Type of Cuisine: Costa Rican Farm-to-Table
Location: Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica (on property)
Website: click here
About:
La Finca is the Waldorf's fine dining restaurant. Inspired by the rich agricultural traditions of Costa Rica, La Finca brings together fresh, locally sourced ingredients in a setting that embraces the surrounding landscape.

The restaurant features floor-to-ceiling windows offering sweeping ocean views and a warm, inviting atmosphere. The menu highlights traditional Costa Rican flavours with coastal influences, showcasing bold tastes that reflect the country’s culinary heritage with a modern twist. La Finca wasn't open when we did our site visit - but it promises to be a wonderful choice.

Type of Cuisine: Japanese-Peruvian Fusion
Location: Coco Beach, 15-minute shuttle from the resort
Website: click here
About:
A vibrant fusion of Japanese flavours and Peruvian spices, Nikkei Restaurant brings together the best of both worlds. The menu is all about fresh seafood, citrus flavours, and umami-packed bites, making it the perfect place for both sushi lovers and adventurous eaters. This was our favourite restaurant on the site visit.

Begin with tiradito or a classic tuna tataki, followed by flavorful robata-grilled meats and beautifully crafted sushi rolls. The signature miso-marinated black cod and Wagyu Nikkei-style are must-tries. We particularly loved the octopus and the spinach ravioli. The Calleta desert was divine. The house Pisco Sour is the perfect pairing. We also loved the smoky margharita and rosemary morgan!

Type of Cuisine: Gastropub & Bistro
Location: Coco Beach, 18-minute shuttle from the resort
Website: click here
About:
"Numu Taproom & Bistro by Chef Nicolas Devenelle brings a refined yet relaxed take on gastropub dining, combining inventive flavours with an impressive craft beer and cocktail selection. The Taproom is located in the local town of Coco. When we walked in we thought - "is this a sports bar?" because of the casual ambience, but the food and drinks were stellar. It was our second favourite restaurant because it had great food and the best creative cocktails!

The menu is designed for those who appreciate both comfort and creativity. Think artisanal charcuterie boards, expertly grilled meats, fresh seafood, and gourmet small plates that are perfect for sharing. Signature dishes include rich, slow-braised short ribs, house-made pâté, and crispy pork belly. On the site visit we are only supposed to have a few bites at each restaurant because we try many in one night, but here we couldn't stop eating the ribs, the Sea Bass and the seafood risotto - all were delicious!

Type of Cuisine: Fine Dining & Steakhouse
Location: Playa Panama, 18-minute shuttle from the resort
Website: click here
About:
Peninsula is a great combination of elegant dining, Costa Rican hospitality, great food, and stunning ocean views. It delivers a true steakhouse experience with a focus on high-quality cuts of meat. From a signature ribeye to tender filet mignon, each dish is crafted with precision and served alongside fresh, local sides. They also have an assortment of fresh seafood on offer.

Peninsula placed third on our list - but don't let that dissuade you; they had great food and the competition was fierce! We loved the mussels, the lamb chops, and the steak. Of particular note was the delicious tuna! 

Type of Cuisine: Japanese-Mexican Fusion
Location: Coco Beach, 20-minute shuttle from the resort.
Website: click here
About:
Sugoi is located in a local country club just outside of Coco Beach. It has a lovely dining room, but no coastal view. The food was amazing, which is what the word Sugoi means. It was a combination of Mexican and Asian cuisine, drawing on centuries of shared spices and ingredients. This mix of cuisines may sound odd - but it worked perfectly!

Enjoy hibachi tables, a variety of tacos, noodles, and freshly made guacamole, all complemented by house-made sauces that add a unique twist. Sugoi was the last restaurant we visited. The last restaurant is usually the hardest to like - because we are full - but Sugoi really impressed us! It had the best tuna tartare of the night, delicious brisket enchiladas, and a mouth watering Salmon with terikyaki glaze.

Type of Cuisine: Beachfront Casual
Location: Playa Hermosa, 15-minute shuttle from the resort
Website: click here
About:
Aqua Sport is the perfect location for our fun Large Group Dinner. It is a completely casual beachfront restaurant where you will want to "kick off your shoes" and "run your toes through the sand" at dinner. They have a wonderful range of cocktails and beers and the ocean breeze blowing along the beach.

The main menu is simple with a range of seafood, burgers and pizzas BUT the special menu - which we will use - is much more sophisticated. This restaurant is owned by the same team that own Nikkei - our top choice on our 'tasting mission'. Our menu promises to be delicious with a range of flavours - with a local emphasis. Think seafood ceviche - with a twist, chicken chofr rice, beef tenderloin, fresh fish... and a dessert that knocked our socks off: Suspiro Limeno. We promise you won't be disappointed.

Type of Cuisine: Coastal Dining & Cocktails
Location: Playas del Coco, 15-minute shuttle from the resort
About:
Pacifico Beach Club is a private club in the local town of Coco Beach. The Club has an elegant restaurant that is the perfect spot for a dinner by the ocean with open-air seating, infinity pool views, and the sound of waves in the background. Pacifico tied for first place in our restaurant reviews.

The menu focuses on fresh seafood and coastal-inspired dishes, with standout options like seared tuna, grilled lobster, and the Pacifico seafood platter. We loved every dish we tasted. Of particular note was the fresh grouper, the mushroom gnocchi and the cauliflower fritter. They also did a wonderful job with the cocktails, including a signature passion fruit mojito.