Places to Eat in San José, Costa Rica: A Foodie’s Guide

Where to have a delightful lunch or dinner in San José

San José offers a wide range of dining options, showcasing both local and international cuisine. Although many visitors spend their vacation exploring outside of Costa Rica’s capital city, inevitably they may spend a night or two here when catching a flight from the airport. Below, we’ve put together a guide to some popular places to eat in San José during your visit:

Popular Places to Eat in San José, Costa Rica

Tin Jo: Indulge in Asian-inspired cuisine at Tin Jo, located on Calle 11, Av. 6 y 8 in downtown San José.

La Esquina de Buenos Aires: Experience the flavors of Argentina at this grill restaurant, La Esquina de Buenos Aires, situated on Calle 11, esquina Av. 4 in San José.

Isolina: Immerse yourself in the fusion of gastronomy and history at Isolina, nestled in the heart of Barrio Escalante, San José.

Árbol de Seda: Enjoy some truly delicious vegetarian plates at Árbol de Seda in Barrio Escalante.

two vegan pulled pork tacos on a slate platter at Arbol de Seda in San José
Vegan pulled pork at Árbol de Seda. Photo © Árbol de Seda

Naans & Curries: Treat yourself to gourmet Indian cuisine at Naans & Curries, located in Santa Ana.

L’Ile de France: Delight in French-inspired cuisine at L’Ile de France, found in Escazú.

Terraza Toscana: Savour haute Italian cuisine at Terraza Toscana in Escazú.

Doma: Discover farm-to-table artisanal cuisine at Doma, situated in Barrio Escalante, San José.

bar at doma restaurant in barrio escalante in san jose
Cocktail bar at Doma in Barrio Escalante. Photo © Doma Escalante

Bacchus: Indulge in Italian artisanal dishes at Bacchus, located in Santa Ana.

Tierra del Café: Enjoy specialty coffee, drinks, and gluten-free food at Tierra del Café in Santa Ana.

Silvestre: Experience a tasting menu that combines avant-garde culinary techniques with local flavors at Silvestre, situated in the historic Barrio Amon, San José.

Grano de Oro: Delight in French Mediterranean cuisine with a tropical influence at Grano de Oro, found on Calle 30, Avenida 2 y 4 in San José.

Gallo Rojo: Explore urban gastronomy at Gallo Rojo, located in Escazú.

Furca: Taste farm-to-table delights at Furca, situated in Rohrmoser, San José.

farm-to-table dish at Furca restaurant in San José
Farm-to-table at Furca. Photo © Furca

L’Olivo: Indulge in authentic Italian food at L’Olivo, found in La Sabana, San José.

Doris Metropolitan: Experience fine dining at this steakhouse, Doris Metropolitan, located in Santa Ana.

Botaniko: Enjoy open-fire gastronomy with Costa Rican ingredients and Argentine field cooking techniques at Botaniko in Escazú.

enBoca: Delight in the creative cuisine at enBoca, situated in La Sabana, San José.

elegant food at en Boca restaurant in San José
Creative cuisine at enBoca. Photo © Enbocacr

These popular places to eat in San José offer a diverse range of culinary experiences, ensuring a memorable meal during your visit to Costa Rica. Remember to check their operating hours and make reservations as needed.

Planning a trip to Costa Rica but don’t know where to start? Contact one of the Serendipity Adventures Travel Specialists.