Monteverde & Santa Elena
Ease into a studded leather armchair in the lounge and indulge with a dazzling cocktail designed by the country's finest mixologist. Then around sunset,…
Must-see restaurants in Northwestern Costa Rica
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Liberia
This beautifully restored colonial-era building has heavy wooden furniture and frescoed ceilings, creating a romantic ambiance for enjoying rich coffee…
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Liberia
Liberia is not a city where you'd expect to find any Indian restaurant, let alone the best one in the country. But here it is! Start with some crispy warm…
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Northwestern Costa Rica
This family-owned, roadside food truck serves up lip-smacking fried chicken that would rival any such business in San José, along with some other fun…
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Monteverde & Santa Elena
This little cafe roasts beans from its coffee farm (Don Juan) and uses fancy machinery (La Marzocco!) to serve up the best cup of joe in Monteverde. The…
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Monteverde & Santa Elena
It’s a fine line between hokey and happy. But this restaurant – built around a hundred-year-old higuerón (fig) tree – definitely raises a smile. There’s a…
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Monteverde & Santa Elena
This Argentine cafe above the Bat Jungle specializes in creative and delicious everything, from sandwiches on homemade bread and fresh salads, to more…
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Monteverde & Santa Elena
The menu at this fine-dining establishment is wide ranging, always highlighting the local flavors. But these are not your typical tipica (traditional…
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Monteverde & Santa Elena
With its Nuevo Latino cuisine – a modern fusion of traditional Latin American cooking styles – Sofia has established itself as one of the best places in…
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Monteverde & Santa Elena
Feeling peckish? Go straight to this lovely Santa Elena cafe, filled with art and light. Grab a seat on the front porch and take a bite of heaven. It…
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Northwestern Costa Rica
Long before you get here, you’ll notice signs on the Interamericana advertising the best steakhouse in Guanacaste – Bar-B-Q Tres Hermanas. Believe the…
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Monteverde & Santa Elena
Scrappy street dogs and chatty taxistas (taxi drivers) vie for attention at this porcelain-countered wonder. Golden, crispy chicken morsels are…
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Northwestern Costa Rica
This family restaurant is a surprising change of pace from the Tico fare in town. The emphasis is on fresh ingredients, many of which are grown right here…
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Monteverde & Santa Elena
A bakery for birders. Come in the morning for strong coffee and sweet pastries, or later for rich, warming soup, and sandwiches on homemade bread. Plates…
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Monteverde & Santa Elena
Ticos and travelers alike rave about this local joint. Look for tasty twists on the standard fare, such as olla de carne (beef soup), chorreadas Ticas …
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Liberia
An indoor-outdoor gastropub festooned with African masks and cat-themed art. In other words, the perfect place to sip a regional Guanaca beer (made with…
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Monteverde & Santa Elena
Tramonti offers authentic Italian fare, specializing in fresh seafood, hearty pastas and wood-fired pizzas. With a greenery-filled dining room twinkling…
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Northwestern Costa Rica
Nobody is saying that you should make a special trip to eat here. All we’re saying is that it’s a convenient pit stop with clean bathrooms, coffee to go,…
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Monteverde & Santa Elena
In new digs with a killer sunset view, this double-decker restaurant is a favorite in Santa Elena for its varied menu combining local ingredients with…
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Monteverde & Around
Just outside the reserve gates, the ‘Hummingbird Cafe’ is a top-notch spot to refuel after a hike in the woods. The drinks will warm your body, but the…
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Northwestern Costa Rica
The finest local restaurant in Bijagua, offering tasty regional dishes like olla de carne (meat soup), lengua en salsa (tongue in sauce) and fried pork …
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Liberia
This stylish bar-cafe (the name's pronounced 'How-ha') on the main drag is unusual for its upscale ambiance and classy cuisine. Service is also excellent…
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Monteverde & Santa Elena
A wildly popular terrace restaurant offering tasty Tex-Mex tacos, plus burritos and quesadillas filled with shredded meats like chicken and carnitas (pork…
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Northwestern Costa Rica
Want a casado or hot coffee to warm you up after a long walk in the park? Local chef Christian will whip you up some lomito (grilled steak) or a chicken…
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Northwestern Costa Rica
The former Blue Dream chef has opened her own place down the road, to rave reviews. Specializing in pastas (lasagna is a fave) and pizzas, Juana also…
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Liberia
This very cute old-world pizzeria, where the wood is stacked next to the smoking courtyard oven, keeps it romantic and simple – just pizza, pasta and…
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Monteverde & Santa Elena
This Argentine steakhouse will warm your cloud-soaked soul with its cozy atmosphere and open kitchen. Then it'll sate your hunger with steaks that are…
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Liberia
Located in a beautiful colonial-era building, this family-friendly restaurant has an extensive menu specializing in meat dishes such as lomito (tenderloin…
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Liberia
Set in the historic indoor-outdoor home of beloved Liberian doctor Enrique Briceño, this cafe excels with its fresh fruit smoothies, reasonably priced…
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Northwestern Costa Rica
You want a casado or hot chocolate to warm you up after a long walk in the park? Here's the place, just 1km west (toward Bijagua) from the park entrance…
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Northwestern Costa Rica
A great lunch stop, this attractive Swiss-run restaurant is 4km north of Cañas on the banks of the Río Corobicí. A terrace provides river and garden views…
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Liberia
This little cafe is a local favorite, thanks to free wi-fi, strong coffee and scrumptious sweets and breakfasts. In addition to cafe fare, the menu…
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Northwestern Costa Rica
An interesting hodgepodge of international cuisine in a colonial-era house, uniquely decorated with bric-a-brac from several generations of antique…
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Monteverde & Santa Elena
Friendly and family run, this is a well-loved soda that’s convenient if you’re staying along this side road. You’ll find typical, tasty casados, burgers,…
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Monteverde & Santa Elena
Spare surroundings and high ceilings, polite staff and big tables make this place on the outskirts of town a top spot for a post-activity meal. There's…
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Liberia
This convivial and popular local spot is run by a women’s collective. Come for traditional Guanacaste fare such as arroz de mais (rice with chicken and…
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Liberia
A great little find for fans of casados (set meals). This local diner serves at least 10 daily, featuring fresh pescado (fish), pollo (chicken), steak,…
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Liberia
Order off the artsy chalkboard in this newfangled Mexican-themed eatery. It's cool, it's clean, and burritos, tacos, chalupas and nachos come at a…
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Monteverde & Santa Elena
This is not the Whole Foods you might think it is, but you’ll notice some similarities. It's a good but expensive place to pick up fresh produce, as well…
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Liberia
This congenial family restaurant is popular with locals and gringos alike. Try the rice-and-seafood house specialty, arroz copa de oro. The casados (set…
