Places to eat in…
Costa Rica
Guanacaste
Sentido Norte
Sentido Norte offers an elevated dining experience high above the Pacific, where the dramatic ocean views are matched by thoughtful, modern cuisine. The menu reinterprets Costa Rican ingredients with refined technique, making it ideal for a slow, sunset-focused dinner. Recommended dish: the seafood ceviche, which highlights the freshness of the local catch with bright, coastal flavors.
Manta
MANTA reflects the creative, laid-back energy of Playa Avellanas, combining surf culture, local art, and bold flavors. The kitchen focuses on fresh seafood and tropical ingredients in a relaxed, beach-friendly setting. Recommended dish: arroz con mariscos, a hearty and flavorful rice dish that showcases the abundance of the Pacific.
Patagonia del Mar
Patagonia del Mar sits right along the bay in Brasilito, offering ocean views and a welcoming, social atmosphere. The menu blends Costa Rican seafood with South American influences, making it a reliable choice for varied tastes. Recommended dish: the empanadas, which are crisp, flavorful, and perfect to enjoy while watching the sun dip into the ocean.
Restaurante Coco Loco
Coco Loco delivers a classic Guanacaste beachfront experience, with tables just steps from the sand and panoramic sunset views. The vibe is casual and lively, centered around fresh seafood and tropical comfort food. Recommended dish: the coconut shrimp, a house favorite that pairs perfectly with the ocean breeze and a cold drink.
Puntarenas
El Avion
El Avión is built around a restored cargo plane, turning a piece of aviation history into one of Manuel Antonio’s most recognizable dining spots. The open-air terraces overlook jungle and ocean, making it especially popular at sunset. Recommended dish: the grilled fish casado, a well-executed local classic.
Restaurante el Mirador
One of Monteverde’s long-standing restaurants, El Mirador sits high above the cloud forest with expansive views toward the Gulf of Nicoya on clear days. The menu focuses on hearty, comforting meals suited to the cooler mountain climate. Recommended dish: the churrasco steak, satisfying and flavorful after a day of exploring.
Terraza by Issimo
Terraza by Issimo offers an intimate fine-dining experience set within lush jungle surroundings near Manual Antonio National Park, where the focus is on thoughtful presentation and seasonal ingredients. Part of the Issimo Suites collection, the restaurant reflects the area’s shift toward boutique, chef-driven cuisine rather than large resort dining. Recommended dish: the slow-braised short ribs, known for their rich flavor and refined preparation.
Koko
KoKo reflects Jacó’s modern side, blending Costa Rican ingredients with international culinary techniques in a stylish, social setting. The atmosphere is lively but polished, attracting both locals and visitors. Recommended dish: the tuna tartare, fresh and bright, ideal for a coastal town.
San Jose
Restaurante Silvestre
Silvestre is one of San José’s most celebrated restaurants, known for telling Costa Rica’s culinary story through modern technique. Set in a restored historic home, it blends tradition with creativity rather than fine dining formality. Recommended dish: the carne en salsa, a refined version of a classic Costa Rican comfort dish.
Grano de Oro
Located inside a historic boutique hotel, Grano de Oro has long been a reference point for fine dining in San José. The atmosphere is elegant but warm, reflecting the city’s early 20th-century European influence. Recommended dish: the beef tenderloin with coffee sauce, a subtle nod to Costa Rica’s coffee heritage.
Cafe Rojo
Café Rojo helped define Barrio Escalante as San José’s culinary district, blending global flavors with a relaxed, artistic vibe. It’s a longtime favorite among locals for its unfussy but thoughtful cooking. Recommended dish: the lamb shank, slow-cooked and deeply flavorful.
San Jose Central Market
San José’s Central Market has been at the heart of the city since 1880, serving as a daily meeting place for locals, vendors, and visitors. Inside its narrow, maze-like corridors you’ll find traditional sodas, coffee stands, herbal shops, and produce stalls that reflect Costa Rican everyday life. Recommended dish: a classic casado from one of the market sodas, offering a complete taste of local cooking in a single plate. Why go: to experience the most authentic snapshot of San José’s culture, flavors, and rhythms all in one place.
Alajuela
Restaurante Nene’s
Restaurante Nené is a small, family-run spot in La Fortuna that feels more like eating in someone’s home than dining out. It’s known for traditional Costa Rican cooking, generous portions, and warm, personal service that reflects the town’s close-knit community. Recommended dish: the casado with grilled meat, simple, hearty, and deeply satisfying.
Soda Viquez
Soda Viquez is a local institution that has fed residents and travelers for decades with straightforward, traditional meals. The setting is casual and unpretentious, focusing entirely on flavor and value. Recommended dish: the casado with grilled chicken or fish, a true everyday Costa Rican staple.
Casa Paniagua Dining Experience
Casa Paniagua Dining offers an intimate, reservation-only experience that feels more like a shared table than a traditional restaurant. Set in a family home, the menu showcases Costa Rican ingredients through thoughtfully prepared, multi-course meals that highlight local flavors and seasonality. Recommended dish: the slow-cooked pork with root vegetables, rich and comforting.
La Finquita (from farm to table)
Al Finquita is a charming, farm-to-table style restaurant set just outside La Fortuna, surrounded by lush gardens and tropical greenery. The focus is on fresh, locally sourced ingredients, often harvested directly from the property or nearby farms, giving each dish an authentic taste of Costa Rica. Recommended dish: the grilled trout with tropical salsa, light, flavorful, and reflective of the region’s produce.
Heredia
La Casona de Laly
La Casona de Laly is a cozy, family-run restaurant set in a charming, colonial-style house in Heredia, offering a warm and intimate atmosphere that feels like dining at home. The menu focuses on traditional Costa Rican cuisine with fresh, locally sourced ingredients prepared with care. Recommended dish: the casado with grilled beef or chicken, hearty, flavorful, and authentically Costa Rican.
Soda Tapia
Soda Tapia is a longstanding, no-frills local favorite known for quick, flavorful meals that reflect everyday Costa Rican home cooking. The vibe is casual and busy, giving a true taste of city life. Recommended dish: the arroz con pollo, a classic comfort dish.
Soda el Toldito
Soda El Toldito is a beloved local eatery tucked into the heart of Heredia, where regulars come for honest Costa Rican comfort food and generous portions. The atmosphere is casual, lively, and authentically everyday—just where locals grab quick meals after work or on weekends. Recommended dish: the casado with bistec, a hearty plate of rice, beans, plantains, salad, and tender steak that showcases classic Tico flavors.