San José
Obscured by the Automercado parking lot in Los Yoses is this 1960s pastry shop that some josefinos swear is the best in town. Here you’ll find mushroom…
Must-see restaurants in Costa Rica
Central Valley & Highlands
In a somewhat soulless tiled dining room with chunky wooden tables and obligatory splashes of color, this restaurant serves up Peruvian specials like…
Montezuma
A cute, colorful soda that does all the típica dishes, tasty and affordable casados, pastas, burgers and a variety of juices and smoothies. All is served…
San José
There's better sushi in San José, but nowhere else to eat it so high up. Stereo Sushi opened in 2015 on the 9th floor of an otherwise quiet apartment…
Playa Sámara
Good food, great (beach!) location. Service is lacking, but you're not in any hurry, right? Enjoy pastas, salads and seafood, as well as phenomenal…
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…
Caribbean Coast
The clutter of pick-up trucks out front is a clue that you've stumbled on this popular family eatery serving grilled fish, roasted meats and bocas (savory…
Sarapiquí Valley
This La Virgen favorite has welcoming service and the food is tasty and filling. The place is popular (and it has televisions); it can get loud, and now…
Southern Caribbean
This roadside cafe is a perfect place to break your bike ride along the coast and grab a quick chocolate fix in the process. Batidos, coffee and ice cream…
Puerto Jiménez
We love gallo pinto as much as the next person, but sometimes you gotta get your fix of burgers and dogs. Make your way to the Dog House for specialty…
Península de Nicoya
Located on the road from Brasilito, in the Banco de Costa Rica lot, this restaurant (formerly named Tubla) remains a bastion of Italian staples. It's a…
Southern Costa Rica & Península de Osa
This locally popular spot for Italian fare offers more than a dozen different kinds of pizza, all of which are made from scratch (the result is more…
Central Valley & Highlands
Cartago's most welcoming cafe is a lovely spot for a recharge with a mini library inside. Patrons can peruse the many (mostly Spanish) books at their…
San José
This informal, bustling student spot serves an international menu of veggie everything including curried rice with cashews, vegetable casado and whole…
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…
Tortuguero Village
Between the dock and the national park, this cozy log-cabin-like place will lure you in with the delicious smoky aroma of grilled chicken and pork ribs…
Arenal & Around
Kind of a tourist trap. The souvenir shop is a turnoff, and US$4 is a lot for a muffin, even if the banana macadamia muffins are accompanied by a cup of…
Península de Nicoya
In the La Plaza complex, Marie's is an upscale soda set under a thatched palapa roof. Daily specials feature the freshest seafood of the day, and you'll…
Península de Nicoya
Just off the northwest corner of the soccer field in Potrero, the Peralta family's popular beachfront bar has been a local favorite since 1950. Villagers…
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,…
Restaurante Ecológico Los Cocodrilos
Central Pacific Coast
Located on the north side of the Río Tárcoles bridge, this is the nearest place to Parque Nacional Carara to get a decent meal. It serves inexpensive,…
Central Valley & Highlands
Decorated with artworks, black chairs and blackboards displaying the specials, this pleasant cafe sits right on the southwestern corner of the square and…
Restaurante y Pizzeria La Parada
La Fortuna
Facing Parque Central and all the street action, this popular soda does a brisk trade in, well, everything…from decent pizzas to satisfying tipica. Surely…
Playas del Coco
Take a stroll north of town and treat yourself to a delightful meal at this romantic beachside restaurant. The mighty Pacific is the backdrop and the surf…
Cahuita
This humble spot on Cahuita's main street (a few hundred metres from the Kelly Creek national-park entrance) serves delicious, reasonably priced casados…
Central Valley & Highlands
This carnivores' delight is just south of town on the road to Juan Viñas. It's perched on a hill with open-air views, and you can't beat the good-value…
Quepos
Good-value, basic breakfasts and Tico meals are served at the open-air cafe inside Best Western Hotel Kamuk. The banana pancakes hit the spot. Those…
Central Valley & Highlands
For a more leisurely sit-down meal, join locals here and choose from an extensive menu of international dishes, including six types of ceviche to start,…
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…
Quepos to Uvita
This Costa Rican coffee shop chain is a solid, good value place to grab breakfast or a snack. The cake counter is always stuffed with sweet goodies and…
Caribbean Coast
This independent coffee, shake and smoothie shop has wrought-iron chairs and faux plants. The open-air patio is a good spot to eat breakfast or grab an…
Caribbean Coast
Simple dark-green-painted soda with an outdoor porch area and chunky wooden tables. The chef serves salchipapas (hot-dog-garnished Latin American french…
Central Valley & Highlands
Just a few hundred meters out of town, on the road heading south, this simple open-air restaurant has lanterns and dark wooden benches. An English and…
Playa Tamarindo
An American-style BBQ joint and expat favorite, with pulled pork, ribs and beef brisket. Belly up to the surfboard-shaped tables and grind some proper BBQ…
Playas del Coco
Part cafe, part funky retail boutique, Congo's interior is groovy, with arched booths, rattan sofas and a deconstructed wood-and-granite coffee bar. They…
Península de Nicoya
A nice thatched-roof burger joint on the corner, just across the road from the beach. The 'castle' also serves solid portions of fish, chicken and salads,…
Puerto Jiménez
At the end of the beach road that passes the waterfront walk, Los Delfines is the perfect toes-in-the-sand spot for a late gallo pinto breakfast or a beer…
Puerto Jiménez
This local favorite on the main drag still attracts its share of expats, nature guides, tourists and locals. Expect Tico standards, fresh-fruit drinks,…
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…
