Restaurants in Arenal Route
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Five Corners Grill
You’ll smell the wonderful barbecue aroma long before you even see this new restaurant, 4km east of Tilarán. The menu specializes in what owner Jim Aoki calls ‘gringo comfort food’ – eggs Benedict, nachos, bratwurst, peanut butter and jelly milkshakes, french fries and the best flame-grilled burgers on Laguna de Arenal. It’s only open for breakfast and lunch, but plans were underway to begin serving dinner. And if you decide to stick around (permanently), note there’s an onsite real estate agency.
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Restaurante Mirador Arenal Steak House
Go West, young (wo)man! If you’re craving a good churrasco (steak), that is. This sabanero-themed steakhouse has the grilling technique down pat, with great volcano views from the patio. It’s located 8km west of La Fortuna.
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Restaurante Linda Vista
Down in Chachagua, this roadside soda with fabulous views is about 500m south of Villas Josipek. The nice ladies running this place serve typical Costa Rican dishes.
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Ginger Sushi
This fabulous, open-air restaurant on the ground level of the Springs Resort & Spa has fantastic sushi rolls. It’s a bit out of the way, but you’ll find it’s worth the drive once you take your first bite of the fabulous creations, such as our favorite, the sunset roll.
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Vagabondo
Of the many Italian restaurants in the region, Vagabondo has the best wood-fired pizzas around, plus great pasta dishes. There’s also a popular sports bar. It’s 1.5km west of La Fortuna near a sharp bend in the road.
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Soda Viquez
Locals swear this is the best soda in town, and we won’t dispute their opinion. Located just left of the Rainforest Café, this cute, open-air, family place serves great Tico favorites including awesome casados. Don’t miss the grilled fish with garlic. Wash it down with a fresh juice smoothie. Divine!
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Soda La Parada
Facing Parque Central and all the street action, this popular soda serves great steak casados, decent pizza and a couple of bizarre Tico health drinks – chan (slimy) and linaza (good for indigestion) – to after-hours revelers and folks waiting for their buses.
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Restaurant Los Nenes
This classic La Fortuna establishment 200m east of Parque Central is adored by locals and tourists alike. If you’re in the mood for fine dining, the seafood platters here can’t be beat, and the ceviche is as good as it gets.
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Restaurante El Jardín
You can either relax over a shrimp pizza in this bustling eatery 100m east of the Parque Central, or grab a chair beneath the Pollo Pito Pito sign and snack on a few pieces of greasy (but delicious) fried chicken.
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Restaurant Don Rufino
Fortuna’s best restaurant is formal enough to justify buttoning up your shirt and putting on a little lipstick. The contemporary, open-air restaurant is popular with locals and tourists alike. Continental cuisine with judiciously applied Tico flavor makes up the menu here including gigantic shrimp, fish, filet mignon and prime rib. The half-in and half-out bar is also a prime place to chill with a cocktail (as late as 2:30am, if you’re in that kind of mood).
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Rainforest Café
Superb coffee and espresso is served in what feels like an industrial tent, all glass walls and aluminum bathroom door. There’s a dash of urban coffeehouse atmosphere as well, in the burlap coffee bags on the floor and coffee beans under the glass tabletops. The pastry case is a marvel, and the menu has some sandwich-type items along with specialty coffee drinks.
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Lava Rocks Café
This popular cafe dishes out big breakfasts, hearty casados and fresh salads, and has breezy, open-air seating in the shade. It’s a magnet for tourists, who can also book tours from the desk here.
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Lava Lounge
This hip, open-air restaurant is a breath of fresh air when you just can’t abide another casado. There’s pasta, fish, burgers, wraps and a fair selection of other such well-executed international standbys, brought to you by friendly waiters. Skip the sushi.
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Las Brasitas
Sometimes you just need some good Mexican food – nothing against Lizano sauce, but there’s just no burn. Check out this breezy but elegant open-air spot 200m west of Parque Central, with good fajitas and something called a choriqueso (sort of like a sausage fondue). Hey, if you’re going to have a heart attack, go happy.
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La Choza de Laurel
This place serves good, reasonably priced comida típica (typical food), and it always seems to be bustling. Live large and order a banana split, served on the half-shell of a pineapple.
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Hojoche
Named for the gorgeous dark wood liberally used throughout the decor (check out the ceiling!), this open-air restaurant at La Fortuna Hotel is one of our favorite new dining spots. The international menu specializes in fresh seafood dishes. There’s live music on weekends, sports and movies on TV and even a Wii video game corner. The tropical Jungle bar has daily happy hour specials.
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Gecko Gourmet
Tired of casados? Stop by this little deli for great sandwich and salad offers, including several vegetarian options. Or start the morning with homemade bagels or a breakfast burrito. It’s in the same building as Wave Expeditions.
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Restaurante El Parque
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Lava Lounge
This hip, open-air restaurant is a breath of fresh air when you just can’t abide another casado. There’s pasta, fish, burgers, wraps and a fair selection of other such well-executed international standbys, brought to you by friendly waiters. Skip the sushi.
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