San José
At this felicitous fusion of antique shop and French restaurant, Michelin-starred chef Richard Neat offers an exquisite menu of smaller sampling plates …
Must-see restaurants in San José
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San José
The Escazú residence of Joanna Stein, identifiable only by a small 'J' on the door, might not seem like a restaurant. In fact it's much more. All day long…
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San José
If you can't get to the Caribbean coast, the 'yard' vibe here is a good substitute. Manzanillo native Ricky transported his lip-smacking restaurant to the…
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San José
This cozy, Mediterranean-flavored gastropub in a century-old brick building in Barrio Escalante serves a long list of tempting tapas (many veggie),…
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San José
Abuzz with artsy young bohemians, this colorful Barrio Otoya cafe makes a romantic spot for drinks (from sangria to cocktails to smoothies), bocas …
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San José
White linens and echos of old tango evoke the atmospheric bistros of San Telmo, as does the menu, featuring grilled Argentine cuts of steak, nine…
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San José
Owned by four brothers, this Spanish tapas restaurant is over-the-top hospitable, offering guests a complimentary glass of cava (sparkling Catalonian wine…
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San José
Bò – a double-take on the Catalan word for 'good' and 'botifarra' (their signature salchicha; sausage similar to a hot dog) – truly is a sausagefest…
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San José
Inspired by Tico author Aquileo Echeverria, Cordon Bleu alumnus Jose González serves market-fresh produce, often from his own finca. Family-style dishes…
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San José
There are life-sized plastic zebras in the dining room at this snazzy Escalante open-air restaurant. An extension of Saúl Mendez, the Guatemala-based…
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San José
Hidden away in the living room of a 1927 Barrio Otoya home, this intimate French restaurant regularly welcomes well-heeled locals with something to…
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San José
Chef Santiago has created a sensation upstairs with his six-course tasting menu. Equally enjoyable and more relaxed, the downstairs cantina serves…
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San José
This Barrio Escalante gem serves a superb mix of authentic Mediterranean specialties, including house-made hummus, tortellini, grilled lamb and a rotating…
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San José
Known for its Costa Rican–fusion cuisine, this stately, flower-filled restaurant is one of San José’s top dining destinations. The menu features unusual…
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San José
With several distinct spaces – from the low-lit, intimate basement to the outdoor garden courtyard – this hip cafe has something for everyone…
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San José
Food court! American burger bar! Brewpub/pizzeria! Performance space/movie theater/lecture hall! The Stein, seized from German immigrants during WWII and…
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San José
Fans of bohemian chic will appreciate this quirky pizzeria, hidden in a mustard-yellow house (No 3396) along the railroad tracks north of Av Central in…
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San José
One of the most beautiful cafes in the city, this spot evokes early 20th-century Vienna. It's a perfect place to sip a cappuccino, enjoy a crepe or quiche…
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San José
This atmospheric Lebanese place is a great date spot, with creamy hummus, flavorful tabbouleh and an array of succulent meats – some cooked, some…
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San José
Drawing health-food devotees from the nearby university and further afield, this buzzing San Pedro eatery just off Calle de la Amargura serves a variety…
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Mantras Veggie Cafe and Tea House
San José
Widely recognized as the best vegetarian restaurant in San José (if not all of Costa Rica), Mantras draws rave reviews from across the foodie spectrum for…
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San José
This tiny cafe opened to such wild success in 2014 that the owners quickly opened another nearby. What's its secret? In addition to adorable and homey…
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San José
Head to the main market for dessert at this century-old local favorite that serves up fresh sorbet and cinnamon-laced frozen custard. Do as the locals do…
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San José
Serving up some of the best pizza and sangria in the Los Yoses area, this hip restaurant doubles as a gallery. Funky local art sells right off the brick…
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San José
In this innovative gastronomic experiment, 20 mini-businesses representing Latin American and world flavors have sprung to life in brightly painted…
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San José
A sleek, monochromatic cafe with excellent views of the ornate Correo Central building, this multilevel spot near the heart of San José's pedestrian zone…
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San José
This informal neighborhood health-food outpost has simple, organic-focused cooking and freshly baked bread and other niceties. Favorites include veggie…
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San José
At this charming, alfresco restaurant attached to Hostel Casa del Parque, brunch is served all day, with dishes such as huevos pochados (poached eggs with…
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San José
All four branches of this Escazú staple have the same delicious Costa Rican menu that everybody has always showed up for, including hearty casados,…
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San José
Ventanita means 'little window' in Spanish and Meraki means 'artistry' in Greek. Together it's an accurate moniker for this hole-in-the-wall, to-go window…
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San José
Sharing a sleek space with Kiosco SJO in Barrio Escalante, chef Camille Ratton's exceptional cafe serves a global fusion menu of soups, salads, sandwiches…
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San José
This quaint cafe with towering cacti out front uses the fresh produce of Costa Rica to create innovative lunch specials, such as Vietnamese noodle bowls…
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San José
With dishes from nearly a dozen Latin countries, this open-air restaurant is a solid Barrio Amón option. Popular menu items include patacon pisao (a…
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San José
An unpretentious ’50s-style diner with garish red-and-white decor, this place is perpetually filled with couples and families noshing on grilled…
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San José
This locally renowned Peruvian restaurant does Andean right. A popular spot for a leisurely Sunday lunch, it has an encyclopedic menu featuring Peruvian…
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San José
The interiors of this popular standard-bearer are a riot of pan-Asian everything, just like the menu. Themed salons – from Chinese to Indian to Japanese –…
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San José
If you have a hankering for a coffee éclair, croque monsieur or plain (but transcendent) croissant, linger here. French tostadas are reserved for Sunday,…
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San José
At this authentic Mexican place near the park, well-rendered specialties include tacos in sets of four – corn tortillas accompanied by chicken, steak, sea…
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San José
This vibrant, quirky cultural space/gallery in a renovated mansion sports local artwork inside and out. There's cozy seating on vintage couches, plus…
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San José
This longtime Italian cafe and expat favorite is set on a sprawling terrace in a vintage Barrio Otoya mansion with a green exterior. It’s a perfect spot…
