18 Best Nosara Restaurants You Have to Try
Are you visiting Nosara, Costa Rica and wondering where to eat? You’re in the right place! Keep reading for our curated guide of the best restaurants in Nosara Costa Rica to enjoy that perfect meal on every day of your stay.
Nosara has long been known as Costa Rica’s serene and hip hub of surfing and yoga, yet your experience in this picturesque corner of Costa Rica doesn’t stop there. Nosara’s best restaurants are also elevating the culinary experience with delectable cuisine and cocktails to match.
The best Nosara restaurants not only offer epic vistas of Nosara’s verdant jungles stretching to the Pacific but also provide opportunities to relish craft coffee, savor authentic Tico dishes, sip on handcrafted cocktails, and indulge in extraordinary dinners.
Our curated Nosara restaurant guide is your ticket to a flavorful exploration of Nosara’s finest dining establishments. Keep reading to discover my top Nosara restaurants for that next-level meal on the Guanacaste Coast.
*This ‘best restaurants in Nosara Costa Rica’ post may contain affiliate links meaning I might make a small profit if you choose to book at no extra cost to you. This helps me to keep providing you with top quality, curated content for free.
Planning a trip to Nosara, Costa Rica? Here are my top recommendations for hotels in Nosara
Tierra Magnifica Boutique Hotel – the best luxury hotel in Nosara
Sendero Hotel Nosara – The best design hotel in Nosara right on the beach
Bodhi Tree Yoga Resort – The best place to stay for yoga, surfing or retreats
Nosara is one of Costa Rica’s best spots for surfing, beaches and a laid back, pura vida lifestyle. If you’re planning a trip make sure to check out the full Nosara, Costa Rica travel guide here.
Read more: 14 Swoonworthy Places to Stay in Nosara, Costa Rica
What Kinds of Restaurants will you find in Nosara?
Nosara is a small and sleepy Costa Rican surf town with many places to eat and drink. While you shouldn’t expect hundreds of options, Nosara still has a great gastronomy scene with plenty of eating spots. You’ll no doubt not get through them all on a short stay.
Some of the eating options you can find in Nosara are as follows:
- Upscale, International Restaurants – There are a good handful of more upscale, international restaurants in Nosara where you’ll find delicious fusion food with great cocktail lists and views. Two of the very best and Huacas and Coyol- two must-eat spots in Nosara and contenders for the best restaurant in Costa Rica.
- Western-style cafes – You’ll also find many different cafes serving a variety of international breakfast, brunch and lunch classics like breakfast bowls, burritos, pancakes, sandwiches, burgers etc.
- Coffee shops- In Nosara the best spots for coffee often double up as surf shops.
- Local sodas- Sodas are casual local tico spots mainly serving gallo pinto (rice, beans and egg) and casados (rice, beans, meat, veggies), two of Costa Rica’s staple dishes for breakfast and lunch. There are a few local sodas and they are the most inexpensive places to eat.
- Food trucks/smoothie/juice bars – informal, fast food spots serving drinks or casual and fast food all over town.
One thing to note in Nosara is that, while we are often wary of hotel restaurants, some of the best restaurants in Nosara are located inside the town’s top hotels.
You’ll see quite a few hotel restaurants come up in this guide and they are all spectacular so make sure not to miss them. It also might be worth staying in the respective hotel to not miss out on a delicious meal.
As Nosara in general isn’t cheap, expect US or European prices when dining out at these popular restaurants in Costa Rica.
The Best Restaurants in Nosara, Costa Rica
Huacas Restaurant Nosara
Located inside the Tierra Magnifica Hotel, this fine dining choice is one of the best restaurants in Nosara if not one of the best places to eat in Costa Rica.
Huacas is an intimate dining experience- you’ll take a seat on the candlelit terrace overlooking the verdant jungle high up over Nosara – there is no better spot to savour the views.
Huacas is both about gastronomy and mixology and this Nosara restaurant probably has the best wine and cocktails menu in Nosara. Chef Paulo Valerios works magic into the menu here creating tasty modern Costa Rican cuisine with a Caribbean flare made of fresh, organic and local ingredients.
The best time to come is right before sunset when you can truly savour it with a unique cocktail in hand. Then feast on one of the most creative menus in town.
Want to be closer to the action? Given that Huacas is probably the best restaurant in Nosara, one of the best ways to experience it- more than once is to stay at Tierra Magnifica Hotel. It’s the most incredible spot to lay your head in Nosara and you’ll be able to feast on Huacas for breakfast too. Book your stay at Tierra Magnifica here.
La Luna Nosara
For those graving a romantic, sunset, beachside meal make sure to book a table at La Luna restaurant, Costa Rica. When it comes to location, no place in Nosara beats La Luna.
This beautiful restaurant located in Playa Pelada is right on the beach where you can enjoy a candle-lit meal while also watching some of the best sunsets in Costa Rica.
La Luna’s menu has a great selection of cocktails and fusion foods. Some of their best dishes are the fish tacos, ceviche and the grilled fish but they also have a wide range of burgers and pizzas.
The best time to come by La Luna Playa Pelada is just before sunset where you can savour the incredible views. La Luna is extremely popular, especially during the Costa Rica high season (December-March) so make sure it book a table ahead.
Pacifico Azul
Pacifico Azul is the place to go for the freshest seafood in Nosara. This small, family-run restaurant focuses on cooking up locally, community-sourced seafood to timeless family recipes crafted over generations.
With a vibrant menu of seafood, fish dishes and more, you’ll be able to taste of some the freshest seafood, Costa Rican style.
Pacifico Azul has several fantastic appetisers, seafood salads, ceviches and fish mains. The standout dishes for us were their Caribbean ceviche and the mahi mahi, two must-eats when visiting.
While the menu has a fish focus, they also serve burgers, a vegan salad, pasta dishes and casados.
Celajes Restaurante
Celajes is a locally owned restaurant located in Nosara town, right next to the airport. Here you’ll find a vibrant menu with many local classics- in fact, it’s one of the best places in Nosara for casado– as well as other local favourites.
Some of the most popular dishes on the menu are casado, curried shrimp, surtido and their wide range of appetisers, the perfect sharing foods. We also loved their tacos.
Celajes Restaurant in Nosara Costa Rica is our top choice for where to eat in Nosara town and if you’re staying in Playa Guiones, it’s worth travelling into town for.
Rosi’s Soda Tica
Rosi’s is where you’ll hands down find the best tico food in Nosara, tico, meaning Costa Rican local fare. It’s the ultimate choice in Nosara for an unbeatable combination of authenticity, affordability, and deliciousness in Costa Rican cuisine.
Come here to indulge in their casado, a quintessential Costa Rican dish that’ll leave you full and ready to take on the rest of the day. On a typical casado plate you’ll find your choice of protein (generally fish or chicken), rice, beans, vegetables, salad and plantain. There are always veggie and vegan options available too.
Rosi’s has three locations in Nosara – Downtown Guiones, Playa Guiones, and Playa Pelada and stopping by at least once during your stay is a must.
Coyol
Probably the best meal we had in Nosara goes to Coyol. This unique hotspot promises an unforgettable dining affair with its enchanting jungle cabin ambience, offering stunning sunset views overlooking the rainforest and ocean.
The food at Coyol is a mix of Mediterranean and Barbecue with most of its sublime dishes being grilled, smoked or roasted on their barbecue. Some of the best things we tried were the grilled oysters and the whole, smoked eggplant which was to die for.
To boot there’s also an exceptional cocktail menu and the setting is just beyond perfect.
Getting to Coyol is a bit of an adventure however, the restaurant is located in the middle of the jungle, up a steep jungle road high above Nosara town. If you have a 4×4 or an ATV, you’ll be fine, otherwise, you’ll need to organise transportation up here.
Coyol operates on a reservation-only basis so make sure to call ahead before heading up.
Sendero Kitchen
Located at the Sendero Hotel, one of the best design hotels in Nosara, Sendero Kitchen promises a delicious meal worth raving about.
Sendero Kitchen offers both a casual and fine dining experience with a creative menu featuring some of the freshest local ingredients. You’ll find a range of seafood classics here like ceviche and grilled fish as well as meals perfect for a casual lunch like bowls and burgers.
Everything here is beautifully presented, I mean the whole hotel and kitchen is just beyond aesthetic.
For casual drinks and great coffee, they also have a coffee truck open in the mornings.
Rancho Tico
Another great spot for local Costa Rican fare is Rancho Tico. This non-descript local shack serves up solid Costa Rican fare in Nosara town. It’s a great place to stop by for some casado, grilled fish or just a beer on the way through.
El Manglar Restaurant
El Manglar is the restaurant located inside Olas Verdes Boutique Hotel. It’s right by Playa Guiones just a couple minutes walk. El Manglar features a wide selection of local classics and international dishes that have become favourites with locals and travellers throughout the years.
From enticing grilled catch of the day to fresh salads and light bites, El Manglar is the perfect spot for a delicious and quiet dinner or lunch, right by the beach.
El Manglar is also one of the best options for vegan and veggie-friendly food as well as healthy options and seafood.
I have to say we ate here a lot while staying at Olas Verdes and we never had a bad meal. All food was fresh and delicious and I highly recommend a meal here even if you aren’t staying at the hotel.
LuvBurger Nosara
For those looking for one of the best vegan restaurants in Nosara, LuvBurger might be it. This large cafe/restaurant with beautiful outdoor seating is one of the best places to have a healthy lunch.
The ambience exudes laid-back charm, inviting diners to savor guilt-free indulgence.
Whether you’re a dedicated vegan or a curious food enthusiast, LuvBurger promises a culinary experience that champions sustainable, ethical dining.
Expect vibrant, flavorful burgers crafted from organic, locally sourced ingredients, delivering taste with every bite. From their signature LuvBurger to the tempting Buddha Bowl, each dish is a celebration of wholesome goodness.
Apart from bowls and burgers, there are also salads and a wide variety of juices, smoothies, desserts and brunch options too.
10Pies
We found 10Pies on TripAdvisor at the number 2 spot and we had to check it out when staying in Nosara. It’s one of the best restaurants in Nosara Costa Rica for poke bowls and solid, tasty international dishes.
10Pies is the ideal spot to hang out post-surf and fill up on a delicious range of cocktails and craft beers, Mexican classics like quesadillas and tacos as well as a variety of bowls and poke bowls. We found the service to be pretty great here too.
It’s the perfect, casual dining experience in a relaxed setting right in the heart of Nosara not far from the beach.
Il Pepperoni
Il Pepperoni is a top restaurant in Playa Pelada. This rustic-casual, family-owned restaurant specialises in Mediterranean/Italian food and you’ll find their menu full of pizzas, burgers and some local dishes too.
The food here is great quality and reasonably priced too.
Make sure to order a pizza and a margarita and relax after a full day exploring the Nosara area. If you’re staying in Playa Pelada this is a great option for a nearby dinner.
Best Cafes, Coffee Shops and Juice Bars in Nosara Costa Rica
Destiny Cafe – Best Cafe and Brunch Spot in Nosara
Destiny Cafe is easily one of the best cafes in Nosara Costa Rica. We won’t be the only ones to tell you that the brunches and breakfasts here are the best around and grabbing a meal at Destiny Cafe is a must-do when in Nosara.
Their epic menu consists of delicious smoothies and juices, breakfast bowls, breakfast burritos, pancakes and waffles, shakshuka and more making it so difficult to choose just one. Luckily enough you can come back time and time again like we did.
With a great atmosphere, solid, fresh food and great service, this is one of the best Nosara Costa Rica restaurants.
Read more: 19 Best Restaurants in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica
Harmony Hotel Smoothie Bar
The Harmony Hotel’s Juice Bar is famous all over Nosara. Serving up organic cold-pressed juices and smoothies, it’s the perfect stop on your way to breakfast or for a quick snack after surfing or yoga.
It’s hard to go wrong stocking up on a few fresh juices here especially if you need a bit of a nutrient and wellness boost.
Harmony Hotel also has a fantastic restaurant where you can head for breakfast lunch and dinner and feast on local or international dishes like ceviche, green curry, vegetable bowls and salads. We didn’t have enough time to eat here but the menu was seriously mouth-watering.
Naked Foods
Another fantastic plant-based restaurant in Nosara is Naked Foods. This casual spot serves up some of the best vegan food in Nosara that’s difficult to beat.
For breakfast, start your day with vegan gallo pinto, a fruit plate and a smoothie. For lunch and dinner, there are macro bowls, seriously amazing salads and mouth-watering vegan burgers to tuck into.
Naked Foods is the ideal little cafe in Playa Guiones for vegan and healthy fare when in Nosara.
Beach Dog Cafe
Another local favourite cafe in Nosara is Beach Dog. Located just a stone’s throw away from Guiones Beach, this fantastic spot has a solid menu with all the favorites.
With a relaxed beachside atmosphere and many different events and live music held throughout the week, Beach Dog is the place to be in Nosara.
The menu has many different tacos and burritos, burgers and sandwiches as well as hearty salads. Their breakfast menu is what we craved after an early morning surf session.
Best Bars in Nosara
Howler’s Beach Lounge – The best bar in Nosara, Costa Rica
For one of the most lively spots in the evening, make sure not to miss Howler’s Beach Lounge. This spot, located in North Playa Guiones serves tasty cocktails, local craft beer as well as brilliant fish dishes. They also have live music events throughout the week that draw in a crowd.
Howler’s isn’t just for cocktails however, there are some truly spectacular dishes on the small menu here. If you order just one thing make sure it’s the tuna carpaccio- the best you’ll find in town. The fish tacos here are amazing too.
For those not into cocktails, they have some brilliant local craft beer on tap from some of Costa Rica’s best microbreweries. Make sure not to miss this lively restaurant/bar when in town one evening.
Guiones Brewing Company
In North Guiones you’ll find Guiones Brewing Company, a brilliant spot for exceptional craft beer and a selection of artisanal pizzas to enjoy together.
This spot offers a laid-back atmosphere and serves some of the finest craft beer in Costa Rica. You’ll also be able to order some handmade pizzas with creative toppings —a perfect accompaniment to the brews.
Which of these best restaurants in Nosara Costa Rica have you saved for your visit? Let me know your questions and comments below.
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