Aside from Jaco’s spectacular pristine beaches, you will find a lot of outstanding restaurants and bars scattered around Jaco town, even to the beachfront, that offer a wide range of local and international cuisines that are suitable for different types of dining experiences, budgets, and preferences.
One thing I noticed in Jaco is that you do not need a local to recommend or show you where you can find a good restaurant because everywhere you turn you will see one.
The only thing is for you to look them up online to see if the online reviews are good for you to give that restaurant a try or not.
This was the case as a tourist, and I enjoyed the adventure even though I did not get value for my money for some restaurants, regardless of the positive online reviews I read about them.
However, some restaurants stood out and became the reason why I have decided to share pieces of information about these top restaurants in Jaco that offer delicious food and excellent services regardless of your dining preference or budget.
Key Takeaways
- Visit Amara for healthy seafood and Mediterranean cuisine.
- Lemon Zest is your go-to place for contemporary international cuisines.
- The Pizza Shop is a great place to grab a hot box of delicious pizza late at night.
- Enjoy Thai and Asian cuisines at Jerah Authentic.
- The perfect restaurant for a date night and fine dining is Adventure Dining.
- Pachi’s Pan is your go-to place for breakfast with yummy pastries and coffee.
- SER Restaurant is the best restaurant to enjoy vegan and gluten-free foods.
Amara
- Address: Avenida Pastor Díaz 500 Mts South of Banco BCR, Jaco, Garabito Municipality, 61101 Costa Rica
- Contacts: +50624384099
- Menu
- Website
- Budget: $5 to $25
- Hours: 12 pm to 10 pm daily
- Ratings: 5/5 on Tripadvisor
Amara is one of the best restaurants in Jaco where you can enjoy delicious, fresh, and healthy seafood and Mediterranean cuisine.
They have a variety of seafood ranging from fish, shrimp, and octopus salad, and other cuisines like curried chicken, Greek salads, avocado cheesecake, spaghetti, risotto, and so on.
Apart from the food, their cocktails are nice including the service, presentation, and atmosphere.
If you ever visit this restaurant in Jaco, I recommend trying delicacies like the almond-crusted sea bass, Greek salad and hummus, curry shrimp, fish, and pasta, or the octopus salad and curried chicken. I assure you, you will love it.
Lastly, this restaurant is wheelchair accessible, and they allow you to make reservations in advance.
Jerah Authentic Thai Cuisine
- Address: Calle Anita Between Bar Isaga & Jacó Club Blù, Jaco, Garabito Municipality, 61101 Costa Rica
- Contacts: +50683592067
- Menu
- Website
- Budget: $10 to $30
- Hours: 2 pm to 10 pm daily
- Ratings: 5/5 on Tripadvisor
The restaurant is a fusion of Thai and Asian cuisines. So if you are a lover of Asian food, I encourage you to visit this restaurant in Jaco because they are the best when it comes to Thai and Asian cuisines and will never disappoint your taste buds.
Furthermore, Jerah Authentic Thai Cuisine offers a variety of food and drinks to choose from. I recommend you try their coconut cream brûlée, garlic noodles, red curry with chicken, shrimp spring rolls, or curry with fresh fish, and you will love it.
The service and ambiance here are also great, and the best part is that they allow you to come with a pet.
Adventure Dining
- Address: Pura Vida Gardens Drive 1000, Jaco, Garabito Municipality 61102 Costa Rica
- Contacts: +50683529419
- Menu
- Website
- Budget: $95 to $115
- Hours: 3 pm to 9 pm daily
- Ratings: 5/5 on Tripadvisor
If there was one restaurant I enjoyed eating at in Jaco, it was Adventure Dining. Everything about this restaurant speaks of excellence.
I did not just get to eat tasty, hygienically prepared, healthy, and fresh international and local cuisines but also was treated with so many specialties by the host and the staff.
And when I thought I had seen it all, the surrounding view of the ocean, waterfalls, lush gardens, and magical sunset was mind-blowing. Like I lack the right words to describe this place.
Then, when it comes to the food, service, and ambiance, all I can say is amazing. I enjoyed foods like banana fosters, fish, shrimp, and salad.
SER Restaurant
- Address: 25mts South & 25mts West, From Bac Bank. White Building To The Left, Second Floor, Jaco, Garabito Municipality 61101 Costa Rica
- Contacts: +50688373987
- Menu
- Website
- Hours: 1 pm to 10 pm daily
- Ratings: 5/5 on Tripadvisor
If you are vegan or vegetarian and looking for a restaurant in Jaco to enjoy some delicious and fresh vegan/vegetarian meals, then SER Restaurant is your go-to place.
They have a large menu of various vegan/vegetarian food, and on top of that, this restaurant is clean, calm, and cozy to eat at. The staff are amazing too, and they provide excellent service.
One thing I noticed about this restaurant that makes them stand out from other restaurants that serve strictly vegan/vegetarian food is that they take special care of their customers by preparing the food according to your needs and ensuring to ask if you enjoyed it in the end.
So if you are looking for where to eat some gluten-free food in Jaco, do well to stop by.
Pachi’s Pan
- Address: Ave. Pastor Diaz Jaco Centro, Jaco, Garabito Municipality, 121-4023 Costa Rica
- Contacts: +50626431153
- Website
- Budget: $5 to $30
- Hours: 5:30 am to 9:00 pm
- Ratings: 5/5 on Tripadvisor
This restaurant doubles as a bakery and breakfast spot in Jaco. They offer delicious coffee with healthy and freshly baked pastries like bread, sweet rolls, and so on.
If you are planning on visiting Jaco, I encourage you to check into this restaurant one fine morning for breakfast, and you will not regret it.
You should order pastries like cinnamon rolls, churros, meat pies, croissants, or sandwiches alongside your coffee, and you will love it. The service here is nice, and the staff is very friendly and delivers orders on time.
The Pizza Shop
- Address: Paseo Las Americas Centro La Casona #1, 25 meters south of Copey Bridge, Jaco, Garabito Municipality, Costa Rica
- Contacts: +50626432643
- Menu
- Website
- Budget: $5 to $30
- Hours: 12 pm to 2 am daily
- Ratings: 4.5/5 on Tripadvisor
An excellent restaurant in Jaco that offers both Italian and American-style pizza with a variety of flavors to choose from. Their pizza is very fresh and yummy; you will enjoy every bit of a slice you eat.
They do not only sell pizzas here but also donuts, burgers, and sandwiches. So if you are in Jaco craving for where to get some delicious pizza at night, then head over to the pizza shop and you will not be disappointed.
The spot-on for me is how clean this place is, the service, atmosphere, and food can only be rated five over five. I recommend you try out their Hawaiian pizza, pepperoni pizza, or garlic knots.
Soda Jaco Rustico
- Address: 1/2 Block off of Jaco Beach, Jaco, Garabito Municipality Costa Rica
- Contacts: +50626432727
- Menu
- Website
- Budget: $5 to $20
- Hours: 7 am to 7:30 pm daily
- Ratings: 4.5/5 on Tripadvisor
If you are looking for a restaurant in Jaco to try out the local Costa Rican and Central American delicacies, then this restaurant is your best bet.
The vibe here is very local and authentic, and you will get to eat a lot of tasty and healthy Costa Rican cuisine for a very good price.
I recommend you try out the Gallo Pinto, Casado, strawberry and banana crepes, fish filets, or hamburger steak when you visit.
PuddleFish Brewery
- Address: Calle Madrigal 100 Meters South of Delta Gas Station on RT. 34, Jaco, Garabito Municipality 61101 Costa Rica
- Contacts: +50647036301
- Menu
- Website
- Budget: $5 to $20
- Hours: 12 pm to 10 pm daily, closed on Mondays)
- Ratings: 4.5/5 on Tripadvisor
Puddle Fish is one of the best restaurants to enjoy some tasty food while drinking chilled Costa Rica craft beers. This place is mainly for beers; however, you will have a blast with the food, atmosphere, and service they provide.
Alongside the vibe of chilled craft beers is a live band, and you can request to join the musicians to sing any song of your choice that everyone knows.
I recommend you try out one of their many varieties of beers alongside foods like grilled chicken, mahi mahi tacos, or burgers, and thank me later for the recommendation.
You can also order takeout and you are allowed to come along with your pet.
Lemon Zest Restaurant
- Address: El Jardin Plaza, Jaco, Garabito Municipality 4023 Costa Rica
- Contacts: +50626432591
- Menu
- Website
- Budget: $15 to $40
- Hours: 5 pm to 10 pm daily
- Ratings: 4.5/5 on Tripadvisor
Lemon Zest is one of the best restaurants in town to enjoy contemporary international cuisines without breaking the bank in Jaco.
They have a wide selection of incredibly delicious meals on their menu and also offer outdoor seating for you to have a view of the ocean while eating.
The service and atmosphere here are top-notch. I recommend eating their fish because it is fresh and tastes good.
Other foods like seafood combo, crispy chicken pasta with vodka sauce, wahoo grilled fish, Asian chicken, sushi steak, enchiladas, and sweet potato lobster bisque. You will not be disappointed.
Aside treating yourself to a delicious meal, when the sun goes down, you should also experience the Best Nightlife Spots in Jacó for an unforgettable night out.
Conclusion
One of the most fun things to do when visiting tourist towns is to eat at a clean restaurant with delicious food that will increase your taste buds, and Jaco is no exception.
This town takes pride in not just being a happening beach town but also one of the few places in Costa Rica where you can enjoy delicious and healthy food as a tourist.
With a lot of restaurants around, I encourage you to choose the restaurant that suits your budget and lifestyle.
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!
