Refine Search

You are here

25 Jul 2024
Related Items: 
Vacations in Los Sueños

Every beach town worth its salt is brimming with exciting restaurants and bars. Jaco is no exception. This seaside town on Costa Rica’s Central Pacific Coast is known for stunning shores, surfer culture, and good food, both local and international. You can expect everything from traditional Mexican-style fish tacos to Latin and Mediterranean-influenced fine dining experiences.

Lucky for us, our vacation rentals at Los Sueños Resort are located at the heart of it all. While we’re not in the center of Jaco town, we host some of the best restaurants in the area.

Here are our 13 favorite eats in Jaco and at Los Sueños Resort.

1. El Pelicano

Photo Credit: Foodio

Located just down the beach from Los Sueños Resort, El Pelicano is a laid-back restaurant, ideal for those craving fresh seafood in Playa Herradura. They offer a wide menu but most items are seafood based, except for a few vegeterian options. Located right across from the beach, you can enjoy your meal with a great view.

2. Coco's

  • Playa Herradura
  • cocobeachfront.com
  • $$$
  • Beachfront Fusion Restuarant
  • Must-Eat Menu Item: Fried whole snapper

Coco's is located right next door to El Pelicano. While it offers the same great view, the menu and restaurant style is super different, warranting a visit to both. Coco's offers classic seafood dishes but also hamburgers, grilled meats, and veggie plates. They're also well-known for their cocktails - perfect for dinner with drinks!

3. Hook Up Bar & Restaurant

Photo Credit: Hook Up

Just a short walk from our vacation rentals in the Los Sueños Marina Village, you’ll find good times and great food at the Hook Up Bar. Offering a 270-degree panorama of the Marina itself, the picturesque bay, and Costa Rica’s lush mountains, you can dig into hearty fare like burgers, wraps, and fried bites while sitting at the comfortable bar top.

4. Koko Gastro Pub

Right in the center of El Jaco, Koko Gastro Pub offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner with stunning ocean views. Whether you're living in Jaco or just passing through, you won't want to miss your chance to eat here! It's perfectly relaxed and offers a varied menu, for seafood lovers, carnivores, and vegetarians alike!

5. Zona K

  • Downtown Jaco
  • zonakatelier.com
  • $$
  • All Day Fusion Food
  • Must-Eat Menu Item: Egg Poached Toast

Zona K is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. All day they offer a fusion menu unlike any other you'll find in the area. While they aren't beachfront, they're right on the main street of Downtown Jaco, giving you the perfect excuse to explore another area of town. Alongside great food, they're also well-known for their unique cocktails.

6. Lemon Zest

  • Garabito, El Jardín Plaza
  • lemonzestjaco.com
  • $$
  • International Cuisine Served Fine-Dining Style
  • Must-Eat Menu Item: Pacific Spiny Lobster Francaise

Run by a Florida duo since 2007, this bright yellow restaurant is known to be the best fine dining in town. They had lots of experience vacationing in Costa Rica and running an award-winning restaurant back in the States, so it was only natural they combined the two pursuits and created this spectacular Costa Rica culinary hotspot. Come here for novel dishes made in diverse styles, like Indonesian and Japanese, and even a New York strip steak! Come have the perfect date night here with a long list of wines and signature cocktails.

7. Graffiti Restro Cafe and Wine Bar

Photo Credit: Charissa Gorman

  • Jaco Walk Open Air Shopping Center, Avenida Pastor Diaz, Provincia de Puntarenas, Jacó
  • graffitirestro.com
  • $$$
  • Funky, locally sourced bistro with a Cajun flair.
  • Must-Eat Menu Item: Rotating Menu

Local, fresh, delicious, slow-food. That’s what’s cooking at Graffiti. This is a semi-fine-dining experience that celebrates Costa Rican street and skate culture. The eclectic decor within the cafe is inspired by the owner’s Alabama Cajun upbringing, which can be seen in the flavors on the constantly rotating menu.

Even more interesting, the owner, Danny, has also been professionally trained as a sushi chef, so you know his attention to detail is spot-on. Unpretentious, often featuring live music or local DJs, and astronomically fabulous, this spot is an easy favorite with tourists and locals alike. Be sure to visit for a Tuna Tartare Tuesday if you’re a seafood lover.

8. El Hicaco Seafood

Photo Credit: julie deshaies

  • Right on Jaco Beach, on Calle Hicaco
  • elhicaco.com
  • $$$
  • Fresh-caught seafood in a stunning beachfront setting.
  • Must-Eat Menu Item: Shrimp & Rice or Burrata & Octopus

Look no further if you’re searching for that perfect beachfront date night setting. The seafood served here at El Hicaco is the best you’ll find in Jaco restaurants. They work closely with local fishermen to bring the best catch of the day to your table with a little bit of a fine dining flair. With options like carpaccio, ceviche, and whole red snapper, this is a destination for foodies!

It’s not just the exceptional cuisine that puts the people in the seats here; it’s their lovely locations. Three, to be exact. One in Plaza Jaco, Punta Leona, and Playa Jaco. All three have one thing in common: a beachfront setting with scenic tableside views.

9. Mono Verde

Want to enjoy some local live music while you eat? Mono Verde is the place to go. This lively spot offers great appetizers, full meals, and desserts so whatever you're in the mood for, you'll find on the menu here. They also regularly offer different Happy Hour specials each night of the week so early birds rejoice!

10. Tsunami Sushi

Photo Credit: masa44

  • Jacó Walk Plaza
  • facebook.com/p/Tsunami-Sushi-Jaco
  • $$
  • Japanese Sushi Spot
  • Must-Eat Menu Item: Pura Vida Roll with Mango and Tempura Shrimp

Nothing goes together quite like sushi and the beach. You know the fish is fresh when you’re that close to the ocean. Tsunami Sushi specializes in tempura shrimp rolls and calamari, but it also offers plenty of fresh fish rolls made with local ingredients. Come on a Wednesday or Friday during dinner and take advantage of their 50% sushi roll deals! Just expect a line out the door for a deal that good.

11. Amancio’s Pizza

Photo Credit: MMD Creative

  • Centro Comercial El Jardin, Jacó
  • facebook.com/amancios
  • $$$
  • Local Italian Pizzeria
  • Must-Eat Menu Item: Cacio e pepe pasta or any wood-fired pizza.

This small, Italian-owned, colorful pizza shop is known for its exceptional pizzas and authentic Italian fare. Even for gluten-free patrons! In fact, it’s one of the only shops in town where you can get gluten-free Italian options at all. Pair your pasta with a selection from its small wine list, or try the succulent homemade meatballs, chicken parmesan, or even a calzone!

12. Animal

If you find yourself down in lovely Playa Hermosa, be sure to enjoy a meal at Animal. The restaurant itself is modern and welcoming but it's set in a lush, green garden adding to the unique atmosphere of the place. Although called Animal, you'll find plenty of plant-based options on the menu. If you're not vegetarian, we recommend you try a little bit of everything to really satisfy your cravings.

13. El Manglar

Situated in a quiet part of town, El Manglar is the perfect place to grab a bite if you want to skip the crowds and noise on the beach or in Downtown Jaco. Don't let the laid back atmosphere fool you though, the food here is high quality and plenty flavorful. Like most restaurants in and around Jaco, they offer great seafood dishes but don't be afraid to branch out and try something unlikely like the Mongolian beef bowl.

Eat Your Heart Out in Jaco, Costa Rica

Skip the salad bar this vacation and dive into a plate from one of these adventurous culinary experiences.

These restaurants offer diverse cuisines that can cater to any dietary needs and won’t leave you feeling heavy or too full for your numerous pool and beach days.

To visit four of these restaurants, you don’t even have to leave the comfortable grounds of our vacation rentals at Los Sueños Resort. Book your stay today!