Fine dining, beach bars, local sodas, and cafes worth your time. Every listing checked against live sources.
Playas del Coco's dining runs from beach bars in Coco itself to fine dining and a craft brewhouse. Nine verified spots span Coco, Playa Hermosa, and Ocotal, including Citron for fine dining, Coconutz Brewhouse for craft beer, and Father Rooster right on the sand in Ocotal.
Playa Hermosa (Guanacaste)
Beachfront restaurant in the center of Playa Hermosa serving seafood and international dishes, open daily for lunch and dinner. It sits right on the sand at the second entrance to the beach.
Playas del Coco
Buzzed Monkey BBQ & Grill is a Southern-style barbecue restaurant and bar in central Playas del Coco, open daily from noon to 10 p.m. The menu centers on smoked and grilled meats, and the bar hosts a weekly Ladies Night on Fridays. It sits a short walk from the town's main strip, past the SúperCompro supermarket.
Playas del Coco
Café Corazón is a coffee shop and bistro bar at the end of Playas del Coco's main street, about 50 meters from the beach. The menu leans on natural, fresh ingredients with a Latin American accent, including breakfast plates, sandwiches, and fruit smoothies.
Playas del Coco
Café de Playa is a beachfront bar and restaurant on the calm water north of central Playas del Coco, open daily from 11 a.m. to about 9 p.m. The open-air venue serves cocktails alongside a seafood and international menu, with live music on Sunday evenings. It also operates as a small boutique hotel with rooms on site.
Playas del Coco
Café Java, also known as Java Coffee Co., is a breakfast and light-lunch café in the heart of Playas del Coco, serving espresso drinks, iced coffee, fresh fruit smoothies, paninis, bagels, and waffles. It is a compact, casual spot popular with locals and visitors for morning coffee.
Playas del Coco
Latin fusion and Mediterranean restaurant in the Pacifico retail village in Playas del Coco, with a casual-chic atmosphere. The kitchen leans on fresh, seasonal ingredients and a rotating menu.
Playas del Coco
Sports bar and brewhouse on Ruta 151 in Playas del Coco, home to Angry Goats craft beer and the town's brewery since 2015. It runs many TVs and projection screens for live sports alongside a bar-and-grill menu.
Playa Hermosa (Guanacaste)
El Velero Restaurant is the beachfront restaurant and bar at Hotel El Velero in Playa Hermosa, serving fresh seafood alongside international dishes and local specialties. It runs a daily happy hour from 4 to 6 p.m., a Taco Tuesday, and a Wednesday and Saturday BBQ night, often with live music. The dining room and bar sit steps from the sand.
Ocotal
A beachfront restaurant in Playa Ocotal, set in a restored 1917 hacienda home right on the sand. It serves a bar-and-grill menu and cocktails and also hosts private events at its beachfront venue.
Playas del Coco
Gelateria El Coco has served Italian-style gelato and cappuccino in Playas del Coco since 2005, with a rotating selection of house-made flavors. The shop sits on the town's main boulevard near Santorini Greek Restaurant. It draws a loyal following of locals and repeat visitors for its gelato cakes and espresso drinks.
Playa Hermosa (Guanacaste)
Asian-inspired tapas bar in a treehouse-style open-air setting, 150 meters south of Villas Sol in Playa Hermosa. Kitchen runs 5pm to 10pm serving small plates influenced by Indian and Southeast Asian flavors, handcrafted cocktails and a New World wine list by the glass, operating since 2003.
Playas del Coco
Venezuelan-run coffee house at Plaza Costa Mar in Playas del Coco, serving 100 percent Costa Rican coffee alongside in-house pastries and empanadas. Doubles as a co-working spot with air conditioning and wifi, open weekdays 7am to 5pm and weekends 7am to 3pm.
Playas del Coco
Hot Wok Coco is an Asian restaurant on Main Street in central Playas del Coco, next to the town's small casino, serving sushi rolls alongside Chinese and Japanese dishes. The kitchen makes items such as gyoza dumplings and chicken yakimeshi fried rice to order, and runs a daily sushi deal. It is closed on Tuesdays.
Playa Hermosa (Guanacaste)
La Casita del Marisco is a seafood restaurant directly on the sand in Playa Hermosa, known for ocean views alongside grilled fish and shellfish dishes. It draws both residents and visitors for lunch and sunset dinners.
Playas del Coco
La Dolce Vita is an Italian restaurant in Playas del Coco run by two Italian-born brothers, serving thin-crust pizza, handmade pasta, and seafood dishes such as tuna tartare. The restaurant has an outdoor terrace with a fountain and an Italian wine list, with live music on select nights.
Playas del Coco
Nikkei is a Japanese-Peruvian fusion kitchen and lounge in the Pacifico Village Shops in Playas del Coco. The menu blends sushi rolls with Nikkei-style seafood dishes, and the space doubles as a lounge for evening cocktails.
Playas del Coco
Panadería Principal El Coco is a bakery in central Playas del Coco, near the migración office, selling bread, pastries, and donuts baked on site. The menu includes brownies, pizza bread, banana bread, and giant donuts, with baking done through the day rather than only in the morning. It is a regular stop for both residents and visitors passing through town.
Playas del Coco
Seafood and lobster restaurant on the main road facing the Coco Beach Hotel in Playas del Coco, open daily from noon to 9pm. Specializes in lobster and fresh catch prepared with both traditional and contemporary methods.
Playas del Coco
Pura Vida Juice Bar is a plant-based juice and smoothie bar in Playas del Coco, near Plaza Luperón. The menu covers cold-pressed juices, wellness shots, smoothies, and smoothie bowls, with delivery available around town.
Playa Hermosa (Guanacaste)
Restaurante Coco Víquez is a buffet-style, family-owned soda on the main road into Playa Hermosa, across from Condovac La Costa, serving traditional Costa Rican breakfast, lunch, and dinner at low prices. The business relocated to its current, larger main-road location in March 2025.
Playas del Coco
Restaurante Mar Azul is a seafood restaurant and fish market in Playas del Coco that sources fresh catch daily. The restaurant has both air-conditioned indoor seating and an outdoor patio with a full bar, and is known locally for chef-driven seafood preparations.
Playa Hermosa (Guanacaste)
Roberto's is the beachfront restaurant at La Gaviota Tropical Boutique Hotel in Playa Hermosa, open to the public for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The menu covers traditional Costa Rican dishes alongside international plates, with fish, chicken, and pork options plus vegetarian and gluten-free choices.
Ocotal
Roca Bruja is the on-site restaurant at Ocotal Beach Resort, serving beachfront breakfast, lunch, and dinner with open-air, al fresco seating. The restaurant is known for its ocean view and traditional Costa Rican breakfast buffet.
Playas del Coco
Santorini Grill serves Greek and American dishes on Playas del Coco's main boulevard, including gyros, grilled meats, and local seafood alongside Mediterranean staples like spanakopita. The restaurant has an open dining area and a full bar with a wine and sangria selection.
Playa Hermosa (Guanacaste)
Soda Hermosa is a home-style Costa Rican soda near the second entrance to Playa Hermosa, a short walk from the beach. It serves a typical breakfast with coffee, casado plates, ceviche, and burgers in a casual setting. The menu covers the full day, from breakfast through dinner.
Playa Hermosa (Guanacaste)
Soda Jardín Tropical is a traditional Costa Rican soda near the beach in Playa Hermosa, serving fresh fish caught by local fishermen alongside classic casados. It is a low-key, family-run spot popular for its casual atmosphere and friendly service.
Playas del Coco
Soda La Teresita is a long-running local soda in Playas del Coco serving traditional Costa Rican dishes like casados and fresh-caught seafood at affordable prices. It is a popular stop for both residents and visitors looking for home-style cooking.
Playas del Coco
Neighborhood bakery on Avenida Central in Playas del Coco offering fresh bread, from traditional baguettes to sweet pastries, alongside coffee. A longtime community gathering spot for locals picking up daily bread.
Playas del Coco
Italian restaurant in Playas del Coco serving traditional Italian and Mediterranean dishes, including house-made pastas and risotto. It is co-owned by chef Susanna, who also runs a private chef service in the area.
Playas del Coco
Zarpe is a cocktail lounge in the Pueblito Sur area of Playas del Coco specializing in craft cocktails made with locally grown juices, garnishes, and house-made dehydrated fruit and salts. The bar sits next to La Dolce Vita restaurant and draws a nightlife crowd after dinner.
Playas del Coco
Bar and restaurant on the main street of Playas del Coco, about 100 meters from the beach, open daily from 11am to 2:30am with happy hour until 7pm. Known for its large dance floor, indoor and outdoor seating, and weekly live music.
Citron Restaurante is the verified fine-dining pick in town, and Ginger Restaurant Bar in nearby Playa Hermosa is a strong second option for a dressier night out.
Coconutz Brewhouse serves craft beer in town, and Coco has more bars and nightlife within walking distance than any other verified spot in this directory.
Father Rooster Beachfront Bar & Grill sits directly on the sand in Ocotal, a short drive from central Coco.
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