Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in Costa Rica

OpenTable

Updated September 05, 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighborhood gems 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 (19)

$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

Peggyvip

Dined on Sep 1, 2024

This is an exceptional restaurant. We were told it was great and it didn’t disappoint. Their menu has a very good variation. The restaurant is very pretty in a quiet area. All 4 of us thought our appetizers, mains and dessert were excellent. My husband’s gluten free and they handled that super well , their gluten free bread was incredible. We all liked it as the best bread. And the staff is super helpful in choices and are very attentive. This was our first choice in restaurants which so far this it has stayed! Nice walk from Diria but can take Uber or taxi. If you walk wear good non heel shoes

Amana

4.9

4.9 (42)

$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.

Top review

Michael

Dined 3 days ago

Unusual variations on Cota Rican dishes. Attentive service.

Jaguar Negro

4.8

4.8 (1039)

$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

Massoud

Dined on Aug 22, 2024

Excellent ! Manager was first class! We be returning frequently.

Huacas Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (68)

$30 and under

Contemporary Latin

Nosara

About the restaurant

An elegant open air restaurant for guests 15 and older, with the best view in Nosara, offering creative dishes and mixology crafted with ingredients from the surrounding community, the real flavors of Costa Rica.

We want you to taste the Earth and Ocean with every meal we prepare for you.

*All dietary restrictions and desires are happily accommodated. (Vegan, Keto, Vegetarian, Gluten-free, Dairy-free, etc).

Open for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner every day of the week.

15-year-old and above age policy.

No pets allowed.

Top review

Katya

Dined on Sep 1, 2024

Had an amazing experience that day :) get the burger and chicken sandwich. 🤌

Doma Escalante

4.8

4.8 (159)

$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

James

Dined on Aug 24, 2024

Great food, excellent service. Will for sure come back

La Cava Alta Fiori

4.8

4.8 (56)

$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 tan exclusivos como el Tomahawk, el Rib eye de la mas alta calidad, acompañado de una amplia variedad de vinos y cocteles.

Top review

Paola

Dined on Aug 25, 2024

Top dinning with a great view. From starters to dessert every dish was delicious.

Los Tres Mexican Bistró

4.8

4.8 (13)

$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

Sanjay

Dined on Sep 3, 2024

Excellent!! Food, staff, people, service, would definitely repeat again and again!

Azotea Calle 7

4.7

4.7 (334)

$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

ellen

Dined 1 day ago

We loved this place! The atmosphere is terrific! The food was super tasty! The staff, especially Kenneth, was outstanding! Great value for the money! I wish I lived in San Jose so I could go there all the time! A great memory of our visit to Costa Rica.

The Capital Grille - San José

4.7

4.7 (357)

$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

Larry

Dined on Aug 16, 2024

was an awesome experience ---- staff great...... expensive -- but worth it for a special occasion....

Silvestre

4.6

4.6 (808)

$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

OpenTable Diner

Dined 7 days ago

Our favorite restaurant in San Jose! Excellent food and service. Totally recommend it!

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