197 Best Restaurants in Costa Rica

A popular spot with expats who come for the cold beers, burritos, burgers, and pura vida vibe, The Shack successfully blends a tico menu with American and British favorites. Grab a seat under the tin roof and try the fresh fish-and-chips, heaping nachos, cheeseburgers, or coconut shrimp. Start the day with their "Tony" sandwich: fried eggs, onion, tomato, spinach, avocado, jalapeño, and cheddar cheese, along with a fresh smoothie. The Shack gimlet, with cucumber and basil, packs a powerful punch.

It's not always easy to find a great cup of coffee around Uvita, but the espresso here, brewed using organic coffee beans from the high-altitude Chirripó and San Rafael Tarrazú regions, is excellent and ready by 7 am. Pair it with a homemade pastry for a heavenly morning. This hip café also serves salads, sandwiches, burgers, pizza, and divine desserts, including a tart lemon pie with clouds of perfect meringue topping. You also can buy Sibu's coffee beans to take home. Sit on the popular terrace and enjoy the free Wi-Fi and laid-back vibe.

The indigenous cultures of Costa Rica don't get too much attention from tourists, but this small, intimate restaurant in Barrio Escalante aims to change that by incorporating recipes derived from the history and culture of the eight surviving indigenous ethnic groups. Sikwa has deliciously (and respectfully) bridged the gap between the country's past and present as each meal tells a different story, which the chef and servers will happily share with you. An otherwise straightforward drink menu includes some funky highlights like a gin and tonic with cacao nibs.

The name means "over the waves," and this is one of the few dining spots in Cahuita perched this close to the shore. Red snapper is the house specialty, but other seafood and pasta dishes are on the menu, too, along with affordable sandwiches and lighter fare. The menu has a good selection of wine and natural fruit juices. Set along the less busy stretch of Playa Negra (as you head out of town), the admittedly spartan dining area features terrific ocean views that perfectly complement the food.

Don't expect anything fancy at this extremely popular restaurant, but food here is cheap and filling. The ubiquitous gallo pinto for breakfast and casados (meat, fish, or poultry, accompanied by rice, cabbage salad, and dessert) for lunch are on the menu, along with a variety of sandwiches and burgers. You can dine outdoors, but you'll have to contend with the traffic noise and the sight of the guard flagging cars in and out of the tiny parking lot.

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.

Adventurously elevated preparations of Mexican, Asian, and Hawaiian dishes incorporate the flavors normally found in your smoothie to create tropical-forward dishes like avocado spring rolls, passion fruit curries, and spicy mango chicken wings. Classic cocktails get the same treatment, mingling margaritas with tamarind and Panamanian pepper, cilantro mojitos, or a red fruits gin and tonic. During the day the view of Playa Cocles from the restaurant patio is reason enough to show up, and in the evening, the sound of crashing waves echoes through a garden of illuminated palms.

A convenient location, free Wi-Fi, and good food make this roadside restaurant, just south of the entrance to Tárcoles, a popular pit stop for those traveling between San José and the Central Pacific beaches. The menu includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner with entrées that range from hamburgers and pasta to fried shrimp and a pricey surf and turf. The seafood soup and fried chicken are popular with locals. This restaurant is on the main road to Jacó, so plan to hear the sound of semis while you dig into your rice and beans.

From breakfast to happy hour this beachfront bistro serves stunning plates with even better views of the ocean. Bagels and eggs are on the menu in the morning, and for dinner we recommend getting a selection of tapas under the twinkling lights and sharing so you can try a lot—the mushroom risotto is perfection and the mussels and mahimahi are magnificent. It's also a great place for cocktails.

This taco shack serves surfer-approved tacos, fresh fruit smoothies, cold beers, and banana bread with a view of the waves—what more do you need at the beach? There are only a couple of stools so you can eat here belly up to the bar or with your toes in the sand. When you've eaten your fill, there are hammocks for relaxing with your beverage. Note that this is cash only (US dollars or colones).

This perennially popular and casual surfer hangout is right across from Dominical Beach, which you can spy through a fringe of palm trees. Favorite menu items are the fresh-baked baguette sandwiches stuffed with interesting combinations and the excellent margaritas and flavored daiquiris, usually downed at the huge U-shaped bar. Try the nachos, burgers, or coconut-crusted mahimahi with a tropical sauce. Fresh-fish specials, notably the whole fried fish, round out the menu. There's free Wi-Fi.

Don’t let the “café” in the name fool you; this romantic restaurant has an intimate open-air dining room, ocean views, and a menu that lures guests and hikers alike for appetizers like ceviche, tuna tartare, and shrimp tempura, and mains of jumbo shrimp, Pacific lobster, or surf and turf. Hamburgers, pastas, and salads keep things familiar, while the coconut flan and mango bananas Foster will remind you that you’re in Costa Rica. This is the “go to” spot for post-hike breakfasts and sunset margaritas with a side of live music (Tuesdays and Saturday 5–7 pm). Even if you’re not staying at the hotel, simply make a reservation and grab an access pass to dine at the restaurant overlooking an infinity pool.

Chow down at this casual place a block from the beach, or party at the extensive bar, which occupies about a third of the restaurant. Portions are large, so pace yourself—especially if you order the popular barbecued ribs with mashed potatoes. On the seafood side, you can count on teriyaki tuna, grilled mahimahi, and coconut-crusted sea bass. The salads are topped with healthy ingredients like chickpeas, avocado, and quinoa. The chalkboard menu features the daily specials, your best bet for what's in season. Prices are on the high side, but you can arrive early for half-price cocktails from 4 to 6; the spicy jalapeño margarita packs a punch. There is also Sunday brunch in high season.

This Italian eatery is the perfect place to stop for brick-oven pizza; thin and crispy top picks include New York style with pepperoni, sausage, and ham, or pesto-chicken pizza with toasted walnuts and caramelized onions. Staying true to Italian cuisine there's also homemade pasta, meatballs, and fettuccine Alfredo. The tuna chipotle and filet mignon are hearty dishes and come with a side of roasted potatoes and vegetables. If the lights dim, it just means someone ordered the banana flambé, a dessert and show worth saving room for. Live music is performed Friday from 7 to 9.

No worries if you can't decide between lunch or the beach, because you can get both at this cheerful, casual restaurant and beach club, complete with swimming pool and showers. Just steps from Playa Ballena, Villa Leonor allows you to stroll down to the beach between courses or chill out with ice-cold beer while the kids play in the pool. Typical casados are a bargain, with fish or chicken and lots of sides. Local lobsters, broiled in garlic butter, can be ordered ahead. The restaurant also offers mixed chicken and fish fajitas, excellent fruit smoothies, and tropical cocktails. Service is sprightly, and the friendly owners are usually on hand to greet customers.