Monteverde & Santa Elena
Scrappy street dogs and chatty taxistas (taxi drivers) vie for attention at this porcelain-countered wonder. Golden, crispy chicken morsels are…
Must-see restaurants in Costa Rica
Puerto Limón
Head honchos for Limón's new port project often lunch at this scenic Caribbean restaurant perched on a mountainside overlooking the city and coastline…
Central Valley & Highlands
It's all about the beautiful setting at this charming restaurant situated in the middle of a coffee plantation, with calming views of the Lago de Cachí…
San José
A sleek, monochromatic cafe with excellent views of the ornate Correo Central building, this multilevel spot near the heart of San José's pedestrian zone…
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…
Manzanillo
Manzanillo's most famous restaurant draws a tourist crowd with large platters of grilled seafood, pargo rojo (whole red snapper), ceviche, pork-and-rice,…
The Road to Chirripó
One of the first places you will pass on the San Gerardo road, this cozy house specializes in comida típica (regional cooking). Eating here is almost like…
Arenal & Around
Follow your nose to this authentic stone-built tavern, 14.5km west of Nuevo Arenal, where the meat is cooked in an open fire pit, producing decadent,…
La Fortuna
This open-air restaurant has become a go-to spot for post-activities lunch or dinner. There is pizza and pasta, wraps and salads, and loads of vegetarian…
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…
La Fortuna
This delightful osteria is worth the trip, cooking up homemade pasta and pizza such as the Arenal: bacon, egg, ham, mushroom and basil. Customers rave…
Central Valley & Highlands
Open-plan gastropub serving top grub and beer. The kitchen rustles up adventurous dishes like seafood cocktails (with poached octopus and shrimp), plus…
Jacó
For a decent late-night snack of NYC-style pizzas it's got to be this open-plan joint. Pizzas are cooked from scratch; create your own or order from the…
Northwestern Costa Rica
This family restaurant is a surprising change of pace from the Tico fare in town. The emphasis is on fresh ingredients, many of which are grown right here…
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,…
San José
This informal neighborhood health-food outpost has simple, organic-focused cooking and freshly baked bread and other niceties. Favorites include veggie…
Arenal & Around
Set in an open-air dining room with incredible volcano views, Fusion Grill shows off a little swank (at least, more than other restaurants in El Castillo)…
Central Pacific Coast
Jimmy T's is a small deli store on the docks of the Los Sueños marina catering mostly to the yachting set, but it's stacked floor to ceiling with organic,…
Monteverde & Santa Elena
A bakery for birders. Come in the morning for strong coffee and sweet pastries, or later for rich, warming soup, and sandwiches on homemade bread. Plates…
Monteverde & Santa Elena
Ticos and travelers alike rave about this local joint. Look for tasty twists on the standard fare, such as olla de carne (beef soup), chorreadas Ticas …
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…
La Fortuna
When you’re surrounded by mountains and cattle farms, who’s thinking of sushi? Well, you should. The fish is fresh (you’re not that far from the ocean)…
San José
At this charming, alfresco restaurant attached to Hostel Casa del Parque, brunch is served all day, with dishes such as huevos pochados (poached eggs with…
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…
Quepos to Uvita
Selling gourmet, organic and vegan products and those free of 'artificial flavors, chemicals and bad vibes,' this super health-food store is ideal for…
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…
San José
All four branches of this Escazú staple have the same delicious Costa Rican menu that everybody has always showed up for, including hearty casados,…
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…
Liberia
An indoor-outdoor gastropub festooned with African masks and cat-themed art. In other words, the perfect place to sip a regional Guanaca beer (made with…
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…
The Road to Chirripó
For all things corn, stop at this traditional roadside restaurant on your way to or from the mountain. Our favorite here is the chorreada, a traditional…
Monteverde & Santa Elena
Tramonti offers authentic Italian fare, specializing in fresh seafood, hearty pastas and wood-fired pizzas. With a greenery-filled dining room twinkling…
San José
Ventanita means 'little window' in Spanish and Meraki means 'artistry' in Greek. Together it's an accurate moniker for this hole-in-the-wall, to-go window…
Northwestern Costa Rica
Nobody is saying that you should make a special trip to eat here. All we’re saying is that it’s a convenient pit stop with clean bathrooms, coffee to go,…
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…
San José
Sharing a sleek space with Kiosco SJO in Barrio Escalante, chef Camille Ratton's exceptional cafe serves a global fusion menu of soups, salads, sandwiches…
San José
This quaint cafe with towering cacti out front uses the fresh produce of Costa Rica to create innovative lunch specials, such as Vietnamese noodle bowls…
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…
Central Valley & Highlands
Forgive appearances: Super Mariscos looks dated and plays melodic pan pipes on the stereo, but it serves very good ceviche (seafood marinated in lemon or…
