Restaurants in Central Peninsula
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Café Ambrosia
Excellent espresso drinks, pasta carbonara, gnocchi and fresh sandwiches and salads are the specialties of the house. They also dish out ice cream, for which you'll be thankful if the air-conditioned room isn't doing enough for you. They even accept credit cards.
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Restaurant El Teyet
Chinese restaurants such as this are some of the tastiest and cheapest spots to eat in the city. Grab a seat on the patio or in the air-conditioned interior and feast on huge portions of chow mein and other noodle dishes.
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Guayacan Real
The best place for a drink and delicious bocas is the consistently packed Guayacan Real. The ceviche and patacones (fried plantain with bean dip) are exceptional - and there is cable TV.
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Market Sodas
There are a number of cheap sodas in the mercado (market) that are good for a quick bite, as well as all your favorite Costa Rican fast-food chains.
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Bar.Co Nico
A few kilometers past the village on the turnoff for Costa de Oro, this German-run beachfront restaurant (which looks like a giant ship) has reinstated the old Tico tradition of giving away a free boca with every beer. The beer is cold and the bocas (appetizers) are delicious – what are you waiting for? There’s also free wi-fi, and Nico now rents a few simple cabinas.reviewed
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Tabanuco
Named for the founder of Sámara, Esteban ‘Tabanuco’ Castillo Vargas, this posh beachfront bar-restaurant is the most upscale and romantic eatery in town. The open-air deck with driftwood beams is bathed in twinkling lights. The international menu features seafood and grilled meats. Don’t miss the crema de mariscos (cream of seafood soup).
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Soda Sheriff Rustic
One of a few classic sodas in town. The beachside location sells itself, though the filling breakfasts, killer casados and low, low prices aren’t too bad either.
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Soda Sheriff Rustic
One of a few classic sodas in town. The beachside location sells itself, though the filling breakfasts, killer casados and low, low prices aren’t too bad either.
reviewed
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Shake Joe’s
This hip beachside spot is awash with chilled-out electronica and cool, calm travelers lounging on the huge wooden outdoor couches. You can grab a burger here after your surf session, but the ambience is tops when the sun goes down and the drinks start to flow.
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Restaurante Mirador Barranquilla
On the crest of a hill about 2km southeast of the hotel, the Mirador Barranquilla has breathtaking 180-degree views of Punta Islita and Playas Bejuco and San Miguel, and is the top place in the area for a sunset beer.
reviewed
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Restaurante Las Brasas
This upscale Spanish restaurant on the main street has all the signature dishes including tortillas, paellas and roast suckling pig. It also has a well-stocked wine cellar, and the upstairs balcony is perfect for people-watching.
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Restaurante Jardín Marino
This large, airy soda is always packed, and if you sit yourself down and order something here, you’ll see why. The typical food is fresh and of high quality – a casado de pescado here means grilled fish, not a deep-fried filet. It’s on the main road leading to the beach.
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El Lagarto
Grilled meats are the big draw at this beachfront alfresco restaurant draped by old trees. Watching the chefs work their magic on the giant wood-fired oven is part of the fun. Our New York strip steak was cooked to perfection. Wash it all down with the biggest margaritas you’ve ever seen. It’s a bit touristy and pricey but worth the splurge.
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Casa Esmeralda
A favorite with locals, the extensive menu here has a good selection of Tico and international dishes. We loved the fish with avocado sauce, and the friendly staff. There are also a few sunny but overpriced rooms for rent upstairs.
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Cambute
For something more low-key, this dressed-up soda serves excellent ceviche (uncooked, marinated seafood) and casados in a relaxed, riverside setting.
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Al Manglar
Consistently the best restaurant in town, this thatched-roof, open-air restaurant serves some of the best Italian food in town at reasonable prices. The pasta dishes such as gnocchi and ravioli are real winners. Pizza-lovers, don’t miss the Manglar special, with ham, bacon, onions, tomatoes and mushrooms, cooked to perfection. It’s tucked on a side street behind El Lagarto.
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1492 Restaurant
The movie 1492 was shot on location in Punta Islita, and some of the set pieces adorn the restaurant. The cuisine here, which is a fusion of Costa Rican and international food, is top quality – and the view is superlative.
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Olga’s Bar & Restaurant
A few hundred meters to the north of La Luna, on a separate side road, lies this perennially popular beachside institution. The Tico-owned joint whips up cheap, yummy casados (set meals) and very reasonable fish dinners.
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Marlin Bill’s
Across the main road is this popular bar-restaurant with fantastic ocean views. It’s worth grabbing lunch here when the menu is cheaper, though it’s worth the price anytime for a hearty filet of blackened tuna and a slab of key lime pie.
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La Luna
On the beach, to the right of Hotel Playas de Nosara, you’ll find this impressive stone building that houses a trendy restaurant-bar and art gallery. The eclectic menu has Asian and Mediterranean flourishes, and the views (and cocktails) are intoxicating. Call ahead for reservations.
reviewed
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Beach Dog Café
Just steps from the beach, our favorite new cafe in Nosara has the best breakfast in town. The delicious lunch menu includes organic salads, sandwiches, wraps, pasta and more. Early birds can come for free coffee from 7am to 7:30am. Otherwise, order your favorite espresso drink or smoothie from the warm and friendly staff. There’s also free wi-fi.
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C
Restaurante El Teyet
Chinese restaurants such as this one are some of the tastiest and cheapest spots to eat in the city. Grab a seat on the patio or in the air-conditioned interior and feast on huge portions of chow mein and other noodle dishes.
reviewed
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D
Era Glacial
At the main intersection downtown, this new pizzeria has 30 types of pies cooked in a real wood-fire oven, plus pastas, meat and fish dishes, and for dessert, ice cream.
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Café Garibaldi
At the southwest corner of Parque Central, this outdoor patio-cafe is a pleasant place to people-watch with a coffee, juice or sandwich.
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