Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Costa Rica

OpenTable

Updated 05 December 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies in Costa Rica? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you book, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Amana

4.9

4.9 (63)

$30 and under

Contemporary Latin American

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

Daniel

Dined 6 days ago

The Chef's Table experience, add the wine tasting to it and it is the perfect night.

Don Rufino

4.8

4.8 (627)

$30 and under

International

Alajuela

About the restaurant

Don Rufino is about contemporary food, with a local touch. Fine, local, fresh ingredients, the use of novel cooking techniques and great passion, are the main components found in our kitchen and in each dish served.

Top review

Matthew

Dined 6 days ago

A bit expensive for the food. Nice restaurant, great service.

Discover more

Popular dish

Fresh fish ceviche

Los Tres Mexican Bistró

4.8

4.8 (26)

$30 and under

Mexican

Santa Ana

About the restaurant

Los Tres®️ es un tributo al legado familiar de los tres Luis Alfaro: abuelo, padre e hijo, pioneros de la comida mexicana en Costa Rica desde 1972. Este restaurante nos transporta al pasado, presente y futuro, fusionando ideas de las tres generaciones. La alta cocina de asador y parrilla regiomontana está presente, empleando ingredientes de primera provenientes de nuestra huerta y proveedores especializados.

En Los Tres®️ te sentirás como en casa, en un espacio familiar que trasciende. Como bistró mexicano, combinamos la atmósfera acogedora y el servicio atento de un bistró con la rica tradición culinaria mexicana. A través de cada platillo y bebida, te brindaremos una experiencia única .

Top review

Jose

Dined 7 days ago

This was my second time in this restaurant and it never disappoints. The food is excellent.

Isolina

4.7

4.7 (205)

$30 and under

Contemporary Latin American

San José

About the restaurant

Ubicado en San José, Costa Rica.
Isolina es gastronomía actual en un lugar con historia. Nuestro concepto gastronómico cocina de autor. Una fusión de sabores, con influencias de diferentes regiones gastronómicas, utilizando producto fresco local.

Top review

Dined 4 days ago

I do not recall her name but she shared her positive energy with us and made raised our experience to a higher level

La Cava Alta Fiori

4.7

4.7 (73)

$31 to $50

Mediterranean

Escazu

About the restaurant

La Cava Alta Fiori,antiguo Monasterio Le Monastère, un restaurante moderno, con una vista espectacular a todo el Valle Central, cuya esencia es la gastronomía mediterránea.
Su apuesta culinaria integra la cocina gourmet de Francia, Italia y España traída a nuestro país con una variedad de ingredientes propios que se mezclan en cada platillo, entre ellos, culantro coyote, jengibre, chile, rábano fresco, pejibaye, y otros importados para lograr una explosión de sabor en el paladar; la oferta gastronómica también incluye variedad de carnes, en nuestros platos fuertes; así como diversidad de tapas, entradas frías y calientes.
Cordero Cuatro estaciones, el Fideuá Mar y Tierra, con mejillones, camarones y trozos de res grillados y cortes de res tan exclusivos como el Tomahawk, el Rib eye de la mas alta calidad, acompañado de una amplia variedad de vinos y cocteles.

Top review

Gaby

Dined on 23 Nov 2024

Amazing place! Great view and even better food. Server was excellent

Silvestre

4.6

4.6 (851)

$30 and under

Latin American

San José

About the restaurant

Silvestre is a fine dining restaurant located in the heart of San José, Costa Rica. Chef Santiago Fernández offers a well-thought-out, curated small seasonal menu that brings you the freshest locally sourced ingredients. Silvestre is a worthy stop, as part of your exploration of the city, also perfect for a romantic dinner or to celebrate a special occasion. We also offer an impressive conceptual menú degustación about the Costa Rican soul, its flavors and everything in between.

Top review

RichardVIP

Dined today

What an exceptional experience! I highly recommend this restaurant to any and everyone who appreciates great food, great service and an overall memorable dining experience! The Chef is so passionate about promoting the cuisine of Costa Rica and elevating it from a traditional home cooking, traditional cuisine to one that competes on the world stage. He embraces local ingredients and cooking styles and reinterprets them. The menu compositions are balanced, thoughtful and loaded with flavor and the plate presentations are beautifully conceived. He’s motivated his staff to share in the passion and excitement of working in such a special place and their knowledge, professionalism and passion come through effortlessly. The beautiful dining environment exudes his profound respect for nature and creates a welcoming and relaxing environment that only adds to the overall experience Get in while you can before Michelin and San Pellegrino’s “World’s Best Restaurants” discover what Chef Santiago is delivering an amazing dining experience to his customers today!

La Divina Comida

4.6

4.6 (79)

$30 and under

Peruvian

San José

About the restaurant

Created by Chef Marco Antonio Ganoza in 2004, in San José. We are a Peruvian Fusion cuisine restaurant created outside of Peru, this gives us a very interesting value, since in that search for the perfect ingredients, we realize that wherever we are we will find everything we need, and that ingredient is called passion for food. kitchen.
We are Essential Costa Rica, working hand in hand with local farmers and fishermen.
We believe in the value of local, of what is ours and in the contribution of local communities in our products.
We are responsible and sustainable with our supplies.
We believe that customer service has to be clear and that experience is the only thing that motivates us.
When you pass, order the ceviches, the octopus, the portions of main dishes, we recommend them to share, the dishes are large.
We are waiting for you at La Divina Comida on Avenida Escazú.

Top review

kathleenVIP

Dined on 5 Nov 2024

Service was excellent. Our waiter explained dishes, preparations and gave attentive service. Food was very good!

Doma Escalante

4.5

4.5 (175)

$31 to $50

International

San José

About the restaurant

In the heart of Barrio Escalante, next to the iconic "El Farolito" roundabout, stands DOMA. A house of Costa Rican architecture and Spanish colonial dyes built-in 1945, which was restored for 10 long months; rescuing it from time, updating its design through a colorful façade, and giving it the value it deserves within the neighborhood.
Our founders are dreamers, lovers of design, art, and fashion; passionate about cooking and fine dining.
Through fresh products and honest flavors, DOMA has created a gastronomic experience with local products that arise at the foot of the volcanoes, the plains, and the Costa Rican mountains. Which are transformed into art thanks to the vision, dedication, and talent of our chefs.
DOMA is happy to share this house, a space designed to inspire and encourage creative and entrepreneurial minds to work as a team under a feeling of community and collaboration, with the aim of serving as an oasis in the heart of San José.

Top review

edmond

Dined today

Everything was amazing from the tasting menu paired with some of the best wine selections. The ambience was very exquisite with perfect lighting to enhance the mood and for photo ops anywhere in the restaurant. Perfect for a date night and now will be on my favorite list. The chef came out and also enlightened us on the courses and gave us his time shared over dessert. Thank you.

Caffe Negroni

4.5

4.5 (53)

$30 and under

Bistro

Escazu

About the restaurant

Coming Soon!

Top review

Carolina

Dined 7 days ago

Excellent service and the quality and care into each plate surpasses all expectations. We went to have brunch and we all ordered different things, from a sandwich to pastas and each plate tasted well balanced and very fresh. The calamari and the shrimp pasta had fresh seafood flavor that its hard to find. I had bread with my pasta and my mom asked if they could bring her something to add to the bread and they were very open to bring her marmalade, butter or anything else no questions asked. So happy we celebrates my sister birthday in such a welcoming and incredible restaurant.

Sikwa

4.2

4.2 (19)

$30 and under

Latin American

San Pedro

About the restaurant

At Sikwa, we believe that food is the universal language that communicates our history, culture, and traditions. Inspired by the richness of Costa Rica, we offer a culinary experience that connects the past and present. We work with local communities and collaborators such as Proyecto Jirondai and Koswak Usure to keep traditions alive and promote sustainable practices. Every dish at Sikwa tells a story of respect for the land and love for culture, using local and seasonal ingredients. More than a restaurant, Sikwa is an act of cultural preservation and a commitment to education and community development.

Top review

DavidVIP

Dined 1 day ago

The food, service and setting were fantastic. I can recommend the restaurant without hesitation

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