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. Celajes
$$$ | |In the wood-polished dining room of Hotel Belmar, this elegant restaurant, whose name means “sunset clouds,” is indeed the best place to admire the stunning views, with soft jazz and artisanal cocktails that set the tone for the farm-to-table menu. Start with the gorgeous cheese platter or the refreshing grilled-watermelon salad before moving on to the divine chicken stuffed with goat cheese, prosciutto, and spinach, and bathed in a white-wine-and-passion-fruit sauce. Although the tiramisu is big enough to share, after one bite you may suddenly become a little selfish. From 4:30 to 5:30, you can swing by for "Tico Time" featuring free appetizers, drink specials, and craft beers from their on-site microbrewery.
4 km (2½ miles) north of town, adjacent to Monteverde Cloud Forest, Monteverde, Puntarenas, Costa Rica866-978–6424-from U.S. and CanadaKnown For
- Local organic ingredients from the Belmar family ranch
- Filet mignon with coffee glaze
- Homemade pastas
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2. Que Rico
$$$ | |This lovely Italian-inspired restaurant adds touches of romance with wooden tables draped with red-and-white linens and soft music and candles. The menu is long, with options ranging from local ceviche to tamarind chicken, but the Italian specialties are best: the brick-oven Volcán pizza with ham, mushrooms, bacon, and pepperoni is a local favorite. Gluten-free options are available. You can also order from Tabulle, their sister restaurant next door, for some enjoyable Middle Eastern fare.
6½ km (4 miles) west of church, La Fortuna, Alajuela, Costa Rica2479–1020Known For
- Above and beyond service
- Baci Peruguna pastries stuffed with Nutella and caramelized onions
- Wine-pairing recommendations
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3. Don Rufino
$$$ | |The L-shape bar fronting the main street is a popular expat and tourist hangout. The user-friendly menu is marked with symbols of chili peppers for spicy dishes, a tomato for vegetarian dishes, and a check mark for those that are highly recommended, like the chicken seasoned with chocolate, coffee, and tarragon or forest lasagna made with wild mushrooms, caramelized onions, and ricotta cheese. Their grilled meats are local, organic, and are served with a side of polenta, lentils, and caramelized apples in a balsamic dressing. The tilapia in bacon-and-tomato sauce is also very good. Although this is one of the more upscale restaurants in the area, there's no need to dress up here: this is still La Fortuna, after all.
Across from gas station, La Fortuna, Alajuela, 21007, Costa Rica2479–9997Known For
- Organic, local meats
- Friendly service and clientele
- Occasional live music
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4. Gingerbread
$$$ | |Choose from the ever-changing menu or let the chef guide you through what might just be the best meal you’ll have in Costa Rica. You'll discover fresh dishes like filet mignon, shrimp risotto, organic Greek chicken, and blackened tuna. The menu is always changing, with a rotation of hits like palmito artichoke salad, mussels with mushrooms, and tender pork. Family style is a great option; it lets you have a variety of dishes. Opt for a table on the patio rather than a booth near the U-shape bar, unless you like a lot of noise with your meal.
Next to Villa Decary, Nuevo Arenal, Guanacaste, Costa Rica2694–0039Known For
- Lamb curry
- Wine cellar
- Macadamia cheesecake
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch, Reservations essential -
5. Sofía
$$$ | |Waiters in crisp black aprons scurry attentively around the three dining rooms here, serving a wide variety of dishes. Start with yuca croquettes filled with local provolone, followed by mouthwatering favorites like shrimp in mango-coconut curry or chicken served with a guava reduction.
Turnoff to Jardín de Mariposas, off main road between Santa Elena and Monteverde, Monteverde, Puntarenas, 60109, Costa Rica2645–7017Known For
- Nice views of valley below
- Extensive cocktail selection
- Chile relleno
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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