Looking where to eat in Tamarindo or La Fortuna in Costa Rica? This post is for you! Not only do I have a list of where to eat, but I have also added in top spots for fun drinks and inviting atmospheres.
Tamarindo
Starting off with Tamarindo. A hot spot to visit right by the beach! Surfing, snorkeling, riding catamarans, horseback riding on the beach, deep sea fishing....need I add more fun things to do in Tamarindo?? There is PLENTY to do while you are in Tamarindo, so you will want to have an idea of where to eat while you are there.
Jardin Tamarindo Food Truck Park
This fun & tasty food truck park is located right by the beach and has plenty of options to chose from. Between Mexican, Jamaican, American, sweets & more…you can’t go wrong with ordering from any of the trucks. There are even cute stands to shop at, games for kids & adults, and spots to take pictures. Make sure to visit here while you are in Tamarindo!
Ay Caramba
We visited Ay Caramba after a long day at the beach. The complimentary chips and salsa were a surprise and very tasty! I had just gotten a quesadilla because my stomach wasn’t feeling too great, but it was amazing and totally hit the spot! The Pico was unbelievably fresh. The fish tacos are massive...you can’t go wrong ordering those!
Heladeria Enjoy
We stopped at Enjoy Italian Gelato ice cream shop on the way to the Liberia airport and the stop was totally worth it! I mixed the Oreo and coffee ice cream with a cone. Delicious! There are plenty of flavors to pick from. You can also order a handmade Italian sandwich for the ride! I highly recommend stopping here on your trip from Tamarindo to Liberia Airport.
Bar Imperial - Multiple Locations
Order an imperial beer, fun cocktail, or the Costa Rican Chiliguaro specialty shot…can’t go wrong with either option. We also order the nachos while waiting for our flight...delicious! There are plenty of spots to try an Imperial beer. There are also a handful of Bar Imperial restaurants to visit in the area as well.
Tama Onda
Tama Onda is located right along side the beach in Tamarindo, Costa Rica. You can see the restaurant while you are on the beach if you look for the large Harley Davidson signs. Along with tasty dishes and cold drinks, you can even watch a fire show if you show up on the right night! I was not feeling super great so I had ordered the kids macaroni and cheese (LOL). Don't shame me...it was still delicious! Of course we couldn't enjoy the meal without the 2 for 1 Happy Hour beverages and the traditional Costa Rican shot: Chiliguaro. 10/10 recommend!
Palapa Restaurant, Beachside
Palapa was the first sit down restaurant we visited on our day of arrival. I could not believe how beautiful the beach and views looked from our beachside table. I had ordered the shrimp curry which had everyone at the table wanting to try it! Not only was the presentation a 10/10, but the flavors in the meal itself earned this plate the best curry I've ever had. We had also ordered the fried calamari for an appetizer. Palapa also offers 2 for 1 happy hour drinks if you are feeling up to the challenge!
La Fortuna
There are countless fun activities in La Fortuna, Costa Rica. Some of my top memories from La Fortuna include sloth tours, natural hot springs, nighttime hikes, waterfalls, screeching monkeys, chocolate and cocoa tours...just to name a few! Just like Tamarindo, there are so many activities to fill you itinerary while in La Fortuna. Want to know some top spots to grab dinner or drinks? Let's start with Lava Lounge!
Lava Lounge
The Lava Lounge was located right near our AirBnB, so it was a quick walk and option to pick! We went for lunch before our Sloth Tour that started at 1PM. I had ordered a breakfast quesadilla that was served with unbelievably fresh Pico de Gallo, avocados, and sliced watermelon. The quesadilla was big enough to keep me full during the tour. There were plenty of brunch dishes to pick from as well. Start your morning off with a fruity mimosa or cold Corona...whichever you prefer! Stop by the Lava Lounge for a meal with a spacious and clean environment.
Paradise Hot Springs
Want to relax in a natural hot spring after a long day of hiking or taking excursions in the rainforest surrounding La Fortuna and Tabacon? Visit a hot spring to unwind and sip on a cocktail of your choice! We went with the Pina Colada and Strawberry Daquiri...so fresh! Although we only ordered drinks at Paradise Hot Springs, there is a lovely restaurant located here. They even have live bands come and play!
Spectacolar Cantina
Looking for the top tacos in La Fortuna? Check out Spectacolar in La Fortuna! The elote was decked with sauce & spices…I ordered two! The salsa was fresh and so were the ingredients on the tacos. The beverages are cold and hit the spot after a long day of touring and exploring. The environment is so spacious! Try the shawarma if you have the time and hankering for it.
Arabigos Coffee House
Are you looking for a place to get breakfast or brunch in La Fortuna? Arabigos has fresh breakfast plates that anyone will enjoy. The spiced potatoes tasted amazing and the over-easy eggs were prepared perfectly. I would recommend that you try Arabigos while in La Fortuna! Try a warm coffee or pastry while you are there too! Open, specious environment with great service that will provide tips on what to do in the area!
Volcano Steakhouse
Volcano Steakhouse was right next to our Airbnb, but that's not the only reason why this was a quick pick for dinner the night we arrived in La Fortuna. The open space dining and overall atmosphere was inviting after a long day of travel. The servers were super friendly and suggested top items on their dinner and drink menu. You have to their 2 for 1 happy hour deal if you are there in time! The guac appetizer was unbelievably fresh. I had ordered the salmon and my friend had ordered the fish...it took up the whole plate!
Fusion Latina
Fusion Latina is also located right downtown from La Fortuna and was a quick walk from our Airbnb. This spot can be found right behind the Volcano Steakhouse. We had dinner at the Volcano Steakhouse and walked to Fusion Latina for drinks with our new friends made. We enjoyed the Chiliguaro shots (Costa Rican favorite shot) as well as their green tea shot. Although we only grabbed drinks, Fusion Latina has a full menu, fun environment, and friendly staff.
That's all for now! I hope this post helped you find a place to eat or grab a drink in La Fortuna. If you haven't visited yet, I hope you add some of these places to your list/agenda.
Reach out for any questions/advice while traveling in Costa Rica!
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