Península de Nicoya
Jenny can help you with just about anything, from calling a taxi to organizing an adventure outing, pouring you a cold cerveza or making you a tasty pizza…
Must-see restaurants in Península de Nicoya
Nosara Area
A groovy roadside joint in the middle of the Pelada wilderness. Tacos are a favorite – try the Korean BBQ pork belly or the suadero (beef). Like any…
Playas del Coco
So many things to love about the Lookout: sustainably harvested Pacific oysters, locally brewed craft beers, and a small but intriguing menu of snacks,…
Playa Tamarindo
Doña Rosa has been delivering top-notch casados from her late-model red Toyota hatchback for more than a decade. Her devoted Tico following lines up daily…
Montezuma
When they say ‘pure food made with love,’ they mean it – this healthy cafe turns out vegetarian and vegan dishes such as veggie burgers, smoothies named…
Playa Sámara
Sylvia of Bergamo, Italy, runs this mainly vegetarian restaurant and all-natural cocktail bar, as well as the fish joint next door. Expect smoothies with…
Mal País & Santa Teresa
The lone soda at this end of the coast revamped its menu in 2019 and now emphasizes seafood and paellas. But you can still eat a classic casado off a…
Península de Nicoya
On a nearly deserted stretch of beach, Henner serves up his secret-family-recipe ceviche, along with a catch of the day and piles of seafood out of a…
Península de Nicoya
Vegetarians and seafood lovers, rejoice! For the former, there are all-day breakfasts, power salads and falafel wraps. For the latter, there are seafood…
Nosara Area
Fresh ingredients, friendly staff and amazing Tico-Mex served under the inviting shade of a palapa. A taco combo platter allows you to sample three…
Playa Sámara
Ask anyone in Sámara where the best pizza in town is and they'll point you to this enchanting, tiki-style hotel, bar and restaurant at the southern corner…
Península de Nicoya
It looks like a boat, but it's actually a building, facing a sweet slice of sand on Playa Coyote (close to the T-intersection at the beach). Hokey,…
Península de Nicoya
The Fernandez family serves up simple yet scrumptious Tico fare in this airy open space. Just your basic casados, really (nine to choose from) as well as…
Playa Sámara
A favorite with locals, this is a dressed-up soda with tablecloths, faux-adobe walls and excellent food. The menu ranges from the expected (arroz con…
Restaurante Donde Claudio y Gloria
Playas del Coco
Founded by Playas del Coco pioneers Claudio and Gloria Rojas, this casual, beachfront seafood restaurant has been a local landmark since the late 1950s…
Playa Tamarindo
Pastry chef Hervé is out to impress with dishes including creamy chicken vol-au-vent, moules marinière (mussels in white wine) and a passel of veggie…
Mal País & Santa Teresa
The top-shelf restaurant at the Hotel Moana is on a stunning perch and has jaw-dropping views and Latin-inspired tapas. The emphasis on local ingredients…
Playa Tamarindo
A Danish-Guatemalan couple have created this clean, well-lit place to eat and people-watch, towering above Tamarindo Plaza. The blue-and-white tiled walls…
Playa Sámara
Those in search of healthy and delicious breakfasts, brunches and lunches need look no further. This artsy little cafe serves up yummy juices and strong…
Playa Sámara
Life is sweet when you're sitting under a giant palapa on the sand, drinking a smoothie and watching the surfers. This is a popular spot for pizza and…
Mal País & Santa Teresa
This new addition to the Santa Teresa smorgasbord serves up the usual sushi roll suspects – California, spicy tuna, and Philadelphia – along with local…
Península de Nicoya
If there's anything more fun than eating pizza in a tree house, we'd love to hear about it. Take a seat at the top of this well-constructed, Seuss-like…
Mal País & Santa Teresa
Not the biggest bakery in Playa El Carmen, but longtime residents swear by this Italian panaderia in the first mall you see as you come into town…
Playas del Coco
At the crossroads of the main drag and the beach, this place can't be beaten for people watching in Coco. It's also your best bet for lunch, whether you…
Península de Nicoya
A popular soda (cheap lunch counter) serving appetizing comida típica (typical local food) such as gallo pinto (stir-fry of rice and beans) in the morning…
Montezuma
A cozy feeling permeates this restaurant and bakery on the beach road, which in 2019 was repainted in a cheerful yellow by its new owner. The terrace…
Playa Tamarindo
Swing on up to the bar, grab a tree-stump stool, and prepare to sample some fantastic fare. The mahi-mahi tacos are perfection in a tortilla, while non…
Península de Nicoya
Near the north end of town, this rather hidden, unassuming place has Ticos and gringos alike raving about the soups, ceviches and all things fishy. And…
Nosara Area
Just steps from the beach, this cafe, conjoined with a new cocktail lounge called Spirit, serves decadent and delicious food. Try banana-bread French…
Península de Nicoya
There's something special about this glorified taco bar. Ingredients are all organically produced or locally sourced. Tortillas are hand-rolled; hot sauce…
Península de Nicoya
This colorful, fun beach bar is an excellent place to pass an evening feasting on burgers or fish tacos and swilling beers. Or sample the Peruvian…
Mal País & Santa Teresa
It's worth the steep climb for sensational views and fancy-looking seafood at the poolside patio restaurant at the Hotel Buenos Aires. Begin with a…
Península de Nicoya
If you want to sip fruity cocktails while you watch the sun drop into the sea, Roberto's is the place. For dinner, there's plenty of local seafood and…
Península de Nicoya
Follow the odd signage depicting a woman's bikini-clad pelvis to this informal beach restaurant, where for more than 25 years the owner has been cooking…
Playas del Coco
Set in the Pueblito Sur open-air mall/food court about 500m north of the main drag, this is the local expat choice for oven-fresh pizza in Playas del Coco…
Península de Nicoya
A local landmark on the main road from Cabuya to Reserva Cabo Blanco. Set on a tropical patio, this inviting cafe serves up a stellar menu including fresh…
Península de Nicoya
Relatively formal for Costa Rica, Angelina's offers fine dining in a breezy, open-air setting, upstairs at the Plaza mini-mall. Innovative seafood…
Playa Tamarindo
The best pizza in Tamarindo, by some accounts. This casual open-air restaurant has 28 different pizzas with a wide variety of toppings, as well as salads…
Playa Sámara
It's not cheap, but self-caterers (and anybody with a dietary restriction) will appreciate this cafe and market, well stocked with organic produce and…
Playa Sámara
Locals adore this inexpensive beachfront soda, and truly the gallo pinto (with traditional add-ons like stewed beef and pork chops) hits the spot. Bonus…
