A guide to the best restaurants in Playa Flamingo

Playa Flamingo is ideal for families taking their Costa Rica holidays on the west coast. The surf vibe of Playa Flamingo has brought with it a cool restaurant culture, making use of fresh, local ingredients to offer flavourful dishes to families and surfers alike. There are also quite a few Italian places to try that fuse Costa Rican and Italian flavours.

Kick back and relax at Surf Box

The trendy, laid-back attitude of Surf Box is what makes it one of the best restaurants in Playa Flamingo. That, plus the healthy bagels and incredible pulled pork sandwiches. There’s really no better place to just chill out and have a bite to eat in clean, tranquil surroundings.

Indulge your sweet tooth at A'lo Nico

Say hello to A’lo Nico, one of the best spots in Costa Rica to get a really good pancake. If you can’t make it in the morning, don’t worry, this relaxed, alfresco restaurant serves up great lunch and dinner options too – including succulent sea bass in a zesty lemon sauce.

Seafood on a sunset beach at Coco Loco

Coco Loco is a beachfront restaurant that’s blessed with a view of one of the most beautiful sunsets on the island. The western coast is always treated to fantastic evening displays and a visit to Coco Loco, with it’s tuna tacos and grilled sea bass, is sure to be an evening to remember.

A taste of Italy at Tubla

Get into the Italian spirit at Tubla and tuck into fresh pizza inside a warm and welcoming environment. Handmade and cooked in an authentic wood-fired oven, the flavours here could even rival those that you’d get in Italy itself.

Start your morning at Marie's Restaurant

Another top spot for breakfast in the Guanacaste region, Marie’s Restaurant cooks up nutritious dishes to get you started on your day. We particularly recommend trying the Tico – a dish made of rice, beans, eggs and cheese. While it may seem like a strange combination at first, that’s actually how the typical Costa Rican breakfast goes.

A special fusion at Angelina's Restaurant

Angelina’s is a fine Italian restaurant with a view over the rolling landscape of Playa Flamingo. It’s here where the Costa Rican ingredients really come into their own and are fused with the simple but effective culinary techniques of Italy, resulting in something truly special.

Burgers with a difference at La Cuchara Verde

La Cuchara Verde is an Italian and South American fusion restaurant with a creative streak. The options are varied, with towering burger stacks bursting with fresh ingredients. Some of the combinations are really interesting – like a courgette patty in a sun-blushed tomato bun.

Pizza in the shade at Vaca Loka

Vaca Loka has a huge thatched roof that shades its guests from the beating sun that holidays to Costa Rica offer in abundance. The food here is a mix of Italian and steakhouse classics, all considered by locals and tourists to be truly delicious.

Beachside seafood Costa Rican style at Soda Y Restaurante El Estero Azul

This place has all the charm that a beachside Costa Rican restaurant should, throwing in a laid-back vibe, incredible sea views and brilliant seafood for good measure. It’s a truly atmospheric spot from which to enjoy evening dinner.

The USA lifestyle at Club Mar Vista

If you fancy connecting with North American flavours, head to Club Mar Vista – the cocktail restaurant that also specialises in the USA’s favourite dishes. Onion rings and steaks lead the way, all served next to an idyllic poolside scene.