25 Best Foodie Spots in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica: Our 2026 Top Picks
When we spent 3 weeks in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Costa Rica, we were genuinely impressed with the vast amount of restaurants and cafes to choose from. From local sodas to 5-star Argentinian feasts, the restaurant scene in Puerto is heavily influenced by the community it sits in—full of local and expat influence. Despite Puerto Viejo being a super tiny, semi-remote Caribbean town, you can genuinely find just about any dish you can think of within its 8-mile stretch.
For us, exploring Puerto Viejo’s restaurant scene became one of our favorite ways to end the day.
Biking between Puerto Viejo Town and Cocles, hopping from the displayed menus, seeing what new spot we wanted to try that night.
So, here is our quick-scan guide breaking down the absolute best restaurants and cafes in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica. Organized by area and separated by cafes vs. lunch & dinner restaurants!
📍 Best Cafe & Restaurants: Downtown Puerto Viejo
☕ Cafes & Breakfast Spots
1. Bread & Chocolate // Breakfast & Truffles
- Opening Hours: Tue–Sun: 7:00 AM – 2:00 PM (Closed Mondays)
- Price: $$
- My Rating: ★★★★★
- Instagram: @breadandchocolatepv
- What to Expect: A town staple serving hearty breakfasts, fresh baked goods, and handmade chocolate truffles.
- Must-Try: Banana bread French toast and artisan chocolate.
2. De Gustibus Bakery // Best Brunch, Smoothies, and Bread
- Opening Hours: Open Daily: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Price: $
- My Rating: ★★★★☆
- Instagram: @degustibusbakery.pv
- What to Expect: Amazing option for brunch. Smoothies, fresh meal options, and fresh bread and baked goods. We went after the farmers market on Sunday to cool down with some smoothies and pickup some fresh bread for the week.
- Must-Try: Fresh-baked bread and smoothies.
🍽️ Restaurants & Bars
3. Salsa Brava Beach Bar // Best Reggae Night & Beachfront Dinner
- Opening Hours: Open Daily: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- Price: $$
- My Rating: ★★★★★
- Instagram: @salsabravabeachbar
- What to Expect: Great on the beach dinner spot. Relaxed vibes with a more upscale menu. Amazing cocktails and seafood options.
- Must-Try: Seafood options, craft cocktails, and go on reggae night for even more classic vibes!
4. Mopri // Hole-in-the-wall Hidden Gem — Local Seafood
- Opening Hours: Open Daily: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Price: $
- My Rating: ★★★★★
- What to Expect: The definitive spot for fresh local seafood. Highly casual atmosphere featuring gravel floors, plastic chairs, and the daily catch.
- Must-Try: Fresh raw ceviche and the daily catch.
5. Stashu’s Con Fusion // Best Fusion Dinner Spot
- Opening Hours: Wed–Mon: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM (Closed Tuesdays)
- Price: $$$
- My Rating: ★★★★★
- Instagram: @stashusconfusion
- What to Expect: A beloved open-air dinner spot blending Caribbean, South Asian, and international flavors with an emphasis on fresh seafood and vegetarian fusion.
- Must-Try: Seafood curry fusion.
6. Cafe Viejo // Best Upscale Italian Dinner
- Opening Hours: Open Daily: 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM
- Price: $$$
- My Rating: ★★★★☆
- Instagram: @cafeviejo_cr
- What to Expect: An elegant, upscale Italian restaurant with open-air street-side dining right in the heart of town.
- Must-Try: Fresh handmade pastas and classic Italian mains.
7. Sodas (Soda Lidia & Soda Tamara) // Best Authentic Budget Eats
- Opening Hours: Open Daily: 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Price: $
- My Rating: ★★★★★
- What to Expect: Scattered throughout town, these casual spots serve traditional Costa Rican casados and Caribbean coconut rice and beans.
- Must-Try: Authentic casados and coconut rice and beans.
Planning Your Trip To Costa Rica?
These apps are essential for your travels:
Google Maps: great for finding restaurants, beaches, things to do
Yesim: We did so much research to make sure we would have service in Puerto Viejo. This esim was perfect
Waze: Don’t even try apple maps. Waze is the main map everyone uses in Costa Rica
What’s App: Literally everyone uses what’s app in Costa Rica. For tuktuks, booking tours, accommodations, everything.
Google Translate: great for when you need to speak spanish at the grocery or in the uber.
Converter App: downloaded so many, this one is superior.
Hostelworld: Great for finding cheap accommodations on the fly and local events
Merlin Bird: so fun to identify all the birds around you. We saw both a toucan and green macaw!
Get Your Guide: the best app for booking tours, guides, and so much more.
Uber: besides biking, uber was the main way we got around in Puerto Viejo. it’s very cost effective in Puerto Viejo
📍 Cafes and Restaurants: Cocles, Puerto Viejo
☕ Cafes & Breakfast Spots
8. El Sol del Caribe // Our Favorite Breakfast Spot
- Opening Hours: Fri–Wed: 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM (Closed Thursdays)
- Price: $
- My Rating: ★★★★★
- Instagram: @resta_soldelcaribe
- What to Expect: Located right by Playa Cocles, this was easily our favorite spot for breakfast in the area! Super laid-back and delicious.
- Must-Try: Classic breakfast plate, passion fruit, pineapple, and coconut water smoothie.
9. El Rincón Porteño // Best Argentinian Bakery & Morning Coffee
- Opening Hours: Open Daily: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Price: $$$
- My Rating: ★★★★☆
- Instagram: @elrinconportenococles
- What to Expect: An authentic Argentinian grill serving premium cuts of meat alongside fresh pastries for breakfast.
- Must-Try: Fresh breakfast pastries with morning coffee.
🍽️ Restaurants & Bars
10. Tasty Wave Canteen // So-Cal Vibes, Birria Tacos & Passion Fruit Drinks
- Opening Hours: Open Daily: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- Price: $$
- My Rating: ★★★★★
- Instagram: @ tastywavescantina
- What to Expect: A So-Cal themed menu and hostel with a lively restaurant/bar atmosphere. We absolutely loved eating here and went back multiple times!
- Must-Try: The birria tacos are to die for, but their passion fruit cocktail was what really brought us back again and again.
11. Amici // Best Beachfront Pizza & Drinks
- Opening Hours: Open Daily: 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- Price: $$
- My Rating: ★★★★☆
- Instagram: @amici_cr
- What to Expect: Delicious stone-fired pizza and seating options right on the beach in Cocles.
- Must-Try: We got the prosciutto pizza and the happy hour gin and tonics.
12. Beach Break // Best Relaxed Beachfront Snapper & Beer
- Opening Hours: Open Daily: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Price: $$
- My Rating: ★★★★★
- Instagram: @beachbreak_cocles
- What to Expect: Perfect on the beach option where you can eat whole red snapper and drink beers while listening to music and people-watching on the beach.
- Must-Try: Whole red snapper and an ice-cold Imperial.
13. Spicy Coconut // Best Drinks & Local Artisanal Goods
- Opening Hours: Open Daily: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Price: $$
- My Rating: ★★★★☆
- Instagram: @spicycoconutcr
- What to Expect: Delicious menu, amazing ambiance. Right on the water where you can walk directly to the beach.
- Must-Try: Craft tropical cocktails and curry.
14. Sushi Wave // Best Fresh Sushi on the Sand
- Opening Hours: Tue–Sun: 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM (Closed Mondays)
- Price: $$
- My Rating: ★★★★☆
- Instagram: @sushiwavecocles
- What to Expect: A dedicated beachfront sushi spot known for fresh-cut rolls and a relaxed outdoor atmosphere.
- Must-Try: Get your sushi and a can of beer from the fridge. Go across the street and eat on the beach!
15. La Nena // Best Authentic Afro-Caribbean Cooking
- Opening Hours: Mon–Sat: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM (Closed Sundays)
- Price: $
- My Rating: ★★★★★
- Instagram: @lanenacocles
- What to Expect: A highly celebrated local favorite for authentic Afro-Caribbean cooking, specifically chicken or fish in traditional stew or coconut sauce.
- Must-Try: Rondon stew and Caribbean chicken in coconut sauce.
16. Casa Rio // Best Jungle Sports Bar Vibe
- Opening Hours: Open Daily: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Price: $$
- My Rating: ★★★★★
- Instagram: @casario.cr
- What to Expect: Jungle sports bar vibe. Serves fresh ceviche, hamburgers, wood-fired pizza, and batidos, with a strong selection of vegan alternatives. Lots of seating options!
- Must-Try: Amazing coconut ceviche.
📍 Top Restaurants: Playa Chiquita, Puerto Viejo
☕ Cafes & Breakfast Spots
17. Gypsea Café // Best Farm-to-Table Brunch
- Opening Hours: Wed–Mon: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Closed Tuesdays)
- Price: $$
- My Rating: ★★★★★
- Instagram: @gypsea_cafe
- What to Expect: One of our favorite spots in the Playa Chiquita area. Super farm-to-table vibes and an exceptional oasis prioritizing organic, locally sourced ingredients. The bread was baked fresh.
- Must-Try: Get the avocado toast and their cacao drink (order it fría)!
🍽️ Restaurants & Bars
18. Pura Gula // Best Spanish-Inspired Slow Food
- Opening Hours: Thu–Tue: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM (Closed Wednesdays)
- Price: $$$
- My Rating: ★★★★★
- Instagram: @ puragularestaurante
- What to Expect: A highly regarded “slow food” restaurant specializing in Spanish-influenced cuisine and seafood.
- Must-Try: Tapas and fresh daily seafood specials.
19. Soda Taylor Spoon // Best Budget Casados in Chiquita
- Opening Hours: Mon–Sat: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM (Closed Sundays)
- Price: $
- My Rating: ★★★★★
- Instagram: @ taylorsspoon
- What to Expect: A top choice for budget-friendly, authentic local Caribbean casados in the Chiquita area.
- Must-Try: Traditional local casados with plantains and rice.
📍 Top Restaurant Picks: Punta Uva, Puerto Viejo
☕ Cafes & Breakfast Spots
20. La Sirena // Best Ocean-View Morning & Daytime Bites
- Opening Hours: Open Daily: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Price: $$
- My Rating: ★★★★☆
- Instagram: @lasirena.cr
- What to Expect: A laid-back, South American-inspired ocean-view kitchen renowned for its fresh ceviche.
- Must-Try: Signature fresh ceviche and tropical juices.
🍽️ Restaurants & Bars
21. El Refugio Grill // Best Romantic Jungle Bistro
- Opening Hours: Tue–Sat: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM (Closed Sun/Mon)
- Price: $$$
- My Rating: ★★★★★
- Instagram: @ elrefugiogrill
- What to Expect: A tiny, romantic, and highly rated Argentinian-owned jungle bistro featuring a small, frequently rotating daily menu.
- Must-Try: Daily chef’s grilled meat specials paired with wine.
22. Awa Beach Bar // Best Polished Oceanfront Dining
- Opening Hours: Open Daily: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Price: $$$
- My Rating: ★★★★☆
- Instagram: @awabeachhotel
- What to Expect: A polished, fully beachfront establishment offering international gourmet dishes and tropical cocktails right on the sand.
- Must-Try: Tropical cocktails and gourmet seafood plates.
📍 Restaurants and Cafes: Manzanillo, Costa Rica
☕ Cafes & Breakfast Spots
23. Cool & Calm Cafe // Best Historic Regional Coffee & Grill
- Opening Hours: Open Daily: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Price: $
- My Rating: ★★★★☆
- What to Expect: One of the oldest establishments in Manzanillo, managed by local chefs celebrating authentic regional grilled dishes and tropical cocktails.
- Must-Try: Regional grilled dishes and local coffee.
🍽️ Restaurants & Bars
24. Maxi’s // Best Landmark Caribbean Institution
- Opening Hours: Open Daily: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Price: $$
- My Rating: ★★★★★
- What to Expect: A landmark Caribbean restaurant and local institution in Manzanillo, recently renovated under new management.
- Must-Try: A must-visit for traditional Rice and Beans with Caribbean chicken or whole fried snapper.
25. Colores Restaurant & Beach Lounge // Best Beach Lounging & Music
- Opening Hours: Open Daily: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Price: $$
- My Rating: ★★★★☆
- Instagram: @coloresrestaurantandbeachloung
- What to Expect: Located right on the beach, offering fresh seafood platters, beachside loungers, and frequent evening live music.
- Must-Try: Fresh seafood platters right by the water.
26. Mocha Beach Restaurant // Best Jungle Canopy Dining
- Opening Hours: Tue–Sun: 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM (Closed Mondays)
- Price: $$$
- My Rating: ★★★★★
- Instagram: @mocabeach.cr
- What to Expect: A gorgeous dining room nestled directly inside the jungle canopy, serving a finely crafted international menu heavily inspired by local, wild ingredients.
- Must-Try: International dishes featuring wild local ingredients.
Final Thoughts On The Best Restaurants in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica
You’ve probably put it together by now that you will have no problem finding a spot to eat at in Puerto Viejo. And the layout of the area makes it so easy to hunt in real life, so let this foodie guide support you when you don’t feel like hunting, but don’t be afraid to try a place not on the list! Pura Vida!
Frequently Asked Questions About Dining in Puerto Viejo
Everything you need to know about eating your way through Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica
Do I need to make reservations at restaurants in Puerto Viejo?
We never made a reservation once, and never waited for a table either. For most casual spots and local sodas, walk-ins are the norm. However, during high season (December to April and July) for smaller upscale or popular dinner spots like El Refugio Grill, Cafe Viejo, and Pura Gula, booking a table 1–2 days in advance is highly recommended.
How much should I expect to pay for meals in Puerto Viejo?
Dining in Puerto Viejo accommodates every budget:
– Budget ($5–$9 USD): Local sodas offer massive plates of casados (rice, beans, plantains, salad, and protein) or fresh empanadas.
– Mid-Range ($12–$22 USD): Beachfront cafes, pizza joints, and casual seafood spots.
– Upscale ($25–$40+ USD): Multi-course jungle dinners, Argentinian steakhouses, or fine seafood with cocktails.
Is tipping expected at Costa Rican restaurants?
By Costa Rican law, a 10% service charge (servicio) and 13% VAT (IVA) are usually automatically added to your bill at sit-down restaurants. Check your receipt before tipping extra! If service was exceptional, leaving an additional 5–10% in cash directly for your server is always greatly appreciated.
Do restaurants in Puerto Viejo accept credit cards?
We never had a problem, and used mobile tap to pay 99% of the time, even at the farmers market. Most established accept credit cards (Visa and Mastercard are most common). However, it’s always best to keep some Costa Rican Colones or US Dollars on hand.
Can I drink the tap water at restaurants?
The tap water in downtown Puerto Viejo and most surrounding hotel areas is generally safe to drink, we drank with no problems. However, some travelers prefer filtered or bottled water for sensitive stomachs. Most restaurants use filtered ice and water for cooking and drinks without issue.
