Restaurants in Costa Rica
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A
Casa Verde
California-Asian chic comes to Liberia. The sophisticated and stylish Casa Verde is one of the best dining experiences in northwest Costa Rica. Located near the Bed & Breakfast El Punto, the restaurant has contemporary decor, with a slate bar, black leather couches, candlelit tables, an outdoor patio lit by tiki torches, plus chill ambient music, with live music on Fridays. The fusion menu specializes in fish and meat dishes and has an extensive wine list. Sushi-lovers should visit between Thursday and Sunday for awesome rolls and tempura. Don’t miss this dining experience.
reviewed
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B
Copa de Oro
Our favorite family restaurant is popular with locals and gringos alike. There’s an extensive food and drink menu. The dish we loved best is the rice and seafood house specialty, arroz copa de oro, but the casados are excellent and there's a nice ceviche menu too.
reviewed
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C
El Zaguán
Located in a beautiful colonial building, this family-friendly restaurant has an extensive international menu specializing in meat including New York strip, filet mignon and burgers. You’ll also find fish, pasta and rice dishes. The outdoor balcony is a great people-watching spot, which is a good thing because service is muy despacio.
reviewed
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D
Maxi Bodega
reviewed
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E
Amimodo Caribe Restaurant
Listen to the waves crash at this local Italian favorite just east of town, where you can chow down on pizzas and homemade pasta dishes – such as lobster spaghetti (US$29). A cheaper ‘surfing menu’ (US$7) features carb-heavy specialties such as fish-and-chips and chicken-fried steak with rice.
reviewed
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F
Automercado
reviewed
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G
Beach Hut
With sand between your toes and Salsa Brava views before you, this place only gets better when the platter of seared tuna arrives at your table, encrusted with black pepper, crushed chilis and sesame seeds, all doused – alongside mandolin-thin slices of zucchini, wild mushroom and red onion – in an eyes-rolling-back-in-your-head soy marinade. Oh...where were we? Right: at the Beach Hut.
reviewed
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H
Café Rico
Dark, rich coffee – iced, even – is served alongside light breakfasts and lunches. Bonus: you earn yourself a free mug by doing your laundry (₡3500 for 4kg) onsite. Also on offer: beach cruisers, snorkel gear and ‘conspiracy consultations.’ (Just ask.)
reviewed
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I
Cafetería Gaudí Sushi Bar
This pleasant blue-and-white painted spot on a quiet side road has a menu stocked with Japanese-influenced specialties, including sushi, rice noodles and tuna tataki. Breakfast is served as well.
reviewed
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J
Coconutz
Across the road from the Coco Beach Hotel, this is the latest US sports bar–restaurant competing for gringo dollars. The BBQ ribs are terrific, though the house specialty is Tex-Mex. Big screens are constantly airing live (mostly US) sports.
reviewed
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K
El Chinamo Caribeño
East-coast Costa Rican cuisine comes to the Coco at this Caribbean-owned and operated soda featuring supercheap and tasty Caribbean-style fish, chicken and rice dishes. Yeah mon!
reviewed
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Father Rooster Bar & Grill
This gastropub by the sea serves up a good variety of grilled and Tex-Mex dishes, and you cannot beat the location, especially if you sit in the rockers on the shaded wooden terrace or at tables under the palms sunk into the sand.
reviewed
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L
Giacomin
Obscured by the Automercadeo parking lot is this 1960s pastry shop that josefinos swear is the best in town. Here you’ll find delicious mushroom minipizzas, flaky croissants and what has to be Central America’s best cinnamon roll (arrollado de canela). This in addition to petits-fours, cream puffs, truffles and all sorts of sweet dreaminess. The tranquil upstairs lounge and balcony are perfect for a sipping cappuccino and reading a book.
reviewed
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M
La Vida Loca
Across a creaky wooden footbridge on the south end of the beach is where you’ll find this popular gringo hangout. They specialize in US-style comfort food such as burgers, nachos, meat loaf, chili dogs, clam chowder and more. It's also the best bar in town, hosting a monthly live music show with buffet (US$20).
reviewed
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Lotus Garden Restaurant
Serving a mix of sushi, noodles and stir-fries, this pleasant garden restaurant is a good spot if you are in the mood for something Asian.
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Maxi’s Restaurant
Manzanillo's most famous restaurant attracts travelers from all over for large platters of tender grilled seafood, whole red snappers (pargo rojo), steaks and Caribbean-style lobsters (expensive and not necessarily worth it). Despite the tourist traffic, it's still a wonderful seaside setting for a meal and a beer. And the bar can get hopping on weekends, with live music and DJs. Maxi's also has clean cabinas (US$35 to US$50) for rent...right next to the bar.
reviewed
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Mi Rinconcito Alegre
reviewed
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Oh La La
Need a break from casados? Try this French cafe facing the beach that serves recommended crepes.
reviewed
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N
Papagayo Sushi
One of three eateries at this big restaurant complex, this boat-shaped branch features sushi rolls, bento boxes and seafood specialties such as fresh fish sautéed in chipotle orange sauce. The food is good, but don’t come if you are in a hurry; service is slow as molasses and some waiters seem more interested in selling time-share tours than taking your order.
reviewed
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Vista Copal
A stunning octagonal, thatched wooden dining room with drop-dead gorgeous views and absurdly good food. We had a pan of fried fish filet that was perfectly cooked, scattered with garlic and herbs, and served with a lovely salad and black beans. The homemade chips and habanero salsa are ridiculous. Be judicious with the habanero. It also does chicken with mustard sauce, spaghetti Bolognese and burgers. Whatever they've got is on the chalkboard. Think of it as the best kitesurf pub ever.
reviewed
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O
Restaurante Donde Claudio y Gloria
Founded by Playa del Coco pioneers Claudio and Gloria Rojas, this casual, beachfront seafood restaurant has been a local landmark since 1955. It's a must for seafood-lovers, with such interesting dishes as spicy mahi in an almond, raisin and white-wine sauce. Be warned: service can be painfully slow, but the solid jazz soundtrack will keep you buoyant.
reviewed
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P
Soda Mirna
This humble little soda on the main road offers excellent people-watching and tasty Caribbean-style dishes. Try the smoked pork chops with marinated onions or the zesty stewed chicken served with rice and beans – and whatever you do, don’t forget to sample the fiery homemade hot sauce.
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Soda Miskito
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Suely’s Restaurant
A much-welcomed gourmet addition to Coco’s dining scene, this extraordinary restaurant is the brainchild of French chef Sebastien and his Brazilian-Belgian wife Thais. The daily changing menu focuses on fresh fish and seafood, such as the truly divine tempura jumbo shrimp in Thai sauce. The simple but tastefully decorated venue is open-air with candlelit tables and ambient chill-out music. And for dessert, don’t miss The Volcano – a chocolate cake with melted-chocolate ‘lava’ sauce in the middle and drizzled with caramel.
reviewed
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Q
Zouk Santana
Most definitely the hippest place to eat in Coco – you won’t be surprised to know it’s Italian-owned. The kitchen serves fusion cuisine late into the night to fuel your second wind at the downstairs bar.
reviewed