12 Can’t Miss Restaurants in Playas del Coco (2024)
Playas del Coco, located just 20 minutes from the Liberia Airport, is a bustling tourist destination with seemingly endless food options. Whether you’re craving international cuisine or want to try out the local dishes, you’ll find a restaurant for it in Playas del Coco. We’ve rounded up the best restaurants in Playas del Coco worth checking out, no matter the occasion.
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The Best Restaurants in Playas del Coco
With so many restaurants in Playas del Coco to choose from, it’s impossible to pick a favorite. Instead, we’ve chosen the best restaurant in each of a handful of categories, plus a few honorable mentions worth checking out.
Best Seafood – Mar Azul
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Mar Azul is, hands down, the best seafood restaurant in Playas del Coco. They’re well-known for having the freshest seafood in town and they’re happy to cook up your own fresh catch as well. For the best value, stop by at lunch for their plate of the day with freshly caught fish and a few sides or stop by for an elegant dinner and enjoy fresh fish, shrimp, clams, mussels, and more. They’re also well-known for their craft cocktails.
Note that they are located off the main street and past the Las Palmas condo communities, so unless you’re staying in Las Palmas or at the Cafe de Playa hotel, you’ll likely want to drive or take a taxi.
Best Cafe – Guayoyo Craft Coffee House
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For the best coffee in Playas del Coco, head to Guayoyo Craft Coffee House. A local favorite, Guayoyo is known not only for their coffee but as a meeting place for friends and one of the best co-working spaces in town. When the locals visit a place daily, you know it’s good!
In addition to an extensive coffee menu, Guayoyo offers a counter of pastries and baked goods and a breakfast and lunch menu full of healthy and filling options, like avocado toast, quinoa and green bowls, and more. They also tie in the Venezualan-owner’s roots with foods like arepas and cachitos and you’ll find a few twists on local Costa Rica cuisine on the menu as well.
Best Beachfront Restaurant – Cafe de Playa
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The best beachfront restaurant in Playas del Coco is Cafe de Playa. They have a small but mighty menu with all of the traditional Costa Rican favorites. The gallo pinto is a must-try, as well as the fresh fish of the day.
Many of the ingredients are locally sourced, and you can tell that the food is made with love. Though you certainly pay for the view, the prices are reasonable considering the quality of the food.
The best part about Cafe de Playa is the location. The restaurant is right on the beach, with hammocks hanging between palm trees and a direct view of the ocean. At certain times of the year, this is THE spot for sunset, as the sun sinks into the ocean directly in front of the restaurant.
Best Local Food – Soda Teresita
If you’re looking for the best local food, then you can’t go wrong with Soda Teresita. Located right in front of the park near the beach, this soda (aka local restaurant) is popular with local Ticos and tourists alike. It’s a popular spot for breakfast, serving up plates piled high with gallo pinto (rice and beans), plantains, and eggs. For lunch, you’ll have your pick of the famous Costa Rican casados with rice, beans, salad, your choice of protein, and a few sides or arroz con pollo o camaron (rice with chicken or shrimp).
The portions are huge and the prices are very affordable, so if you want to dine on local cuisine – this is the place to do it. (Most restaurants in town will offer casado and arroz con pollo but at almost double the price!)
Best for Happy Hour – Coconutz
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For the best happy hour in Playas del Coco, be sure to stop by Coconutz Brewhouse (formerly Coconutz Sports Bar and Grill and Angry Goats Brewery). In addition to the craft beer on tap, they offer daily happy hour specials and food specials. It’s a favorite hangout for expats and you’ll often find the railing lined with regulars.
Coconutz also hosts live music and other events regularly and are famous for their Taco Tuesday special. This is also the place to catch any American sporting events you may want to see.
Best for Lunch – Le Coq
Hands down, the best place for lunch in Playas del Coco is Le Coq. Located right on the main street, Le Coq offers the best value of any restaurant in town with their wrap combo. Choose from options like falafel, chicken shawarma, or beef kafta and pair it with garlic potatoes or a tomato salad and a drink for under $15.
In addition to the prices, one thing we love about Le Coq is that they make all of their sauces in-house and use fresh ingredients in all of their dishes.
Le Coq is also one of the best restaurants for vegans in Coco, as many of the entrees are vegan and they even offer a vegan garlic aioli option. (That’s just as good as the regular one – we’ve tried it!)
Best for a Nice Dinner – Santorini Greek Restaurant
When it comes to a nice dinner out in Coco, Santorini Greek Restaurant is our go-to. They offer a wide variety of Greek dishes, as well as some local favorites. We highly recommend their steak platter (the best in town) with some red sangria and a little tzatziki and hummus to start but you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu.
The staff at Santorini is always super attentive and despite being on the main street, the restaurant has a relaxed but elegant feel to it. The prices are super reasonable too.
Best for Live Music – The Garden Bar
For the best entertainment and live music in Playas del Coco, check out The Garden Bar. Located on the property of Hotel La Puerto del Sol, The Garden Bar has a range of live music most nights, along with special events. It’s the unofficial expat hangout and always full of good energy.
Their happy hour is from 5-7pm, and they have a range of appetizers and drinks, as well as a small lunch and dinner menu. The perfect place to start your night out in Playas del Coco!
Best Steak – Che Sirloin
For the best steak in Playas del Coco, Che Sirloin is undoubtedly the best option. While many restaurants in the country tend to err on the side of “extra well done” when it comes to steak, Che Sirloin is known for its high-quality meat that is cooked to perfection.
You can’t go wrong with any steak on the menu and if you’re craving something else, you’ll also find a handful of non-steak dishes, including chicken and salad. We have a particular soft spot for their onion rings too! (And for lunch, we highly recommend the steak sandwich!)
Best Pizza – La Caveja
There are many pizza restaurants in Playas del Coco and we’ve tried them all. The clear winner? Pizzeria La Caveja. Located off the main street on the way to Ocotal, they make some of the best pizza in a wood-fired oven. Their pizza menu is several pages long, with all of the classics plus many new topping combinations.
The Toro Blanco with mozzarella, pepperoni, bacon, mushrooms, arugula, and queso grana is a personal favorite but you truly can’t go wrong with any pizza on the menu. Not feeling pizza? Their menu also features a wide range of other Italian options as well.
Best for Sunset – The Lookout
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The Lookout is the best place in Playas del Coco to grab a bite and watch the sunset. It’s only open during high season, but it’s famous for its sunset view and oysters. It was even featured on the Netflix show Restaurants on the Edge several years ago.
Their menu has changed since 2020 but the oysters and avocado fries are always a must. And be sure to try a signature cocktail or two!
The prices are a bit higher than average, but it’s worth it for the experience. Advanced reservations are a good idea here.
Best All Around – Zi Lounge
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If you’re just looking for good food in general, Zi Lounge never disappoints. The menu is extensive with bar food, burgers, sandwiches and wraps, dinner specials including seafood and steak, and local favorites. The quality of the food is consistent, and the prices are reasonable. The perfect place to go for a good meal without any fuss.
Plus, since Zi Lounge is typically at the center of Coco’s nightlife, their kitchen is open hours later than many of the other restaurants in town.
Other Restaurants Worth Checking Out
Picking the top restaurant for the categories above was not an easy feat, as there are so many good restaurants in town. Here are a few other restaurants in Playas del Coco that deserve a mention.
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Buzzed Monkey BBQ
With owners hailing from Georgia, Buzzed Monkey is truly the only place to get real, authentic BBQ in Playas del Coco. Originally located in Playa Hermosa, this BBQ joint can now be found behind Guayoyo – where you’ll also find them smoking their meat throughout the week.
Their specialties include briskets and burgers, though our personal favorite is their smoked wings. They’re constantly evolving and changing their menu, with specials popping up almost daily.
Note that they do have limited opening days, so be sure to peek at their Facebook to see when they’re open.
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Read More: The 12 Best Breweries in Costa Rica
Masala
Recently opened in Coco due to the demand at their original Liberia restaurant, Masala is an Indian restaurant with amazing food and a great atmosphere. The restaurant has a modern feel to it, with dark wood floors and walls, and an open kitchen. The menu is extensive and includes all your favorite Indian dishes, like tikka masala, samosas, and naan bread.
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Sugoi
Sugoi combines Japanese and Mexican cuisine, along with a hibachi grill, for a restaurant that is definitely worth visiting in Playas del Coco. The food is delicious and the staff is very friendly and welcoming. The hibachi grill is a bit of a splurge but it’s a lot of fun to watch the chefs prepare your food. Note that reservations are required.
El Capricho
El Capricho is another great restaurant in the area that doesn’t get its due. The al hambre is a must-try dish, and the same owner also has Sabor a Mexico but this is the nicer of the 2 restaurants. El Capricho features comfortable seating, great food, and an overall enjoyable dining experience.
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The Palms at Coco Beach
The Palms at Coco Beach is a wonderful restaurant to visit while in Playas del Coco. It offers a wide variety of food options that will appeal to everyone in your group. The atmosphere is also very relaxing and perfect for enjoying a meal. It comes highly recommended by locals and visitors alike.
2023 Editor Update: Unfortunately, we can no longer recommend The Palms at Coco Beach, as we’ve received several complaints from readers about unacceptable wait times and rude staff members.
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Chorotacos
If you’re looking for a delicious and affordable Mexican meal, Chorotacos is the place for you. This restaurant is located in Playas del Coco and offers a wide variety of Mexican dishes, including tacos, burritos, and enchiladas. The prices are very reasonable, and the food is always fresh and flavorful. Chorotacos is definitely a must-try if you’re in the area!
More on Playas del Coco:
- How To Get To Playas del Coco From San Jose
- 10 Incredible Ocean View Properties in Playas del Coco
- Where To Eat In Playas del Coco Under $10
- The Best Beaches Near Playas del Coco
- 5 Unforgettable Waterfalls Near Playas del Coco
- Ultimate Guide to Fishing in Playas del Coco
- Sailing, Snorkeling, & Sunset Aboard the Kuna Vela
