San José
The congenial Doris runs this narrow blue-and-yellow seafood joint in the northern wing of the central market. The ceviche mixto appetizer (fish, shrimp…
Must-see restaurants in Costa Rica
Northwestern Costa Rica
An interesting hodgepodge of international cuisine in a colonial-era house, uniquely decorated with bric-a-brac from several generations of antique…
Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio & Around
Those in need of a refreshment stop will be pleased to know there's a cafe right in the middle of Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio selling cold drinks, ice…
Southern Costa Rica & Península de Osa
Rare is the visitor who passes through Golfito without stopping at this cheerful spot opposite the Muellecito (Small Dock). Brightly colored booths,…
Península de Nicoya
This spacious and unpretentious thatched-roof restaurant on the road to Brasilito features pasta and pizza dishes prepared by your (surprise!) Italian…
Monteverde & Santa Elena
Friendly and family run, this is a well-loved soda that’s convenient if you’re staying along this side road. You’ll find typical, tasty casados, burgers,…
Montezuma
The long menu has just about everything, especially when it comes to seafood. Look for steamed mussels, broiled octopus, fish carpaccio and grilled shrimp…
San José
Obscured by the Automercado parking lot in Los Yoses is this 1960s pastry shop that some josefinos swear is the best in town. Here you’ll find mushroom…
Montezuma
A cute, colorful soda that does all the típica dishes, tasty and affordable casados, pastas, burgers and a variety of juices and smoothies. All is served…
San José
There's better sushi in San José, but nowhere else to eat it so high up. Stereo Sushi opened in 2015 on the 9th floor of an otherwise quiet apartment…
Playa Sámara
Good food, great (beach!) location. Service is lacking, but you're not in any hurry, right? Enjoy pastas, salads and seafood, as well as phenomenal…
Monteverde & Santa Elena
Spare surroundings and high ceilings, polite staff and big tables make this place on the outskirts of town a top spot for a post-activity meal. There's…
Caribbean Coast
The clutter of pick-up trucks out front is a clue that you've stumbled on this popular family eatery serving grilled fish, roasted meats and bocas (savory…
Puerto Jiménez
We love gallo pinto as much as the next person, but sometimes you gotta get your fix of burgers and dogs. Make your way to the Dog House for specialty…
Península de Nicoya
Located on the road from Brasilito, in the Banco de Costa Rica lot, this restaurant (formerly named Tubla) remains a bastion of Italian staples. It's a…
Southern Costa Rica & Península de Osa
This locally popular spot for Italian fare offers more than a dozen different kinds of pizza, all of which are made from scratch (the result is more…
San José
This informal, bustling student spot serves an international menu of veggie everything including curried rice with cashews, vegetable casado and whole…
Liberia
This convivial and popular local spot is run by a women’s collective. Come for traditional Guanacaste fare such as arroz de mais (rice with chicken and…
Tortuguero Village
Between the dock and the national park, this cozy log-cabin-like place will lure you in with the delicious smoky aroma of grilled chicken and pork ribs…
Península de Nicoya
In the La Plaza complex, Marie's is an upscale soda set under a thatched palapa roof. Daily specials feature the freshest seafood of the day, and you'll…
Península de Nicoya
Just off the northwest corner of the soccer field in Potrero, the Peralta family's popular beachfront bar has been a local favorite since 1950. Villagers…
Liberia
A great little find for fans of casados (set meals). This local diner serves at least 10 daily, featuring fresh pescado (fish), pollo (chicken), steak,…
Restaurante Ecológico Los Cocodrilos
Central Pacific Coast
Located on the north side of the Río Tárcoles bridge, this is the nearest place to Parque Nacional Carara to get a decent meal. It serves inexpensive,…
Restaurante y Pizzeria La Parada
La Fortuna
Facing Parque Central and all the street action, this popular soda does a brisk trade in, well, everything…from decent pizzas to satisfying tipica. Surely…
Cahuita
This humble spot on Cahuita's main street (a few hundred metres from the Kelly Creek national-park entrance) serves delicious, reasonably priced casados…
Quepos
Good-value, basic breakfasts and Tico meals are served at the open-air cafe inside Best Western Hotel Kamuk. The banana pancakes hit the spot. Those…
Liberia
Order off the artsy chalkboard in this newfangled Mexican-themed eatery. It's cool, it's clean, and burritos, tacos, chalupas and nachos come at a…
Caribbean Coast
Simple dark-green-painted soda with an outdoor porch area and chunky wooden tables. The chef serves salchipapas (hot-dog-garnished Latin American french…
Caribbean Coast
This independent coffee, shake and smoothie shop has wrought-iron chairs and faux plants. The open-air patio is a good spot to eat breakfast or grab an…
Playa Tamarindo
An American-style BBQ joint and expat favorite, with pulled pork, ribs and beef brisket. Belly up to the surfboard-shaped tables and grind some proper BBQ…
Península de Nicoya
A nice thatched-roof burger joint on the corner, just across the road from the beach. The 'castle' also serves solid portions of fish, chicken and salads,…
Puerto Jiménez
At the end of the beach road that passes the waterfront walk, Los Delfines is the perfect toes-in-the-sand spot for a late gallo pinto breakfast or a beer…
Puerto Jiménez
This local favorite on the main drag still attracts its share of expats, nature guides, tourists and locals. Expect Tico standards, fresh-fruit drinks,…
Monteverde & Santa Elena
This is not the Whole Foods you might think it is, but you’ll notice some similarities. It's a good but expensive place to pick up fresh produce, as well…
Liberia
This congenial family restaurant is popular with locals and gringos alike. Try the rice-and-seafood house specialty, arroz copa de oro. The casados (set…
Puerto Limón
This simple lunch spot squeezes fresh fruit and blends it into smoothies (from US$2) of every color and flavor. It also serves less healthy antojeria …
La Fortuna
Locally beloved and set conveniently next door to the bus station, this open-air lunch counter is one of the quaintest, cheapest sodas in town. It does…
San José
Just down the street but a million miles away from Starbucks in look, feel, and taste, this hole-in-the-wall offers wholesome and delicious plates of…
Península de Nicoya
In addition to its countless fresh baked loaves and goodies, this place does espresso drinks and freshly prepared sandwiches on their airy crunchy…
Caribbean Coast
Situated 600m west of Taco Bell on the south side of the main highway, this popular soda (informal lunch counter) is a good bet for early breakfasts (rice…
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