Tortuguero Village
Low-key atmosphere and high-quality cooking come together beautifully at this backstreet eatery southwest of the soccer field. The inviting garden setting…
Must-see restaurants in Central America
Montezuma
The secret is out. The hottest restaurant in Montezuma is this awesome, artistic place in the trees at the butterfly gardens. Look for innovative takes on…
Western Highlands
As much a cultural center as a cafe, the home of historian-gourmet Rolando Gutiérrez has an interesting library and a collection of old clocks, radios and…
Santa Catalina
This thatched restaurant does seafood in slightly different, scrumptious preparations. Try the shrimp in garlic sauce with crunchy sautéed vegetables,…
Monteverde & Santa Elena
This little cafe roasts beans from its coffee farm (Don Juan) and uses fancy machinery (La Marzocco!) to serve up the best cup of joe in Monteverde. The…
Southern Caribbean
Selvin has been serving Caribbean food since 1982. His place is considered one of the region’s best, specializing in shrimp, sautéed lobster in butter,…
Panama City
For authentic Japanese food prepared by a Tokyo chef, this unassuming alleyside restaurant is pay dirt. While Hikaru serves good sushi and sashimi, you…
Tegucigalpa
This very hip cafe rocks both an industrial and upcycling look, with brushed concrete fittings and salvaged wood furniture. It's an absolute lifeline…
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…
Jacó
This simple spot with hardwood tables on the main drag (two doors down from Caliche's Wishbone) is a local secret. It only has eight items on the menu and…
Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio & Around
Unpretentious and friendly La Luna, inside the five-star Gaia Hotel, makes a lovely spot for a special-occasion dinner or sundowner, with fabulous…
León
Head here in the evenings for your fill of the BX, León's famous dish. BX (bajón extremo) was coined by local students in the 1990s; it's the local take…
Guatemala City
This tiny hole-in-the-wall eatery serves up excellent 'modernized' versions of classic Maya dishes. The menu is impressively wide – featuring beef,…
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…
Roatán
This rustic outdoor stall fries up some of the best el pastor (pork) tacos in the country. Topped with chimole (chopped salsa), two make a large meal. The…
Coclé Province
With its mustard-yellow exterior and oddly shaped columns within, this hangarlike eatery (it was once a US-military social club) offers an excellent…
Utila
Housed in an over-the-water building that takes in views from three sides, Mango Tango has some of the best food in town. Try the Galician-style octopus,…
Ambergris Caye
Exuding a carefree, casual ambience (as a beachfront restaurant should), this open-air restaurant manages to serve up some of the island's most consistent…
Boquete
At this new Italian farm-to-table restaurant, it's a struggle not to order everything on the menu – it all looks and smells so good. But you can't go…
El Valle
The creation of renowned Panamanian chef Lourdes Fábrega de Ward, this place has a nationwide reputation and an elegant setting around a garden patio in a…
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…
Flores & Santa Elena
Inspired by a chef from Bologna, this Italian gourmet restaurant covers a romantic rooftop terrace. The fettuccine is produced in house, the pizzas (made…
León
A happy marriage of Polish and Sri Lankan dishes, this eclectic restaurant does an equally good job with moreish pierogi (dumplings with multiple fillings…
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…
Little Corn Island
Boasting the most interesting menu in the Village, this popular restaurant overlooking the water tempts hungry travelers with authentic Italian pastas,…
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,…
Panama City
Get your seafood fix above a bustling fish market. Come early, as service at peak time is painfully slow. Gems include whole fried fish and cavernous…
Managua
All heavy wooden beams, exposed brick walls and contemporary art, this smart steakhouse means business. Choose from a sizable list of cuts of meat – from…
Granada
Mellow jazz plays in the background at this candlelit spot, with a mural of a rooster, Mr Beautiful, gracing the back wall. The rooster belonged to Miss…
Caribbean Coast
Close to the airport, this popular restaurant serves easily the best food in town. It's a very Bilwi kind of place: the open-air dining area features…
Antigua
Loungey Luna de Miel offers dozens of savory and sweet variations on the classic crepe – try the chapín version stuffed with avocado, cheese and fried…
Caye Caulker
Head to the lagoon side of the island to find this wonderful garden restaurant preparing a small, but constantly changing, selection of outstanding…
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…
Antigua
Dedicated to the eponymous artist, this brightly colored and ever-busy bar-restaurant has an enormous range of tasty Mexican fare, including some of the…
