Diners' Choice: Best Overall restaurants in Costa Rica

OpenTable

Updated May 05, 2025

Looking for the best overall restaurants 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!

Natu Speakeasy Bar

5.0

5 (27)

$31 to $50

Cocktail Bar

Monteverde

About the restaurant

Welcome to Natu – A Hidden Gem in Monteverde

Discover Natu, an exclusive speakeasy bar tucked away in the heart of Monteverde, Costa Rica. Inspired by Costa Rica's natural wonders, Natu offers an exceptional cocktail menu where each drink is a tribute to the vibrant ecosystems around us. Our cocktails are a sensorial experience, crafted to transport you to the lush rainforests, misty cloud forests, and pristine beaches through unique flavors and aromas.

Indulge in our creative fine dining menu, designed to be as adventurous as it is refined. Each dish is thoughtfully prepared. Enjoy your meal in a relaxed, intimate setting with a cool mix of music, setting the perfect tone for the night.

The Secret’s in the Search

Finding us is half the fun. Look for our entrance at Nando and Tulia's ice cream parlor, where a hidden doorway awaits. You’re stepping into an unforgettable experience that, in a way, doesn't exist.

Top review

KathyVIP

Dined on May 19, 2025

This was a very unique experience. Amazing and different drinks. Good is tapa style and also unique. Everything was good and the service was great. They give you the story of your drink too!

Cala Luna Origen Restaurante - Tamarindo

4.9

4.9 (14)

$31 to $50

Fusion / Eclectic

Tamarindo

About the restaurant

At Cala Luna Origen, we nourish your senses daily through delicious home-grown ingredients organically grown at our homestead La Senda and gastronomic farm to table dinners.

The chef’s team conjures dishes that combine international cuisine with Costa Rican flavors to deliver one-of-a-kind tastes amid an intimate setting.

Top review

Robin

Dined on May 7, 2025

Could not be happier.From beginning to end. All excellent!!! Food, Ambiance, decor, 2 cats, Cala and Luna!!!! Beautiful experience.

Pesce - Four Seasons Costa Rica

4.8

4.8 (110)

$50 and over

Italian

Marina Papagayo

About the restaurant

Elegant evenings are effortless with our classic Italian cuisine, featuring local seafood, pastas and an extensive wine list, amid panoramic ocean views.

Top review

richard

Dined on May 23, 2025

Carbonara was heavy, but the spicy shrimp sphagetti dish was good.

Il Vicolo Trattoria - Sabana

5.0

5 (14)

$31 to $50

Italian

San José

About the restaurant

Ubicado en La Sabana, Il vicolo trae a la mesa la auténtica esencia de la cocina italiana, fusionada con un toque de frescura local. Recién abierto, este acogedor y moderno restaurante promete convertirse rápidamente en el favorito de los amantes de la buena comida.

Cada plato es una obra maestra creada con ingredientes frescos y cuidadosamente seleccionados, desde nuestras clásicas pastas artesanales hasta nuestras crujientes pizzas al horno de leña. Il Vicolo invita a disfrutar de una experiencia culinaria inigualable, donde la tradición italiana se mezcla con la calidez costarricense.

Ya sea para una cena íntima, una reunión familiar o simplemente una noche entre amigos, en Il Vicolo te sentirás como en casa. ¡Te esperamos para que formes parte de esta nueva aventura gastronómica que está conquistando paladares!

Top review

Josue

Dined on Feb 15, 2025

Awesome food, awesome service, awesome people. Best carbonara of our life! And the pistacchio tiramisu was mind blowing 🙂‍↕️

Restaurante Chirriboca

4.9

4.9 (52)

$31 to $50

International

Nosara

About the restaurant

PANORAMIC RESTAURANT

Immerse yourself in an unparalleled dining experience at Restaurante Chirriboca, where elegance meets nature. Perched with a breathtaking panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean and the Nosara Biological Reserve, our guests are treated to stunning vistas of Playa Nosara, Playa Ostional, Rio Nosara, and Rio Montaña. Indulge in our global classics infused with local flavors, offering fresh, delicious, and gluten-friendly options. Enjoy a warm ambiance and exceptional service that ensures a memorable dining experience. Join us and savor the beauty of nature with every bite.

Top review

Kate

Dined on May 16, 2025

The kids and I had a lovely dining experience! Make sure to request a seat outside closest to the sunset view. The waiter was kind and helpful and took us right to our seats (which turned out to be the best in the house) and let us take our time as the sunset rolled in and the sky exploded with color. Food was delicious! I had the ribeye which was perfectly cooked and the kids had the pasta. They do have a kids menu and mocktails for the little ones too. Just taking in the view was more than enough entertainment for us. If visiting the the lodge don’t forget to look to the right to see a “monkey bridge” on your drive up the hill right before you turn into the lodge… we had the pleasure of seeing a Mama and her new baby swinging across the ropes as we passed. For reference we arrived a little before 5pm to get the best seats, reservation was at 5pm, sunset was at 5:50pm and the colors exploded for the half hour after it set. We got dessert and stayed until after dark. The gentleman at the front desk was kind enough to call us a Tuk Tuk to get back to our hotel in town.

Tropic Tamarindo Costarican Cousine

4.8

4.8 (33)

$50 and over

Latin American

Tamarindo

About the restaurant

Tropic is a vibrant restaurant near the beach in a lush, jungle inspired setting, known for its creative Costa Rican cuisine, features fresh, locally sourced ingredients present in fun and imaginative ways. Tropic provides an unforgettable experience, blending the flavors of Costa Rica with a modern twist and offering unique tropical cocktails.

Top review

Justin

Dined on May 23, 2025

we did the full five course experience and it was so worth it! We were one of three couples in the entire place and the service was impeccable. We’ll definitely come back again next time we're in Tamarindo.

Amana

4.8

4.8 (89)

$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

BenjaminVIP

Dined on Apr 30, 2025

Amana has amazing food. The hospitality is good and the decor is good but either way I will continue to go here bc the food is so good.

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Experience

Chef's Table

Olive Garden Terrazas Lindora

4.7

4.7 (1202)

$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

Rodrigo

Dined 1 day ago

I am a frecuent client, the food is always great, however, when restaurant starts to be crowed the service level goes down, we had to wait longer to get a salad refill and beverages. Pay attention on waiters not to take care o their areas, and help each other in order to bring great service.

CHAO PESCAO

4.7

4.7 (210)

$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

Bianca

Dined on May 20, 2025

Such an amazing experience! The staff was phenomenal and the food was unparalleled!

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