Top Choice Notable Building in San José
Teatro Nacional
Top Choice European in San José
Park Café
At this felicitous fusion of antique shop and French restaurant, Michelin-starred chef Richard Neat offers an exquisite menu of smaller sampling plates (Spanish tapas–style), normal-sized entrees, and a thoughtful w…
Top Choice Market in San José
Feria Verde de Aranjuez
Top Choice Argentine in San José
La Esquina de Buenos Aires
White linens and the sound of old tango evoke the atmospheric bistros of San Telmo, as does the menu, featuring grilled Argentine cuts of steak, house-made empanadas and an extensive selection of fresh pastas in exq…
Top Choice Theater in San José
Teatro Nacional
Top Choice International in San José
Cocina Eclectica
The Escazú residence of Joanna Stein, identifiable only by a small 'J' on the door, might not seem like a restaurant. In fact it's much more. All day long, dressed in an apron and inked with dozens of tattoos, the s…
Top Choice Museum in San José
Museo de Jade
Top Choice Mediterranean in San José
Saúl Bistro
There are life-sized plastic zebras in the dining room at this snazzy open-air restaurant that appeared (and became a sensation) in 2015. An extension of Saúl Mendez, the Guatemala-based empire of men's fashion, the…
Top Choice Caribbean in San José
Maxi's By Ricky
If you can't get to the Caribbean Coast, this restaurant is a good substitute. Manzanillo native Ricky transported his lip-smacking restaurant to the Central Valley in 2014 and everybody started showing up to feast …
Top Choice Gastropub in San José
Rávi Gastropub
This cool corner pub in Barrio Escalante is awash in bright murals, with seating in cushy blue booths, intimate back rooms or on the convivial bar stools up front. A menu of bocas, sandwiches, pizzas and more is ser…