Best Restaurants in Jacó & Los Sueños (2026): A Curated Dining Guide

The Central Pacific coast has come a long way from the surf-town snack-shack days. Today’s Jacó and Los Sueños offer a legitimate dining scene that can hold its own against destinations twice its size. We’re talking wood-fired Neapolitan pizza, chefs who actually trained somewhere besides a tourist kitchen, and seafood so fresh you can ask the waiter what came in that morning.

What makes this area special isn’t just the food. It’s the contrast. You can start the morning with a smoothie bowl in a surfer cafe, spend the afternoon at a championship golf course, and end the evening watching the sunset over the Pacific with a plate of grilled mahi-mahi in one hand and a cocktail in the other. The density of good options within a 10-minute drive is remarkable for a beach destination that still feels laid-back.

Here’s where to eat.

Upscale Marina Dining: Los Sueños Marina Village

If you’re celebrating something or just want a night out without kids, the Marina Village is your spot. The open-air restaurants here overlook a 200-slip marina where fishing boats pull in their catch before dawn. The vibe is resort-level: white tablecloths, craft cocktails, and entrees that justify the $18-35 price tag.

The seafood is the reason to come. Grilled mahi-mahi arrives with a char that tells you it was swimming hours ago. Yellowfin tuna sashimi is sliced thick and served with wasabi made fresh. The ceviche here gets the coconut milk treatment, creamier than the lime-only versions you’ll find elsewhere.

Thursday evening brings the farmers market, where local vendors sell prepared foods, empanadas, and fresh fruit at prices that make you wonder why you’re paying resort rates for dinner. Grab takeout and eat on your villa’s terrace.

Beachfront Sodas: Herradura

Five minutes walk from Marina Village (through the resort gates, heading toward the beach), Herradura’s beachfront row is where Costa Rican families eat on Sunday. These are open-air spots with plastic chairs, cold Imperial beer, and whole grilled fish that costs about half what you’d pay at the marina.

This is the meal you’ll remember. The dorado (also called mahi-mahi) comes whole, grilled with garlic and lime, served on a plastic tray with rice, black beans, patacones, and a squeeze bottle of salsa Lizano. The catch of the day is actually caught that day. Ask for extras: patacones are worth it, and the pico de gallo here has a kick that grows on you.

Plan $8-15 per person for a full meal. Bring cash, and don’t expect a menu in English. Point at what other people are eating if you need to.

Jacó’s Best: Avenida Pastor Díaz

Jacó’s main strip is wall-to-wall restaurants, and quality varies. Some places are coasting on location alone. These are the spots that have survived the turnover and actually improved over the years.

Lemon Zest anchors the upscale end. Seafood-focused with a cocktail program that doesn’t phone it in. The entrees run $18-28, and yes, it’s worth it. The grilled octopus is the kind of dish that makes you forgive all the mediocrity you’ve eaten at other beach-town restaurants. Book ahead in high season.

Graffiti Restro Cafe sits a few doors down with fusion small plates and inventive drinks. The menu changes, but the energy stays consistent: this is where you go when you want to linger over dinner rather than fill up. The small plates format encourages ordering too much, which is the point.

Green Room started as a breakfast spot and never stopped being great at it. The surfer-chef owner actually catches fish, and it shows on the dinner menu. This is the rare cafe that works equally well for your morning smoothie bowl and a sunset dinner with the day’s catch. The fish tacos here are a late-afternoon revelation.

For something different, Clarita’s and Pizza Pops deliver wood-fired Neapolitan pizza that would hold its own in San José. The crust has that blistered char, the cheese quality is actual mozzarella, and there’s a simplicity to it that feels like someone actually cares. Eat at plastic tables, drink Imperial, and don’t overthink it.

Quick Bites and Local Favorites

Not every dinner needs a reservation and a credit card.

The Friday farmers market at Plaza Coral has become an event. Locals and visitors alike stock up on fresh produce, artisan bread, prepared foods, and whatever fish the morning boats brought in. It’s the best value in the area for quality ingredients if you’re cooking at your rental.

Beachfront sodas scattered along Jacó’s main road serve the same whole-grilled fish formula as Herradura at similar prices. Find one with plastic chairs facing the water, order a fish, and you’ve got dinner.

For breakfast without deliberation, follow the locals to Pura Vida Cafe or any of the smoothie bowl spots popping up along the strip. Costa Rican coffee here is strong, fresh, and cheap.

Practical Details

Reservations: Book upscale spots 1-2 days ahead during December through April. The holiday weeks (Christmas through New Year’s and Easter) see the highest demand, so reserve a week ahead if possible. Weeknights and off-season (May through November), you can usually walk in. Beachfront sodas never need them.

Lunch specials: Many higher-end restaurants run $12-15 lunch menus featuring the same kitchen that produces $25-30 dinners. This is the cheat code for eating well on vacation without the bill adding up. Eat big at lunch, light at night, and save room for the ceviche.

What to wear: Jacó and Los Sueños are casual. Really casual. Flip-flops and a t-shirt are acceptable everywhere, including the Marina Village restaurants. The most dressed-up you’ll get is a nice sundress or linen shirt for dinner, and even that’s optional.

Kids: All the restaurants mentioned welcome children. Beachfront sodas are particularly kid-friendly, with space to run around and food they’ll actually eat. Higher-end spots accommodate families but are better suited for early dinners (most finish service by 9 PM).

Groceries: AutoMercado in Jacó is your upscale option (think Whole Foods pricing, imported cheeses, real wine selection). Mas x Menos is a mid-range chain with better prices and a solid selection. Fresh Market in Herradura stocks basics at lower prices. The Thursday and Friday farmers markets beat all three for fresh fish and local produce. Stock your rental kitchen for breakfast and at least half your meals to save 50-70% compared to eating out every time.

Eat Well Here

The dining scene in Jacó and Los Sueños has matured into something worth traveling for. Whether you’re celebrating at Marina Village, eating whole grilled fish with your hands at a Herradura soda, or chasing the best breakfast in Central Pacific, you’ll find real flavors here. The secret is out, but it hasn’t been ruined yet.

Book your table, bring cash for the sodas, and leave room for the ceviche. And if you’re still hungry for more to do in the area, check out our complete dining & food guide or browse things to do in Jacó and Los Sueños to plan the rest of your trip.

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Planning your Jacó or Los Sueños stay? Our team can recommend properties walking distance from the best restaurants and arrange private chef dinners at your villa. Contact our concierge to start planning.