Trip IdeasBudget Restaurants in Costa Rica
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Budget Restaurants in Costa Rica
| Name | Price/ Cuisine |
Location |
|
Agua Azul
This simple second-floor restaurant offers a breathtaking view... Write a review | Avg. member rating: 4.2/5 |
$-$$$ Seafood |
Manuel Antonio |
|
Amimodo
The name translates to "my way," and the exuberant Italian owners... Write a review | Avg. member rating: 4.6/5 |
$-$$$ Italian |
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca |
|
Anaconda Restaurant
Named for the humongous snake whose skin is mounted on the wall... Write a review | Avg. member rating: 4.0/5 |
$-$$$ Eclectic |
Manuel Antonio |
|
The Backyard
Playa Hermosa's original bar, the North American-style Backyard... Be the first to write a review |
$-$$$ Eclectic |
Playa Hermosa |
|
Bahía Ballena Yacht Club
Get fishing tips—as well as the catch of the day grilled... Be the first to write a review |
$-$$$ Eclectic |
Central Pacific |
Bakea 
Trendy, right down to its small art gallery and whimsical restrooms... Be the first to write a review |
$-$$$ Eclectic |
San José |
|
Balcón de Europa
With old sepia photos and a strolling guitarist who seems to... Be the first to write a review |
$-$$$ Italian |
San José |
|
Banana Bay
For consistently good American-style food, you can't beat this... Be the first to write a review |
$-$$ American |
Golfito |
|
Bar Las Brisas
The perfect beach bar, Las Brisas is a shack with a view, and... Write a review | Avg. member rating: 4.0/5 |
¢-$ Mexican |
Nicoya Coast |
|
Bar y Restaurante Coto
This place has good food and a location right on the plaza. Options... Be the first to write a review |
¢-$ Costa Rican |
Orosi Valley |
|
Bar y Restaurante El Mirador
Perched on a ridge several miles north of town, El Mirador has... Be the first to write a review |
$-$$$ Eclectic |
Alajuela |
|
Barba Roja
Near the top of the hill, with a sweeping view of the sea and... Write a review | Avg. member rating: 3.2/5 |
$-$$ Seafood |
Manuel Antonio |
|
Barbecue Los Anonos
Established in 1960, Los Anonos expanded from its original rustic... Write a review | Avg. member rating: 3.4/5 |
$-$$$ Southern |
Escazú |
|
Brisas del Caribe
Here's a case study in what happens when cruise ships come to... Be the first to write a review |
$-$$ Seafood |
Limón |
|
Budda Café
"Hip" was never a word that went hand in hand with Tortuguero... Be the first to write a review |
$ Italian |
Tortuguero |
|
Café de la Posada
The lack of alfresco dining in this tropical city is disappointing... Write a review | Avg. member rating: 1.0/5 |
¢-$ Cafe |
San José |
|
Cafe de la Suerte
Fortunately for food-lovers, the "Good Luck Café" serves... Be the first to write a review |
¢-$ Vegetarian |
Playa Pavones |
|
Café de Paris
Despite the French-Swiss owners, this restaurant and bakery feels... Be the first to write a review |
$ Eclectic |
Nicoya Coast |
|
Café Europa/The German Bakery
The aroma of baking bread is irresistible as you pass this bakery... Be the first to write a review |
¢-$ German |
Liberia |
|
Cafe Flor de Vida
This popular vegetarian restaurant has a menu that includes chili... Be the first to write a review |
$ Latin American |
Monteverde Cloud Forest |
|
Café Milagro
The only place in town that serves its own fresh-roasted coffee... Write a review | Avg. member rating: 4.7/5 |
$ Cafe |
Manuel Antonio |
|
Café Mundo
You could easily walk by this corner restaurant without noticing... Write a review | Avg. member rating: 4.1/5 |
$-$$$ Eclectic |
San José |
|
Café Playa Negra Bistro
The stylish creation of Peruvian artist Andrea Raffo, this hacienda-like... Be the first to write a review |
$ Peruvian |
Nicoya Coast |
|
Café Rainforest
Here's a great, trendy place to wrap your hands around a cup... Be the first to write a review |
¢-$ Cafe |
Monteverde Cloud Forest |
|
Café Viejo
This has fast become the hot place to see and be seen on Puerto... Write a review | Avg. member rating: 4.2/5 |
$-$$ Italian |
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca |
|
Casa Luisa
A big open window looking into the kitchen—where chef María... Write a review | Avg. member rating: 1.8/5 |
$-$$$ Spanish |
San José |
|
Cerros
This San Antonio hills favorite combines smoky thin-crust pizza... Be the first to write a review |
¢-$$ Italian |
Escazú |
|
Cha Cha Chá
Québécois owner Bertrand Fleury's sign triumphantly... Write a review | Avg. member rating: 5.0/5 |
$-$$ Eclectic |
Cahuita |
|
Chile Rojo
There's not a thing about the name or furnishings to reflect... Be the first to write a review |
$ Middle Eastern, Thai |
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca |
|
Chubascos
Amid tall pines and colorful flowers on the upper slopes of Poás... Be the first to write a review |
$-$$ Costa Rican |
Volcán Poás |
|
Cocolores
Follow the line of multicolored lanterns to this open-air eatery... Be the first to write a review |
¢-$$ Eclectic |
Montezuma |
|
ConFusione
The location—on a dead-end road at the southern end of... Be the first to write a review |
$-$$ Italian |
Dominical |
|
De Lucía
Cordial Chilean owner José Belmar is the walking, talking... Be the first to write a review |
$-$$$ Middle Eastern, Cafe |
Monteverde Cloud Forest |
|
Don Rufino
The town's most elegant-looking restaurant is really quite informal... Write a review | Avg. member rating: 4.8/5 |
$-$$$ Eclectic |
Arenal Volcano Area |
|
Don Wang
In a country where "Chinese cuisine" often means rice and vegetables... Be the first to write a review |
$-$$ Chinese |
San José |
|
Dragonfly Bar & Grill
A huge tent with tree-trunk poles, simple but sculptural lamps... Be the first to write a review |
$-$$ Eclectic |
Nicoya Coast |
|
El Camarón Dorado
Much of the appeal of this bougainvillea-drenched bar-restaurant... Write a review | Avg. member rating: 4.6/5 |
$-$$$ Seafood |
Nicoya Coast |
|
El Castillo Gourmet Eatery
You won't find a better peanut-butter cookie in the country... Write a review | Avg. member rating: 3.0/5 |
$-$$ Mexican |
Nicoya Coast |
|
El Coconut
The red, black, and dark-wood interior of this high-gloss, dinner-only... Be the first to write a review |
$-$$$$ Seafood |
Nicoya Coast |
|
El Gran Escape
A favorite with sportfishermen ("You hook 'em, we cook 'em")... Write a review | Avg. member rating: 4.6/5 |
$-$$$ Seafood |
Quepos |
|
El Loco Natural
El Loco Natural epitomizes Puerto Viejo: lively, organic, all... Write a review | Avg. member rating: 1.6/5 |
$ Eclectic |
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca |
|
El Márquez
Seafood is an unexpected treat up here in the mountains, and... Write a review | Avg. member rating: 4.2/5 |
$ Seafood, Costa Rican |
Monteverde Cloud Forest |
|
El Sano Banano Restaurant
Freshly caught seafood, organic chicken, and a half-dozen pasta... Be the first to write a review |
$-$$$ Vegetarian |
Montezuma |
|
El Trapiche de Nayo
This rustic open-air restaurant with a panoramic valley view... Be the first to write a review |
¢-$ Costa Rican |
San Isidro |
|
Exotica Restaurant
Nestled in the tiny French-Canadian enclave of Ojochal, this... Write a review | Avg. member rating: 5.0/5 |
$-$$ French |
Ballena Marine National Park |
|
Gatta Ci Cova
Chef/owner Ilario Giannoni strolls the 100 meters over from his... Write a review | Avg. member rating: 5.0/5 |
$ Italian |
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca |
|
Gecko's
This textbook backpacker hangout is the latest venture of Dutch... Be the first to write a review |
¢-$ Costa Rican |
Orosi Valley |
|
Giardino Tropical
Famous for its crispy-crusted, wood-oven pizzas loaded with toppings... Be the first to write a review |
$ Italian |
Nicoya Coast |
|
Ginger
This tapas restaurant, in a modernistic glass-and-steel treehouse... Be the first to write a review |
¢-$ Eclectic |
Nicoya Coast |
|
Hotel Vela Bar Restaurant
This small open-air, roadside restaurant retains an intimate... Be the first to write a review |
$-$$$ Eclectic |
Manuel Antonio |
|
Il Forno Restaurant
For a break from seafood, try lunch or dinner at this romantic... Be the first to write a review |
$-$$$ Italian |
Nicoya Coast |
|
Il Giardino
Good northern Italian cooking, in the shape of wood-oven pizzas... Be the first to write a review |
$ Italian |
Puerto Jiménez |
|
Jaulares
Named after the jaul, a tree common in the nearby cloud forest... Be the first to write a review |
$ Costa Rican |
Volcán Poás |
|
Jungle Surf Cafe
This colorful, open-air eatery serves some of Hermosa's best... Write a review | Avg. member rating: 5.0/5 |
¢-$ Seafood |
Playa Hermosa |
|
L'Antica Roma
The food here more than makes up for the less-than-tasteful red... Be the first to write a review |
$-$$ Italian |
Heredia |
|
La Casona del Cafetal
The valley's best lunch stop is on a coffee plantation overlooking... Be the first to write a review |
$-$$ Costa Rican |
Orosi Valley |
|
La Choza de Laurel
Tantalizing rotisserie chicken, and pretty cloves of garlic and... Write a review | Avg. member rating: 4.1/5 |
¢-$ Costa Rican |
Arenal Volcano Area |
|
La Colina
Here's the only Costa Rican restaurant whose food has been transported... Be the first to write a review |
$-$$ Costa Rican |
San Ramón |
|
La Criollita
Kick off your day with breakfast at this emerald-green restaurant... Be the first to write a review |
¢-$ Costa Rican |
San José |
|
La Garza Bar y Restaurante
Similar to La Feria in scope but slightly more atmospheric and... Be the first to write a review |
¢-$ Costa Rican |
Turrialba |
|
La Lanterna
Owned by a Milanese member of Quepos's small but visible Italian... Be the first to write a review |
$-$$$ Italian |
Quepos |
|
La Parcela
Picture a dream location: a high headland jutting out into the... Be the first to write a review |
$-$$ Seafood |
Dominical |
|
La Pecora Nera
Though the name means "black sheep" in Italian, there's nothing... Write a review | Avg. member rating: 4.9/5 |
$-$$$ Italian |
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca |
|
La Princesa Marina
This large open-air eatery (part of a chain) at the intersection... Write a review | Avg. member rating: 4.2/5 |
¢-$ Seafood |
Alajuela |
|
La Toscana
Billing itself as "spaghetteria, pizzeria, grigliata, and cafe,"... Be the first to write a review |
$-$$ Italian |
Liberia |
|
La Trattoria
The green and gold here might make a Green Bay Packers fan feel... Be the first to write a review |
$ Italian |
San José |
|
Las Brasitas
Chicken turns over wood on a rotisserie in a brick oven at this... Write a review | Avg. member rating: 4.0/5 |
¢-$ Costa Rican |
Arenal Volcano Area |
|
Las Sandalias
Located in the Club del Mar, at the southern end of the beach... Be the first to write a review |
$-$$$ Eclectic |
Jacó |
|
Lava Rocks Café
A couple of trendy steps above the average soda in food and atmosphere... Write a review | Avg. member rating: 1.2/5 |
$ Costa Rican |
Arenal Volcano Area |
|
Lola's
In deference to Lola, the owners' pet pig who freely roams the... Write a review | Avg. member rating: 4.7/5 |
$-$$ Vegetarian |
Nicoya Coast |
|
Louisiana Bar & Grill Luz de Papagayo
This second-story restaurant is cool and breezy, but the Cajun... Be the first to write a review |
$-$$$ Southern |
Nicoya Coast |
|
Lubnan
Negotiate the quirky wrought-iron-and-burlap revolving door at... Write a review | Avg. member rating: 5.0/5 |
$-$$ Middle Eastern |
San José |
|
Machu Picchu
A few travel posters and a fishnet holding crab and lobster shells... Write a review | Avg. member rating: 4.2/5 |
$-$$$ Peruvian |
San José |
|
Macondo
There's absolutely nothing fancy about this tiny restaurant... Write a review | Avg. member rating: 2.2/5 |
$-$$ Italian |
Playa Zancudo |
|
Mama's Place
Mama's is a Costa Rican restaurant with a difference: the owners... Be the first to write a review |
$ Costa Rican |
San José |
|
Manolo's
For any San José dweller, a mention of Manolo's brings... Be the first to write a review |
¢-$ Costa Rican |
San José |
|
Marie's Restaurant
A Flamingo institution, this veranda restaurant serves reliably... Be the first to write a review |
$-$$ Seafood |
Nicoya Coast |
|
Matsuri
It's a bit off the beaten tourist path and it's in a shopping... Be the first to write a review |
$-$$ Japanese |
San José |
|
Mirador del Cafetal
An obligatory stop even if it's just for a cup of coffee, this... Be the first to write a review |
$-$$ Latin American |
Atenas |
|
Miss Edith
Miss Edith is revered for her flavorful Caribbean cooking, vegetarian... Be the first to write a review |
$ Caribbean |
Cahuita |
|
Miss Junie
Longtime Tortuguero doyenne Miss Junie has now deservedly retired... Be the first to write a review |
¢-$ Costa Rican |
Tortuguero |
|
Moon Shiva
Costa Rican meets the Middle East at this casual place. Falafel... Be the first to write a review |
$-$$ Middle Eastern |
Monteverde Cloud Forest |
|
News Café
Pounce on one of the six streetside tables if they're free when... Write a review | Avg. member rating: 4.1/5 |
$-$$ American |
San José |
|
Nogui's
Considered by a loyal legion of local fans to be the best seafood... Write a review | Avg. member rating: 5.0/5 |
$-$$$ Seafood |
Nicoya Coast |
|
Nuestra Tierra
But for the traffic zipping by on one of San José's busiest... Write a review | Avg. member rating: 3.8/5 |
¢-$ Costa Rican |
San José |
|
Oceano Bar & Restaurant
This popular new beachfront restaurant has a wide-ranging menu... Be the first to write a review |
$-$$ Eclectic |
Playa Zancudo |
|
Orquideas Inn
This friendly and spirited hotel has a colorful, Spanish-style... Be the first to write a review |
$-$$ Eclectic |
Alajuela |
|
The Palms
Spicy Mexican fare is the main attraction at this casual-but-chic... Be the first to write a review |
$-$$$ Mexican |
Puerto Jiménez |
|
Pizza & Pasta a Go-Go
Exceptionally fine Italian food, including 25 fabulous pizzas... Be the first to write a review |
$ Italian |
Nicoya Coast |
|
Pizzería de Johnny
Everyone makes it to this stylish but informal place with candles... Be the first to write a review |
$-$$$ Italian, Costa Rican |
Monteverde Cloud Forest |
|
Pizzeria El Jardin Tortuga
Ordering a pizza doesn't get any simpler than this: vegetarian... Be the first to write a review |
$ Pizza |
Ballena Marine National Park |
|
Pizzeria Liliana
Treat yourself to authentic pizza at the classiest restaurant... Be the first to write a review |
$ Italian |
San Vito |
|
Pizzeria Playa Carmen
This restaurant's location, under the trees on the area's most... Be the first to write a review |
$-$$ Pizza |
Central Pacific |
|
Pub Olio
Although this combination pub and restaurant serves the full... Write a review | Avg. member rating: 4.8/5 |
$-$$ Mediterranean |
San José |
|
Rancho la Cascada
You can't miss its tall, palm-thatch roof in the center of town... Write a review | Avg. member rating: 4.0/5 |
¢-$ Costa Rican |
Arenal Volcano Area |
|
Restaurant 1910
Decorated with vintage photos of early-20th-century buildings... Be the first to write a review |
¢-$$ Costa Rican |
Volcán Irazú |
|
Restaurant El Dorado
After one visit to Costa Rica, Andrea Dolcetti and his wife... Be the first to write a review |
$ Italian |
Nicoya Coast |
|
Restaurant Maxi's
Cooled by sea breezes and shaded by tall, stately palms, this... Be the first to write a review |
$ Seafood |
Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge |
|
Restaurant Sol y Mar
On a breezy porch with a palm-fringed beach view, this restaurant... Write a review | Avg. member rating: 5.0/5 |
$-$$ Eclectic |
Playa Zancudo |
|
Restaurante Carolina
This simple alfresco restaurant in the heart of Puerto Jiménez... Be the first to write a review |
¢-$ Costa Rican |
Puerto Jiménez |
|
Restaurante La Feria
This family-style restaurant has the usual midscale Costa Rican... Be the first to write a review |
¢-$ Costa Rican |
Turrialba |
|
Restaurante La Yunta
In a 1928 wooden building that originally served as a vacation... Be the first to write a review |
$-$$$ Costa Rican |
Puntarenas |
|
Restaurante Las Brasas
Seafood and meat grilled over hot brasas (coals) are the specialties... Be the first to write a review |
$-$$ Spanish |
Nicoya Coast |
|
Restaurante Mar Luna
Easy to overlook, this simple blue wooden restaurant propped... Write a review | Avg. member rating: 2.6/5 |
$-$$$ Seafood |
Manuel Antonio |
|
Restaurante Mar y Luna
Strings of buoys, nets, and fishing rods give a nautical air... Be the first to write a review |
$ Costa Rican |
Golfito |
|
Restaurante Nicoya
There are many Chinese restaurants from which to choose in Nicoya... Be the first to write a review |
¢-$ Chinese |
Nicoya |
|
Restaurante Noche Buena
If you've raced up Irazú to catch the clear early-morning... Be the first to write a review |
¢-$ Costa Rican |
Volcán Irazú |
|
Restaurante y Marisquería Paso Real
A Liberia institution, this second-floor restaurant's terrace... Be the first to write a review |
$-$$ Seafood |
Liberia |
|
Rioasis
This large, colorful place on the town's main drag is one of... Be the first to write a review |
¢-$ Pizza |
Jacó |
|
Ristorante Marco Polo
They came, they saw, they built a whole Tuscan-style village... Be the first to write a review |
$ Italian |
Nicoya Coast |
|
Ronny's Place
A spectacular sunset view and friendly, attentive service are... Be the first to write a review |
$-$$ Costa Rican |
Manuel Antonio |
|
Salsa Brava
The restaurant at Salsa Brava—with sublime surf vistas—has... Be the first to write a review |
$-$$ Italian, Mediterranean, Seafood |
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca |
|
San Clemente Mexican-American Bar & Grill
Signs you're in the local surfer hangout: dozens of broken surfboards... Be the first to write a review |
$ Tex-Mex |
Dominical |
|
Shakti
The baskets of fruit and vegetables at the entrance and the wall... Be the first to write a review |
¢-$ Vegetarian |
San José |
|
Soda El Chilito Mexicano
A great alternative to the touristy La Casona is this little... Be the first to write a review |
¢-$ Costa Rican |
Orosi Valley |
|
Sofía
Here's one of the area's most stylish restaurants, but this is... Write a review | Avg. member rating: 4.4/5 |
$-$$ Eclectic |
Monteverde Cloud Forest |
|
Stella's Bakery
This local institution is one of the few spots that open at 6... Be the first to write a review |
¢-$ Cafe |
Monteverde Cloud Forest |
|
Steve n' Lisa's
A convenient location, an ocean view, and good food make this... Be the first to write a review |
$-$$ Eclectic |
Tárcoles |
|
Sunspot Bar and Grill
The open-air, poolside restaurant of the exclusive Makanda by... Write a review | Avg. member rating: 4.9/5 |
$-$$$ Eclectic |
Manuel Antonio |
|
Tequila Bar and Grill
Home of the Howler, a spicy shot of tequila laced with jalapeño... Be the first to write a review |
$ Mexican |
Nicoya Coast |
|
Tex Mex
This Gringo favorite serves a fairly standard Mexican menu—tacos... Be the first to write a review |
$-$$ Mexican |
Santa Ana |
|
Tin Jo
The colorful dining rooms of this converted house just southeast... Write a review | Avg. member rating: 1.6/5 |
$-$$$ Asian |
San José |
|
Tortilla Flats
Another popular surfer hangout, this place has the advantage... Be the first to write a review |
$ Mexican |
Dominical |
|
Tree House
The name describes the place: this two-story restaurant on Santa... Write a review | Avg. member rating: 4.2/5 |
$-$$ Eclectic |
Monteverde Cloud Forest |
|
Wishbone
This popular eatery in the heart of Jacó's commercial... Be the first to write a review |
$-$$ Seafood |
Jacó |
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