Are you looking for our favorite restaurants in Nosara, Costa Rica?
Nosara is a relaxed beach town that is popular with surfers and yoga enthusiasts. In recent years this place has really exploded in popularity. That means there are also several new places to eat as well.
As a couple who lives in Costa Rica and loves the beaches in this area, we come to Nosara often. We have compiled this list of the best food options based on the places we love to eat and the places we have learned to avoid.
We also included info on tipping, safety, things to look out for when ordering food here, and more!
Let’s get to the 13 best restaurants in Nosara, Costa Rica!
Where to Eat in Nosara at a Glance
- Breakfast: Organico Bakery. Check out its grocery and home goods store too.
- Tacos and cocktails: Howler’s Beach Lounge. Al Chile is relaxed, with margaritas, craft beer, tacos and burritos, and a vegetarian burrito (open 7 am to 10 pm).
- Traditional: Rosi’s Soda Tica.
- Splurge: HUACAS at Tierra Magnifica and Sendero Restaurant.
- Craft beer and pizza: Guiones Brew.
- Italian: Posada Margherita.
- Know the layout: “Nosara” is the whole area. The town isn’t on the beach, and you’ll likely stay near Playa Guiones, where most of these restaurants are.
- Banks and groceries: Banco Popular and Banco de Costa Rica both have ATMs on the main road. Mini Super Delicias del Mundo is the best option in Guiones.
- Safety: Petty theft happens, so keep phones and wallets off the table.
- Where to stay: The Gilded Iguana, The Sunset Shack or Olas Verdes.
Nosara Restaurants at a Glance
- Best Breakfast Spot: Orgánico Bakery
- Best Romantic Date Spot: HUACAS
- Best Italian: Posada Margherita
- Best Typical Costa Rican Food: Rosi’s Soda
- Best Bar: Howler’s Beach Lounge
- Best Craft Beer Place: Guiones Brew
Map of Nosara Restaurants
We created a clickable map of all our favorite restaurants in Nosara so that you can easily find the perfect one for you. You can also open this in Google Maps here.
We need to preface this by explaining that the name “Nosara” actually refers to the entire area. The town of Nosara is not directly on the beach and is more of an actual town.
Where to Stay in Nosara: Our Top Picks
The Gilded Iguana
📍 Playa Guiones
Laid-back boutique luxury with a pool and a great à la carte restaurant.
Check prices →The Sunset Shack
📍 Playa Guiones
A surf-culture hotel less than 200 feet from the Guiones main break.
Check prices →Hostel Nicoa
📍 Nosara
A friendly, budget-friendly hostel. Great for surfers and solo travelers.
Check prices →Instead, you will likely be staying close to the popular surf beach, Playa Guiones. Most of the restaurants on this list are located in this area.
1. El Manglar Restaurant
El Manglar Restaurant is located on the Olas Verdes Hotel property.
This place is open all day, but I suggest coming here for dinner. They serve a variety of fresh and healthy dishes at a reasonable price point.
Also, in my experience, the portion sizes are typically very generous.
Sometimes in the evening there is live music as well.
- Price Point: $$
- Vegetarian Options? There are a few vegetarian options
- Takes Reservations? You can call them at +506 2682 1133
- Opening Hours: 07:00 AM – 9:00 PM daily
- Rating: 5/5 stars on TripAdvisor
2. Orgánico Bakery
This is my go-to spot for breakfast or lunch in a relaxed cafe setting. They serve delicious sandwiches, bowls, salads, smoothies, and baked goods. There is a focus on local organic ingredients here.
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Make sure to check out their grocery store and clothing/ home goods store as well!
- Price Point: $$
- Vegetarian Options? Yes, there are plenty of vegetarian and vegan options
- Takes Reservations? No. Just stop by!
- Opening Hours: 07:00 AM – 5:00 PM daily
- Rating: 4.5/5 stars on TripAdvisor
3. K-Rae’s Irish Pub
This place is located a bit further inland in the actual town on Nosara.
It is a lively Irish pub that is perfect for lunch when you are tired of traditional Costa Rican food and are looking for a unique atmosphere. I usually go for a corned beef reuben, but the tuna tower is also insane.
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The interior is so cozy and really does feel like you’ve entered an Irish pub.
- Price Point: $$
- Vegetarian Options? There are a few vegetarian appetizers and a caprese grinder that is meat-free.
- Takes Reservations? I don’t think they take reservations, and typically there is plenty of space for you to find a table. However, you can always call them at +506 6278 2414
- Opening Hours: 11:30 AM – 4:00 PM Thursday – Sunday. No, they are not open for dinner.
- Rating: 5/5 stars on TripAdvisor
4. Al Chile
The place to go for relaxed vibes, fresh margaritas, craft beer, delicious tacos, and burritos. This is a covered open-air restaurant with a bar.
Note: They also serve breakfast here
- Price Point: $$
- Vegetarian Options? Yes, they have vegetarian tacos and a vegetarian burrito.
- Takes Reservations? No
- Opening Hours: 07:00 AM – 10:00 AM | 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM daily
- Rating: 4.5/5 stars on TripAdvisor
5. Le Bistrot Guiones
Le Bistrot Guiones is open for breakfast and lunch.
For breakfast, they serve crepes, waffles, toasts, smoothies, and a variety of coffee-based beverages.
For lunch you can expect savory waffles, quesadillas, salads, and tarts.
We like coming here because there is an emphasis on fresh ingredients. Everything always tastes great and the staff is excellent.
- Price Point: $$
- Vegetarian Options? Yes
- Takes Reservations? No, but you can always call them for any special requests +506 2682 5448
- Opening Hours: 08:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Rating: 4.5/5 stars on TripAdvisor
6. Rosi’s Soda Tica
This is our go-to place for authentic Costa Rican food in Nosara. The food here is great.
We like to come here for a traditional Costa Rican breakfast with gallo pinto and a fresh fruit juice.
For lunch, we suggest trying a traditional casado (rice, beans, salad, and protein of your choice).
- Price Point: $
- Vegetarian Options? There are a few limited vegetarian options.
- Takes Reservations? No
- Opening Hours: 08:00 AM – 3:00 PM. Closed on Sundays
- Rating: 4.5/5 stars on TripAdvisor
💡 Sarah’s Tip
For lunch, order a casado at Rosi’s Soda Tica. It’s the easiest way to eat well in Nosara without paying beach-town prices.
7. Howler’s Beach Lounge
Our favorite place for tacos and cocktails in a fun atmosphere. They also serve AMAZING tuna carpaccio. It’s overall a very chill place to hang out.
- Price Point: $$
- Vegetarian Options? Yes, they have a vegetarian taco option
- Takes Reservations? No
- Opening Hours: 11:30 AM – 8:00 PM Monday – Friday | 11:30 AM – 7:00 PM Saturday and Sunday
- Rating: 5/5 stars on TripAdvisor
8. Guiones Brew
The place to go for craft beer in the area. They also serve tasty thin crust pizza. They have covered outdoor seating here. It always has a fun (but chill) vibe.
- Price Point: $$
- Vegetarian Options? Yes, there are plenty of vegetarian pizzas.
- Takes Reservations? You can call them at +506 8848 0135
- Opening Hours: 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM Monday – Saturday
- Rating: 4.5/5 stars on TripAdvisor
9. Posada Margherita
I get it, sometimes you get tired of traditional Costa Rican food and need a break from rice and beans, when that happens we suggest heading here.
This is our go-to place for authentic Italian food. They serve mostly pizza and pasta dishes as well as some salads. I personally like to keep it simple here and usually opt for a delicious margherita pizza.
They also have gelato if you need a little cold treat during the day.
It’s a beautifully decorated restaurant and the staff are super kind.
- Price Point: $$
- Vegetarian Options? Yes
- Opening Hours: 12:30pm – 9:00pm daily. Closed on Sundays
- Rating: 5/5 stars on TripAdvisor
10. La Malacrianza
This restaurant serves a mix of traditional Costa Rican dishes and pizzas with an emphasis on fresh ingredients.
I love their Finca pizza that has goat cheese, prosciutto, and arugula on it. Yum!
- Price Point: $$
- Vegetarian Options? Yes.
- Takes Reservations? No
- Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM daily. Closed on Tuesdays.
- Rating: 5/5 stars on TripAdvisor
11. HUACAS Restaurant
This restaurant is located at the Tiera Magnifica Hotel. It is the most high-end dining experience in Nosara. This is a good spot for a date night meal, but they are also open for breakfast and lunch. We like coming here for dinner because the views are great for sunset.
For a very unique experience, you can opt for one of their 5 course tasting menus. This is $125 per person. They have a standard tasting menu as well as a Blue Zone tasting menu.
The Nicoya Peninsula (where Nosara is located) is one of the 5 Blue Zones of the world. This means people here regularly live to 100 years old.
A lot of this is credited to the diet here.
This Blue Zone tasting menu will give you an elevated taste of that diet.
This menu needs to be preordered, so let them know ahead of time if you’re interested.
- Price Point: $$$
- Vegetarian Options? Yes. There is a limited vegetarian menu.
- Takes Reservations? Yes, it is a good idea to reserve ahead of time. You can make a reservation on their website here.
- Opening Hours: 07:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Rating: 4.5/5 stars on TripAdvisor
12. Dolce Vita
Dolce Vita recently underwent an ownership change and we were a bit worried. But, the quality of food has definitely been maintained!
This is another Italian restaurant that serves a mix of delicious pizzas and pastas.
- Price Point: $$
- Vegetarian Options? Yes, there are several vegetarian pizza and pasta dishes.
- Takes Reservations? no
- Opening Hours: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM daily. Closed on Tuesdays.
- Rating: 5/5 stars on TripAdvisor
13. Sendero Restaurant
A beautiful restaurant with a boutique vibe located in the Sendero Hotel. They are open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
They have an extensive menu, but the main focus is fresh healthy meals.
- Price Point: $$
- Vegetarian Options? Yes there are plenty of vegetarian options.
- Takes Reservations? You can contact them on WhatsApp at +506 7071 2831
- Opening Hours: 06:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Rating: 5/5 stars on TripAdvisor
Other Things to Know About Eating in Nosara
- Most restaurants in Nosara do not have websites. Some may have Facebook pages, but some don’t have their menu listed. You will usually have to stop at the restaurant if you want to check out the menu.
- If you have any food allergies, definitely let your waiter know. I suggest carrying a card with your allergies translated into Spanish to prevent any language-related miscommunication. As someone with a potentially deadly seafood allergy, I get it! The struggle is real.
- Most places take cash and credit card, but it is best to check before eating. There is a Banco Popular with ATM just outside of Playa Guiones on the main road. There is a Banco de Costa Rica with ATM on the main road heading from Guiones into downtown Nosara.
- If you would like to go grocery shopping in Playa Guiones the best option is Mini Super Delicias del Mundo.
- Tipping is not required in Costa Rica, but it is becoming more and more common. You can find out more in our guide to tipping.
- You can usually drink the tap water in Nosara. However, I would still suggest buying bottled water just to be on the safe side. We like to buy large jugs and just refill our water bottles as needed.
- Nosara is pretty safe, but petty theft does sometimes occur. A lot of the restaurants here are somewhat open air. It is best to never leave your wallet or cell phone on the table. also, do not leave your purse or backpack on the back of your chair. Instead, put it on the floor between your legs with one strap looped through your leg.
- Once the sun goes down the mosquitos can be intense. If you plan on an outdoor dinner, bring bug spray.
- Most of the roads outside of downtown Nosara are unpaved. Keep this in mind when considering restaurants that are a bit further away.
Check out our complete guide to Nosara for more info on the area
Conclusion: Nosara Restaurants
In conclusion, there are food options for all budgets and cuisine interests in Nosara and Playa Guiones. Hopefully you have now found a great place to eat!
If you have any questiosn about visiting Nosara don’t hesitate to leave them in the comment section below. We are always happy to help you!
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Meet the writer
Sarah McArthur
Sarah is the co-founder and main writer of Costa Rica Vibes. Originally from the US, she has lived in San José, Costa Rica since 2016 with her husband Thomas, who takes the photos you see on this site.
Together they have been writing about Costa Rica since 2017, drawing on years of road trips, hotel stays and tours around the country. We personally vet everything before we publish it.
Follow along on Instagram · Pinterest · Substack
or join our email list for trip planning help.
Meet the writer
Sarah McArthur
Sarah is the co-founder and main writer of Costa Rica Vibes. Originally from the US, she has lived in San José, Costa Rica since 2016 with her husband Thomas, who takes the photos you see on this site.
Together they have been writing about Costa Rica since 2017, drawing on years of road trips, hotel stays and tours around the country. We personally vet everything before we publish it.
Follow along on Instagram · Pinterest · Substack
or join our email list for trip planning help.
