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Best Authentic Restaurants in San José

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7 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Sapore Trattoria restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(57)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • San José
An enchanting restaurant in the very heart of San Jose, with authentic Italian cuisine and spotless service. Everything is hand made. Try the Festa della Pasta, for a fix price you can try 5 different handmade pastas. Enjoy our brick oven long fermentation pizzas and visit our new space, La Bottega del Gusto, where you can find the best of our artisanal products and take them to your own place.
A photo of Jaguar Negro restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(1079)
Price: Moderate
• Mexican • San José
Booked 13 times today
The experience begins as you step through the doors of Jaguar Negro, transporting you to a Mexican tropical oasis imbued with relaxed vibes and casual elegance. You first encounter a secret garden surrounded by water and native Mexican plants, setting the stage for a sonic, sensory, and visual journey that takes you to Mexico without leaving Costa Rica. Our menu is inspired by cantina cuisine, traditional dishes, and ancestral techniques that enrich every preparation. Everything is enjoyed around a table designed for sharing
A photo of El Novillo Alegre - Escazu restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(6)
Price: Expensive
• Argentinean • Heredia
Booked 1 time today
Experience the essence of Argentine cuisine at Novillo Alegre. With over 20 years of history, we bring you the finest cuts of meat grilled to perfection and a selection of wines imported from top vineyards. Our warm and welcoming atmosphere is perfect for couples, families, and anyone looking to enjoy a memorable dining experience. From traditional asado and juicy chorizos to classic empanadas, our menu is designed to share the authentic flavors of South America with our guests. Join us and discover why Novillo Alegre has been a local favorite for decades
A photo of AC Lounge Escazú restaurant
4.2
Awesome(13)
Price: Expensive
• Mediterranean • Escazu
Booked 1 time today
Welcome to our AC Lounge/Terrace Escazu, a special and dynamic space, in the Avenue Escazu the most cosmopolitan place around San Jose. We are a fusion between and Spanish gastronomy, mediterranean flavors and good taste. Our Culinary artists Luis Umana and Liliam Robles will be pleased to surprise you with our unique menu companied by our authentic author cocktails with European Soul and our sophisticated cava, with a distinctive selection of American and European Wines. We recommend our famous AC Signature Gin Tonic and Red Fruits Gin Tonic, and our special Tagliatelle with Salmon. We are excited for your visit. SALUD!
A photo of Olive Garden Escazú Village restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(1482)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • San José
Booked 6 times today
¡En Olive Garden la generosidad Italiana estará siempre en tu mesa!Sabemos que todo en la vida es mejor en familia y por eso te ofrecemos lo mejor de la comida italiana en un ambiente muy agradable.Podrás disfrutar de nuestros icónicos favoritos, al mejor estilo italiano como son el Fettucine Alfredo, Tour of Italy, Lasagna Fritta y Chicken Parmigiana. Además no podes dejar de probar nuestros ilimitados de sopa, ensalada y lops mundialmente famosos breadsticks.¡Te esperamos en Olive Garden porque aquí todos somos familia!
A photo of Murazzi restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(7)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Escazu
Murazzi was born to preserve the tradition of an exceptional pizza, created by an Italian family that made Costa Rica their home. Inspired by a recipe that has delighted palates for years, we decided to take it a step further, combining our heritage with a modern approach: artisanal pizzas, pastas, risottos, and a unique selection of Italian street food you won't find anywhere else. All in a casual atmosphere, where every dish, from the simplest to the most sophisticated, is crafted with the same dedication and gourmet touch. We invite you to pair our delicious dishes with our signature cocktails like the Torino Sour, and wines for a complete dining experience.
A photo of Pimento - InterContinental Costa Rica restaurant
4.2
Awesome(25)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Escazu
Enjoy our incredible Italian cuisine and wonderful wines in Pimento. Dine or have lunch in a comfortable atmosphere of Italian style, accentuated by wooden floors and brick ceiling in the grotto. The traditional Italian menu offers a variety of fresh homemade pastas, risottos, fresh fish and seafood, and a large selection of starters, soups and delicious desserts.

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See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • Marianne
    Phoenix / Arizona •5 reviews
    5.0
    Dined on Feb 5, 2025
    The octopus tacos were amazing. And the Paloma was 1 of the best I’ve had
    More info
    Jaguar NegroPrice: Moderate• Mexican• San José
    4.6
  • Justin
    Costa Rica •1 review
    5.0
    Dined on Jan 23, 2025
    Great experience for a birthday event. Some of the food was a bit over salty but for the most part very good. Service was great from the host and all waitresses. Thank you so much for the great experience.
    More info
    Olive Garden Escazú VillagePrice: Moderate• Italian• San José
    4.6
  • Marianne
    Costa Rica •1 review
    5.0
    Dined on Dec 20, 2024
    We were met by warm and helpfull staff, delicious food, great drinks and a lovely ambience. So happy we went to this great restaurant. You need to experience it!
    More info
    El Novillo Alegre - EscazuPrice: Expensive• Argentinean• Heredia
    4.7
  • Llew
    Las Vegas •4 reviews
    5.0
    Dined on Dec 10, 2024
    Our third time at Sapore,, our waiter Carlos is the best and always greets us with a big smile and a wonderful attitude. We always order the burrata salad but to our disappointment they were out of the cheese. We decided to go with the ceaser salad and it was very good. Also as usual we ordered the Caccio de Peppe which was also perfection. Bottle of wine and a couple of Old Fashions to drink. We finished it off with and ice cream desert that was great.. highly recommend the restaurant..
    More info
    Sapore TrattoriaPrice: Moderate• Italian• San José
    4.6
  • OpenTable Diner
    Costa Rica •1 review
    4.0
    Dined on Jun 23, 2024
    The place is amazing for a dinner night, but the live music is too intrusive, too loud, unless you’re there for the event, it doesn’t worth the noise in the balcony. Also, there are no dinner tables inside, so if you want to eat inside you have to arc your back to get to your plate safely, some arrangements can be made.
    More info
    AC Lounge EscazúPrice: Expensive• Mediterranean• Escazu
    4.2

Discover best authentic restaurants in San José

Discover the heart of Costa Rican gastronomy with our selection of authentic restaurants in San José. Each establishment provides a genuine taste of local culture through traditional dishes crafted with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The dining scene in San José is vibrant and diverse, offering culinary experiences that range from casual eateries to upscale dining, all sharing a commitment to authenticity and quality. These restaurants pride themselves on their expertise in blending native flavors with innovative culinary techniques, ensuring a memorable dining experience for all food enthusiasts. Visitors can expect to enjoy a variety of dishes that showcase the rich culinary heritage of Costa Rica, served in environments that reflect the warmth and hospitality of the region. Whether you are seeking a sophisticated dining atmosphere or a cozy, intimate setting, our curated list in San José meets all desires with a focus on delivering an authentic Costa Rican dining adventure. Get ready to explore the best of local cuisine, where each meal tells the story of Costa Rica’s rich cultural and gastronomic traditions.

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