees at midday, Ozone is a local fixture serving enormous, fragrant portions of good food from 110 countries. There are even kosher and…
Panajachel
This Uruguayan grill serves up generous helpings of steak, sausage and chicken dishes with vegetables, salad, garlic bread and rice or boiled potatoes…
Central Valley & Highlands
With hardwood floors and simple, clean decor, Merak is a gastronomic restaurant with flavors that cross continents. Creations include the likes of…
San Marcos La Laguna
Fé, about midway down the main trail, offers informal candlelit dining in a pleasant, open-air hall with a tree in the middle. The pastas, pan-fried fish…
Mantras Veggie Cafe and Tea House
San José
Widely recognized as the best vegetarian restaurant in San José (if not all of Costa Rica), Mantras draws rave reviews from across the foodie spectrum for…
San José
This tiny cafe opened to such wild success in 2014 that the owners quickly opened another nearby. What's its secret? In addition to adorable and homey…
León
Whether you're being whisked off on an early-morning tour or shuttle, or are just a fan of all-day breakfasts, this is the place for generous portions of…
Highlands
A surprising find some 3km along the road heading northeast to Cerro Punta, this authentic Italian eatery serves excellent pasta and pizza as well as…
