Diners' Choice: Best Food restaurants in Costa Rica

OpenTable

Updated December 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!

Don Rufino

4.8

4.8 (627)

$30 and under

International

Alajuela

About the restaurant

Don Rufino is about contemporary food, with a local touch. Fine, local, fresh ingredients, the use of novel cooking techniques and great passion, are the main components found in our kitchen and in each dish served.

Top review

Matthew

Dined 6 days ago

A bit expensive for the food. Nice restaurant, great service.

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Popular dish

Fresh fish ceviche

The Capital Grille - San José

4.9

4.9 (368)

$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

Roane

Dined 5 days ago

Highly recommend - as a steakhouse epicurean Capital Grille San Jose hits all the marks of classic steakhouses! Gustavo provided excellent service!

Sentido Norte

4.9

4.9 (424)

$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

NathanVIP

Dined 1 day ago

One of the best places to have cocktails and watch the sunset.

Amana

4.9

4.9 (63)

$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

Laura

Dined 7 days ago

Amana is an absolute gem in San José! From the moment you step in, Kenneth, Luis, and the entire team make you feel incredibly welcomed with their outstanding service and attention to detail. This restaurant offers a truly mesmerizing, multi-sensory experience that goes beyond dining. The creativity in each dish and ingredient is astounding—every plate feels like a carefully crafted work of art, combining bold flavors and innovative techniques. The food, wine, spirits, and cocktails are simply out of this world—each bite and sip is an adventure in flavor and imagination. The cozy ambiance transports you, making you forget you’re inside a restaurant. For those seeking something extraordinary, the Chef’s Table experience is a must-try. It elevates the evening into an unforgettable journey that redefines what fine dining can be. Amana is a masterpiece—highly recommended for anyone looking to indulge in the extraordinary!

Rio Bhongo Restaurant

4.7

4.7 (48)

$30 and under

International

Marina Papagayo

About the restaurant

At the center of the resort adjacent to the main pools with breathtaking views of Culebra Bay, Rio Bhongo offers the comforts of home infused with Costa Rican culture. Don't miss our expert barista and our extensive coffee program. Dinner offers a selection of grilled meats and fresh fish. The terrace provides a beautiful setting underneath a 40 year old Higueron tree, beautifully lit and magical at night. This restaurant is ideal for large parties or multiple families who wish to dine together.

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

Janice

Dined on Dec 10, 2024

All four of us enjoyed our meals. The steak was done just right and we would recommend to order with the veggies. The shrimp on both the smaller salads, made them very tasty. And finally the guacamole and chips were a good appetizer.

La Cava Alta Fiori

4.7

4.7 (73)

$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

MelvinVIP

Dined on Nov 23, 2024

I always enjoy coming here. The food is always consistently great and they have a great wine selection too.

CHAO PESCAO

4.9

4.9 (165)

$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

Killer

Dined on Dec 12, 2024

This restaurant has got the magic! Great service - interesting & varied menu, wonderful ambience and they deliver excellent food to your table. All of this at what we consider a reasonable price. It’s our favorite of 4 restaurants on the Andaz resort property.

Los Tres Mexican Bistró

4.8

4.8 (26)

$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

Jose

Dined 7 days ago

This was my second time in this restaurant and it never disappoints. The food is excellent.

La Divina Comida

4.5

4.5 (79)

$30 and under

Peruvian

San José

About the restaurant

Created by Chef Marco Antonio Ganoza in 2004, in San José. We are a Peruvian Fusion cuisine restaurant created outside of Peru, this gives us a very interesting value, since in that search for the perfect ingredients, we realize that wherever we are we will find everything we need, and that ingredient is called passion for food. kitchen.
We are Essential Costa Rica, working hand in hand with local farmers and fishermen.
We believe in the value of local, of what is ours and in the contribution of local communities in our products.
We are responsible and sustainable with our supplies.
We believe that customer service has to be clear and that experience is the only thing that motivates us.
When you pass, order the ceviches, the octopus, the portions of main dishes, we recommend them to share, the dishes are large.
We are waiting for you at La Divina Comida on Avenida Escazú.

Top review

kathleenVIP

Dined on Nov 5, 2024

Service was excellent. Our waiter explained dishes, preparations and gave attentive service. Food was very good!

Ostra Restaurant

4.7

4.7 (125)

$31 to $50

Latin American

Marina Papagayo

About the restaurant

OSTRA, a signature restaurant of Peninsula Papagayo, is a culinary gem led by Michelin-trained Chef Bruno Alves. Experience an extraordinary menu evolution and savor elevated, modern Costa Rican flavors re-imagined and infused with the best locally sourced farm-to-table ingredients. Sip classic cocktails at the bar or terrace and celebrate the essence of coastal dining. Also, we now offer Perla, a restaurant within a restaurant at the sushi bar. This modern sushi experience serves only local fish and operates Tuesday-Friday based on product availability.

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 gscenter.papagayo@andaz.com to share your reservation details, 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.

Top review

Nicholas

Dined 4 days ago

Fantastic service and beautiful venue. However, we were not allowed to sit outside, even though there weren’t any clouds or wind - it was perfectly clear. Not sure why

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Experience

Perla

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