Arenal, Monteverde, and the Northern Lowlands Restaurants

We’ve compiled the best of the best in Arenal, Monteverde, and the Northern Lowlands - browse our top choices for Restaurants during your stay.

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  • 1. Orchid Coffee Shop

    $$

    An astonishing level of culinary perfection comes out of this A-frame shack serving breakfast, lunch, and early dinner. The menu is enormous, with crepes, pancakes, granola, and French toast alongside tomato soup, veggie panini, 25 types of coffee, and fresh smoothies made with homemade yogurt and local ingredients like pineapple, cucumber, carrot, and basil. With free Wi-Fi, ambient music, and local artwork, the cheerful setting in the center of town is the ideal place to take a break.

    Santa Elena, Puntarenas, Costa Rica
    2645–6850

    Known For

    • Espresso mocha made with hot chocolate, whiskey, and mint
    • Neighboring Orchid Garden
    • Careful attention to detail in preparation
  • 2. Rain Forest Café

    $

    Reasonable prices and excellent quality have made this café a traveler’s favorite, with meals ranging from churrasco (grilled meat) and empanadas to salads and sandwiches. There's typical Costa Rican casado (chicken, beef, or fish served with rice, beans, plantains, and salad) along with tempting desserts like chocolate pie, carrot cake, flan, and a variety of pastries. The free Wi-Fi and books-for-borrow might help you escape from reality, but the wall lined with bagged coffee for sale will remind you where you are.

    In front of Hotel Las Colinas, 125 meters (410 feet) south of park, La Fortuna, Alajuela, Costa Rica
    2479–7239

    Known For

    • Scrumptious macadamia cakes
    • Local coffee
    • Crazy Monkey smoothie made with banana, milk, cinnamon, and coffee
  • 3. Restaurante y Pizzería La Parada

    $$

    This locals' favorite late-night eatery (open until midnight) does a brisk business serving pizza, pasta, nachos, burgers, and grilled fish. There's a buffet, if you'd rather just point and choose. The reasonable prices and convenience make this local cafeteria one of the more frenzied spots in town, so look elsewhere if you want some peace with your meal. This is a convenient place to stock up on snacks for long bus rides. ("La Parada" refers to the bus stop.)

    Across from Parque Central and regional bus stop, La Fortuna, Alajuela, 21007, Costa Rica
    2479–9098

    Known For

    • Quick, cheap food
    • Surprisingly impressive wine selection
    • Busy atmosphere
  • 4. Stella's Bakery

    $

    This local institution is a good place to get an early-morning fix before heading to the Monteverde Cloud Forest. Pastries, rolls, muffins, natural juices, and coffee are standard breakfast fare, and light sandwiches, soups, and quiches are on offer at lunch.

    Across from CASEM, Monteverde, Puntarenas, 60109, Costa Rica
    2645–5560

    Known For

    • Terrific pastries
    • Homemade lasagna
    • Local art
  • Recommended Fodor’s Video

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Recommended Fodor’s Video