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…
Must-see restaurants in Costa Rica
The Road to Chirripó
With its 'from farm to table' motto, this delightful cafe single-handedly pushes San Isidro's dining scene up a big notch. Breakfast options range from …
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…
Cahuita
Giuseppe and Eliza of Ravenna, Italy, famed for its Byzantine mosaics, bring an artistic touch to the kitchen. Start with a bruschetta mixta and graduate…
Jacó
With an emphasis on creativity and fresh ingredients (these guys work with local organic farms), Green Room serves excellently executed dishes such as…
Quepos to Uvita
Right across the Interamericana from the entrance to Matapalo village, this informal place serves some of the best seafood around. The lobster may or may…
San José
White linens and echos of old tango evoke the atmospheric bistros of San Telmo, as does the menu, featuring grilled Argentine cuts of steak, nine…
The Road to Chirripó
Come for breakfast or lunch and while away the day, sipping coffee, sampling baked goodies and watching the feathered friends flitting about the grounds…
The Road to Chirripó
With 270-degree views of the valley, this glass-encased restaurant specializes in homemade pasta, rainbow trout and mouthwatering steaks, all garnished…
Bahía Drake
Located at the Hotel Jinetes de Osa, Kalaluna is a gourmet affair that uses fresh local ingredients and highlights them with artistic flair. Feast your…
Central Pacific Coast
Around 50m west of the soccer field, this cozy restaurant serves delectable international favorites from falafel and Caribbean-style curry to pad thai,…
Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio & Around
This is a fine stop for fancy coffee drinks and a satisfying full breakfast, lunch or dinner (eggs, quesadillas, sandwiches, salads and Tico plates), and…
Tortuguero Village
Over the years, Tortuguero’s best-known and most delicious Caribbean eatery has grown from a personal kitchen to a full-blown restaurant. Prices have…
Jacó
Housed in a hip spot with colorful art and black metal French windows, this long-standing favorite has beautifully presented, creative dishes made with…
Central Valley & Highlands
Offering the best Tex-Mex in the country, this popular, cozy spot will introduce some spice to your diet. The simple and fresh burritos, chimichangas and…
Pizzeria a la leña il Giardino
Central Valley & Highlands
This cute country-style pizzeria has a proper stone pizza oven where the chef makes tasty thin-crust pizzas. The mozzarella, tomato and basil is spot on…
Bahía Drake
This small, friendly local restaurant is along the main dirt road from Agujitas to the airstrip. The capable and passionate chef prepares tasty casados …
Southern Costa Rica & Península de Osa
This terrific open-sided restaurant inside the Zancudo Lodge prides itself on its commitment to super-fresh produce and creativity, and it shows – in the…
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…
Quepos to Uvita
Perch on a swing at the bar or at a riverside table to enjoy an espresso. This open-air cafe also dishes up tasty, simple breakfasts like gallo pinto and…
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…
Arenal & Around
Charming Christian, from the Sicilian highlands, has created a lakeside wonder, featuring both open-air and indoor dining. Southern Italian specialties…
Quepos
Run by a hardworking fisherman's family, this institution with brightly tiled floors serves the best seafood in town, yet is practically unknown to…
Central Valley & Highlands
The most popular hangout in town has a cute/kitschy French feel about it, decorated with pastel colors, floral wallpaper, blackboards and picture frames,…
Puntarenas
Offering the most upscale dining in Puntarenas, El Shrimp Shack's silly name belies a graceful interior – wood-paneled walls, marble-topped tables,…
Central Valley & Highlands
The best place in town for breakfast is inside this little lime-green house decorated with black-and-white vintage photos. It serves up full Tico,…
Central Valley & Highlands
This homey spot looks as though it was built from oversize Lincoln logs. It's known for heavenly strawberry smoothies (milky ones beat watery ones) and…
Quepos
Real New York–style bagels, lox salmon (a real rarity in Costa Rica) and rye bread! This adorable little bakery bakes its fresh wares every morning, and…
Southern Costa Rica & Península de Osa
A couple of kilometers along the beach road to Punta Banco, this cheerful place decked out with fairy lights is the most happenin' spot in town. Ample…
Central Valley & Highlands
Pan-Asian cuisine fills the menu at this casual eatery with half a dozen wooden tables near the main square. Enjoy sushi rolls and sashimi, teriyaki or…
Central Pacific Coast
On the road going south of Puntarenas, you'll find this excellent seafood restaurant opposite the beach. It has a modern, airy, tiki feel and serves up…
Puerto Jiménez
The best breakfast spot in town, Monka makes excellent coffee drinks and smoothies, as well as extensive breakfast platters, ranging from tropical French…
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…
San José
Owned by four brothers, this Spanish tapas restaurant is over-the-top hospitable, offering guests a complimentary glass of cava (sparkling Catalonian wine…
Arenal & Around
With glorious sunsets and a dock for boat access, this is a hidden gem. The chef – who works in tandem with his talented mom Cinia – has created a menu of…
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…
San José
Bò – a double-take on the Catalan word for 'good' and 'botifarra' (their signature salchicha; sausage similar to a hot dog) – truly is a sausagefest…
La Fortuna
Though nothing fancy from afar, the love radiates outward from Mari and Alvaro's kitchen to warm your belly and your heart. Cheap, delicious casados (set…
Central Valley & Highlands
For excellent grilled meats and a lovely ambiance, come to this open-air restaurant decorated with fairy lights, colored wooden chairs, pop-art portraits…
