Restaurants in Monteverde & Santa Elena
- Sort by:
- Popular
-
A
Trio
From the same people who brought us Chimera and Sofia comes this amazing new fusion restaurant. We were in heaven after savoring the camarones mojitos – grilled shrimp drenched in a garlic, cumin, onion, rum and orange-juice sauce, served on a bed of potatoes, veggies and avocados. Follow up the flavor explosions with to-die-for desserts like the mango split sorbet. The contemporary, stilted building is oddly located in a dark corner behind the SuperCompro supermarket. It may not have the ambience of its sister restaurants, but this is hands-down our favorite dining experience in Monteverde.
reviewed
-
B
Chimera
Latin-infused tapas are complemented by an excellent wine list featuring robust reds like Chilean Syrah-cabernets and crisp whites like pinot grigio. Dine alfresco at the trellis patio or the big-windowed dining room with beautiful jungle views. Charming staff will lay out a spread of cocktails (like kiwi caipirinhas, with lime, sugar and rum) and tapas like sea bass with passion-fruit cream and spicy mayo, or fried yucca with chipotle garlic aioli, all on white tablecloths.
reviewed
-
Sabor Español
She’s from Barcelona. He’s from Ibiza. And together, Heri and Montse have created one of the most authentic and lovely Spanish restaurants in Costa Rica. The couple specialize in paella, fresh fish, meats and chicken. We loved the stuffed avocado appetizer, followed by shrimp flambéed in whiskey. Wash it down with some of the best sangria this side of the Atlantic. The ambience is super tranquillo and well worth the trip 2km north of downtown.
reviewed
-
C
Maravilla
Just about the cheapest and most authentic restaurant in Santa Elena, this charming soda serves typical Costa Rican specialties including excellent casados. The menu also features American favorites such as fajitas, pancakes, French toast and 12 kinds of milk shakes. This place gets very crowded during lunch hour, so plan accordingly.
reviewed
-
D
La Pizzería de Johnny
Woodfired, thin-crust pizzas will warm you right up after a long hike through the cloud forests (or up the hill from Santa Elena). The warm atmosphere and lovely dining area makes it feel as though you are having a nice dinner out without paying the price.
reviewed
-
E
Stella’s Bakery
Order your choice of sandwich on delicious homemade breads with a con-venient order form (one side is in English), and don’t skimp on the veggies, many of which are locally grown (and organic). You can also get soups, salads, quiches and lots of tempting sweet pastries.
reviewed
-
F
Tree House Restaurant & Café
Built around a half-century-old higuerón (fig) tree, this hip cafe serves up your favorite Mexican dishes from burritos to huevos rancheros (eggs served with tortillas and a tomato sauce), and has a healthy selection of salads and sandwiches. The burlap-bag ceiling and jungle-themed murals painted on the yellow stucco walls surround the airy atrium. It’s a cool, lively space to have a bite, linger over wine and sometimes catch good live music.
reviewed
-
G
Musashi
Who ever thought you’d find good sushi in the middle of the rainforest? But look no further than this tiny restaurant in the heart of Santa Elena. Venezuelan owner Jesus is a classically trained sushi chef with an eye for perfection. The sushi boats are a good deal for groups. You’ll also find other favorite Japanese dishes including tepanyaki, teriyaki and lunch bento box specials.
reviewed
-
H
Sofia
Sofia has established itself on the Monteverde restaurant scene as one of the best places in town with its Nuevo Latino cuisine – a modern fusion of traditional Latin American cooking styles. The ambience is flawless – soft lighting, hip music, picture windows, romantic candle settings, sloping wooden ceilings, pastel paintwork and potent cocktails to lighten the mood.
reviewed
-
I
Restaurante De Lucía
On the same road as El Jardín de las Mariposas, this Chilean-owned place is Monteverde’s most famous restaurant. Chef José Belmar, who speaks more languages then you and your friend put together, regularly chats to guests and asks for feedback on the cuisine, and dishes (a good mix of Italian and South American specialties) are always flawless, and reasonably priced.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
J
Dulce Marzo
Yummy home-baked sweets, wraps, sandwiches, good espresso drinks and a favorite-cafe feel make this one of those places to linger over a late-morning coffee as you skim the paper or your guidebook. Foreign magazines scatter the tables and there’s also a book exchange if you need reading material for the next leg of your trip. Located next door to Atmosphera gallery.
reviewed
-
K
Café Caburé
Looking for something different? Argentine owner Susana Salas has created one of the most eclectic menus around, including Mexican chicken mole, chipotle-rubbed steak, sweet-and-sour chicken wraps, curries and mouth-watering, homemade chocolates and other desserts. The balcony has some of the most incredible sunset views in town. Located in Paseo de Stella.
reviewed
-
Morpho’s Restaurant
This romantic, downtown restaurant spices up typical Costa Rican food by adding a gourmet flair. Casados feature a variety of European-influenced sauces (think sea bass in a fruity demiglaze), and are served with a traditional batido (fruit shake) or a more sophisticated glass of wine. The menu also has a good variety of vegetarian dishes.
reviewed
-
L
Pizzería Tramonti
It’s worth the trip out here if you hanker for authentic Italian, as the pizzas are baked in a wood-fired oven, and the pastas and seafood are consistently fresh. The atmosphere is also relaxed yet romantic, and the picture windows are perfect for admiring the cloud forest and passers-by.
reviewed
-
M
Sabores
With longer hours than La Lechería, this place serves Monteverde’s own brand of ice cream, plus coffee and a variety of homemade desserts. It’s the perfect place for a civilized scoop after a morning hike through primitive forest.
reviewed
-
N
Panadería Jiménez
This bakery has the best goods in town, like whole-wheat breads, pastries and coffee for folks booked on the early bus.
reviewed
-
Restaurante Mediterráneo
reviewed
-
O
Restaurante Campesino
Relax beneath about 80 stuffed animals won from machines by the dexterous owner, who also serves up amazing casados, salads and a variety of sublime ceviche with a smile. The blue shopfront also has our favorite mural in town, and we’ve never seen toilet cozies quite like these.
reviewed
