Diners' Choice: Best Food restaurants in Costa Rica

OpenTable

Updated September 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best overall cuisine in Costa Rica? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Restaurante Sofia - Tamarindo

4.9

4.9 (21)

$31 to $50

Mediterranean

Cabo Velas

About the restaurant

Restaurant with authentic Mediterranean cuisine, with recipes from 22 countries in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Food prepared with love and local materials. Executive chef Mehmet Onuralp has completed internships in cuisines in different Mediterranean countries to bring authentic flavors to our table. Our concept not only includes gastronomy, but also health, the arts, conversation and the friendship that is born and strengthened around the table.
Fine Dining - Wines - Events - Terrace and Garden - Prívate Parking

Top review

eileenvip

Dined 6 days ago

wonderful restaurant. chef mamit was very accommodating and food was fabulous. will definitely go again when im back in november. eileen r

Pesce - Four Seasons Costa Rica

5.0

5 (99)

$50 and over

Italian

Marina Papagayo

About the restaurant

Elegant evenings are effortless with our classic Italian cuisine, featuring local seafood, pastas and an extensive wine list, amid panoramic ocean views.

Top review

Elliot

Dined on Aug 17, 2024

Awesome restaurant and views. We loved this place

Amana

4.9

4.9 (44)

$30 and under

Contemporary Latin

San José

About the restaurant

A modern culinary concept that aims to combine local ingredients with techniques and preparations from across the world.

Located in Barrio Escalante, Amana offers an inviting, casual, and warm atmosphere right outside the heart of the capital; paired with creative dishes, attention to detail, and exceptional service.

Our kitchen is led by San Pellegrino Young Chef 2024 Regional Finalist (Latam & Caribbean) and Costa Rican winner of the Jeunes Chefs Rôtisseurs: Kenneth Ruiz.

Chef's Table available Thu-Sat, seating between 6:30pm and 8:30pm (8 people per night max)

Top review

Lisa

Dined 5 days ago

After many visits, Amana has become one of my favorite restaurants in San José. I love the atmosphere and attention to detail but most of all its food. What they bring to the table is creative and innovative with high quality ingredients by showcasing costa rican produce and flare mixed with modern techniques, something that is quite difficult to find in all of Costa Rica. If you want to experience very delicious food in a truly special place run by young up and comers, this is where you want to be.

Sentido Norte

4.9

4.9 (403)

$50 and over

International

Brasilito / Playa Flamingo

About the restaurant

Sentido Norte, a restaurant and bar at Casa Chameleon Las Catalinas, proudly offers the best of Coastal Costa Rican cuisine. All food & drink is inspired by the country’s bountiful abundance, combining uniquely local and native ingredients in the glass and on the plate.

Dining in Sentido Norte is like dining in a local friend’s gourmet kitchen. Everything is accounted for, every request can be met, and every–from dish to drink–is delicious.

Sentido Norte is an adults only restaurant. Children under 12 years of age are not permitted at the restaurant.
Service animals are welcome!

Top review

Erin

Dined on Sep 2, 2024

Wonderful evening / very special sunset view, accommodated our large group all together. A memorable dinner and sunset. Loved every minute and we all highly recommend.

Meso

4.9

4.9 (19)

$30 and under

Mediterranean

Marina Papagayo

About the restaurant

Explore our newest restaurant and prepare your taste buds for “Mesoterranean cuisine,” an innovative blend of vibrant Mediterranean flavors with a touch of Mesoamerican influence, complemented with refreshing tropical renditions of classic Mediterranean cocktails. Located at Nacascolo beach at Casa de Playa.

Top review

Candace

Dined on Aug 10, 2024

We went for dinner service during tapas week and the food was excellent. I had the paella, my husband had the pork chop and our daughter had the pasta. We all loved everything. The server was incredibly attentive. We went at night so we didn’t get the view but loved the open air concept.

The Capital Grille - San José

4.9

4.9 (361)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Escazu

About the restaurant

Fundado en 1990 en Providence, RI, The Capital Grille es un restaurante de alta cocina conocido por sus cortes de carne añejados en seco, mariscos frescos, una lista de vinos galardonada y un servicio personalizado y profesional en una atmósfera elegante y relajada.

Top review

Ben

Dined 6 days ago

Stopped in for a quick early lunch. Had the shrimp appetizer, which is normally breaded and has peppers. I asked for it just sautéed with butter and garlic and they were some of the best, most tender and tasty shrimps I've ever had

Los Tres Mexican Bistró

4.8

4.8 (19)

$30 and under

Mexican

Santa Ana

About the restaurant

Los Tres®️ es un tributo al legado familiar de los tres Luis Alfaro: abuelo, padre e hijo, pioneros de la comida mexicana en Costa Rica desde 1972. Este restaurante nos transporta al pasado, presente y futuro, fusionando ideas de las tres generaciones. La alta cocina de asador y parrilla regiomontana está presente, empleando ingredientes de primera provenientes de nuestra huerta y proveedores especializados.

En Los Tres®️ te sentirás como en casa, en un espacio familiar que trasciende. Como bistró mexicano, combinamos la atmósfera acogedora y el servicio atento de un bistró con la rica tradición culinaria mexicana. A través de cada platillo y bebida, te brindaremos una experiencia única .

Top review

Katy

Dined on Sep 14, 2024

Finally a good Mexican inspired restaurant in Escazu. The sauces were tasty (loved the salsa verde), the courtesy beans with pork were excellent, margaritas and cheladas were great,, Al pastor tacos were legit and desserts were unique and excellent. There was a large party taking place at the restaurant with loud live music but the service continued and the music was nice. .

Doma Escalante

4.6

4.6 (164)

$31 to $50

International

San José

About the restaurant

In the heart of Barrio Escalante, next to the iconic "El Farolito" roundabout, stands DOMA. A house of Costa Rican architecture and Spanish colonial dyes built-in 1945, which was restored for 10 long months; rescuing it from time, updating its design through a colorful façade, and giving it the value it deserves within the neighborhood.
Our founders are dreamers, lovers of design, art, and fashion; passionate about cooking and fine dining.
Through fresh products and honest flavors, DOMA has created a gastronomic experience with local products that arise at the foot of the volcanoes, the plains, and the Costa Rican mountains. Which are transformed into art thanks to the vision, dedication, and talent of our chefs.
DOMA is happy to share this house, a space designed to inspire and encourage creative and entrepreneurial minds to work as a team under a feeling of community and collaboration, with the aim of serving as an oasis in the heart of San José.

Top review

Lorna

Dined 2 days ago

I absolutely adore breakfast! The combination of mixed toasts and eggs Benedict is simply delightful. A big thank you to Sebastian for the wonderful recommendations and attentive service.

CHAO PESCAO

4.9

4.9 (150)

$30 and under

Latin American

Marina Papagayo

About the restaurant

Chao Pescao is our neighborhood restaurant offering a gastronomic journey through Latin America and the Caribbean curated by Costa Rican born Chef Keivin. The menu style is shared plates, and this is your chance to discover some of the unique flavors of the region. Our award-winning mixology program has also made this restaurant a guest favorite. Mixology, cooking classes and live music are offered throughout the week. Our communal table is perfect for large parties.

Dining Visitors to Peninsula Papagayo
If you are not a homeowner or guest staying at one of the resorts or homes within Peninsula Papagayo, please contact Guest Services at gscenter.papagayo@andaz.com to advise the date and time of your reservation, so we may coordinate your entry into Peninsula Papagayo with the security teams. Visitors are only permitted with confirmed dining reservations and advance notice to security. You may be required to show a copy of your dining confirmation.

Top review

Jennifervip

Dined on Sep 21, 2024

Javier is amazing! Manuel too. Excellent food. Everything.

Jaguar Negro

4.8

4.8 (1042)

$30 and under

Mexican

San José

About the restaurant

La experiencia comienza cuando pasas por las puertas de Jaguar Negro y te transportarás a un oasis tropical mexicano con aires relajados y elegancia casual. Primero descubres un jardín secreto rodeado de agua y plantas nativas mexicanas y desde ahí emprendes un viaje sonoro, sensorial y visual que te transportará a México sin salir de Costa Rica.

Nuestro menú esta inspirado en la cocina de cantina, en los platillos de tradición y en las técnicas ancestrales que acompañan cada preparación. Todo se disfruta alrededor de una mesa pensada para ser compartida.

Top review

Dan

Dined 5 days ago

Tacos were delicious. Chicken mole was precooked and over done. Octopus was lost in the sauce. Server was excellent but the meal overall was rushed

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