Monteverde & Santa Elena
Ease into a studded leather armchair in the lounge and indulge with a dazzling cocktail designed by the country's finest mixologist. Then around sunset,…
Must-see restaurants in Northwestern Costa Rica
Liberia
This beautifully restored colonial-era building has heavy wooden furniture and frescoed ceilings, creating a romantic ambiance for enjoying rich coffee…
Liberia
Liberia is not a city where you'd expect to find any Indian restaurant, let alone the best one in the country. But here it is! Start with some crispy warm…
Northwestern Costa Rica
This family-owned, roadside food truck serves up lip-smacking fried chicken that would rival any such business in San José, along with some other fun…
Monteverde & Santa Elena
This little cafe roasts beans from its coffee farm (Don Juan) and uses fancy machinery (La Marzocco!) to serve up the best cup of joe in Monteverde. The…
Monteverde & Santa Elena
It’s a fine line between hokey and happy. But this restaurant – built around a hundred-year-old higuerón (fig) tree – definitely raises a smile. There’s a…
Monteverde & Santa Elena
This Argentine cafe above the Bat Jungle specializes in creative and delicious everything, from sandwiches on homemade bread and fresh salads, to more…
Monteverde & Santa Elena
The menu at this fine-dining establishment is wide ranging, always highlighting the local flavors. But these are not your typical tipica (traditional…
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…
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…
Northwestern Costa Rica
Long before you get here, you’ll notice signs on the Interamericana advertising the best steakhouse in Guanacaste – Bar-B-Q Tres Hermanas. Believe the…
Monteverde & Santa Elena
Scrappy street dogs and chatty taxistas (taxi drivers) vie for attention at this porcelain-countered wonder. Golden, crispy chicken morsels are…
Northwestern Costa Rica
This family restaurant is a surprising change of pace from the Tico fare in town. The emphasis is on fresh ingredients, many of which are grown right here…
Monteverde & Santa Elena
A bakery for birders. Come in the morning for strong coffee and sweet pastries, or later for rich, warming soup, and sandwiches on homemade bread. Plates…
Monteverde & Santa Elena
Ticos and travelers alike rave about this local joint. Look for tasty twists on the standard fare, such as olla de carne (beef soup), chorreadas Ticas …
Liberia
An indoor-outdoor gastropub festooned with African masks and cat-themed art. In other words, the perfect place to sip a regional Guanaca beer (made with…
Monteverde & Santa Elena
Tramonti offers authentic Italian fare, specializing in fresh seafood, hearty pastas and wood-fired pizzas. With a greenery-filled dining room twinkling…
Northwestern Costa Rica
Nobody is saying that you should make a special trip to eat here. All we’re saying is that it’s a convenient pit stop with clean bathrooms, coffee to go,…
Monteverde & Santa Elena
In new digs with a killer sunset view, this double-decker restaurant is a favorite in Santa Elena for its varied menu combining local ingredients with…
Monteverde & Around
Just outside the reserve gates, the ‘Hummingbird Cafe’ is a top-notch spot to refuel after a hike in the woods. The drinks will warm your body, but the…
Northwestern Costa Rica
The finest local restaurant in Bijagua, offering tasty regional dishes like olla de carne (meat soup), lengua en salsa (tongue in sauce) and fried pork …
Liberia
This stylish bar-cafe (the name's pronounced 'How-ha') on the main drag is unusual for its upscale ambiance and classy cuisine. Service is also excellent…
Monteverde & Santa Elena
A wildly popular terrace restaurant offering tasty Tex-Mex tacos, plus burritos and quesadillas filled with shredded meats like chicken and carnitas (pork…
Northwestern Costa Rica
Want a casado or hot coffee to warm you up after a long walk in the park? Local chef Christian will whip you up some lomito (grilled steak) or a chicken…
Northwestern Costa Rica
The former Blue Dream chef has opened her own place down the road, to rave reviews. Specializing in pastas (lasagna is a fave) and pizzas, Juana also…
Liberia
This very cute old-world pizzeria, where the wood is stacked next to the smoking courtyard oven, keeps it romantic and simple – just pizza, pasta and…
Monteverde & Santa Elena
This Argentine steakhouse will warm your cloud-soaked soul with its cozy atmosphere and open kitchen. Then it'll sate your hunger with steaks that are…
Liberia
Located in a beautiful colonial-era building, this family-friendly restaurant has an extensive menu specializing in meat dishes such as lomito (tenderloin…
Liberia
Set in the historic indoor-outdoor home of beloved Liberian doctor Enrique Briceño, this cafe excels with its fresh fruit smoothies, reasonably priced…
Northwestern Costa Rica
You want a casado or hot chocolate to warm you up after a long walk in the park? Here's the place, just 1km west (toward Bijagua) from the park entrance…
Northwestern Costa Rica
A great lunch stop, this attractive Swiss-run restaurant is 4km north of Cañas on the banks of the Río Corobicí. A terrace provides river and garden views…
Liberia
This little cafe is a local favorite, thanks to free wi-fi, strong coffee and scrumptious sweets and breakfasts. In addition to cafe fare, the menu…
Northwestern Costa Rica
An interesting hodgepodge of international cuisine in a colonial-era house, uniquely decorated with bric-a-brac from several generations of antique…
Monteverde & Santa Elena
Friendly and family run, this is a well-loved soda that’s convenient if you’re staying along this side road. You’ll find typical, tasty casados, burgers,…
Monteverde & Santa Elena
Spare surroundings and high ceilings, polite staff and big tables make this place on the outskirts of town a top spot for a post-activity meal. There's…
Liberia
This convivial and popular local spot is run by a women’s collective. Come for traditional Guanacaste fare such as arroz de mais (rice with chicken and…
Liberia
A great little find for fans of casados (set meals). This local diner serves at least 10 daily, featuring fresh pescado (fish), pollo (chicken), steak,…
Liberia
Order off the artsy chalkboard in this newfangled Mexican-themed eatery. It's cool, it's clean, and burritos, tacos, chalupas and nachos come at a…
Monteverde & Santa Elena
This is not the Whole Foods you might think it is, but you’ll notice some similarities. It's a good but expensive place to pick up fresh produce, as well…
Liberia
This congenial family restaurant is popular with locals and gringos alike. Try the rice-and-seafood house specialty, arroz copa de oro. The casados (set…
