Updated June 1, 2023
Planning to Visit?
Costa Rica is one of the most serene, beautiful, and peaceful places in the world. Costa Rica is a must-visit. Apart from the scenic beauty and captivating ambiance, one should go to the food drive in the country. Costa Rica is also known for its food, cuisines, and flavors. Before you plan the trip, here are the must-visit restaurants in Costa Rica.
Best Restaurants in Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a must-visit place known for its fresh seafood and healthy homegrown crops. You’ll love the food, from the best-chosen restaurants to street vendors. Here, you’ll find the highest standards of seasonal and organic produced foods. Thanks to biodynamic farming, you can get rich and fresh flavors from homegrown plants. The restaurants in Costa Rica are blessed to be a part of this country, where dynamic chefs, foodies, and farmers work together to make the best cuisine in the world.
Let’s go through some of the best restaurants in Costa Rica!
#1 Yoly’s
Located in Golfito, this is one of the best public docks 5 minutes away from the bay. You may enjoy the beach as well as the food at Yoly’s. Here, a family runs Yoly’s, which serves cold beers with whole red snapper. Enjoy the hot and fresh grill on the boat or the beachside. It’s a small restaurant (rather than a space) open till midnight. You may not find any official website, but you can always connect with the vendor via WhatsApp.
Address: Ranchos beach, Golfito’s public dock
Price: Starting at 2 USD
Timings: 8- 12 midnight
Cuisine: Barbeque
What to eat? Fresh Barbeque
Signature Dish: (Must have) Cold Beer
#2 Sikwa
It is for you if you are a fan of arracacha root and cassava cuisine! Known for the best pineapple, sweetcorn Tamales, and grilled heart of palm. Sikwa is a collaborative restaurant with the indigenous Bribri community. It is known for its dinner, cocktails, and DJs. The place is a must-visit. If you’re a fan of good cocktails, try one here!
Address: SIKWA COCINA ANCESTRAL COSTARRICENSE, Los Yoses, San José. Costa Rica
Price: Starting at 9 USD
Timings: 8- 12 midnight
Cuisine: Arracacha root and cassava
What to eat?: The grilled heart of palm
Signature Dish: (Must have) Cocktails
#3 HIR Fine Dining
Want to have dinner at a place serving more than 1-course meal? Pay a visit to HIR fine dining. This place serves a 7-course meal, where an individual can pick their taste. It’s truly a one-off experience with chef and innovator Noam. The chef is known for informal meals with ingredients like pickled watermelon skin, fish scales, and frozen chutney. Here, you’ll find 0 waste and home-style cooking with the same love and passion! Pay a visit if you need fine dining (but like home)!
Address: Tamarindo, Costa Rica
Price: Starting at 5 USD
Timings: Morning- 12 midnight
Cuisine: Multi
What to eat?: Pickled watermelon skin, fish scales, and frozen chutney
Signature Dish: (Must have) Frozen chutney
#4 Restaurant Exotica
If you’re into outdoor/ rooftop restaurants, visit restaurant exotica. This place is serene and has front-row seats to Ojochal’s jungle. People have spotted ocelots from their tables! Sounds interesting? You may try international flavors like Costa Rican ceviche, Tahitian carpaccio, and flambé shrimp. People must try desserts, especially Dua Passion Dessert!
Address: Av Principal de Ojochal, Provincia de Puntarenas, Ojochal, 60501, Costa Rica
Price: Starting at 5 USD
Timings: Morning- 12 midnight
Cuisine: International
What to eat?: Tahitian carpaccio, Costa Rican ceviche, and flambé shrimps.
Signature Dish: (Must have) Dua Passion Dessert.
#5 Ronny’s Place
Make sure to book your table at Ronny’s- the place is jam-packed! From 6 pm onwards, you’ll see the beautiful view from the place (and it’s worth waiting for). The place is set on a farm with ocean and paper lanterns, and fairy lights. It serves Latin American cuisine like churrasco with chimichurri, enormous rice platters, and zingy tuna ceviche.
Address: Playa Avellana, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Price: Starting at 5 USD
Timings: Monday through Thursday; 9 am – 6 pm; Friday, Saturday, and Sunday: 9 am – 7 pm
Cuisine: Latin American
What to eat?: Enormous rice platters, churrasco with chimichurri, and zingy tuna ceviche.
Signature Dish: (Must have) Churrasco with chimichurri
