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When you think of Costa Rica, food might not be the first thing that comes to mind. Chances are, you’re picturing nature, jungles, toucans, sloths, vibrant green frogs, and turtles. You may have heard of the term ‘Pura Vida’ and know that Costa Ricans eat a lot of pineapple, rice, and beans.
In this blog, we’ll introduce you to the local food culture and share some tips on culinary hotspots across the country.
Text: Marlou Stoltenborg
In Costa Rica, you won’t find locals starting their day with a quick cheese sandwich or cereals. Here, meals are meant to be savored, and both breakfast and lunch are substantial, featuring—you guessed it—rice and beans. But there’s much more to it than that.
Let’s take a closer look at what you can expect for breakfast and lunch in Costa Rica:
Breakfast in Costa Rica
The most typical breakfast dish is Gallo Pinto, a mix of rice and beans seasoned with a variety of spices, served with Natilla (a creamy yogurt sauce), Salsa Lizano (the national sauce), scrambled eggs, fried plantains, fresh cheese, and avocado. Naturally, a cup of coffee, tea, or fresh fruit juice accompanies this meal.
It might sound like a heavy breakfast, but it’s actually quite manageable and provides the energy you need for an adventurous day outdoors. It will keep you going for hours!
You can find Gallo Pinto on the breakfast menu at most hotels and local eateries throughout Costa Rica. If it’s not your thing, there are plenty of other options available, like toast with eggs, pancakes, a burrito, or yogurt with granola and fresh fruit.
Lunch is the biggest and most important meal of the day in Costa Rica. Most locals enjoy a Casado, a dish that consists of rice and beans (served separately), a piece of meat or fish, plenty of vegetables, salad, and a fresh fruit juice. There are endless variations, so you’ll never get bored of eating the same thing twice!
You can order a Casado at a Soda, a local eatery found in every town, city, and along the roadsides. These places are usually bustling at lunchtime, and you can often choose your Casado from a buffet. Expect to pay between 4,000 and 7,000 colones (€7-11) for a generous plate of food and a fresh fruit juice (known as fresco natural).
Other local dishes you’ll find on restaurant menus include Arroz con Pollo and Arroz con Camarones, which are rice dishes mixed with finely chopped vegetables and spices, served with chicken (pollo) or shrimp (camarones). These often come with a side of salad and fries. Ceviche is another classic dish that you’ll find in many places. This refreshing dish consists of fish, shrimp, or shellfish marinated in lime juice, combined with chopped peppers, onions, cilantro, and garlic.
Between 3:30 and 5:00 PM, many Costa Ricans take time to enjoy a delicious cup of coffee, often accompanied by a cookie or snack such as an Empanada or Enchilada.
Coffee is deeply ingrained in Costa Rican culture, especially since the country is home to many coffee plantations. And yes, sugar is a big part of that culture too—Costa Ricans love to add a few spoonfuls to their coffee. If you prefer your coffee black, just ask for a café negro or café americano.
After two hearty meals and an afternoon coffee, you can imagine that dinner in Costa Rica tends to be lighter. Many Costa Ricans opt for a simple evening meal, such as soup, a sandwich, or leftovers from the day.
If you’re not too hungry, you can also order smaller snacks (entradas or bocas) at a Soda, to share. Try Patacones, a savory snack made from fried plantains, often served with guacamole, beans, and a mix of tomato, onion, and lime.
For those who prefer a more elaborate meal, the best option is to head to a restaurant.
The tropical fruits you’ll find in Costa Rica are absolutely delicious. Here, you can taste pineapple, mango, and papaya as they’re meant to be: sweet, flavorful, and juicy. Be sure to try some of the more exotic fruits like mamones chinos, maracuya, guanábana, cas, granadilla, or jocotes. You can buy fresh fruit to peel and eat, or enjoy it as a fresh fruit juice (fresco natural) from a local vendor.
If you’re in the mood for a fresh, cold coconut, ask for a Pipa Fría—an excellent way to quench your thirst!
You’ll often find fruit and coconuts sold at simple roadside stands, as well as in local markets and supermarkets.
While Costa Ricans love their meat, cheese, and eggs, many traditional local dishes can easily be adapted for vegetarians and vegans. In many Sodas, you can pick your meal from a buffet and choose what you want to eat. If you’re ordering from a menu, just be sure to specify your preferences. While vegetarian options are well-known in Sodas these days, not all staff may be familiar with veganism.
That said, in tourist destinations, you’ll find an increasing number of trendy eateries and restaurants where you can enjoy delicious vegetarian or vegan meals without needing to explain your dietary restrictions. Keep reading for more tips!
Let’s start in San José, since most trips to Costa Rica begin in the capital. The city has undergone quite a transformation in recent years, with new restaurants, gastro-bars, and trendy container food courts popping up all the time. One lively neighborhood where you’ll find all of this is Barrio Escalante. For excellent coffee and a pastry or lunch, head to Franco or Cafeoteca. For dinner, try Restaurante Isolina or La Apotecaria, and for craft beer or cocktails, visit Costa Rica Beer Factory, Wilk, or Neon. Vegans can check out Árbol de Seda or Bosque Urbano.
Puerto Viejo de Limón offers a wide selection of great restaurants. For truly authentic Caribbean cuisine like ‘Rice ’n Beans,’ Lidia’s Place is a must-visit.
Koki Beach, located along the main road with a view of the beach, is perfect for happy hour cocktails and a delicious dinner in a cozy setting. The restaurant and bar’s interior is largely made from recycled materials, crafted by local artists and carpenters. And the food on your plate comes straight from the sea, their own farm, or the local market—it doesn’t get fresher than that!
La Fortuna is home to many Sodas, restaurants, and coffee shops. Chocolate Fusion is known not only for the best chocolates but also for tasty sandwiches and great coffee. For a healthy and delicious lunch, try El Chante Verde.
If you’re a true foodie traveling between La Fortuna and Monteverde, plan a stop in Nuevo Arenal, a small town along Lake Arenal, to visit Gingerbread, run by Chef Eyal. Another popular spot with fantastic sandwiches, cakes, coffee, and cookies is Café & Macadamia, a beautifully situated lunch restaurant by Lake Arenal.
Monteverde is famous for its cloud forests, the Quetzal, and thrilling canopy tours, but you can also find some great food here! Stella’s Bakery is a charming spot for a wonderful breakfast or lunch. At Taco Taco, you can enjoy delicious tacos for lunch
For something unique, consider the San Lucas Treetop Dining Experience, and for a more upscale dining experience, head to Hotel Belmar, where you can savor a delightful 3- or 4-course menu in the hotel’s restaurant, with stunning views of the Monteverde valley.
If you’re staying in Junquillal, a lunch or dinner at Mundo Milo is definitely worth it. The Dutch owner, Lieke, is not only an excellent chef but also a wonderful host who makes sure everyone feels at home. She also offers vegetarian, gluten-free, and lactose-free options.
For a fun lunch or happy hour, take a short drive to Lola’s in Playa Avellanas.
Matapalo is a tiny village on the Central Pacific coast. Even if you’re not staying there, it’s definitely worth a visit if you’re a seafood lover! Have lunch or dinner at Langosta Feliz, which translates to ‘The Happy Lobster.’ The restaurant is located near the highway exit to Matapalo, and you can enjoy the best lobster, crab, or tuna steak in town! It’s also a popular spot with the locals.
If you’re looking for good food down the southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica, you should definitely plan a stop in Ojochal, This is another small village, near the marine reserve Marino Ballena. There are two great restaurants in the center of town. Citrus, where French-Canadian chef Marcella cooks exquisite meals for her guests. She travels a lot to find inspiration and to create new dishes for her restaurant.
Close to Citrus, you’ll find another Ojochal star: Exotica. The menu is French oriented, but with exotic and French colonial influences. You can order a delicious Tahitian fish carpaccio or a spicy Vietnamese chicken soup.
Our Edventure Travel team regularly hits the road to discover new hotels, travel destinations or nice restaurants. We hope that this story gives you more insight in where to find good food in Costa Rica!
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