Monteverde & Santa Elena
In new digs with a killer sunset view, this double-decker restaurant is a favorite in Santa Elena for its varied menu combining local ingredients with…
Must-see restaurants in Costa Rica
La Fortuna
A lovely little family operation that preaches better living through better eating, and the proof is in the pudding (or maybe the falafel). Delicious,…
San José
With dishes from nearly a dozen Latin countries, this open-air restaurant is a solid Barrio Amón option. Popular menu items include patacon pisao (a…
Cahuita
In the corner veranda of an old house, this cozy, candle-lit spot specializes in delicious red-wine-covered filet mignon, tenderloin and T-bone steaks…
Cahuita
Follow the wafting smell of garlic and simmering sauces to this highly recommended Playa Negra open-air restaurant-bar, where chef Norman has been serving…
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…
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,…
Caribbean Coast
This Colorado-style bar and restaurant is on Hwy 10 between Turrialba and Siquirres. Enter the laid-back roadhouse through swing doors, grab a drink at…
Uvita
South of Uvita on the road to Ojochal is this casual pizza joint, serving authentic Neapolitan pizzas cooked in a proper wood-fired brick oven. The dining…
Ojochal
This unassuming open-plan roadside eatery with a corrugated steel roof offers local cuisine with giant flavors at tiny prices (relative to the rest of…
Jacó
Upmarket yet casual, with tasteful pink-tiled walls, marble tables and vintage pendant lights, Amara is a supercute spot serving healthy Mediterranean…
Central Valley & Highlands
Located downstairs from Los Ángeles Lodge and decorated with vintage photos of Cartago, this cheery no-frills restaurant has been around since 1957 and…
Monteverde & Around
Just outside the reserve gates, the ‘Hummingbird Cafe’ is a top-notch spot to refuel after a hike in the woods. The drinks will warm your body, but the…
The Road to Chirripó
The tiny village of Canaán is not the type of place you would expect to find a 'gastropub' yet here it is. The menu is eclectic and delicious, featuring…
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 El Yugo de Mi Tata
Caribbean Coast
It doesn't look like much, but there's a reason this joint is truck-stop heaven. Strategically placed just below Hwy 32's tortuous climb into Parque…
Puerto Jiménez
A spacious, covered, waterfront deck – ceiling fans spinning overhead – is the perfect place to feast on fresh grilled tuna, whole red snapper or tangy…
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Craving sushi? Head to this open-air Asian joint on Puerto Viejo's main street overlooking the beach and boats. Bonus raw-fish varieties include soy…
Northwestern Costa Rica
The finest local restaurant in Bijagua, offering tasty regional dishes like olla de carne (meat soup), lengua en salsa (tongue in sauce) and fried pork …
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…
San José
An unpretentious ’50s-style diner with garish red-and-white decor, this place is perpetually filled with couples and families noshing on grilled…
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…
Bar y Restaurante Los Laureles
Uvita
Adorable casual family-run restaurant serving mainly Costa Rican and Tex-Mex cuisine, with innovative favorites such as avocado hummus and nacho patacones…
Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio & Around
This cute wood-decked corner restaurant with jungle and ocean views does Thai classics well, from the zingy salads to the satay and tom yum soup. House…
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…
San José
This locally renowned Peruvian restaurant does Andean right. A popular spot for a leisurely Sunday lunch, it has an encyclopedic menu featuring Peruvian…
Central Pacific Coast
On the waterfront overlooking the rows of gleaming yachts, this upmarket spot decorated in dark tones with nice lighting serves an appropriate selection…
La Fortuna
If you’re looking for a change of taste – a real change from casados and pizza – check this out. Chifa is Peruvian Chinese fried rice, and chef Martin…
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…
Southern Caribbean
Raquel and Matias completely revamped the menu here at the end of 2019, keeping old faves including Pad Thai but including mouth-watering delights such as…
Liberia
This stylish bar-cafe (the name's pronounced 'How-ha') on the main drag is unusual for its upscale ambiance and classy cuisine. Service is also excellent…
Quepos to Uvita
This Costa Rican restaurant 1.5km north of Dominical on the way to Cataratas Nauyaca serves yummy comida típica (regional specialties), but is better…
La Fortuna
Travelers adore the local flavor that’s served up at Soda Víquez (in all senses of the expression). It’s a super-friendly spot, offering tasty típico …
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…
Monteverde & Santa Elena
A wildly popular terrace restaurant offering tasty Tex-Mex tacos, plus burritos and quesadillas filled with shredded meats like chicken and carnitas (pork…
Jacó
Overseen by the charming Caliche, this has been a Jacó favorite for years and years. The eclectic, Mexican-inspired menu includes pitas, blackened tuna…
Northwestern Costa Rica
Want a casado or hot coffee to warm you up after a long walk in the park? Local chef Christian will whip you up some lomito (grilled steak) or a chicken…
Central Pacific Coast
Your one-stop shop for falafel, this open-air beachy place serves homemade pitas stuffed with deep-fried chickpea goodness, smothered with garlicky…
San José
The interiors of this popular standard-bearer are a riot of pan-Asian everything, just like the menu. Themed salons – from Chinese to Indian to Japanese –…
