Diners' Choice: Good for special occasions restaurants in Costa Rica

OpenTable

Updated 05 December 2024

Looking for the best special occasion restaurants in Costa Rica? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you book, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Amana

4.9

4.9 (63)

$30 and under

Contemporary Latin

San José

About the restaurant

A modern culinary concept that aims to combine local ingredients with techniques and preparations from across the world.

Located in Barrio Escalante, Amana offers an inviting, casual, and warm atmosphere right outside the heart of the capital; paired with creative dishes, attention to detail, and exceptional service.

Our kitchen is led by San Pellegrino Young Chef 2024 Regional Finalist (Latam & Caribbean) and Costa Rican winner of the Jeunes Chefs Rôtisseurs: Kenneth Ruiz.

Chef's Table available Thu-Sat, seating between 6:30pm and 8:30pm (8 people per night max)

Top review

Laura

Dined 7 days ago

Amana is an absolute gem in San José! From the moment you step in, Kenneth, Luis, and the entire team make you feel incredibly welcomed with their outstanding service and attention to detail. This restaurant offers a truly mesmerizing, multi-sensory experience that goes beyond dining. The creativity in each dish and ingredient is astounding—every plate feels like a carefully crafted work of art, combining bold flavors and innovative techniques. The food, wine, spirits, and cocktails are simply out of this world—each bite and sip is an adventure in flavor and imagination. The cozy ambiance transports you, making you forget you’re inside a restaurant. For those seeking something extraordinary, the Chef’s Table experience is a must-try. It elevates the evening into an unforgettable journey that redefines what fine dining can be. Amana is a masterpiece—highly recommended for anyone looking to indulge in the extraordinary!

Don Rufino

4.8

4.8 (627)

$30 and under

International

Alajuela

About the restaurant

Don Rufino is about contemporary food, with a local touch. Fine, local, fresh ingredients, the use of novel cooking techniques and great passion, are the main components found in our kitchen and in each dish served.

Top review

Matthew

Dined 6 days ago

A bit expensive for the food. Nice restaurant, great service.

Discover more

Popular dish

Fresh fish ceviche

Azotea Calle 7

4.8

4.8 (359)

$30 and under

Dining Bar

San José

About the restaurant

The rooftop of Hotel Presidente is home to Azotea Calle 7, a perfect shelter from the busy –and sometimes chaotic– heart of San José. You can enter through Calle 7, between Avenida Central and Avenida Segunda, either by climbing the red spiral staircase that takes you right into the red-brick terrace, surrounded by colorful veraneras (bougainvillea plants), palm, jicaro, orange and lime trees whose fruits might end up in your cocktail.

Top review

JenniferVIP

Dined 2 days ago

We had a wonderful experience here with both the quality of the food/drinks and the attentiveness of the staff. Highly recommend!

Isolina

4.7

4.7 (205)

$30 and under

Contemporary Latin

San José

About the restaurant

Ubicado en San José, Costa Rica.
Isolina es gastronomía actual en un lugar con historia. Nuestro concepto gastronómico cocina de autor. Una fusión de sabores, con influencias de diferentes regiones gastronómicas, utilizando producto fresco local.

Top review

Dined 4 days ago

I do not recall her name but she shared her positive energy with us and made raised our experience to a higher level

Jaguar Negro

4.7

4.7 (1063)

$30 and under

Mexican

San José

About the restaurant

La experiencia comienza cuando pasas por las puertas de Jaguar Negro y te transportarás a un oasis tropical mexicano con aires relajados y elegancia casual. Primero descubres un jardín secreto rodeado de agua y plantas nativas mexicanas y desde ahí emprendes un viaje sonoro, sensorial y visual que te transportará a México sin salir de Costa Rica.

Nuestro menú esta inspirado en la cocina de cantina, en los platillos de tradición y en las técnicas ancestrales que acompañan cada preparación. Todo se disfruta alrededor de una mesa pensada para ser compartida.

Top review

Geraldine

Dined on 29 Nov 2024

I loved it very good food classy and the darkness was just right

Olive Garden Terrazas Lindora

4.7

4.7 (1178)

$30 and under

Italian

San José

About the restaurant

¡En Olive Garden la generosidad Italiana estará siempre en tu mesa!
Sabemos que todo en la vida es mejor en familia y por eso te ofrecemos lo mejor de la comida italiana en un ambiente muy agradable.
Podrás disfrutar de nuestros icónicos favoritos, al mejor estilo italiano como son el Fettucine Alfredo, Tour of Italy, Lasagna Fritta y Chicken Parmigiana. Además no podes dejar de probar nuestros ilimitados de sopa, ensalada y lops mundialmente famosos breadsticks.

¡Te esperamos en Olive Garden porque aquí todos somos familia!

Top review

Saimond

Dined on 16 Nov 2024

Great service, Kenneth the waiter was always happy to assist us. Food was delicious (as always) Had an amazing time having dinner with my wife on our date night.

Rio Bhongo Restaurant

4.7

4.7 (48)

$30 and under

International

Marina Papagayo

About the restaurant

At the center of the resort adjacent to the main pools with breathtaking views of Culebra Bay, Rio Bhongo offers the comforts of home infused with Costa Rican culture. Don't miss our expert barista and our extensive coffee program. Dinner offers a selection of grilled meats and fresh fish. The terrace provides a beautiful setting underneath a 40 year old Higueron tree, beautifully lit and magical at night. This restaurant is ideal for large parties or multiple families who wish to dine together.

Dining Visitors to Peninsula Papagayo
If you are not a homeowner or guest staying at one of the resorts or homes within Peninsula Papagayo, please contact Guest Services at gscenter.papagayo@andaz.com to advise the date and time of your reservation, so we may coordinate your entry into Peninsula Papagayo with the security teams. Visitors are only permitted with confirmed dining reservations and advance notice to security. You may be required to show a copy of your dining confirmation.

Top review

Janice

Dined on 10 Dec 2024

All four of us enjoyed our meals. The steak was done just right and we would recommend to order with the veggies. The shrimp on both the smaller salads, made them very tasty. And finally the guacamole and chips were a good appetizer.

La Cava Alta Fiori

4.7

4.7 (73)

$31 to $50

Mediterranean

Escazu

About the restaurant

La Cava Alta Fiori,antiguo Monasterio Le Monastère, un restaurante moderno, con una vista espectacular a todo el Valle Central, cuya esencia es la gastronomía mediterránea.
Su apuesta culinaria integra la cocina gourmet de Francia, Italia y España traída a nuestro país con una variedad de ingredientes propios que se mezclan en cada platillo, entre ellos, culantro coyote, jengibre, chile, rábano fresco, pejibaye, y otros importados para lograr una explosión de sabor en el paladar; la oferta gastronómica también incluye variedad de carnes, en nuestros platos fuertes; así como diversidad de tapas, entradas frías y calientes.
Cordero Cuatro estaciones, el Fideuá Mar y Tierra, con mejillones, camarones y trozos de res grillados y cortes de res tan exclusivos como el Tomahawk, el Rib eye de la mas alta calidad, acompañado de una amplia variedad de vinos y cocteles.

Top review

Gaby

Dined on 23 Nov 2024

Amazing place! Great view and even better food. Server was excellent

Silvestre

4.6

4.6 (851)

$30 and under

Latin American

San José

About the restaurant

Silvestre is a fine dining restaurant located in the heart of San José, Costa Rica. Chef Santiago Fernández offers a well-thought-out, curated small seasonal menu that brings you the freshest locally sourced ingredients. Silvestre is a worthy stop, as part of your exploration of the city, also perfect for a romantic dinner or to celebrate a special occasion. We also offer an impressive conceptual menú degustación about the Costa Rican soul, its flavors and everything in between.

Top review

RichardVIP

Dined today

What an exceptional experience! I highly recommend this restaurant to any and everyone who appreciates great food, great service and an overall memorable dining experience! The Chef is so passionate about promoting the cuisine of Costa Rica and elevating it from a traditional home cooking, traditional cuisine to one that competes on the world stage. He embraces local ingredients and cooking styles and reinterprets them. The menu compositions are balanced, thoughtful and loaded with flavor and the plate presentations are beautifully conceived. He’s motivated his staff to share in the passion and excitement of working in such a special place and their knowledge, professionalism and passion come through effortlessly. The beautiful dining environment exudes his profound respect for nature and creates a welcoming and relaxing environment that only adds to the overall experience Get in while you can before Michelin and San Pellegrino’s “World’s Best Restaurants” discover what Chef Santiago is delivering an amazing dining experience to his customers today!

Olive Garden Escazú Village

4.5

4.5 (1465)

$30 and under

Italian

San José

About the restaurant

¡En Olive Garden la generosidad Italiana estará siempre en tu mesa!
Sabemos que todo en la vida es mejor en familia y por eso te ofrecemos lo mejor de la comida italiana en un ambiente muy agradable.
Podrás disfrutar de nuestros icónicos favoritos, al mejor estilo italiano como son el Fettucine Alfredo, Tour of Italy, Lasagna Fritta y Chicken Parmigiana. Además no podes dejar de probar nuestros ilimitados de sopa, ensalada y lops mundialmente famosos breadsticks.
¡Te esperamos en Olive Garden porque aquí todos somos familia!

Top review

Carlos

Dined on 10 Nov 2024

Excellent service, very good food, very friendly staff!

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