Eat
El Mercadito
Travelers with diets and preferences that differ from their companions' will appreciate the wide range of offerings at this breezy, buzzing artisanal food…
If Patrick and Wingnut from the 1994 surfing movie Endless Summer II surfed a time machine to present-day Tamarindo, they'd fall off their boards. A quarter-century of hedonism has transformed the once-dusty burg into 'Tamagringo,' whose perennial status as Costa Rica’s top surf and party destination has made it the first and last stop for legions of tourists.
Despite its party-town reputation, Tamarindo offers more than just drinking and surfing. It forms part of Parque Nacional Marino Las Baulas de Guanacaste, and the beach retains an allure for kids and adults alike. Foodies will find some of the best restaurants in the country. There's a thriving market on Saturday mornings and fierce competition has kept lodging prices reasonably low. Its central location makes it a great base for exploring the northern peninsula.
These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Playa Tamarindo.
Eat
Travelers with diets and preferences that differ from their companions' will appreciate the wide range of offerings at this breezy, buzzing artisanal food…
Eat
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…
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This delightful cafe and shop specializes in freshly brewed java, but also serves fresh, local and organic foods. For breakfast, it does amazing things…
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Don’t leave town without eating here. Israeli chef Shlomy offers a short list of carefully selected and perfectly prepared dishes. Depending on the…
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These chicken wings are so darn good, people plan their days around them. The meaty, oversized wings are a perfect combo of crunchy and tender, but it's…
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Beloved for its refined menu and its upscale tiki-bar atmosphere, this open-air dining room has twinkling lights and lanterns, with a subtle dragonfly…
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Sprout specializes in – wait for it – healthy food. Here, 'healthy' is a code word for fresh, nutritious and delicious, with a menu featuring giant salad…
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If you are craving a big bad burger, Surf Shack has you covered with a good selection of patties, thick-cut onion rings and irresistible milkshakes. Tin…
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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…
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