Montezuma
Most romantic dinner ever. If you're lucky, you'll snag one of the tree-trunk tables under the palms. The international menu with Mediterranean influences…
Must-see restaurants in Península de Nicoya
Playas del Coco
Hidden away on a quiet residential block just west of the bus station, this small guesthouse contains the best Italian restaurant in Playas del Coco, and…
Península de Nicoya
Foodies drive from all over Guanacaste to sample the fare at this otherworldly restaurant, the brainchild of chef/owner Patrick Jamon (let the jokes begin…
Playa Sámara
Sámara's best restaurant is this cozy, contemporary Italian spot that wouldn't be out of place in New York City. And go figure, owner/chef Gigio Palazzo…
Península de Nicoya
If you love potted plants, and you love eating nutritious food out of a bowl, this is your dream stop in Playa Grande. Bowls are divided into sweet (acai,…
Playa Tamarindo
Travelers with diets and preferences that differ from their companions' will appreciate the wide range of offerings at this breezy, buzzing artisanal food…
Montezuma
The secret is out. The hottest restaurant in Montezuma is this awesome, artistic place in the trees at the butterfly gardens. Look for innovative takes on…
Nosara Area
Construct a hardwood rancho and paint the whole thing white. Dangle fairy lights. Add tropical plants. Serve playful dishes made with fresh local…
Playa Tamarindo
Tamarindo's best restaurant, and an ideal place for marking a special occasion. It's perched on the sand where an estuary meets the sea, with candle-lit…
Mal País & Santa Teresa
For surfers and yogis, there is not a more perfect lunch spot. We're talking elaborate salads, savory toppings piled high on toast and big colorful bowls…
Playa Tamarindo
This delightful cafe and shop specializes in freshly brewed java, but also serves fresh, local and organic foods. For breakfast, it does amazing things…
Playa Tamarindo
Don’t leave town without eating here. Israeli chef Shlomy offers a short list of carefully selected and perfectly prepared dishes. Depending on the…
Nosara Area
Perfectly suited to Nosara's health-conscious yogis and surfers. You'll see Robin working the kitchen, preparing a welcome menu of sweet and savory crepes…
Península de Nicoya
Jack and Karen Hunter are renowned for their decadent five-course candlelit dinners (reserve one day in advance), potent piña coladas, fresh-picked mango…
Mal País & Santa Teresa
If you can't afford a flight to Spain, just sit down 'Beneath the Tree.' Basque chef Julio's menu changes daily, but he whips up an extraordinary…
Nosara Area
So you've been craving tallarin saltado (a Peruvian–Chinese fusion stir fry) since Lima, and who says you shouldn't have it at an outdoor picnic table in…
Península de Nicoya
Hang out at this stylish beach cafe while waiting for the waves. Slanted wood chairs are planted in the sand beneath thatched umbrellas. A tree-stump bar…
Mal País & Santa Teresa
Zwart means 'black' in Dutch, but this shabby-chic, artist-owned gallery and cafe is all white (or mostly – damn dust!). You'll love the surf-inspired…
Mal País & Santa Teresa
At the far end of Mal País village, this unassuming, open-air restaurant has a tin roof, polished-concrete floor, wood oven and blackboard menu. It offers…
Montezuma
A locally beloved restaurant decorated like a bedouin tent, Puggo's specializes in Middle Eastern cuisine, including falafel, hummus, kebabs and aromatic…
Playa Tamarindo
These chicken wings are so darn good, people plan their days around them. The meaty, oversized wings are a perfect combo of crunchy and tender, but it's…
Playa Tamarindo
Beloved for its refined menu and its upscale tiki-bar atmosphere, this open-air dining room has twinkling lights and lanterns, with a subtle dragonfly…
Nosara Area
Located on the beach, this trendy restaurant-bar has cushy couches right on the sand, perfect for sunset drinks. The interior is equally appealing, with…
Playa Sámara
The 'Luv' has moved from the mini-mall to the beachfront, and several sister restaurants have opened in Nosara and San José. It's all veggie, all the time…
Playa Tamarindo
Sprout specializes in – wait for it – healthy food. Here, 'healthy' is a code word for fresh, nutritious and delicious, with a menu featuring giant salad…
Mal País & Santa Teresa
The location right on the playa is hard to beat, and the list of ceviche and cooked fish shows it's more than just a pizzeria. It's a popular spot for…
Nosara Area
The secret is out: come to this sweet shack for an authentic gelato or sorbetto, made with love by Stefano and Frederica. For local flavor, go for coffee…
Montezuma
Take a taxi up to this gem in the hills above Montezuma – fittingly in the Delicias neighborhood. This Italian outpost seems straight out of the Tuscan…
Península de Nicoya
On the east side of the main road, you’ll see this stunner cantilevered into the trees. This is not the restaurant you would expect to find in an…
Mal País & Santa Teresa
Get your burger on at this open-air rancho that in 2019 found a new home just north of Kina Surf Shop. Check the blackboard for daily changing specials,…
Nosara Area
Now with two prominent locations, this is the favorite soda in Guiones and it's a damn good one. It's a perfect spot for breakfast, whether it's banana…
Playa Tamarindo
If you are craving a big bad burger, Surf Shack has you covered with a good selection of patties, thick-cut onion rings and irresistible milkshakes. Tin…
Península de Nicoya
A cozy little restaurant serving up all the best après-surf goodies: a hulking breakfast burrito; tropical tacos with grilled shrimp and mango; a…
Mal País & Santa Teresa
Koji Hyodo's outdoor patio is a twinkling beacon of fresh, raw excellence. The atmosphere and service are superior, of course, but his food is a higher…
Playa Sámara
The carrot cake is really good, and the spinach quiche is better. But the cinnamon buns are otherworldly – so rich, gooey, sweet and chewy that you might…
Península de Nicoya
This colorful gastropub by the sea serves up tasty sandwiches and US pub fare, as well as top-notch (though expensive) cocktails. Try the Tica Linda, a…
Playa Sámara
Grilled meats are the big draw at this alfresco restaurant, studded with old trees and walking distance to the waves. Watching the chefs work their magic…
Península de Nicoya
Just east of town is this open-air Italian restaurant. Thin-crust pizzas get good reviews, and regulars rave about the innovative seafood preparations,…
Nosara Area
Take your pick from six burgers and you'll get a plump, juicy patty of goodness, served on a fresh bun with big French-fry wedges. There's also a veggie…
Montezuma
Set on a beachside terrace lit by lanterns, Cocolores is one of Montezuma's top spots for an upscale dinner. The wide-ranging menu includes curries, pasta…
