The Best Restaurants in Tamarindo, Costa Rica: 8 Tamarindo Restaurants You Don’t Want to Sleep On

The Guanacaste province of Costa Rica is full of exciting things to do. The town and surrounding areas of Tamarindo are full of an array of delectable dining options and culinary delights. Here are our top picks for the best Tamarindo restaurants to visit on your next trip.

Central America is a special place. Chris has spent a lot of time exploring Nicaragua, but we hadn’t travelled to Costa Rica before, so we recently went there together.

We found ourselves in the Guanacaste province, largely along the coastal parts near Tamarindo. These shores on the Pacific Ocean are absolutely stunning, making it a beautiful place to visit in Costa Rica.

Please note that this article contains affiliate links. Simply put, this means we may receive a small commission for sharing some of our recommendations throughout this article, at no additional cost to you.

A Brief History of Tamarindo

A short 50 years ago, Tamarindo was a small fishing village with no running water or electricity. Local residents made a living selling locally caught fish. In the mid-seventies, electricity arrived, and brought small businesses that started to open. Word started getting around as surfers from outside of the town spread the word about an ideal surf break that practically no one was riding.

Even as word spread quickly, most of the development in the small town happened in the mid-90s, when Liberia airport began welcoming international flights. Tamarindo was made an official district in the Municipal County of Santa Cruz in 1995; and phone service reached the town in 1996. Now that the modern age has reached Tamarindo, the town has become more of a city, which continues to grow. You can now find everything you'd expect in a tourist-oriented destination.

It continues to grow—some say too quickly, which we are always mindful of—but it’s important to know that it’s a city that now offers many restaurants and beach bars featuring international and local cuisine. There are so many places to go, beaches to visit and waves to ride. But at the end of a long day in this active paradise, you deserve to go to one of the best Tamarindo restaurants there is to visit.

Which Restaurant Should You Choose?

With so many Tamarindo restaurants to choose from, it can be difficult to know if you’ve made the right decision. Costa Rica is known for its cuisine and dining culture, and the region of Tamarindo is no different.

From chill beach bars down on Playa Tamarindo to restaurants more in the centre of things, and with a few great options nearby in the region, you’ll definitely want to take the time to do your research and pick the best Tamarindo restaurant for you.

Some restaurants on this list are quite chill, with ample space, while others are small and quaint. Regardless of your choice, make sure you’re able to get a table when you want to eat since there’s nothing quite like feeling tired after a long day in the heat and having to work a little harder to find your next meal.

I’ve focused on the happy hour and/or dinner menus for each of these restaurants, but many serve lunches and breakfasts as well. Feel free to do some research, read through this list and enjoy exploring the delights of the dining options available in this sleepy slice of paradise.

Tips About Currency and Tipping at Restaurants in Tamarindo

Most establishments accept American Dollars (USD) throughout Guanacaste province.
- We brought some US currency with us with the intention to exchange it, but there was never really a reason to. Most menus and restaurants on this list indicate their prices in USD. The Costa Rican Colon is, of course, also accepted, but you may have to do some conversions in your head or ask your server to help you out.
Tipping at Tamarindo restaurants is definitely recommended.
If you’re impressed with your experience, tipping 15-20% (or higher if you were very impressed) is the norm.
Many restaurants will add a 10% gratuity to their bills, so make sure you double-check to see if that’s been added already before you decide how much more you’d like to tip. Some restaurants will indicate this on their menus, so you can keep an eye out for this during your visit.

The Best Restaurants on Playa Tamarindo

These Tamarindo restaurants are best to set your sights on for happy hour and sunset drinks, and possibly for a few bites after that.

These are definitely not the fanciest or most elevated spots, but they check the boxes of your classic beach bar restaurants. A beach bar is definitely a place you need to head to at least one while you’re in Tamarindo!

EL BE

El Be is a well-known beach club along Playa Tamarindo.

By day, it's a bumping place to go for a DJ set and beachside party, and by night, they’re known for their live music, daily happy hour and chilled and relaxed energy. Shoes are optional.

This Tamarindo Restaurant is set amongst weaving trees and twinkle lights on the beach with an assortment of low- and high-top tables. Since it's on the beach, the closer to the water you sit, the more on an angle your chair might be, so be careful while you’re making yourself comfortable.

The happy hour festivities and live music typically start around 5 pm. They have live music every day except Mondays. We visited on a Tuesday—live sax day. Their sax player was really talented and entertained the place for hours. The fact that someone local was celebrating their birthday with a large group and a cake added to the feeling of community and friendship you get at this property.

Their happy hour bar prices are enticing. Chris and I were sipping on large Cerveza Imperials to the tune of $2 (USD) each, which was very reasonably priced compared to other spots along the beach.

El Be has an assortment of different options on the menu, but anything seafood is your best bet. If you’re feeling daring and you want to splurge a little, indulging in their Seafood Platter is a must. They’re known for their clams. When Chris and I visited, we were looking for something a little smaller, so we settled on Shrimp Tacos and Beef Nachos. We were content with both choices.

If you search for some reviews about this spot online, I’ve noticed some comments on the level of service. A beach bar isn’t a place where I expect top-notch, waiting-on-hand-and-foot service.

We were really happy with the chill and relaxed atmosphere at El Be. The servers were warm and pleasant. It’s a large place with many tables, and we were able to flag someone down when we needed them. I would definitely recommend checking El Be out on a visit to Tamarindo restaurants.

JONNY TAMARINDO (or TAMA ONDA)

Jonny Tamarindo was opened by a Canadian back in the ’90s. It’s very close to El Be and carries along the same beach vibes that many Playa Tamarindo restaurants are known for.

This Tamarindo restaurant also goes by the name “Tama Onda”. It’s a little confusing because if you’re looking for its location by the road, it only has a Tama Onda sign and a Harley Davidson sign. But from the beach, you can see the signature Jonny Tamarindo surfboard.

We forgot to ask but discovered later that Jonny no longer owns the bar, and its name under new ownership is “Tama Onda.” Whichever name you want to go with, the vibes are the same.

Like many beachside spots, they also have a happy hour at Jonny Tamarindo, which coincides perfectly with sunset. Their happy hour prices are also enticing, but compared to El Be, they don’t have live music at all times in the evening. They are known for a good party, though; it just depends on the time of day you’d like to visit.

The layout of this beach bar is similar to El Be, but they also have a space between the front entrance and the beach for kids to play in. There’s a swing set, and a play table on a small boat on the beach, which makes a fun photo-op or place for kids to play while their parents are eating. The service at this Tamarindo restaurant was friendly and welcoming, and we felt well looked after.

A bonus of eating at Tama Onda is that they also serve several beers from Numu Brewing Company. This is a Guanacaste brewery located in Liberia. If we had spent more time in Guanacaste, we definitely would have wanted to stop at this brewery, since we were really impressed with their beers. Our favourite was their Edulis Tropical Pale Ale, but there wasn’t really a bad choice in the bunch (of which we tried four).

I was very tempted at the thought of their Fresh and Local Lobster. We were feeling like some comfort food, though, so Chris opted for their Burger, while I opted for their Fish and Chips. The burger was good, but not amazing, as Chris put it, but a solid burger, no less.

I absolutely love fish and chips. While the fish isn’t large like a classic piece of Haddock, it was definitely fresh, local and delicious. It was also served with some sort of spicy aioli, which I absolutely adored.

VOLCANO BREWING & EL VAQUERO

This Tamarindo restaurant is another great option for both sunset beverages and classic pub-grub eats.

From the road, it looks like Volcano Brewing only has a bar facing the main road, but they really share the same space as El Vaquero. Both of these places are part of the Witch’s Rock Surf Camp properties in town.

Chris and I planned for our visit here to coincide with sunset. The layout of this spot includes several high-top tables with umbrellas overlooking the beach, with picnic tables closer to the beach beyond that.

We grabbed a spot at one of the picnic tables closest to the beach around 5 pm. If you plan to take in the sunset at any of the Playa Tamarindo restaurants on this list, I’d highly recommend arriving sometime around five. We didn’t realize the fortune in our timing, but not long after we’d arrived, people were showing up to find there were no spots available. And a table overlooking the sunset on Tamarindo beach is a must on your trip!

We tried several of the Volcano Brewing beers when we visited, our favourites of which were the Witch’s Rock Pale Ale, which was perfect for easy sipping, and the Witch’s Rock IPA, which packed a slightly stronger punch.

As for meals, El Vaquero has everything from breakfast to sushi. It’s a great place for beach bar staples like Build-Your-Own-Burgers or Macho Tacos, and they have a great assortment of Ceviches and other delicious seafood eats for you to choose from, too.

The Best Restaurants in Central Tamarindo

Green Papaya Taco Bar

This Tamarindo restaurant has all the beachy/boho vibes, away from the beach. It is a Mexican fusion restaurant, and while the menu primarily features tacos, there are some other options, too. Rest assured that they also have several vegetarian options for those who are looking for them.

Their interior consists of large, communal high-top tables and lower tables, perfect for meeting other travellers or coming with a large group you’ve met from the beach.

They also have these fun, Instagram-worthy rope swings that hang surrounding the indoor-outdoor restaurant. Not only are they fun to get a picture in, but they also serve as chairs for the high-top tables around the perimeter of the restaurant.

On top of their fun and playful aesthetic, this place is ideal for lunch or dinner. They serve everything from Homemade Tortilla Chips and Dip to Ceviche to Beef or Shrimp Tacos. They also have burritos, quesadillas and enchiladas on their menu, plus classic salads and burgers, too. You’ll leave happy and full after a stop at this tasty Tamarindo restaurant.

Seasons

Seasons is another great restaurant option in town.

They’re a Mediterranean fusion restaurant, serving up delicious dishes in a more upscale, poolside environment. It’s the perfect spot for a more refined dinner in town.

Their menu offers a wide variety of adventurous items, with small sharing plates and larger entree options. They offer a few vegan and gluten-free dishes, too.

Starters and small plates to share consist of options like Grilled Octopus and Chicken Liver Pate. Their entree options are anything from Trator Mahi Mahi and Red Snapper to a Fillet Mignon.

Little lucha TAQUERIA

Another gem in the sea of Tamarindo restaurants is Little Lucha. This is another taco bar in town, but with purely Mexican-style street tacos, which is arguably the best kind of taco you can get your hands on.

This Tamarindo restaurant definitely has a little more of an edge compared to some other spots on this list. The restaurant's aesthetic consists of many little Lucha Libre figurines scattered throughout the restaurant, and some bright and vibrant Mexican art, too. They are known for playing bumping music and encouraging visitors to take a tequila shot or two.

This is a small restaurant, with high-top counters, typical for enjoying Mexican street-style tacos. Their main bar is also built out of an old Volkswagen van, adding to the atmosphere.

Every type of classic Mexican taco is on their list, and they are sure to not disappoint. You can find everything from Barbacoa to Tinga de Pollo to Cochonita Pibil tacos, and they also have Veggie Tacos on the list. With other staples like Shrimp and Fish tacos to round out the list, this is a solid place to come and have a delightful taco experience.

I’d recommend getting one of their combo plates so you can try an assortment of tacos, and get the most out of your time at this classic taqueria.

Just Outside Town & A Little Further Away

Although these restaurants are outside of the central Tamarindo restaurant scene geographically, they cannot be left off your list! The reason I wanted to include these restaurants in this post about Tamarindo restaurants is because they were my favourite meals on our trip, hands down.

Good food (and great views) are worth travelling for, and you will not be disappointed that you made the trip to either of these places. I promise.

WALTER’S FISH & CHEESES (2 KMs from central tamarindo)

This little restaurant is located about a 20-minute walk or 5-minute golf cart or taxi ride from the more central Tamarindo restaurants, in Playa Langosta. It’s only open from 11 am-3 pm for lunch, and 5-9 pm for dinner. This is important to know because unless you’re staying in a condo or hotel nearby, there isn’t really anything else to near the restaurant except for a few small eateries and bars scattered amongst the condo complexes.

In fact, this place has no views of the beach, the seating is just outside of their little shop in a small plaza, and the seating is arranged in front of their small parking lot. Despite all this, the atmosphere is somehow extremely charming and warm, and the food is, in fact, incredible and very much worth the stop. It was definitely a highlight of our trip.

Reservations for dinner or lunch are recommended. This place is highly rated, and its limited seating means that you want to ensure you’ll be able to grab a spot. When Chris and I visited, there was a large group of at least 12 people taking up one of their tables, which didn’t leave very many spots for other groups. We were lucky to get the last reservation on the day we called.

Okay, enough about the logistics. Walter’s Fish and Cheeses (or just “Fish and Cheeses,” as their logo says) is an authentic Italian fish and cheese shop which doubles as a small Italian restaurant. You can buy locally caught fish and freshly made cheese, or stay and dine on their fine foods.

Chris and I opted for a bottle of their House Red Wine. It was a light wine from the Abruzzo region of Italy, with a smooth finish. While I typically prefer a more full-bodied red, the evening we visited was especially humid, so this lighter wine was the perfect accompaniment to our meal.

We decided on the Tagliere Misto antipasti platter to share as our appetizer. It came with three cured meats and three handmade cheeses, along with homemade marmalade, olives, and fresh bread. We savoured each delicious bite as it melted in our mouths.

The menu was a little overwhelming to choose from, in a good way. We wanted to share one of their handmade pastas and a pizza. We settled on the Brianza pizza, largely for the toppings (tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, baked ham and mushrooms), but also because the name was too hilariously close to mine to pass up.

It took a while to choose our pasta dish. So many of the options sounded enticing. We couldn’t have been more pleased with the Mezzeluna di Zucca we ordered, which was pumpkin ravioli with gorgonzola and walnuts. It’s hard to beat homemade pasta, and this dish was phenomenal.

They had some dessert options which sounded exciting, but we were so satiated from dinner that we decided to pass.

COCO LOCO Bar & Restaurant (24 KMs from central TAMARINDO)

The churrasco served on the hot volcanic rock.

I know what you’re thinking. “Bri, this isn’t a Tamarindo restaurant. It isn’t anywhere near Tamarindo!” And you’re right.

In fact, it’s something like a 40-minute drive from central Tamarindo. But hear me out: not only is it worth the drive for an evening overlooking a beautiful sunset from Playa Flamingo (it’s absolutely stunning!), but the culinary delights of Coco Loco Bar & Restaurant are an event within themselves.

First of all, to get yourself to Playa Flamingo and back, you’ll want to make sure that you hire a driver or arrange a taxi driver to pick you up after they’ve dropped you off.

If you’re renting a car, all the better. We didn’t rent a car and used Uber on a few occasions during our trip to Guanacaste, but Playa Flamingo is very small (there’s literally a single-lane dirt road that goes along the beach), and there won’t be taxis or Ubers waiting for you once you’re done. We decided to Uber there and arrange for a cab to meet us to take us back.

After you’ve arranged for your transport back to Tamarindo (or wherever it is you’re staying), get ready for a fantastic meal at Coco Loco. This place served some of the best seafood and meat we had on our trip, hands down. All of their foods and flavours are local, which shines through.

Unfortunately, Coco Loco doesn’t take reservations (at least they didn’t when we visited), but the setting makes it a nice experience to wait for your table. It’s located right on the beach, with one elevated dining platform on the beach side of the road and a beachy-boho-inspired indoor-outdoor dining area on the restaurant's roadside.

There was a 30-minute wait for a table when we arrived (around 6:30—we opted to take in the sunset from the beach around 6 first). So we decided to grab a beer from the bar and bring it to a bench by the beach as we waited. It was nice to feel the sea breeze on our faces and relax for a little bit before our meal, plus we were seated in less than the time we were told.

I love a tropical cocktail, but Chris isn’t as big of a fan, so I was surprised when he also wanted to order the Signature Coco Loco Cocktail. It’s served in a carved-out coconut, so it gets points for novelty, but it is also made with the most flavourful and fresh ingredients. It’s essentially an elevated pina colada. I’d highly recommend trying it when you visit!

We ordered Crispy Calamari for an appetizer. It’s served with a lime aioli, and it all tasted very local and fresh. Then, we followed with the Yellow Fin Tuna Tacos. If you like your tuna cooked medium, I’d recommend ordering medium-well. The tuna was incredible, and this Asian-fusion pairing in a taco was what dreams are made of.

We finished with Churrasco strip loin steak. Its presentation was impressive, as the steak is partially cooked and sliced in the kitchen, and then it’s served to you on a piece of hot volcanic rock so you can finish cooking it to your liking at your table. The steak was so tender and delicious, and the novelty of “cooking it” at your table was a really nice touch. Finished off with a side of zucchini stuffed with yucca puree and local cheese, and this was the perfect main dish to end the meal with.

We never quite made it to desserts on our hot days in Guanacaste, but I had my eyes on some tantalizing-looking Churros from the dessert menu that a family near us ordered. Coco Loco had several other delicious-looking options on the menu, including some vegan ones, too.

Visiting These Tamarindo Restaurants

Make sure you take the time on your trip to relax and take in more than one of these delicious restaurants during your visit to Tamarindo. This is by no means an exhaustive list of any and all restaurants in Tamarindo, but it is certainly a list of most of the places that caught my eye, and I think it would be a great idea to check out.

We didn't make it this time, but for our next trip, we're definitely going to check out the Pangas Beach Club. Located right on the beach, I'm looking forward to sinking into their rustic driftwood beach chairs and sampling some of the best local seafood dishes. If you make it there before us, let us know what you think!

Stay tuned for more articles about vacation itineraries and how to plan your time relaxing in this special corner of Costa Rica.

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Bri Mitchell

Bri Mitchell is a travel writer and content creator from Toronto, Ontario. She loves to highlight all things nature, food, wellness, sustainability and adventure in her work. Bri writes and shares her travel experiences from across Canada, the United States and around the world on Instagram and TikTok (@brimitchelltravels), and in her articles for travelingmitch, Ultimate Ontario, and We Explore Canada.