Costa Rican food is fresh, friendly and great value. A local soda (family diner) serves a hearty casado — rice, beans, plantain, salad and your choice of meat or fish — for a few dollars, while the top destinations also have excellent international and fine dining. Prices below are a rough guide: 💵 budget · 💰 mid-range · ✨ special occasion.
🌋 La Fortuna / Arenal
- 💰 Don Rufino — the town's most popular table; excellent steaks, casados and cocktails.
- ✨ Anch'io Ristorante — wood-fired pizza and Italian, lovely for dinner.
- 💵 Soda La Parada — classic, cheap Tico food right on the main square, open late.
- 💵 Órganico Fortuna — fresh bowls, smoothies and vegetarian/vegan options.
- 💰 Chifa La Familia Feliz — beloved Peruvian–Chinese, generous portions.
- 💵 Restaurante Nene's — long-time local favourite for Costa Rican classics.
🏙️ San José
- ✨ Restaurante Grano de Oro — refined Costa Rican–European in a landmark hotel; save room for the Pié.
- ✨ Silvestre — modern Costa Rican tasting menu by a celebrated local chef.
- 💰 Nuestra Tierra — rustic, tourist-friendly Tico food near the centre.
- 💰 La Esquina de Buenos Aires — beloved Argentine steaks & pasta.
- 💵 Soda Tapia — a San José institution near La Sabana for casados & batidos.
- 💰 Kalú Café & Bistro — relaxed brunch, salads and desserts in Barrio Escalante.
☁️ Monteverde
- 💰 Tramonti — wood-fired pizza & Italian, a local institution.
- 💰 Café Monteverde — farm-to-table with its own estate coffee.
- 💵 Sabor Tico — beloved, well-priced traditional Costa Rican food.
- 💵 Orchid Coffee Shop — great breakfasts, brunch and coffee.
- 💵 Taco Taco — fresh, casual Mexican.
- ✨ Sofía — refined Nuevo Latino, one of Monteverde's best dinners.
🏖️ Manuel Antonio / Quepos
- ✨ El Avión — dinner & drinks inside a converted cargo plane with sunset ocean views.
- 💰 Ronny's Place — romantic hilltop sunsets and Tico–international dishes.
- 💰 Barba Roja — a Manuel Antonio classic for drinks, sunsets and dinner.
- 💵 Agua Azul — casual open-air spot with great burgers and ocean views.
- 💵 Emilio's Café — excellent breakfasts, coffee and desserts.
- 💵 Falafel Bar — fresh, affordable Mediterranean in Quepos.
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