Restaurants in Puerto Viejo

Aside from the pristine tropical beaches, Puerto Viejo is surrounded by a lot of outstanding restaurants and bars, right from the town to the beachfront. These restaurants offer a variety of local and international cuisines that suit all kinds of dining experiences.

One thing you should bear in mind is that the food in Puerto Viejo looks fresh, healthy, and tastes better compared to most of the food in the western part of the country. This was one of the things I took note of when I first tried the food here.

And also, there are plenty of restaurants everywhere you turn, so you will likely not need help or recommendations from the locals as to where you can find a restaurant to eat.

The only thing is that you will be disappointed by either poor service or tasteless food. However, that was why I wrote this article to review some of the top restaurants in Puerto Viejo that offer delicious food and excellent services regardless of your dining preference and budget.

Key Takeaways

Bread and Chocolate offers the best breakfast experience.
For healthy Mediterranean seafood, visit Como en la Gloria.
Soulsurfers make the best burgers and sandwiches in Puerto Viejo.
Grow is an excellent restaurant with an array of vegan and vegetarian options. It also gives you a great view of the beach while you eat.
Visit La Pecora Nera for an Italian fine dining experience.
Your go-to place for Thai, mixed Asian cuisine, and Japanese sushi is Chile Rojo.
Stashus Con Fusion offers the best Indo-Caribbean food and a spectacular sunset view.
Tasty Waves Cantina is a relaxed place where you can enjoy some chilled beer, cocktails, and food.
KOKi restaurant offers the most delicious Caribbean seafood.

Top 10 Restaurants in Puerto Viejo Reviewed

1. Bread and Chocolate

Address: C/215, Limón, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, 70403, Costa Rica
Contact: +506 2750 0723
Menu
Website
Budget: $5 – $20
Hours: 6:30 a.m.–6:30 p.m.
Ratings: 4.5/5 on Tripadvisor

Bread and Chocolate is a small bakery and cafe that serves really nice breakfasts. The food here is nothing short of delicious and healthy.

I recommend trying their French toast, quintessential chocolate cake, mocha cheesecake, Caribbean pancakes, French press coffee, coconut pancakes, and creamy scrambled eggs.

Aside from the food, the customer service and atmosphere are top-notch, and there is a free parking lot.

2. Port Vell

Address: C/213, Limón, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Costa Rica
Contact: +506 6038 8624
Menu
Website
Budget: $10 – $20
Hours: 7:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. (closed Tuesday and Wednesday)
Ratings: 5/5 on Tripadvisor

Port Vell is a great place to enjoy international and Caribbean cuisines. They offer a variety of savory and delicious food here.

I recommend you go for the Gallo Pinto with eggs and bacon; it is the tastiest I have ever had in all of Costa Rica, or try out some fluffy pancakes; you will not regret it either.

The atmosphere and customer service are quite impressive and welcoming. I love the freshness and presentation of the food the most.

3. Como en la Gloria

Address: Next door to Clinica Veterinaria Drs Arroyo & Solano, Limón, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Costa Rica
Contact: +506 8584 8190
Budget: $35- $50
Website
Hours: 5:30 p.m.–10 p.m.
Ratings: 5/5 on Tripadvisor

One of the best restaurants in Puerto Viejo with nice ambiance and customer service. They serve authentic Mediterranean and Spanish seafood here.

Their food is very tasty, fresh, and healthy. When you visit, try out some Spanish wine, Spanish omelets, tuna carpaccio or a table of cheese with Pulpi a la Gallenga. You will love it!

4. Grow

Address: Beach Front, Puerto Viejo Center, Limón Talamanca, Costa Rica
Contact: +506 8621 7337
Website
Hours: 12:00 PM–9:00 PM (Closed on Sunday.)
Ratings: 5/5 on Tripadvisor

If you are vegan or vegetarian, Grow is the best restaurant in Puerto Viejo to enjoy some vegan and vegetarian meals. What they do here is incredible and strictly vegan and vegetarian.

What I love most about this restaurant is their wide range of vegan options that are so yummy and filling.

The prices here are very reasonable, and you get to watch the stunning view of the beach while you eat.

I recommend you try the cocktails; you will definitely love it. Overall, the service here is nice, and the staff is very friendly.

5. SoulSurfer

Address: Corner of Calle 215 Avenida 69, Next to Alamo Rent a Car, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca 70403, Costa Rica
Contact: +506 8657 4263
Menu
Website
Budget: $5- $20
Hours: 4:30 a.m.–9 p.m. (closed on Monday)
Ratings: 4.5/5 on Tripadvisor

If you are craving some burgers and sandwiches, Soul Surfer is your one-stop restaurant for that. They have an array of different types of burgers here. From chicken burgers to tuna burgers,.

And the best part is that half of their menu has vegan and vegetarian options. What you will enjoy most here are the hamburgers and nuggets.

The only downside of Soul Surfer is the price. Otherwise, everything else, from the food, staff, service, and ambiance, Is just perfect.

6. La Pecora Nera

Address: Limón Province, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, 70403, Costa Rica
Contact: +506 8402 4027
Menu
Website
Budget: $35 – $50
Hours: 4:30 a.m.–10 p.m. (Closed on Monday)
Ratings: 4.5/5 on Tripadvisor

If you are looking for a restaurant for fine dining and dinner dates, La Pecora Nera is your best bet. This is an Italian restaurant with amazing food, ambiance, and service.

I love the fact that there are plenty of parking lots for cars and ramps that help with wheelchair accessibility.

La Pecora Nera is kids-friendly too, as there are meals like pizza and so on on their menu that kids can enjoy.

I recommend the seafood pasta, beef ravoli with beef ragal, fish carpaccio, and panacotta.

7. KOKi Beach Restaurant and Bar

Address: Main Town Center, Main Street, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, 70403, Costa Rica
Contact: +506 8505 9191
Menu
Website
Hours: 5:00 p.m.–11:00 PM (Closed on Monday.)
Ratings: 4.5/5 on Tripadvisor

This restaurant serves delicious seafood and cocktails. Firstly, the atmosphere is chilled, calm, and nothing short of amazing.

I recommend stopping by for some grilled octopus, juicy churrasco, or grilled tuna. Overall, the food is tasty and filling.

I also love how the owner is very knowledgeable, friendly, and offers excellent recommendations in case you are confused on what to eat or it’s your first time.

8. Chile Rojo

Address: Main St., Ocean Front, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Costa Rica
Contact: +506 2750 0421
Menu
Website
Hours: 5:00 p.m.–11:00 PM (Closed on Tuesday.)
Ratings: 4/5 on Tripadvisor

If you are craving some Thai, mixed Asian cuisine, and Japanese sushi, Chile Rojo is the restaurant for you. The meal here is outstanding, with great flavors.

There are so many meals on their menu that you may get confused on what to order first. I advise you to try out some salmon crunch, vegetable dumplings, fresh tuna, and rack of lamb.

Aside from the food, the owners are truly welcoming, and the service and ambiance are excellent.

9. Stashus Con Fusion

Address: Main Road Between Sloth Toes And Cafe Viejo, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, 154698, Costa Rica
Contact: +506 8385 6887
Website
Budget: $10 – $20
Hours: 5:00 PM–10:30 PM (Closed on Wednesday.)
Ratings:4.5/5 on Tripadvisor

This is one of the best restaurants in the heart of Puerto Viejo town, where you can enjoy some Indo-Caribbean cuisine.

The food here is very delicious and gives you that home-made feel. The cocktails are top-notch; I recommend the Virgin Mojito!

The only downside of the cocktails is that they are a bit pricey compared to the food. Aside from that, here is the best place around you to enjoy some Caribbean, Indian, Tico, and Chinese food.

Watch out for the sunset; it is magical!

10. Tasty Waves Cantina

Address: National Secondary Route 256, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca 70403, Costa Rica
Contact: +506 2750 0507
Menu
Website
Hours: 12:00 PM–11:00 PM (Closed on Wednesday.)
Ratings: 4.5/5 on Tripadvisor

This is a brew pub that offers chilled beer and cocktails to quench your taste. The vibes here are nice and what I love the most is the outdoor seating that allows you to have a view of the beach while drinking or eating.

Another good thing about this place is that you get to see animals like sloths and monkeys climbing around the window. Which makes the entire dining experience much more beautiful.

If you are a first-timer, I recommend you order their smash burgers or cocktails, and you will love it.

Dining Tips

Visiting Puerto Viejo did not only help me improve my surfing skills but also increased my culinary tastes beyond my imagination.

I’ve dined in almost all the restaurants in the area and tasted most of the local cuisines, like Casado and Gallo Pinto.

And here are some great dining tips you need to know to enjoy your dining experience here and also save some money if you are new to Puerto Viejo:

Know the Type of Restaurant

There are different types of restaurants in Puerto Viejo and each has a different price structure. Knowing what you are walking into will help you save money.

For instance,

Soda is a small restaurant serving traditional Costa Rican food. Mostly run by a small family
Restaurant: If you see “restaurante” on the sign, you will pay a bit more. They tend to have a bit more personalized service with a waiter who will come and take your drink orders before your food order.

Order tap water

Bottled water in a restaurant is extremely expensive because locals don’t order it. So skip it and order for a glass of tap water, which is very safe to drink.

Taxes

Check the menu for “I.V.I.” (impuestos de venta incluidos). This means that the tax and tip are already included in the price list, and if this charge isn’t included in the price on the menu, you are looking at an 18% additional charge.

That means a plate of food that costs 3,500 colones (roughly $7) without IVI listed will actually set you back about 4,200 (roughly $8.40).

Make Reservations

Sometimes, at the peak of the hiking season, a lot of tourists will flood into the area, and the restaurants will be filled up.

So to avoid situations whereby you come in and there are no seats, it’s best to make reservations ahead.

Specials

If you are on a budget, avoid the daily specials or make sure that you have clarified the price well before ordering.

Pay with Cash

This way, you avoid the 8% credit card bank fees that will be on your pay slip.

Best Times to Visit

During weekdays, rainy seasons, and hours when the crowds have reduced a bit,.

If you’re considering visiting Puerto Viejo soon, you should read our guide on how safe Puerto Viejo is to ensure a secure and enjoyable visit.

Conclusion

Dining in Puerto Viejo is more than a delight; the experience is nothing short of amazing. The liveliness and ambiance of these restaurants are soothing and welcoming.

The customer service is top-notch and the views are just incredible. If you are in Puerto Viejo and looking to enjoy the richness of the food on the Caribbean Coast, then try any of the restaurants listed above.

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About Michelle Schmidt

Born in California, Michelle traveled extensively through the USA and Europe before moving to South Florida during the pandemic. Her career in Marketing has taken her all across the world. Her favorite country is France but she'll never turn down a beach vacation!