Península de Nicoya
It looks like a boat, but it's actually a building, facing a sweet slice of sand on Playa Coyote (close to the T-intersection at the beach). Hokey,…
Must-see restaurants in Península de Nicoya
Península de Nicoya
The Fernandez family serves up simple yet scrumptious Tico fare in this airy open space. Just your basic casados, really (nine to choose from) as well as…
Playa Sámara
A favorite with locals, this is a dressed-up soda with tablecloths, faux-adobe walls and excellent food. The menu ranges from the expected (arroz con…
Playa Tamarindo
Pastry chef Hervé is out to impress with dishes including creamy chicken vol-au-vent, moules marinière (mussels in white wine) and a passel of veggie…
Mal País & Santa Teresa
The top-shelf restaurant at the Hotel Moana is on a stunning perch and has jaw-dropping views and Latin-inspired tapas. The emphasis on local ingredients…
Playa Tamarindo
A Danish-Guatemalan couple have created this clean, well-lit place to eat and people-watch, towering above Tamarindo Plaza. The blue-and-white tiled walls…
Playa Sámara
Those in search of healthy and delicious breakfasts, brunches and lunches need look no further. This artsy little cafe serves up yummy juices and strong…
Playa Sámara
Life is sweet when you're sitting under a giant palapa on the sand, drinking a smoothie and watching the surfers. This is a popular spot for pizza and…
Mal País & Santa Teresa
This new addition to the Santa Teresa smorgasbord serves up the usual sushi roll suspects – California, spicy tuna, and Philadelphia – along with local…
Península de Nicoya
If there's anything more fun than eating pizza in a tree house, we'd love to hear about it. Take a seat at the top of this well-constructed, Seuss-like…
Mal País & Santa Teresa
Not the biggest bakery in Playa El Carmen, but longtime residents swear by this Italian panaderia in the first mall you see as you come into town…
Península de Nicoya
A popular soda (cheap lunch counter) serving appetizing comida típica (typical local food) such as gallo pinto (stir-fry of rice and beans) in the morning…
Montezuma
A cozy feeling permeates this restaurant and bakery on the beach road, which in 2019 was repainted in a cheerful yellow by its new owner. The terrace…
Playa Tamarindo
Swing on up to the bar, grab a tree-stump stool, and prepare to sample some fantastic fare. The mahi-mahi tacos are perfection in a tortilla, while non…
Península de Nicoya
There's something special about this glorified taco bar. Ingredients are all organically produced or locally sourced. Tortillas are hand-rolled; hot sauce…
Península de Nicoya
Near the north end of town, this rather hidden, unassuming place has Ticos and gringos alike raving about the soups, ceviches and all things fishy. And…
Península de Nicoya
This colorful, fun beach bar is an excellent place to pass an evening feasting on burgers or fish tacos and swilling beers. Or sample the Peruvian…
Mal País & Santa Teresa
It's worth the steep climb for sensational views and fancy-looking seafood at the poolside patio restaurant at the Hotel Buenos Aires. Begin with a…
Península de Nicoya
If you want to sip fruity cocktails while you watch the sun drop into the sea, Roberto's is the place. For dinner, there's plenty of local seafood and…
Península de Nicoya
Follow the odd signage depicting a woman's bikini-clad pelvis to this informal beach restaurant, where for more than 25 years the owner has been cooking…
Península de Nicoya
A local landmark on the main road from Cabuya to Reserva Cabo Blanco. Set on a tropical patio, this inviting cafe serves up a stellar menu including fresh…
Península de Nicoya
Relatively formal for Costa Rica, Angelina's offers fine dining in a breezy, open-air setting, upstairs at the Plaza mini-mall. Innovative seafood…
Playa Tamarindo
The best pizza in Tamarindo, by some accounts. This casual open-air restaurant has 28 different pizzas with a wide variety of toppings, as well as salads…
Playa Sámara
It's not cheap, but self-caterers (and anybody with a dietary restriction) will appreciate this cafe and market, well stocked with organic produce and…
Playa Sámara
Locals adore this inexpensive beachfront soda, and truly the gallo pinto (with traditional add-ons like stewed beef and pork chops) hits the spot. Bonus…
Península de Nicoya
Set beneath a stilted tin roof twirling with ceiling fans, this fabulous diner is Potrero's favorite spot to grab a bite. It focuses on inexpensive yet…
Playa Tamarindo
Down at the roundabout at the end of the beach, a hole-in-the-wall to fill the hole in your stomach. Milady has been feeding locals wholesome casados and…
Península de Nicoya
Locals Love Lochito's! Ask about dining options around Junquillal and this roadside cafe will no doubt come up. Whether it's the fresh red snapper, the…
Montezuma
Under new ownership, this rustic little restaurant has continued serving up lip-smacking whole fish, casados and grilled BBQ ribs. Grab a table on the 2nd…
Playa Tamarindo
This friendly fish shack has one of the best beachfront locations in town. It's a perfect perch for a sunset drink or seafood dinner. There's nothing…
Península de Nicoya
About the only place to eat in town besides the sodas, this roadhouse restaurant has a nice lunch and drinks menu. Don't come for the pizzas, despite the…
Mal País & Santa Teresa
A dainty, classic bakery and longstanding favorite brunch spot in the center of Playa El Carmen. Some naughty delights like croques monsieur and Belgian…
Península de Nicoya
In-the-know locals mix with clueless tourists at this undeniably perfect beach bar, where the cocktails are strong, the seafood is on point and the sunset…
Península de Nicoya
Conveniently located on the corner where the main square meets the beach, this local favorite has been serving up fresh seafood for years. A new owner as…
Península de Nicoya
The restaurant at the Hotel Punta Islita showcases Tico flavors with the freshest seafood, local meats and poultry, and organic produce, with plenty of…
Playa Tamarindo
When you get tired of casados, head to this Middle Eastern cafe for all the faves: shakshuka, shawarma, falafel, tabbouleh, hummus and kebabs. The pita…
Península de Nicoya
Three words: beachfront taco stand. Hefty beef and veggie tacos and fresh fruit batidos (shakes) will sustain you for a full day of sun and surf. Can't…
Península de Nicoya
This spacious and unpretentious thatched-roof restaurant on the road to Brasilito features pasta and pizza dishes prepared by your (surprise!) Italian…
Montezuma
The long menu has just about everything, especially when it comes to seafood. Look for steamed mussels, broiled octopus, fish carpaccio and grilled shrimp…
