The Osa Peninsula and the South Pacific Restaurants
We’ve compiled the best of the best in The Osa Peninsula and the South Pacific - browse our top choices for Restaurants during your stay.
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41 Recommendations
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1. Citrus Restaurante + Tapas
$$$ | | EclecticTangy, tart, and refreshing, this ultrasophisticated restaurant lives up to its name, both in its daring decor and inventive fusion menu spanning...
Tangy, tart, and refreshing, this ultrasophisticated restaurant lives up to its name, both in its daring decor and inventive fusion menu spanning the globe from the Far East, across the Mediterranean to chef Marcella Marciano's culinary homeland, France. The menu careens from classic French escargots and moules marinières to Japanese wasabi-spiced shrimp, to Indian chicken curry. Make a light meal of international tapas, say: Korean steamed kimchi-and-shiitake dumplings, Belgian cheese croquettes, or a duo of salmon and tuna tartare. Local seafood makes appearances as Greek-style fish fillet with almonds and caper butter or in a seafood-packed umami sushi bowl. The signature seafood platter reigns supreme with lobster, mussels, calamari, and shrimp bathed in a creamy lemon-and-garlic sauce. Craft beers are on tap, along with a wide-ranging wine list. Presentation is exquisite. Desserts are de rigueur; if you like chocolate, don't pass up the divine choco-choco flourless chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream. In the off season (December through March), it's open only 7–10 am.
Plaza Tangara main road in Ojochal, Ojochal, Puntarenas, 60504, Costa Rica-2786–5175Known For
- Seafood platter in lemon-garlic sauce
- Choco-choco flourless cake
- Chic and romantic setting
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. -
2. Exotica Restaurant
$$$ | |Fabulous French cuisine with tropical accents served on an intimate alfresco patio in the tiny French-Canadian enclave of Ojochal keeps this romantic restaurant at the...
Fabulous French cuisine with tropical accents served on an intimate alfresco patio in the tiny French-Canadian enclave of Ojochal keeps this romantic restaurant at the top of locals' list of go-to special-occasion restaurants. Raked sand, red lanterns, and "curtains" of fairy lights set the tone for a menu that includes an intriguing Tahitian fish carpaccio bathed in a creamy banana and coconut marinade, a hearty serving of fish or shrimp in a banana-curry sauce, or a spicy Vietnamese chicken soup. French favorites include cognac liver pâté and a pricey but excellent duck breast with orange sauce. Presentation is artistic, with garnishes of flowers and sprigs of exotic greenery. The wine list is international and reasonably priced. Desserts are all homemade and luscious. Chocoholics won't want to miss the Devil's Fork flourless chocolate cake, rich and dense, with a hint of chili pepper. For a refreshing finish to a meal, the passion-fruit ice cream with a blackberry coulis will leave your taste buds tingling. This restaurant has just 14 tables encased in greenery under a thatch roof.
Main road into Ojochal, Ojochal, Puntarenas, 60504, Costa Rica2786–5050Known For
- Chili-spiced flourless chocolate cake
- Spicy Vietnamese chicken soup
- Reasonably priced international wine list
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun.; Sept.–Oct.; and Mon. May–Aug. No lunch, Reservations essential -
3. La Parcela
$$$ | |Picture a dream location: a high headland jutting out into the sea with vistas up and down the coast, and throw in a breeze-swept terrace,...
Picture a dream location: a high headland jutting out into the sea with vistas up and down the coast, and throw in a breeze-swept terrace, polished service, a boat-shape bar, and some fine seaside cuisine, and you are at La Parcela. The turquoise and white decor is reminiscent of Greece, the sunsets are spectacular, and shrimp and lobster dishes are pricey but excellent. A perfect, but less expensive, light lunch is the beer-battered fish with crunchy carrot and cabbage salad, served with guacamole. Reasonably priced appetizers include ceviche, fried calamari, and clams in white-wine sauce. Desserts here are rich and substantial enough to share. If you're just passing through Dominical, this is a good place for a cold beer and an appetizer, or a naturale, a tall glass of freshly whipped fruit juice.
4 km (2½ miles) south of Dominical, off Costanera Hwy., Dominical, Puntarenas, 11909, Costa Rica2787–0016Known For
- Beer-battered fish tacos
- Grilled tuna with pasta
- Tres leches and vegan avocado pie
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4. Pearl of the Osa
$$ | |Head to this casually chic, open-air beachfront restaurant for the most upscale and memorable dining, with a dazzling, postcard-perfect beach view and the most sophisticated...
Head to this casually chic, open-air beachfront restaurant for the most upscale and memorable dining, with a dazzling, postcard-perfect beach view and the most sophisticated menu in the Puerto Jiménez area. Standouts on the tantalizing menu include a four-soup sampler: black bean with egg, avocado, and cilantro; warm carrot ginger with red-pepper coulis; and a cold, spicy gazpacho as well as a green version. Fish cakes with sesame-cabbage slaw and ginger marmalade come with heaps of homemade chips. Mahimahi can be prepared tropical style, with a spicy Veracruz sauce, or in garlic butter. Vegetarian options include vegetable stir-fry with tofu, vegetable burritos, and pasta puttanesca. Wines and craft beers, along with exotic fruit drinks, are on tap. Save room for homemade ice cream and brownies. Portions are huge and served with style. The restaurant is owned by Iguana Lodge and high standards of service apply at both. Tuesday is BBQ night; come early to watch the sunset. Be aware that menu prices do not include tax and service, which adds another 23%.
Playa Platanares, 5 km (3 miles) south of airstrip, Puerto Jiménez, Puntarenas, Costa Rica8848–0752Known For
- Fish tacos and shrimp salad
- Coffee ice cream
- Vegetarian choices
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5. Sabor Español
$$$ | |Authentic paella, made with nutty, saffron-infused Spanish rice and the freshest seafood, is the main reason to wend your way along a rutted dirt road...
Authentic paella, made with nutty, saffron-infused Spanish rice and the freshest seafood, is the main reason to wend your way along a rutted dirt road behind Playa Ballena to this jungle outpost of Catalan cuisine. The smallish, open-air rancho is nothing fancy, with wooden chairs and tables and a few potted palms, but it fills up fast. The warm welcome along with the expertly executed Catalonian menu quickly dispel any qualms about the seriousness of this restaurant. There's a classic, spicy, Andalusian gazpacho for starters or tapas to share while you wait the 40 minutes for your cooked-to-order paella. Try the delicate, sweet mussels, bathed in a spicy wine sauce, or the succulent mushrooms marinated in garlic and olive oil. The list of seafood specialties includes whiskey-flambéed shrimp, and meat-lovers can sink their teeth into sirloin slathered with a wine-and-fresh-grape sauce. Chicken takes on tropical flavors with sauces featuring mango, rum, and curry. The pace is a little leisurely, but a pitcher of excellent sangria, studded with tropical fruit chunks, helps to pass the time enjoyably. There are only five or six tables at this dinner-only restaurant, so reservations are advised.
1 km (½ mile) south of Uvita BM Supermercado along Costanera, Bahía Ballena, Puntarenas, 60504, Costa Rica2743–8312Known For
- Whiskey-flambéed shrimp
- Garlicky marinated mushrooms
- Sangria by the pitcher
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Sept. 15–Dec. 15. No lunch, No credit cards -
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6. Banana Bay
$$ | |For consistently good American-style food, you can't beat this marina restaurant with a view of expensive yachts and sportfishing boats. Locals complain that the prices...
For consistently good American-style food, you can't beat this marina restaurant with a view of expensive yachts and sportfishing boats. Locals complain that the prices are high, but portions are hefty and include generous salads, sizzling hamburgers, and a delicious grilled dorado sandwich with a mountain of fries. Shrimp and fish plates are pricier ($15 to $22) but they couldn't be fresher, straight off the local boats. It's open for breakfast, too. While you're waiting for your order, take advantage of the free Wi-Fi.
Main street, Golfito, Puntarenas, 60701, Costa Rica2775–0383Known For
- BLT and burgers with a pile of hot fries
- Grilled fish sandwich
- Free Wi-Fi
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7. Café de la Suerte
$ | |Fortunately for food lovers, the "Good Luck Café" serves truly astonishing vegetarian food, along with intriguing exotic juices and thick fruit smoothies. The homemade yogurt...
Fortunately for food lovers, the "Good Luck Café" serves truly astonishing vegetarian food, along with intriguing exotic juices and thick fruit smoothies. The homemade yogurt is a revelation: light, almost fluffy, and full of flavor, served over a cornucopia of fruits, sprinkled with the café's own granola, and mixed into refreshing fruit-flavored lassis. Healthful sandwiches include excellent hummus, and hot daily specials might include curried hearts of palm or juicy veggie burgers. Their espresso machine makes a mean cup of joe and the cappuccino pairs perfectly with the fudgy brownie or brown-sugar oatmeal square for the road. Bring your laptop and use the Wi-Fi. It's open 8 to 5. Sometimes open for dinner in high season, April to July. Budget travelers might want to stay the night at their simple rooms.
Main street, Pavones, Puntarenas, 60704, Costa Rica2776–2388Known For
- Creamy quiches
- Vegetarian lasagna
- Delectable brownies
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Oct., Nov., and Sun. Aug.–Mar. No dinner most nights -
8. Café de Los Santos
$ | |This pretty café, within sight of the town's majestic church in San Marcos de Tarrazú, showcases the area's high-altitude arabica Tarrazú coffee, the "celestial drink"...
This pretty café, within sight of the town's majestic church in San Marcos de Tarrazú, showcases the area's high-altitude arabica Tarrazú coffee, the "celestial drink" for which this zone is famous.
6 km (4 miles) west of Santa María de Dota, San Marcos de Tarrazú, San José, 10501, Costa Rica2546–7881Known For
- 30 specialty coffee drinks
- Homemade sweet and savory pastries
- Vintage photos of oxcarts and coffee harvests
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. -
9. Cafe Mono Congo
$ | |Pull up a counter stool or sit at a table on the popular riverside terrace at this friendly café with creative vegetarian and gluten-free dishes,...
Pull up a counter stool or sit at a table on the popular riverside terrace at this friendly café with creative vegetarian and gluten-free dishes, organic juices, local and imported craft beers on tap, kombuchas, and herbal teas. Desserts are not only gluten-free, they are addictive: the chocolate papaya pie combines dark chocolate with papaya to make a rich mousse filling for a date, almond, and coconut crust. For breakfast, try a hearty Tico plate chock-full of brown rice and pinto beans, topped by a mini-omelet with red peppers, spring onions, local cheeses, tomato, avocado, and plantains—with chipotle sauce on the side. A lighter option is smashed avocados on toast with goat cheese sprinkled with pink salt. It's open 6:30 am to 9 pm daily.
Main St., Dominical, Puntarenas, 11909, Costa Rica8485–5523Known For
- Quinoa bowl
- Pineapple barbecue veggie burger
- Excellent organic coffee
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10. Coloso del Mar Restaurant
$ | |Fabulous fish burritos, steak with tropical sauce, and a savory fillet of sea bass with a smoky jalapeño cream sauce are a few of the...
Fabulous fish burritos, steak with tropical sauce, and a savory fillet of sea bass with a smoky jalapeño cream sauce are a few of the delights at this screened-in-porch restaurant in a bright-yellow clapboard cottage on the beach. Chicken or fish curry is popular with the locals. Attention is paid to sides, too, including creamy mashed potatoes, cheese-topped toasted garlic bread, and perfectly cooked vegetables. Beer and wine by the glass or bottle are available. Service here is with a smile, and everything is cooked to order, so relax—you're at the beach. If you want to try the banana pancakes at breakfast, consider staying at one of the four beachfront cabins, or just come along at breakfast time, 7 to 10 am. Bikes and boards can be rented here as well.
Main road, Zancudo, Puntarenas, 60704, Costa Rica2776–0050Known For
- Fish cakes and creamy mashed potatoes
- Banana pancakes
- Service with a smile
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch -
11. Dominical Sushi
$$ | | JapaneseWith a view over the Barú estuary, this open-air Japanese restaurant serves local seafood in all the usual rolls and sashimi, with some tropical...
With a view over the Barú estuary, this open-air Japanese restaurant serves local seafood in all the usual rolls and sashimi, with some tropical twists, plus imported Sapporo beer, sake, or green tea to drink. Dark bamboo furniture, Japanese lanterns, and colored globes set the modern, minimalist scene, while smooth, jazzy music mix sets a cool mood. Try the Tico Roll, with spicy shrimp, avocado, cucumber, and mango, wrapped in sweet plantain; or dig into the ahi poke salad, with cubes of raw tuna marinated in sesame oil, chili, and soy sauce, atop a Hawaiian salad sprinkled with peanuts or almonds. You can perch on a stool at the counter to watch the sushi chefs at work.
Pueblo del Río, Main street, Dominical, Puntarenas, 11909, Costa Rica-8826–7946Known For
- Tico shrimp roll with mango
- Ahi poke salad with raw tuna
- Cool jazz soundtrack
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner Fri.; no lunch Sat. -
12. El Descanso
$$ | |The kind of extraordinary restaurant you hope to stumble on in the most unlikely place, this intimate five-table wood-and-bamboo dining room is presided over by...
The kind of extraordinary restaurant you hope to stumble on in the most unlikely place, this intimate five-table wood-and-bamboo dining room is presided over by chef Esteban Acuña, whose family owns the attached small hotel. Drawing on his California training, Acuña gives local ingredients contemporary twists, flavored with herbs from the adjoining garden. Creamy soups are a meal in themselves. Trout, tuna, chicken, and tofu arrive in curry, vodka, red wine, and wasabi sauces. Desserts are delectable, so save some room.
Hwy. 242, San Isidro, San José, Costa Rica2256–0304Known For
- Mushroom-and-herb-stuffed whole trout
- Creamy soups, cold and hot
- Chocolate volcano flourless cake
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13. El Pescado Loco
$ | |Beer-battered onion rings, fresh hand-cut fries, and fried pickles have taken Dominical by storm at this laid-back alfresco kiosk in the Pueblo del Río complex...
Beer-battered onion rings, fresh hand-cut fries, and fried pickles have taken Dominical by storm at this laid-back alfresco kiosk in the Pueblo del Río complex on the riverfront. The fish tacos are outstanding—crispy beer-battered fish fillets accompanied by guacamole, red cabbage, and a spicy sauce are folded into a thin soft tortilla. You can substitute fried shrimp or go vegetarian with black beans and vegetables. The tortillas even come in a gluten-free version. Ultra-healthy grilled fish and vegetables are also on the menu, along with less healthy but delicious classic fish-and-chips. Beer, sodas, and fruit smoothies wash it all down. Seating is at wooden benches and tables on a covered wood patio.
Main street, Dominical, Puntarenas, 11909, Costa Rica717-877-9259-in U.S.Known For
- Outstanding fish tacos
- Beer-battered mushroom tacos
- Gluten-free tortillas
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. -
14. El Trapiche de Nayo
$ | |The panoramic valley view is worth a stop at this rustic roadside restaurant that serves the kind of food Ticos eat at turnos (village fund-raising...
The panoramic valley view is worth a stop at this rustic roadside restaurant that serves the kind of food Ticos eat at turnos (village fund-raising festivals), including gallos, thick tortillas cooked on a wood stove, which you stuff with cooked hearts of palm, root vegetables, or chicken in salsa. Some Saturdays, raw sugarcane is pressed in an antique mill and boiled in huge iron cauldrons. Service is leisurely, to say the least, but the restrooms have been upgraded, so it's a decent pit stop. Come early for dinner: it's open from 7 am to 7 pm daily.
Pan-American Hwy., 6 km (4 miles) north of San Isidro de El General, San Isidro, San José, 11901, Costa Rica2771–7267Known For
- Mondongo (tripe soup)
- Decent restrooms
- Homemade molasses-flavored fudge
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15. Gate One Charter Restaurant
$$ | | EclecticThis alfresco restaurant tucked beside a bona fide Boeing 727 (minus the engine) delivers generous portions of upscale pastas, succulent meats...
This alfresco restaurant tucked beside a bona fide Boeing 727 (minus the engine) delivers generous portions of upscale pastas, succulent meats, and tasty fish and seafood, including Peruvian-style ceviches. During the day kids can frolic in the swimming pool and adults can order spicy tropical chicken wings in the plane's cocktail bar. Dinners are candlelit and romantic—a little like dining on the set of the TV show Lost.
1½ km (1 mile) northeast of Dominical, on road from San Isidro de El General, Dominical, Puntarenas, 11909, Costa Rica506-2787–0172Known For
- Red snapper in a mushroom cream sauce
- Spicy chicken wings
- Karaoke and live-music evenings
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16. Il Giardino
$$ | | ItalianNorthern Italian–inspired cooking, in the form of tasty risotto, homemade pasta, and excellent salads is on offer at this popular garden spot...
Northern Italian–inspired cooking, in the form of tasty risotto, homemade pasta, and excellent salads is on offer at this popular garden spot. The best feature of this restaurant is its waterfront location, where you can sit on the terrace and take advantage of the views and fresh breezes off the gulf. Fresh fish rounds out the menu, as well as barbecued meats. Sadly, wood-fired pizzas are not the restaurant's forte, and service can be painfully slow.
Waterfront promenade, near public dock, Puerto Jiménez, Puntarenas, 60702, Costa Rica-2735–5129Known For
- Barbecue
- Pastas and salads
- Breezy views
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17. Kafe de la Casa
$ | |As hip as it gets in downtown San Isidro, this café serves excellent cappuccino and homemade muffins or an all-day breakfast in a funky, retro-rustic...
As hip as it gets in downtown San Isidro, this café serves excellent cappuccino and homemade muffins or an all-day breakfast in a funky, retro-rustic atmosphere combining 1950s diner and tico country. There's also a full menu of meat and chicken dishes. Sample them all in the Bandeja de la Casa, a monster plate of cheese fingers, chicken or beef fajitas, plátanos (plantains), refried beans, and tortillas. Healthier options include yogurt smoothies and omelets. This is the place to find out what's happening culturally around town. On weekdays, it stays open until 6 pm.
C. 4, Avda. 3, San Isidro, San José, 11901, Costa Rica2770–4816Known For
- Monster plate of bocas (snacks) to share
- Healthy yogurt smoothies
- Cultural happenings
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. -
18. Kahawa
$ | |Perched on the boulder-strewn bank of the rushing Savegre River, this handsome blond-wood-and-stone rancho specializes in serving up fresh trout in myriad ways at riverside...
Perched on the boulder-strewn bank of the rushing Savegre River, this handsome blond-wood-and-stone rancho specializes in serving up fresh trout in myriad ways at riverside tables, perfect for bird-watching. If you're not a fan of fish, try the kuku tamu, a chicken breast sandwich with chiverre (black seed squash) preserve, red onion, fresh cheese, mustard, and arugula. The coffee (kahawa in Swahili) is excellent, as are the fruit smoothies and craft beers.
San Gerardo, Cartago, Costa Rica2740–1081Known For
- Fried trout tacos
- Trout fillet with coconut sauce
- Homemade desserts
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner -
19. La Bruschetta
$$ | |This kitschy Italian spot within earshot of the surf serves savory bruschetta and 16 varieties of the town's most authentic pizza: crispy, with a thin...
This kitschy Italian spot within earshot of the surf serves savory bruschetta and 16 varieties of the town's most authentic pizza: crispy, with a thin crust, Neapolitan-style. The four-seasons pizza is a triumph, with thin, spicy pepperoni, flavorful ham, olives, eggplant, peppers, onion, and zucchini. The medium size is more than big enough for two. Save room for the knockout gnocchi, pillow-soft dumplings made with potatoes and cheese and bathed in olive oil and rosemary. Other choices include tortelloni in cream sauce and filet mignon. Tiramisu, piled high with whipped cream, and key lime pie do dessert duty. Japanese lanterns add a colorful touch, along with fuchsia and lime tablecloths. To find the place, look for the "La Piña" sign.
Main road between Pavones and Punto Banco, Pavones, Puntarenas, Costa Rica2776–2174Known For
- Knockout gnocchi
- Filet mignon
- Funky, fun atmosphere
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20. Marisquería Corcovado
$$ | |If you want to enjoy a little local atmosphere, join the anglers, families, and backpackers at this tiny restaurant that has spilled over into a...
If you want to enjoy a little local atmosphere, join the anglers, families, and backpackers at this tiny restaurant that has spilled over into a large waterfront garden. You can spend $9 for a plate of grilled fish or $36 on lobster. The menu is truly vast, with more than 50 platos fuertes (main courses) that run the gamut from seafood rice to whole lobsters to sirloin steaks. Wash it down with the only draft beer served in town, including microbrews, and gaze out at the Golfo Dulce. Marking the center of the dining area is a massive tree growing through the rafters. An added bonus: there's free Wi-Fi.
On waterfront, Puerto Jiménez, Puntarenas, 60702, Costa Rica2735–5659Known For
- Grilled fresh fish
- Lobster when available
- Gulf view and breezes
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