Must-see restaurants in Caribbean Coast

  • Wild Ginger

    Tortuguero Village

    On a dirt path near the beach north of town, the simple, tucked-away place could be straight out of California or Portland (the owner has lived in both…

  • Laszlo's

    Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

    Whaddya get when you take a champion sport fisherman, born and raised in Transylvania, and transplant him to Puerto Viejo by way of New Jersey? Answer: an…

  • Mopri

    Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

    You'd never know it from Mopri's dingy facade and cheap plastic tables, but this place serves some of the best seafood in Puerto Viejo. Choose your star…

  • Barakka Bistro

    Cahuita

    Enjoy some of the best French and Italian fare in town: the Florentina crepe is stuffed with spinach, cream, chicken and cheese and has an egg cooked into…

  • Bread & Chocolate

    Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

    Ever had a completely homemade PB&J, with bread, peanut butter and jelly all made from scratch? That and more can be yours at this dream of a cafe,…

  • Caribbean Kalisi Coffee Shop

    Puerto Limón

    Belly up to the cafeteria-style counter at this friendly family spot and cobble together a plate of coconut rice, red beans and whatever Caribbean meat…

  • Café Rico

    Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

    Roger from Hounslow West, England will sort you out with house-roasted coffee, homemade ginger-lemonade, and a massive concoction called the Ana Rosa…

  • Taylor's Place

    Tortuguero Village

    Low-key atmosphere and high-quality cooking come together beautifully at this backstreet eatery southwest of the soccer field. The inviting garden setting…

  • Selvin’s Restaurant

    Southern Caribbean

    Selvin has been serving Caribbean food since 1982. His place is considered one of the region’s best, specializing in shrimp, sautéed lobster in butter,…

  • Restaurant Italiano CahuITA

    Cahuita

    Giuseppe and Eliza of Ravenna, Italy, famed for its Byzantine mosaics, bring an artistic touch to the kitchen. Start with a bruschetta mixta and graduate…

  • Miss Junie’s

    Tortuguero Village

    Over the years, Tortuguero’s best-known and most delicious Caribbean eatery has grown from a personal kitchen to a full-blown restaurant. Prices have…

  • Stashu's con Fusion

    Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

    Stroll 250m out of town toward Playa Cocles to this romantic low-lit patio cafe serving creative cuisine that combines elements of Caribbean, Indian,…

  • Pita Bonita

    Southern Caribbean

    For Turkish coffee, hummus and the best pita bread in the Caribbean, this Israeli-owned spot is the place. There's also creamy moutabal (a roasted…

  • La Pecora Nera

    Southern Caribbean

    If you're looking to splurge on a fancy meal during your trip, do it at this romantic eatery run by Ilario Giannoni. On a lovely candlelit patio, deftly…

  • Cool & Calm Cafe

    Manzanillo

    Directly across from Manzanillo's western beachfront, this front-porch eatery plies visitors with fine Caribbean cooking – from snapper to shrimp to…

  • El Refugio

    Southern Caribbean

    This Argentine-owned restaurant with five tables is renowned for its rotating menu of three appetizers, five main dishes and three desserts. New offerings…

  • KOKi Beach

    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…

  • Restaurant La Fé Bumbata

    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…

  • Tutti's Pizzeria y Restaurant

    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…

  • Miss Lidia's Place

    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…

  • Cocoricó

    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…

  • Sobre Las Olas

    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…

  • Red Snapper

    Puerto Limón

    Head honchos for Limón's new port project often lunch at this scenic Caribbean restaurant perched on a mountainside overlooking the city and coastline…

  • Maxi’s Restaurant

    Manzanillo

    Manzanillo's most famous restaurant draws a tourist crowd with large platters of grilled seafood, pargo rojo (whole red snapper), ceviche, pork-and-rice,…

  • Palenque Luisa Casa de Carnes

    Cahuita

    In the corner veranda of an old house, this cozy, candle-lit spot specializes in delicious red-wine-covered filet mignon, tenderloin and T-bone steaks…

  • Chao's Paradise

    Cahuita

    Follow the wafting smell of garlic and simmering sauces to this highly recommended Playa Negra open-air restaurant-bar, where chef Norman has been serving…

  • Pacuare River Bar & Grill

    Caribbean Coast

    This Colorado-style bar and restaurant is on Hwy 10 between Turrialba and Siquirres. Enter the laid-back roadhouse through swing doors, grab a drink at…

  • Restaurante El Yugo de Mi Tata

    Caribbean Coast

    It doesn't look like much, but there's a reason this joint is truck-stop heaven. Strategically placed just below Hwy 32's tortuous climb into Parque…

  • Chile Rojo

    Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

    Craving sushi? Head to this open-air Asian joint on Puerto Viejo's main street overlooking the beach and boats. Bonus raw-fish varieties include soy…

  • Pura Gula

    Southern Caribbean

    Raquel and Matias completely revamped the menu here at the end of 2019, keeping old faves including Pad Thai but including mouth-watering delights such as…

  • Como en mi Casa Art Café

    Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

    Owned by a friendly bohemian expat couple, this charming vegetarian cafe champions the slow-food movement and makes everything from scratch, from the jams…

  • Miss Edith's

    Cahuita

    This long-standing restaurant serves a slew of Caribbean specialties and a number of vegetarian options, such as coconut-milk-and-ginger curry. The…

  • Soda Riquisimo

    Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

    Typical Caribbean dishes, such as jerk chicken served with salad, beans, rice and plantain, are done well at this simple soda off the main strip. A…

  • Soda Shekiná

    Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

    Delicious pancake and fruit breakfasts and Caribbean home cooking can be found at this backstreet eatery with wooden slab tables on an open-air terrace…

  • Soda El Patty

    Puerto Limón

    This beloved nine-table Caribbean eatery, with soccer memorabilia on the walls, serves up delicious patí (flaky beef turnovers stuffed with onion, spices…

  • Soda Yurifer

    Caribbean Coast

    It has lime-green walls and a cafeteria feel, but this clean, simple soda (lunch counter) sells good, cheap casados (with chicken, Mexican-style meat or…

  • Bikini Restaurant & Bar

    Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

    If frozen mojitos (US$3.50) are your thing, get thee to Bikini. This hip restaurant and bar attracts a crowd of revelers with its affordable cocktails and…

  • Sel & Sucre

    Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

    Dark coffee and fresh-fruit smoothies offer a nice complement to the menu of savory and sweet crepes. These delights are all prepared by chef Sebastien…

  • Pan Pay

    Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

    This popular corner spot on the beachside road in town is excellent for strong coffee, freshly baked goods and hearty wedges of fluffy Spanish omelet…

  • Mi Niño

    Tortuguero Village

    Juan and Carole are getting high marks for their vegetarian and vegan offerings, as well as coastal specialties such as pasta in Caribbean sauce and…