Restaurants
These are our favorite local restaurants.
Zaguate
At the El Mutante Playa Negra Skate Park this Cafe serves SMASHED BURGERS, DRAFT BEER, NATURAL WINE & COCKTAILS!
SUNDAY SMOKE BRUNCH!
They have delicious BBQ - best to reserve in advance. The baked goods and treats are also a favorite.
Their house ground coffee makes a wonderful souvenir and gift.
Just North of Avellanas is a gem of a restaurant. Serving Middle Eastern food with fresh baked breads. This is a breakfast and brunch favorite.
They also make amazing cocktails that pair well with the al fresco seating overlooking their pool.
Mariposas (butterflies) flutter about in the lush gardens beneath giant Mango trees.
Hands down our favorite day trip for Beach, Food and Drinks
This is an amazing restaurant with unforgettable ocean views
$$
$12-17 entrees
Belgian style fresh cut fries
Burgers, Pizza, Tacos
Refreshing smoothies and cocktails
Stake out a shady spot underneath the almendra (almond) trees to nosh on great food and watch the surfers.
You can rent lounge chairs and watch your kids play in the surf.
Chop House
Across from the Automercado in Tamarindo is this wonderful restaurant for good burgers, empanadas and milanese (fried chicken pounded flat and breaded). Our kids enjoy this spot.
Pollo Becker
My son’s favorite fast food fried chicken in Costa Rica. We prefer the one near us at the intersection of route 152 and 160 near the turn off for the town of Veintesiete de Abril
Manta
Delicious Mediterranean food - kebabs, falafel, and seafood. By Chef Sebastian Couratier. They began as a pop-up serving kebabs at La Esquina at the Friday Market. Beef and Lamb kefta (meatballs) in a pita was my go to dinner when visiting Avellanas on Fridays. Now with their beachfront restaurant to the left of Lola’s Avellanas has two amazing restaurants to enjoy while you make memories with family and friends at the beach.
Manta has a complimentary shower for surfers and beach goers to rinse off.
Our favorite thing was to enjoy frozen smoothies or cocktails in the shady outdoor patio while the kids played in the surf and sand.
Cafe Floresta
Just north of La Esquina in Avellanas is this wonderful cafe and bakery. They have my daughter’s favorite dessert - an Apple tart that has a subtle shimmer from edible glitter. It’s an edible luxury. The owner is a French chef and everything is legit. Just drop in and take a look at what goodies they’ve made for the day. The pastry selection changes every month and none of our go to items are listed on their daily menu.
Cafe Mariposa
In the new luxury development of Parque Tempisque near Liberia is a gem of a restaurant and bakery. Open 7am to 7pm EVERY DAY! So this is our go to stop before and after the airport in Liberia. They offer farm to table dining for breakfast, lunch and dinner. There is something on the menu that will please everyone in your family.
We always grab bread and pastries to nibble on the drive back to Las Palmitas.
Little Lucha
Liberia and Tamarindo locations serve great tacos. Closed Sundays.
The Liberia location is close to the airport on the way to the beaches. So if you’ve just landed and need a bite, this is a great option.
We either stop here or Mariposa Cafe before or after we land in Liberia airport.