Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in Costa Rica

OpenTable

Updated December 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!

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!

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.

Discover more

Popular dish

Fresh fish ceviche

Azotea Calle 7

4.8

4.8 (359)

$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

JenniferVIP

Dined 2 days ago

We had a wonderful experience here with both the quality of the food/drinks and the attentiveness of the staff. Highly recommend!

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.

Jaguar Negro

4.7

4.7 (1063)

$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

Geraldine

Dined on Nov 29, 2024

I loved it very good food classy and the darkness was just right

Buchon Cantina

4.7

4.7 (61)

$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

Bernardita

Dined on Sep 21, 2024

It's the fourth time I visit Buchon and it's definitely one of the best restaurants in Costa Rica. It is very difficult to find a place that has amazing food, amazing drinks, amazing ambience and service, and amazing prices. No matter what type of food you like, I guarantee you'll have an incredible experience at Buchon. Their menu changes seasonally but it has always delivered and they maintain customer favorites. The burger and cheese cubes are a MUST. If it's your first time visiting, don't worry about parking on the street or with the local guachiman, you're in good hands!

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

Gaby

Dined on Nov 23, 2024

Amazing place! Great view and even better food. Server was excellent

Silvestre

4.6

4.6 (851)

$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

RichardVIP

Dined today

What an exceptional experience! I highly recommend this restaurant to any and everyone who appreciates great food, great service and an overall memorable dining experience! The Chef is so passionate about promoting the cuisine of Costa Rica and elevating it from a traditional home cooking, traditional cuisine to one that competes on the world stage. He embraces local ingredients and cooking styles and reinterprets them. The menu compositions are balanced, thoughtful and loaded with flavor and the plate presentations are beautifully conceived. He’s motivated his staff to share in the passion and excitement of working in such a special place and their knowledge, professionalism and passion come through effortlessly. The beautiful dining environment exudes his profound respect for nature and creates a welcoming and relaxing environment that only adds to the overall experience Get in while you can before Michelin and San Pellegrino’s “World’s Best Restaurants” discover what Chef Santiago is delivering an amazing dining experience to his customers today!

Doma Escalante

4.5

4.5 (175)

$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

edmond

Dined today

Everything was amazing from the tasting menu paired with some of the best wine selections. The ambience was very exquisite with perfect lighting to enhance the mood and for photo ops anywhere in the restaurant. Perfect for a date night and now will be on my favorite list. The chef came out and also enlightened us on the courses and gave us his time shared over dessert. Thank you.

Olive Garden Aleste

4.5

4.5 (442)

$31 to $50

Italian

Curridabat

About the restaurant

¡En Olive Garden la generosidad Italiana estará siempre en tu mesa! Sabemos que todo en la vida es mejor en familia y por eso te ofrecemos lo mejor de la comida italiana en un ambiente muy agradable. Podrás disfrutar de nuestros icónicos favoritos, al mejor estilo italiano como son el Fettucine Alfredo, Tour of Italy, Lasagna Fritta y Chicken Parmigiana. Además no podes dejar de probar nuestros ilimitados de sopa, ensalada y lops mundialmente famosos breadsticks. ¡Te esperamos en Olive Garden porque aquí todos somos familia!

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on May 13, 2024

Service and the food was really great, attending to our food preferences and very friendly

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