Costa Rica

Monteverde Restaurants & Nightlife

The area’s restaurants offer everything from traditional Costa Rican fare to authentic Italian pizza and scrumptious seafood dishes. It’s easy to find a place to dine in Santa Elena, Monteverde or Cerro Plano – restaurants line the streets – but if you’re looking for something special, here are a few recommendations:

Sabor Espanol

Known for its creative dishes and fantastic seafood paella (with shrimp, mussels, clams, crabs and fish), this unassuming restaurant is worth the one-mile trip out of Santa Elena. The Spanish owners and chefs offer both authentic Spanish and Costa Rican fare at reasonable prices, plus a good selection of wines.

La Carombola Art Cafe

Wonderful Thai or Indian-inspired pitas, along with plenty of vegetarian options and tasty smoothies make this little cafe a real standout in Santa Elena. La Carambola has outdoor seating, friendly service and low prices for their artistically-prepared meals. Open for breakfast and lunch.

Cafe Cabure

The modestly-prices Cafe Cabure offers a blend of Argentinean, Indian and Contemporary dishes in a lovely outdoor setting with great sunset views. Patrons can enjoy free WiFi while snacking on delicious empanadas, fresh salads, wraps or pasta dishes. The owners are also exceptional bakers, so save room for their exquisite chocolate truffles and other sinful desserts.

Chimera

This Santa Elena favorite serves up delicious tapas, allowing guests to sample a little bit of everything. Recommended platters include the coconut shrimp, sea bass with passion fruit mousse, and pork with white bean stew. Chimera also has an eclectic cocktail menu; try their ginger martini or fresh mango margarita for something extraordinary.

Moon Shiva Restaurant

Offering up delectable soups, nutritious appetizers and simply delicious mains, this small Mediterranean-Middle Eastern restaurant is a Monteverde mainstay for a reason. Try their vegetarian sampler plate, complete with tabbouleh, baba ganoush, hummus, falafel, tahini and other Middle Eastern goodies. The restaurant sometimes features live music in the evenings.

Pizzeria de Johnny

Some call it the best pizza in Costa Rica, and Johnny’s wood-burning ovens, authentic thin-crust pizza and extensive menu back up that claim. Add a little pizzazz to your meal by ordering one of the restaurant’s mouth-watering appetizers.

Restaurant and Pizzeria Di' Kary

Offering delicious pastas, a candlelit ambiance and a cozy dining room, this quiet restaurant is ideal for a romantic dinner. Try their pasta Frutti di Mare, which features homemade noodles bathed in a white sauce with mussels, clams, calamari and other delicacies from the sea.

Restaurant De Lucia

Jose Belmar, owner and chef at De Lucia, speaks five languages fluently, and greets every guest at the restaurant. The dining room’s South American style – decorated in beautiful mahogany wood – carries over onto the menu, and almost every dish is served with plantains and roasted vegetables.

Tree House Restaurant & Cafe

Vivisected by a giant ficus tree, which diners may choose to sit under or beside, this landmark cafe offers fantastic food and a unique atmosphere. The fare runs the gamut from fajitas and sandwiches to breaded calamari and cheese fondue. Order with your iPod for extra speedy service, and don’t forget to try one of their famous coffee drinks, created by a well-schooled and very artistic barista.

Matae Cana

If you're looking for a quiet spot to spend with your date, Matae Cana is a chic lounge with great specialty drinks. They host live salsa bands on occasion.

Bar Amigos

Located along Santa Elena’s downtown triangle, this typical bar offers loud music, pool tables and ice-cold beers every night.

La Taberna 

If you feel the urge to dance, head down to this lively tavern, which promises loud music and plenty of drinks.

Unicornio Discotec

Located at the northern end of the soccer field, this bar has a true Costa Rican feel, right down to the slightly overzealous karaoke singers.

Monteverde Travel Guide