Diners' Choice: Best Overall restaurants in Guanacaste

OpenTable

Updated May 05, 2025

Looking for the best overall restaurants in Guanacaste? 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!

La Cosecha

5.0

5 (44)

$50 and over

Farm-to-table

Nosara

About the restaurant

Thursday-Saturday, join us for a single seating and allow us to take you on a truly unique 2.5-hour, 6-course journey through the senses. We're taking a wildly crafted, wild-hearted, high-vibration approach that has us bursting with creative delight! Our intention, as always, has been to serve only beautiful organic food and drink, created with elegance and creativity, igniting body, mind, and spirit.

You'll have the option of adding a wine pairing or a non-alcoholic elixir pairing. Bottles and glass pours are also available.

Top review

Dean

Dined on Apr 13, 2025

Excellent food and service! Very unique experience to have such fine dining in Nosara. Everything was perfect, from the service to the conversations with the Chef. Highly recommended!

Cala Luna Origen Restaurante - Tamarindo

4.9

4.9 (14)

$31 to $50

Fusion / Eclectic

Tamarindo

About the restaurant

At Cala Luna Origen, we nourish your senses daily through delicious home-grown ingredients organically grown at our homestead La Senda and gastronomic farm to table dinners.

The chef’s team conjures dishes that combine international cuisine with Costa Rican flavors to deliver one-of-a-kind tastes amid an intimate setting.

Top review

Robin

Dined 6 days ago

Could not be happier.From beginning to end. All excellent!!! Food, Ambiance, decor, 2 cats, Cala and Luna!!!! Beautiful experience.

Pesce - Four Seasons Costa Rica

4.8

4.8 (108)

$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

MarkVIP

Dined on May 4, 2025

Fabulous food and service! The rack of lamb was eight bones - the largest serving ever. Wonderful beverages carefully prepared. Tiramisu was a delightful conclusion. Best meal in Costa Rica!

Restaurante Chirriboca

4.8

4.8 (51)

$31 to $50

International

Nosara

About the restaurant

PANORAMIC RESTAURANT

Immerse yourself in an unparalleled dining experience at Restaurante Chirriboca, where elegance meets nature. Perched with a breathtaking panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean and the Nosara Biological Reserve, our guests are treated to stunning vistas of Playa Nosara, Playa Ostional, Rio Nosara, and Rio Montaña. Indulge in our global classics infused with local flavors, offering fresh, delicious, and gluten-friendly options. Enjoy a warm ambiance and exceptional service that ensures a memorable dining experience. Join us and savor the beauty of nature with every bite.

Top review

Brooke

Dined on Apr 18, 2025

Absolutely wonderful dinner - cannot find a more pretty setting for dinner overlooking Rio Nosara and the coastline. Food was delicious and service was very good too. Excellent value for what you get !! Highly recommend - don’t let the drive deter you !

Tropic Tamarindo Costarican Cousine

4.8

4.8 (31)

$50 and over

Latin American

Tamarindo

About the restaurant

Tropic is a vibrant restaurant near the beach in a lush, jungle inspired setting, known for its creative Costa Rican cuisine, features fresh, locally sourced ingredients present in fun and imaginative ways. Tropic provides an unforgettable experience, blending the flavors of Costa Rica with a modern twist and offering unique tropical cocktails.

Top review

Sam

Dined on Apr 25, 2025

The best ceviche in Tamarindo and the best octopus we've ever eaten, plus Chihuahuas.

CHAO PESCAO

4.8

4.8 (206)

$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

SUSAN

Dined on May 2, 2025

Setting is lovely, service is exceptional and food is exquisite. It is an ideal taste experience to try dishes from many different Central and South.American countries. The only problem is deciding what to eat. Plan on repeat visits to try them all!

Mamagui Nosara

4.8

4.8 (42)

$31 to $50

Italian

Nosara

About the restaurant

Born in Benevento, Chef Gerardo Giardino embarked on his culinary journey at the age of 16. With a wealth of experience gained in kitchens across Athens, New York, London, and now Costa Rica, his culinary passion centers around crafting authentic Italian dishes, reminiscent of a mother's loving preparation. Set in the just renovated El Pueblo building in Nosara, you will find us on the ground floor, with tables set all over the Carabbean-vibe inspired terrace! Join us for a dining experience that promises to delight your taste buds and leave a lasting impression.

Top review

Kristi

Dined on Apr 4, 2025

Ronny and Paul took our order, they made the whole vibe, best energy and recommendations the food was insane and we felt so loved and taken care of even, Gerardo was so unbelievably hospitable. Best food best times best vibes!!! 11/10

Almar

4.8

4.8 (19)

$31 to $50

Mexican

Nosara

About the restaurant

Discover the soul of the sea, or "alma de mar," as it inspires every dish with timeless grace in an adults-only setting welcoming guests aged 16 and older. At ALMAR, we celebrate the vibrant flavors of the Mexican Pacific, bringing you culinary creations crafted with farm-to-table freshness and a deep commitment to sustainability.

Guided by Nosara’s Blue Zone principles, we proudly source fish from local fishermen and organic produce from nearby farms. Each plate is a tribute to the simplicity and richness of the Pacific, offering an experience that nourishes both the body and soul.

Top review

Karlee

Dined on Apr 24, 2025

We had a wonderful experience at Almar — by far our favourite meal of our trip. We ordered Tuna Tartare, Baja Fish Tacos, Cauliflower Tacos and the Charred Avocado Salad, all were incredible. The service was great and the chef was kind enough to write out his salad recipe for us — such a treat! We will definitely be back. High recommend you visiting here for a spectacular dining experience in Nosara!

Meso

4.7

4.7 (30)

$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

KathrynVIP

Dined on Mar 28, 2025

This beach club location and restaurant are wonderful. I recommend arriving mid morning, enjoying all the pool and beach fun and having lunch. A perfect Costa Rica day. Cocktails were delicious and our party of 5 all enjoyed their meals. One was a little charred/over cooked but still edible.

Nemare - Four Seasons Costa Rica

4.7

4.7 (90)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Marina Papagayo

About the restaurant

Meaning “smoke” in Chorotega, the language of the indigenous people of our region, Nemare is a Latin Steakhouse that celebrates the local bounty by using artisanal ingredients from neighboring farms. Our signature grass-fed local and imported steaks draw on our Central and South American heritage with curated dishes and flavours that create a meaningful culinary journey through the expansive continent that complement the gifts of our land. Nemare offers a sophisticated and creative culinary experience from Chef Gerardo Astorga at the newly re-imagined Peninsula Papagayo golf clubhouse.

Top review

HeatherVIP

Dined on Apr 18, 2025

The food was amazing!! The location and view were spectacular and we had the best service! The Birria braised beef ribs were very good and melted in your mouth. The kale salad appetizer and the choco coco dessert were yummy. Totally recommend this place. It’s on the pricier side of things but we celebrated our daughter in laws birthday so it was worth it for a special dinner.

Explore Diners' Choice best of Guanacaste

Explore more Diners' Choice lists