Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in San José

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes in San José? 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!

Silvestre

4.7

4.7 (930)

$30 and under

Latin American

San José

About the restaurant

Silvestre is a fine dining restaurant located in the heart of San José, Costa Rica. Chef Santiago Fernández offers a well-thought-out, curated small seasonal menu that brings you the freshest locally sourced ingredients. Silvestre is a worthy stop, as part of your exploration of the city, also perfect for a romantic dinner or to celebrate a special occasion. We also offer an impressive conceptual menú degustación about the Costa Rican soul, its flavors and everything in between.

Top review

Johusua

Dined 2 days ago

Excelent place, delicious Food and nice enviroment !!

Jaguar Negro

4.7

4.7 (1107)

$30 and under

Mexican

San José

About the restaurant

The experience begins as you step through the doors of Jaguar Negro, transporting you to a Mexican tropical oasis imbued with relaxed vibes and casual elegance.
You first encounter a secret garden surrounded by water and native Mexican plants, setting the stage for a sonic, sensory, and visual journey that takes you to Mexico without leaving Costa Rica.
Our menu is inspired by cantina cuisine, traditional dishes, and ancestral techniques that enrich every preparation. Everything is enjoyed around a table designed for sharing

Top review

Matthew

Dined on Jun 9, 2025

Best restaurant in San Jose. Never miss it when in town.

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4.7

4.7 (98)

$30 and under

Bistro

Escazu

About the restaurant

Caffè Negroni is a Mediterranean restaurant in Escazú offering artisanal pizzas, risottos, braised meats, and signature cocktails in a cozy, nature-surrounded setting. Inspired by European bistros, it’s known for its Negroni specialties—Classic, Rosé, and Bianconi—along with expertly crafted drinks. Caffè Negroni also pioneers collaborative dining in Costa Rica, hosting guest chefs and mixologists to deliver unique culinary experiences. Perfect for brunch, dinner, or special occasions.

Top review

Manuel B

Dined on May 7, 2025

Absolutely beat expectations in all categories. Every dish was better than expected. Drinks surprisingly delicious and ambience 100%

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Experience

Spritz in Bloom! - Taller de flores

La Cava Alta Fiori

4.7

4.7 (95)

$31 to $50

Mediterranean

Escazu

About the restaurant

La Cava Alta Fiori,antiguo Monasterio Le Monastère, un restaurante moderno, con una vista espectacular a todo el Valle Central, cuya esencia es la gastronomía mediterránea.
Su apuesta culinaria integra la cocina gourmet de Francia, Italia y España traída a nuestro país con una variedad de ingredientes propios que se mezclan en cada platillo, entre ellos, culantro coyote, jengibre, chile, rábano fresco, pejibaye, y otros importados para lograr una explosión de sabor en el paladar; la oferta gastronómica también incluye variedad de carnes, en nuestros platos fuertes; así como diversidad de tapas, entradas frías y calientes.
Cordero Cuatro estaciones, el Fideuá Mar y Tierra, con mejillones, camarones y trozos de res grillados y cortes de res, filetes tan exclusivos como el Tomahawk, el Rib eye de la mas alta calidad, acompañado de una amplia variedad de vinos y cocteles.

Top review

Ronald

Dined on Jun 1, 2025

The view, ambience, service and food are excellent.

Amana

4.7

4.7 (95)

$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

JoergVIP

Dined on Jun 21, 2025

Great Cocktails! Very nice atmosphere, outstanding service. Food very tasty though a bit small and various mains come without side dishes. Just make sure you check when ordering

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Experience

Chef's Table

Azotea Calle 7

4.6

4.6 (388)

$30 and under

Dining Bar

San José

About the restaurant

The rooftop of Hotel Presidente is home to Azotea Calle 7, a perfect shelter from the busy –and sometimes chaotic– heart of San José. You can enter through Calle 7, between Avenida Central and Avenida Segunda, either by climbing the red spiral staircase that takes you right into the red-brick terrace, surrounded by colorful veraneras (bougainvillea plants), palm, jicaro, orange and lime trees whose fruits might end up in your cocktail.

Top review

José Joaquín

Dined on Jun 15, 2025

Amazing place, outstanding food and service from the staff. Great value for the price

Isolina

4.6

4.6 (227)

$30 and under

Contemporary Latin

San José

About the restaurant

Ubicado en San José, Costa Rica.
Isolina es gastronomía actual en un lugar con historia. Nuestro concepto gastronómico cocina de autor. Una fusión de sabores, con influencias de diferentes regiones gastronómicas, utilizando producto fresco local.

Top review

Josue

Dined on Jun 19, 2025

My girlfriend and I love the place, it has some romantic but also energic vibe. Everything we tried was wonderful, the drinks, the food, perfect, so happy they have Talisker for the drinks, my favorite whisky and not that common in Costa Rican restaurants. Definitely a visit we have to repeat in the future.

Buchon Cantina

4.4

4.4 (85)

$30 and under

Wine Bar

San José

About the restaurant

Buchón es nuestra interpretación de una cantina de vinos en el corazón de San José. Tapas, una tienda fabulosa de botellas de vino y cócteles clásicos para pasarla muy bien.

Top review

Adrián

Dined on Jun 5, 2025

Hasn’t visited in a while, and had an outstanding dinner date last night. Every dish was marvelous, tasteful and delicate. Also great selection of natural wines to pair with dinner. Thanks!!

Feroz Restaurante

4.4

4.4 (81)

$31 to $50

Fine cuts

Escazu

About the restaurant

¡EL buen comer y el buen beber inician en Feroz!
Restaurante ubicado en San Antonio de Escazú, San Jose, Costa Rica, rodeado de naturaleza y vegetación.

Nuestra cocina esta elaborada con los productos más frescos y de mejor calidad con le concepto Farm to Table, nuestro menú está basado en la cocina grill con los mejores cortes de carne del país

Nuestros sabores son audaces y nuestros cocteles son elaborados con los frutos y hierbas de sabores únicos que te transportarán a una experiencia feroz.

Contamos con fire pit que transforman tardes frías en cálidas, desayunos familiares y cenas románticas junto con el mejor servicio, generando una experiencia gastronómica inigualable que despertará tus sentidos ferozmente.

¡Te invitamos donde la pasión por la comida se vive de forma intensa y feroz!

Top review

Ellen

Dined on May 16, 2025

Charming decor. Great food. Attentive service. Yummy cocktails.

Sikwa

4.4

4.4 (74)

$30 and under

Latin American

San Pedro

About the restaurant

At Sikwa, we believe that food is the universal language that communicates our history, culture, and traditions. Inspired by the richness of Costa Rica, we offer a culinary experience that connects the past and present. We work with local communities and collaborators such as Proyecto Jirondai and Koswak Usure to keep traditions alive and promote sustainable practices. Every dish at Sikwa tells a story of respect for the land and love for culture, using local and seasonal ingredients. More than a restaurant, Sikwa is an act of cultural preservation and a commitment to education and community development.

Top review

AlexVIP

Dined on Jun 15, 2025

One of the best restaurants in Costa Rica. I highly recommend this place. Food is amazing, staff very knowledgeable and friendly. A fine dining experience with Costa Rican flavors. The chef Pablo Bonilla always amazed us.

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