One thing about me is I LOVE TO EAT. I enjoy foods from all cultures, but as a Latina, Spanish food holds a special place in my foodie heart. When I travel somewhere new, the thing I get most excited about is trying the local cuisine. Overall, the food in Costa Rica is delicious and bursting with flavor. If you’re searching for the best food to eat in Costa Rica, especially in Tamarindo and La Fortuna, here are some spots that truly didn’t disappoint.
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Typical Costa Rican dishes you should try:
- Aroz con pollo/carne/cerdo/pescado/vegetales (rice with your choice of chicken/beef/pork/fish/veggies)
- Casado (meal with rice, beans and choice of meat)
- Gallo Pinto (rice and beans mixture)
- Tamales
- Patacones (fried plantain chips)
- Ceviche (citrus and seafood heaven)
Desert:
- Aroz con leche (sweet rice milk pudding) I grew it eating this and it’s so good!
- Caramel flan- if you haven’t tried this yet you are missing out!
Restaurants I visited:
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In La Fortuna:
Victorinos
Mint drink 9/10
Pesto Pasta 9/10
Ceviche 8/10
Restaurante and Aparta Hotel Rana
Cocktail 8/10
Cocktail 9/10
This ceviche was SO good filled with citrus. 9/10
This was a solid 5.5/10. Without the tomatoes it would’ve been higher.
Curry stew 6.5/10
Buberth Restaurant – Canadian Owned – Arenal Views
We stopped here on the way to Tamarindo from La Fortuna. They have amazing views of the volcano.
Seafood pasta 8/10
Pineapple Pizza 7/10
Chocolate brownie 8/10
Tamarindo Beach:
Nogui’s Restaurant – Beachside
So relaxing to eat here in the morning while watching the waves.
When I ordered the avocado toast, I didn’t expect this gorgeous presentation, or did I? That orange thing on it is a sour/sweet fruit and added a nice touch to the toast. Solid 8.5/10. This restaurant has all sorts of food, pancakes, French toast, and all sorts of breakfast platters. Looking at the servers bring people their food, like dang I shoulda got that, that, that and that.
Side of delicious fruit 10/10.
Palapa Restaurant
This place stands out to be being one of my favorite food spots again right in front of the beach in Tamarindo.
Tuna tartare, it had a layer of mango and avocado; a match made in heaven for me 9/10.
The shrimp tacos were a solid 7/10, it’s only because I added the guac, salsa and loads of hot sauce that bumped it up to a 8
The wings with the mango habenera sauce was just SO good, and exactly what I was craving at the time 9/10.
Nari Pasta and Pizza – With a View
Ask to be seated upstairs and you can people watch and enjoy some good italian food.
Seafood alfredo 9/10
Pizza 8.5/10
Portofino Restaurante Lounge & Bar
Located in front of Tamarindo Beach
Goat cheese, beet and walnut salad 9/10
I ate this this ceviche with a side of chips in my hotel room as I was recovering from major sun burn. This ceviche almost healed me it was so good. 10/10
Plan on going to Costa Rica? Have any questions? Have you been to Costa Rica, if so what was your foodie experience like? Please comment down below, I would love to hear about it!
Until the next trip, adios! <3
