Diners' Choice: Hot spot restaurants in Costa Rica

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants that are the best hot spots 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!

Sentido Norte

4.9

4.9 (425)

$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.

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

Andrea

Dined on Dec 13, 2024

Our server Christian was really great! He was friendly, attentive and gave us recommendations for different tapas to order (skirt steak, jerk chicken, Costa Rican chicken dish). We first dined there on Tuesday and he encouraged us to return on Thursday for the live Latin music. We returned and thoroughly enjoyed the live entertainment! We danced there after dinner. On Thursday, we had the Venezuelan arepas, Costa Rican ceviche, Colombian patacon pisao! All three dishes were amazing! Our female server on Thursday was also amazing!

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!

Olive Garden Escazú Village

4.5

4.5 (1465)

$30 and under

Italian

San José

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

Carlos

Dined on Nov 10, 2024

Excellent service, very good food, very friendly staff!

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

The Cloud

4.4

4.4 (239)

$30 and under

Global, International

San José

About the restaurant

Restaurante ubicado en el piso 18 en las instalaciones del Hotel Hilton San José La Sabana, edificio más alto de Costa Rica, frente al Estadio Nacional. The Cloud, cuenta con un variado menú internacional diseñado por nuestro Chef Ejecutivo Daniel Rodriguez y el Sous Chef Andrés Campos, contamos con servicio personalizado que inicia con desayuno buffet y posteriormente almuerzo y cena a la carta. Su moderno diseño permite disfrutar de la imponente vista hacia el Valle Central, las montañas y el Parque Metropolitano La Sabana, degustando las especialidades culinarias en la parte interior del restaurante o en la acogedora terraza.

Top review

Vigi

Dined on Sep 29, 2024

very good food, the view is amazing, service was also very good. prices are a bit higher than other restaurants that would provide similar food and service, but it is compensated by the overall experience and view. I would suggest wearing long sleeves if you intend to eat on the terrace, especially on a rainy day

Sikwa

4.2

4.2 (19)

$30 and under

Latin American

San Pedro

About the restaurant

At Sikwa, we believe that food is the universal language that communicates our history, culture, and traditions. Inspired by the richness of Costa Rica, we offer a culinary experience that connects the past and present. We work with local communities and collaborators such as Proyecto Jirondai and Koswak Usure to keep traditions alive and promote sustainable practices. Every dish at Sikwa tells a story of respect for the land and love for culture, using local and seasonal ingredients. More than a restaurant, Sikwa is an act of cultural preservation and a commitment to education and community development.

Top review

DavidVIP

Dined 1 day ago

The food, service and setting were fantastic. I can recommend the restaurant without hesitation

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