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Don Rufino, La Fortuna, L Fortuna

Don Rufino

4.9
4.9
620 Reviews
$30 and under
International

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 24 times today
  • Good for special occasions
  • Charming
  • Great for fine wines
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.

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    International, Fusion / Eclectic, Meat
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch Daily 12:00 pm–4:00 pm Dinner Daily 5:00 pm–9:30 pm
  • Phone number
    2479 9997
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Executive chef
    Santiago Fernández Benedeto

What 620 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.9
4.9 based on recent ratings
  • 4.9Food
  • 4.9Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.6Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Costa Rica

    Best Overall

  • Costa Rica

    Best Food

  • Costa Rica

    Best Service

  • Costa Rica

    Best Value

  • Costa Rica

    Innovative

  • Costa Rica

    Healthy

  • Costa Rica

    Neighborhood gem

  • Costa Rica

    Great for fine wines

  • Costa Rica

    Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Don Rufino in La Fortuna offers a refined dining experience with "amazing food and drinks" and a "knowledgeable, friendly, warm" staff. The inventive menu boasts standout dishes like Grandma's chicken and a must-try tasting menu. While noise levels can be high, the overall experience is "wonderful" and highly recommended.

620 Reviews
  1. Marta

    Costa Rica

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 17, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    La experiencia en Don Rufino fue fantástica. La comida espectacular, se vive una aventura, una experiencia con cada plato; es maravilloso. El único aspecto a considerar, es que el lugar no es grande, por lo que al haber mucha gente el sonido se concentra, esto fue un poco incómodo y costaba escuchar hasta al mesero; sin embargo, al bajar la cantidad de gente, todo mejoró considerablemente. Es un lugar, que se debe visitar!!

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  2. John

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on November 14, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had a wonderful meal in this fine restaurant in the center of La Fortuna. Our servers were friendly and helpful. The dishes were creative and delicious.

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  3. Karina

    Columbus

    10 reviews

    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on November 11, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Phenomenal dinner in La Fortuna. Excellent ambiance, amazing food. Best Ceviche I've had, unforgettable Risotto, and a unique almond financier that was one of the best desserts we've had in a while. If we ever find ourselves back in La Fortuna, will be stopping there again.

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  4. Valerie

    Atlanta Metro

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 10, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The fish was phenomenal! I had the sea bass with some type of pig feet sauce and grilled bok choi and it was amazing. We also had an almond flour dessert with crunchy butter pieces and fig spread that was also delicious.

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  5. Christopher

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 10, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    One of the best places to eat I have been to in the four years I have lived in Costa Rica.

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  6. Adrian

    Columbus

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 7, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    One of the best restaurants in La Fortuna. Good food good drinks good time.

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  7. Catherine

    Leinster

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on October 21, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Absolutely delicious food, imaginative and full of flavour. Staff were very attentive and helpful.

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  8. Kim

    Chicago

    16 reviews

    5.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on September 21, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    I’ve been going to Don Rufino’s for more than 10 years and every time I have visited the restaurant has been better. I think most people are surprised by the level of culinary excellence offered at very reasonable prices. Our table of four enjoyed the signature mojitos with very fresh muddled mint with the ceviche and burrata appetizers. We each had different entrees that we really liked but it’s been two weeks and at the moment I cannot remember what they were. Sorry.

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  9. Desiree

    Central Coast

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 14, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Amazing meal with a very attentive staff! Can’t wait to go back!

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  10. justformomma

    Atlanta Metro

    12 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on September 13, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent. I had the jumbo Pacific shrimp. My friend had the octopus, and she said it was the best she ever had. Everything, the drinks, apps, and meal was fantastic. The highlight was the almond financier with fig leaves cream. It was incredible, the best dessert ever. I still dream about it.

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FAQs

Don Rufino is rated 4.9 stars by 620 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 24 times today
Google Map for Don Rufino

Calle 466 Ave 142, Downtown, La Fortuna, L Fortuna 1417

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Neighborhood
    Alajuela
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch Daily 12:00 pm–4:00 pm Dinner Daily 5:00 pm–9:30 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    International, Fusion / Eclectic, Meat
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Santiago Fernández Benedeto
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
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