Local Area Information
Here is a guide to our favorite restaurants around town:
On our street (these are some of, if not the best restaurants in town):
Pacifico Azul: One of the best, most consistent restaurants in town with friendly waitstaff, and it is just across the street (a few lots further from the beach). They have seafood, typical costa rican dishes, and other items- you can’t go wrong everything here is good, even the wings! If you are trying to tell someone where the house is, you can say that you are near this restaurant, everyone knows it. Or in in Spanish: “En frente de Pacifico Azul”. One of the more accommodating restaurants in town for larger groups.
El Local: Located at the end of our street, where our road intersects with the main paved road through town, in Hotel Guiones. Great food and drinks, we love the buffalo cauliflower and the cauliflower “steak”, and we aren’t vegetarians, they are just both really good in their own right. They have a pretty wide selection to make everyone happy- burgers, steaks, seafood, risotto, casados and great drinks. Probably one of the more well rounded menus in town, but our only issues with this restaurant are that their drinks tend to be kind of expensive and their food can have off nights. Not like get you sick off, but more just not as good- as in coming out both overcooked and cold?!? When they are on, it’s awesome and when they are off it is a little disappointing.
Posada Margherita: The second closest restaurant, across the street and closer to the beach. Great Italian food including pizzas. Reservations recommended especially for larger parties. Super friendly owner and amazing gelato.
Elixir: Right next door, they offer Sushi, tuesday through Saturday.
Beach Break: Ok, not technically on our street, but right around the corner from us down the street by Elixir and Corky Carrols. Great food (sister restaurant to Huacas) and a great vibe.
YaYa’s: Next to corky carrols surf shop. Very simple menu- tacos and casadas (typical costa rican dish consisting of rice, beans, plantains, side salad and the protein of your choice) but both good, and a little less expensive than guiones standard for both food and drinks.
Café Destiny: This is at the end of the street next to the beach access in La Negra Surf Hotel, and is one of the best breakfast places in town. Very kid friendly and lots of vegetarian and gluten free options.
“Not to Miss” restaurants:
Howlers: This is at the top of the list for a reason! Typically when I recommend this place to friends, they return several times over a week. It is a very casual place, it is more of a bar than a restaurant, but they serve the best dish in town in my opinion. I have dreams about their tuna carpaccio! The tacos are also good, but in my opinion, everyone should just order their own tuna carpaccio. :) Great drinks and friendly bartenders. Located in north guiones, next to Juan Surfo’s, a surfboard rental shop.
Coyol: One of our top two restaurants in town. It is a great option for a special occasion as the pace is slow and the setting is spectacular. The most popular time to go is for early dinner, 30 minutes or so before sunset so you can enjoy their outdoor area and socialize a little with some cocktails as the sun sets. It is a bit of an adventure getting there- it’s a 25 minute+ drive, up a steep mountain road, 4wd and/at least SUV clearance recommended. The food is fantastic and it’s a great experience overall. The entrees are very large and work well for sharing. We actually like the starters the best so we often skip the entree and just order appetizers, or at least share an entree so that we have room for the starters. Steaks, fish, and vegetarian options. Reservations needed, especially for sunset.
Huacas: It’s between Huacas and Coyol for the best meals in town in our opinion. Huacas has an amazing view. Another nice thing is they serve both breakfast and lunch as well, which are both great. This restaurant is located in a hotel called Tierra Magnifica. Great view of the ocean from up in the mountains. Reservations recommended but not required generally for dinner unless its peak high season Dec-April. Breakfast and lunch are typically very slow.
La Cosecha: This is a new (opened 04/2024) restaurant and concept located within the White Palms hotel (near Bodhi tree). It is a 7 course prix fixe menu, with seatings at 6:30 each evening. The food is great and very inventive. They haven’t updated the plastic chairs from when this was just a place to eat the free hotel breakfast which doesn’t befit the cuisine and the prices, but it’s really nice and interesting food if it is within your budget (about $140 per person after taxes and included tip). We highly recommend the restaurant if you are really into food. Please tell Colin (the chef and owner) we sent you!
Breakfast spots:
Organico Café (formerly known as Café Paris): Most locals still call this by its previous name. Open for lunch and breakfast only. Great menu, we love everything on it, something for everyone. They have a small store front for take away orders but also a full sit down restaurant including a pool you are allowed to use while eating there. They have a grocery across the street that is like a mini Whole Foods- lots of organic ingredients and fancier items that are difficult to find in the larger Costa Rican supermarkets. There is also a poke bowl bar in the grocery store (take away only) that’s great.
Sunrise Coffee: Located in Pelada, they have a great breakfast as well, serving Acai type bowls, breakfast burritos, various avocado toasts and sandwiches including a great monte cristo.
Huacas: Mentioned above, but deserving of a second mention. You’d need to drive or take a tuk tuk but they have a great breakfast and the view is amazing. To us, it’s bit of a hidden gem for breakfast because there are so few people going there for it.
Cafe Destiny in La Negra: At the end of our road, this is a very popular place. It has great options for gluten free and paleo, but honestly so do the other restaurants! This place is truly great when it is firing on all cylinders but it can also be a little more spotty sometimes.
Authentic Costa Rican Food:
Celajes: In Nosara town near the airport, this is our favorite place to eat in a more authentic costa rican restaurant. Great food and cheaper than guiones.
Rosi’s Soda Tica: The go to spot for locals food. They have two locations in Guiones, both are walking distance- one just to the south and one just to the north. Typical costa rican food, cheaper than other places in Guiones and quite good.
Almendra’s: Another good spot to try for local food, located a little outside of Guiones in Esperanza. Great food and less expensive.
Soda Garza: Another good authentic costa rica option on Garza beach to the south. They are known for their lobster dinners and other casados.
Vegan/Vegetarian options:
Ser: One of the most gourmet meals in town, just a short walk from us in North Guiones.
Naked Foods: One of our favorite spots for lunch- they are only open for breakfast and lunch. Cash only.
Luv Burger: New location on main street near Cafe Paris/Organico.
Best Bars:
Beach Break: Right around the corner, often have live music, great vibe and food.
Beach Dog Café: Also has good food, they have live music pretty regularly.
Elixir: Practically next door, this cocktail lounge can’t be beat for being close and they have great cocktails and it’s a smaller space so often easy to meet people.
Howler’s: Probably our favorite place for margaritas in town but I don’t think I have ever been here without also ordering their Tuna Carpaccio which is my favorite menu item, potentially anywhere!
El Chivo: Located in Pelada, usually a fun scene and we like the food.
Perozah’s: In Garza, right on the beach- this is less of a bar and more like a nightclub/place to see a DJ if you are looking for a night out to dance, etc. Ask around to see if they have anything going on, otherwise it might just be a restaurant/bar.
Restaurants that are known for their sunsets:
La Luna: Located on the beach at Playa Pelada, if you want to be here for sunset you will need a reservation. Mediterranean inspired food. Super popular with tourists, personally we are not big fans because we find the service a little off-putting, but many people count this as their favorite place to go out because of the beautiful setting and we don’t blame them.
Lagarta Lodge: Located at the river mouth between Pelada and Playa Nosara. Elevated view close to the ocean and river. Reservations needed for sunset seating
Coyol and Huacas: both described above but they are both great for sunset as well. Reservations needed at Coyol and recommended at Huacas.
Other honorable mentions:
La Malacrianza: Located in Garza, we love this place for their pizza and their fish of the day which is served with a salad and mashed sweet potatoes- simple, but delicious and perfect. It’s more of a locals vibe than you get in Guiones.
La Brasa: An Argentinian steak house located in north Guiones, my favorite item here is actually still the fish but the food is good and it always seems to have a fun vibe.
Olivia’s: Great place for pizza (and they have a great ceviche too) in north guiones. There is a gelato place tucked behind as well.
Perozah’s: In Garza, more known for being a nightclub of sorts where you can often find later night DJ’s playing, they also serve food and your feet can be in the sand on the beach which is not something you can experience in Guiones.