17 Best Restaurants Near Osa Peninsula

If there is one place in Costa Rica where culinary delights match the beauty of the surroundings, it’s the Osa Peninsula. Imagine savoring freshly caught seafood prepared with locally sourced ingredients while surrounded by the stunning natural landscapes of this remote region. Despite its secluded location, the Osa Peninsula boasts a surprising variety of exceptional dining options, offering everything from authentic Costa Rican dishes to international cuisine.

During our travels through the Osa Peninsula, I was delighted to discover a vibrant restaurant scene in every town I visited. My husband and I made it a point to sample the local fare, and we were never disappointed. His love for trying new cuisines only enhanced our culinary adventure.

In this article, I will highlight the best restaurants in the Osa Peninsula, from cozy “sodas” serving generous portions of traditional Costa Rican dishes to upscale eateries offering gourmet experiences. Whether you are looking for a hearty breakfast, a quick lunch, or a leisurely dinner, this guide will help you find the perfect spot to satisfy your cravings while exploring one of Costa Rica’s most enchanting regions.

Key Takeaways From This Article

Getting a nice place to have meals can be challenging, especially in a new place. However, don’t worry, as there are many great restaurants in Osa. I highlight 17 in this article that you must try out. Here are my key takeaways on the best Osa Peninsula Restaurants. 

• “Soda” is another name for a small restaurant in Costa Rica. Most serve Costa Rican dishes with generous portions. 

17 Best Osa Peninsula Restaurants

A great restaurant is not only about the ambiance but should also offer high-quality food and excellent service. Most restaurants you visit must give you value for money. It was not easy choosing, but here are my 17 best restaurants.

Soda Jimenez Colectivo

Opening Hours: 6 AM -9 PM. 

Location: Close to the Puerto Jimenez airstrip, next to 

In the heart of Puerto Jimenez is this family-run soda where you can eat local Costa Rican cuisine. The chef serves a generous portion of the food you want. You should try their unique rice and pineapple juice. Soda Jimenez also serves international cuisine and a selection of refreshing drinks. 

The restaurant also serves vegetarian options. Some evenings, you can watch music shows and cultural performances teaching the Costa Rican way of life.

 

Nature Cafe-Drake Bay

Opening Hours: 6 AM to 10 PM closed on Sundays. 

Location: Main street opposite Popis Ice Cream. 

Nature Cafe offers many vegan options, including local plant-based options. Coffee and fruit juices are made vegan by using homemade coconut milk. However, Nature Cafe also serves non-vegan options too. Their cuisines include Thai, Mexican, Costa Rican, and Latin. 

It is a great breakfast and dinner spot with fantastic settings and views. The owner had freshly baked bread, which is why I went for breakfast almost every day when vacationing in Drake Bay. It is one of the few restaurants with live music while you enjoy the delicious meals.

Delicias Bahía Drake

Opening Hours: 5 AM to 10 PM daily. 

Location: Main Street Agujitas. 

I did not find a lot of restaurants at Agujitas. However, Delicias Bahía Drake is worth mentioning due to its delectable cuisine. However, when we visited, the service was a bit slow, even though a few people were at the restaurant. 

But their meals, especially the grilled seafood, are worth the wait. Delicias Bahía Drake is a casual restaurant offering comfort food such as pasta and salads with vegan options. You can also get fast food such as pizzas for takeaway.

Marisqueria Corcovado

Opening Hours: 7 AM to 11 PM daily. 

Location: Center of El Boulevard de la Playa. 

The open-air seafood restaurant offers diverse menus. It’s in a blue tent with a sign reading “Free Wi-Fi,” which is a main attraction for locals and tourists. But they also have great meals. 

You will enjoy your meals while enjoying a stunning view of Golfo Dulce. Raw and brewed Costa Rican beer, as well as wines and spirits, are available. Marisqueria Corcovado serves various cuisines. 

• Latin
• Central America
• Caribbean
• Costa Rican
• Vegetarian and gluten-free options

Restaurante Mar y & Luna

Opening Hours: 11 AM to 6 PM daily. 

Location: Road 14 on Golfito.

Restaurante Mar y & Luna is a hotel with 14 rooms near Golfito National Wildlife Refuge. But it was the on-site restaurant that drew me to this place. Its chefs prepare delicious seafood and other options. 

I loved that the restaurant had a children’s menu. My kids loved the chicken fingers with French fries. However, try their seafood for its freshness. They can even prepare what you catch from fishing. 

My favorite was rice with seafood ( crabs, shrimp, shells, squid, and fish), fresh herbs, and homemade sauce. My husband highly recommends the Caribbean-style steak, a fish fillet coated with delicious coconut sauce.

La Parcela

Opening Hours: 11 AM to 9 PM. 

Location: 2nd entrance after Dominicalito Bridge. 

Famous for beer-battered fish tacos and seafood options. Their appetizers include clams, ceviche, and fried calamari in white sauce. However, apart from their great meals are the ocean views. You will enjoy an overview of the Osa Peninsula from the restaurant.

You should try out their coconut jumbo shrimp, though they also serve a variety of other fish delicacies. The jumbo shrimp is missing from the menu, but you can request the chef to make it for you. We were lucky one of our friends had mentioned it to us. 

Meals at La Parcela are by reservation. They also have four cabins if you want to stay for the weekend and enjoy the sights at Playa Dominical. Near the cabins is a secure parking area for your car.

Marea Alta

Opening Hours: 10.30 AM to 10.30 PM closed on Tuesdays. 

Location: Drake Bay.

Nestled within a lush forest, you’ll love its serene dining experience. It’s hidden up the hill, and you will likely miss it. There is another Marea Alta in Jaco town in San Jose, but the two have no relations. Marea Alta-Drake Bay has a bar where you can catch up on sports if staying at Bahia Drake. 

The food is delicious, and I highly recommend their ceviche, shrimp, and pasta. The menu depends on the day’s catch, so I recommend asking what is on the grill. Their mango daiquiri is a try when you want a cocktail. In the late afternoon, you can sit in their outdoor setting, which is a bit cooler.

Los Delfines

Opening Hours: 10. AM to 10 PM. 

Location: Next to La Marisquería. 

The beachside bar and restaurant offers a stunning ocean view but with no ceiling fans. I recommend you visit for dinner. Request the Los Delfines sea platter, which comprises red mussels, shrimp and scallops, snappers, calamari, and crabs. The chef expertly cooks them when they are still fresh. 

Los Delfines is a local favorite because of its vast meal portions. The drinks are refreshingly cold on a hot afternoon, and the prices are affordable for ticos and tourists. Enjoy its cocktails made by the bartender from scratch and, therefore, no syrups. Bring your camera along for great shots of monkeys and various birds. 

Exotica Restaurant

Opening Hours: 5 AM to 8 PM, closed Monday and Sunday. 

Location: Main street into Ojochal. 

We found this beautiful restaurant on our visit to Ojochal. The Exotica restaurant mainly serves French cuisine, and the locals love having special occasions here. I enjoyed their cognac liver pâté, while my husband chose duck breast with orange sauce. The restaurant’s international wine collection is top-notch. 

Their Devil’s Fork flourless chocolate cake with a hint of chili is a must-try for chocolate lovers. Reservations are essential, as the restaurant has only 14 tables under a thatch roof. Their desserts are homemade, and I recommend the passion fruit ice cream with blackberry coulis.

Restaurante Buenos Días

Opening Hours: 6 AM to 10 PM daily. 

Location: Golfito off the pier as you walk towards the water taxi. 

It has an atmosphere of the 1950s and friendly staff. Bueno Dias arroz con pollo is delicious, though they also have an extensive menu. The restaurant is also famous for its smoothies (batidos). You don’t want to miss their Costa Rican coffee. 

Restaurante Buenos Días prices are friendly, and they accept card payments, which is rare in Golfito. If you don’t want to pay using the card, change your dollars into colones; they don’t accept US$.

Kalaluna Bistro

Opening Hours: 11 AM to 8 PM daily. 

Location: Kalaluna Resort, 2 km from Drake Bay Center. 

Kalaluna Bistro is the onsite restaurant for Kalaluna Resort in Drake Bay. Fantastic service plus delicious food makes the restaurant famous among the locals. The restaurant serves various cuisines, such as

• Italian
• Central American
• Costa Rican
• Seafood
• Mediterranean

Reservations are essential unless you are staying at the resort. The resort offers a la carte, Italian, or continental breakfast daily. Drake Bay Airport is 8km from the resort. 

Italian Restaurant Y PIzzeria Carolina

Opening Hours: 11.30 AM to 9.30 PM daily except Sundays. 

Location: Main Street, Puerto Jimenez. 

The owner is a Sicilian chef who ensures you get delicious meals made to perfection. Enjoy various meals such as pizzas and pasta. The food is price-friendly and high-quality. Italian Restaurant Y PIzzeria Carolina mainly serves Italian and Mediterranean cuisines. 

There are many seafood options and a good selection of wines. The restaurant is known by many for its excellent service and delicious fruit juices. The chef goes out of their way to accommodate your dietary needs. Learning you can get vegan pizza and burgers with gluten-free bread was interesting. 

Pearl of The Osa

Opening Hours: 11.30 AM to 8 PM for lunch and dinner. 

Location: Onsite at Iguana Lodge. 

It is one of the few open-air beachfront restaurants at Playa Preciosa. It’s an onsite restaurant at Iguana Lodge. Their most delicious foods include burritos, patecones, tacos, and tropical shrimp plates. 

Tuesday’s are BBQ nights at the Pearl of The Osa. The highlight of the evening is a bonfire, though you might have to make reservations if you are not staying at Iguana Lodge. The restaurant on Tuesdays has candle-lit tables and tiki torches. 

Vegetarians can enjoy generous servings of vegetable burritos and vegetable stir-fry with tofu. The restaurant also serves exotic fruit drinks, craft beers, and wines on tap. The dress code is casual, and you can join the Friday salsa night. 

Soda Marbella

Opening Hours: 11.00 AM to 10 PM daily except Tuesday. 

Location: Right at the beach. 

I highly recommend this soda for its reasonably priced seafood. The staff is friendly, and the portions are generous. My favorite dish was seafood soup in coconut, and my husband preferred their seafood stew with fried bananas. 

The guys seated next to us praised the fresh and well-cooked fish. Soda Marbella is famous in Puerto Jimenez for its ceviche, a must-try. It’s right on the water with a great view—request their fruit smoothies or a beer after your meal. 

Lunarossa

Opening Hours: 2.00 PM to 10 PM daily except Mondays and Tuesdays. 

Location: A few blocks from Hotel Alamar in Puntarenas. 

The restaurant is popular, and making a reservation is ideal as it is small. It’s on the second floor, overlooking the Puntarenas beach, with a beautiful outdoor patio. There is a bar and another dining area inside the restaurant. 

Alexa, the owner, is very friendly. You can choose between seafood and local Costa Rican traditional foods; their desserts are top-notch. They even have Spanish, Mediterranean, and Latin cuisines.

Lookout Restaurant-Drake Bay

Opening Hours: 11 AM to 8.30 PM daily. 

Location: Onsite restaurant for the Lookout Hotel. 

The Lookout restaurant is a 5-minute walk from Playa Colorado. Start your day with freshly brewed coffee before visiting the various tourist attractions at Bahia Drake. The restaurant’s menu consists of local and international cuisines. They also offer seafood, vegan, and vegetarian options.

The restaurant also offers room service if you would rather have your meal in your own space. You can also make your meals at the restaurant’s shared kitchen facility.

Cafetería Monka 

Opening Hours: 6 AM to 10 PM daily. 

Location: Opposite the police station on the main street in Puerto Jimenez. 

Are you craving ice cream? Visit Cafetería Monka for delicious food, coffee, ice cream, and frozen drinks. However, I recommend this cafe for its wide range of breakfast platters. You can try out their breakfast burritos and tropical French toast with fruit toppings. Finish your breakfast with a smoothie or coffee. 

You can grab sandwiches and sit on the outside deck during lunch to cool off after the day’s activities.

If you’d like to give yourself a treat while on a budget, you should check out our guide on the cost of food in Costa Rica, before visiting any of these restaurants.

Conclusion

Osa Peninsula has plenty of restaurant options. No matter which town you visit, you will have a place to enjoy local or international cuisine. Some restaurants also offer accommodation options. 

Which were your favorite Osa Peninsula restaurants? Please share your experience.