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Diners' Choice: Best Ambience restaurants in Costa Rica

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OpenTable
Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best ambience in Costa Rica? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes 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 reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!


A photo of Sentido Norte restaurant
4.9
4.9 (425)
$50 and over
International
Brasilito / Playa Flamingo
About the restaurant
Sentido Norte, a restaurant and bar at Casa Chameleon Las Catalinas, proudly offers the best of Coastal Costa Rican cuisine. All food & drink is inspired by the country’s bountiful abundance, combining uniquely local and native ingredients in the glass and on the plate.

Dining in Sentido Norte is like dining in a local friend’s gourmet kitchen. Everything is accounted for, every request can be met, and every–from dish to drink–is delicious.

Sentido Norte is an adults only restaurant. Children under 12 years of age are not permitted at the restaurant.
Service animals are welcome!

Top review
NathanVIP
Dined 1 day ago
One of the best places to have cocktails and watch the sunset. 
A photo of Jaguar Negro restaurant
4.7
4.7 (1063)
$30 and under
Mexican
San José
About the restaurant
La experiencia comienza cuando pasas por las puertas de Jaguar Negro y te transportarás a un oasis tropical mexicano con aires relajados y elegancia casual. Primero descubres un jardín secreto rodeado de agua y plantas nativas mexicanas y desde ahí emprendes un viaje sonoro, sensorial y visual que te transportará a México sin salir de Costa Rica.

Nuestro menú esta inspirado en la cocina de cantina, en los platillos de tradición y en las técnicas ancestrales que acompañan cada preparación. Todo se disfruta alrededor de una mesa pensada para ser compartida.

Top review
Geraldine
Dined on Nov 29, 2024
I loved it very good food classy and the darkness was just right
A photo of Rio Bhongo Restaurant restaurant
4.7
4.7 (48)
$30 and under
International
Marina Papagayo
About the restaurant
At the center of the resort adjacent to the main pools with breathtaking views of Culebra Bay, Rio Bhongo offers the comforts of home infused with Costa Rican culture. Don't miss our expert barista and our extensive coffee program. Dinner offers a selection of grilled meats and fresh fish. The terrace provides a beautiful setting underneath a 40 year old Higueron tree, beautifully lit and magical at night. This restaurant is ideal for large parties or multiple families who wish to dine together.

Dining Visitors to Peninsula Papagayo
If you are not a homeowner or guest staying at one of the resorts or homes within Peninsula Papagayo, please contact Guest Services at gscenter.papagayo@andaz.com to advise the date and time of your reservation, so we may coordinate your entry into Peninsula Papagayo with the security teams. Visitors are only permitted with confirmed dining reservations and advance notice to security. You may be required to show a copy of your dining confirmation.

Top review
Janice
Dined on Dec 10, 2024
All four of us enjoyed our meals. The steak was done just right and we would recommend to order with the veggies. The shrimp on both the smaller salads, made them very tasty. And finally the guacamole and chips were a good appetizer.
A photo of The Capital Grille - San José restaurant
4.9
4.9 (368)
$50 and over
Steakhouse
Escazu
About the restaurant
Fundado en 1990 en Providence, RI, The Capital Grille es un restaurante de alta cocina conocido por sus cortes de carne añejados en seco, mariscos frescos, una lista de vinos galardonada y un servicio personalizado y profesional en una atmósfera elegante y relajada.

Top review
Roane
Dined 5 days ago
Highly recommend - as a steakhouse epicurean Capital Grille San Jose hits all the marks of classic steakhouses! Gustavo provided excellent service!
A photo of CHAO PESCAO restaurant
4.9
4.9 (165)
$30 and under
Latin American
Marina Papagayo
About the restaurant
Chao Pescao is our neighborhood restaurant offering a gastronomic journey through Latin America and the Caribbean curated by Costa Rican born Chef Keivin. The menu style is shared plates, and this is your chance to discover some of the unique flavors of the region. Our award-winning mixology program has also made this restaurant a guest favorite. Mixology, cooking classes and live music are offered throughout the week. Our communal table is perfect for large parties.

Dining Visitors to Peninsula Papagayo
If you are not a homeowner or guest staying at one of the resorts or homes within Peninsula Papagayo, please contact Guest Services at gscenter.papagayo@andaz.com to advise the date and time of your reservation, so we may coordinate your entry into Peninsula Papagayo with the security teams. Visitors are only permitted with confirmed dining reservations and advance notice to security. You may be required to show a copy of your dining confirmation.

Top review
Shana
Dined on Dec 10, 2024
Great meal with fabulous service. We look forded to coming back.
A photo of La Cava Alta Fiori restaurant
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
MelvinVIP
Dined on Nov 23, 2024
I always enjoy coming here. The food is always consistently great and they have a great wine selection too.
A photo of Doma Escalante restaurant
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.
A photo of Azotea Calle 7 restaurant
4.8
4.8 (359)
$30 and under
Dining Bar
San José
About the restaurant
The rooftop of Hotel Presidente is home to Azotea Calle 7, a perfect shelter from the busy –and sometimes chaotic– heart of San José. You can enter through Calle 7, between Avenida Central and Avenida Segunda, either by climbing the red spiral staircase that takes you right into the red-brick terrace, surrounded by colorful veraneras (bougainvillea plants), palm, jicaro, orange and lime trees whose fruits might end up in your cocktail.

Top review
JenniferVIP
Dined 2 days ago
We had a wonderful experience here with both the quality of the food/drinks and the attentiveness of the staff. Highly recommend!
A photo of Los Tres Mexican Bistró restaurant
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.
A photo of Silvestre restaurant
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!
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