What are the best restaurants in Los Sueños Marina Village?

Lanterna Italian Steakhouse offers wood-fired Angus steaks and handmade pasta in an upscale garden setting. Bambú serves fresh sushi and pan-Asian fusion with marina terrace seating. The Hook Up delivers the best burger in Costa Rica, fish tacos, and sports bar atmosphere with a giant video wall. All open daily 11:30 AM-10 PM.

Where should I eat dinner in Herradura near Los Sueños?

El Pelícano sits right on Playa Herradura beach with sunset views, serving ceviche, grilled fish, and coconut shrimp. Rancho Manuel offers authentic Costa Rican food (rice and beans, grilled meats) open until midnight. Both are outside the Los Sueños gates and offer better value than resort restaurants.

Are there restaurants within walking distance in Los Sueños?

Yes, Marina Village restaurants are all within a two-minute walk of the docks: Lanterna, Bambú, The Hook Up, and Dolce Vita. The Los Sueños Marriott has additional dining options (Noi Fusion Cuisine & Grill). Everything is walkable or a quick golf cart ride within the resort community.

How expensive are restaurants in Los Sueños?

Marina Village restaurants are priced for resort guests—expect upscale pricing. Lanterna steaks and Bambú sushi run premium. The Hook Up is more affordable for burgers and casual meals. For better value, walk outside the gates to Herradura (El Pelícano, Rancho Manuel) or drive 10 minutes to Jacó for wider variety and lower prices.

Should I make reservations at Los Sueños restaurants?

Reservations are recommended for dinner at Lanterna, especially on weekends and during fishing tournaments (Los Sueños Triple Crown in January-March). The Hook Up and Bambú usually don't require reservations, but expect waits during peak season. Request garden seating at Lanterna or terrace seating at Bambú for the best experience.

Where to Eat in Los Sueños: A Complete Guide to the Best Restaurants in Los Sueños & Herradura

The smell of wood-fired steak hits you halfway across the Marina Village. That’s Lanterna, and it’s the first thing that pulls most people off the walkway and into a chair. But it’s far from the only good meal in Los Sueños.

Between the marina restaurants, a few solid spots at the Marriott, and the beachfront places in Herradura just outside the gates, you can eat well for a full week here without repeating a restaurant or driving to Jacó. For a broader look at dining across the Central Pacific, check out our complete dining guide.

Marina Village Restaurants

The Marina Village is the heart of Los Sueños. It’s walkable, lively, and home to the resort’s best restaurants. Everything here is within a two-minute stroll of the docks. For more on what to explore at the marina beyond dining, see our Los Sueños Marina Village guide.

Lanterna Italian Steakhouse

Cuisine: Italian and steakhouse | Hours: Daily, 11:30 AM–10 PM

Lanterna is where you go for a proper dinner. The imported Angus beef steaks are grilled over a wood fire in the open garden area. Beyond the steaks, they do solid Italian with a wood-fired pizza oven turning out blistered-crust pies alongside handmade pastas.

What to order: The wood-fired ribeye is the star. For lighter appetites, the lasagna is rich without being heavy, and the margherita pizza is one of the best you’ll find on this coast. Start with the bruschetta.

The vibe: Upscale but not stuffy. The garden seating feels like dinner at a friend’s villa. The upstairs Terrace Bar serves the same menu in a more relaxed setting with big-screen TVs, so you can watch the game without missing out on the food.

Pro tip: Request a table in the garden for the best experience. Reservations are smart for dinner, especially on weekends and during fishing tournaments.

Bambú Sushi & Asian Cuisine

Cuisine: Japanese and pan-Asian fusion | Hours: Daily, 11:30 AM–10 PM

Bambú consistently surprises visitors who don’t expect quality sushi in a Costa Rican marina village. The fish is fresh (you’re literally next to a fishing marina), and the cocktail menu leans tropical with creative twists.

What to order: The specialty rolls are the move here. The tuna tataki is excellent, and whatever the chef’s daily special is, get it. The Thai curry dishes are solid if raw fish isn’t your thing.

The vibe: Choose between the air-conditioned dining room (welcome on a hot afternoon) or the open-air terrace overlooking the marina. The terrace at sunset is hard to beat.

The Hook Up

Cuisine: American grill and sports bar | Hours: Daily, 11:30 AM–10 PM

Every marina needs a great burger spot, and The Hook Up delivers. This is the social hub of Los Sueños: families, fishing crews back from the water, couples grabbing a casual bite. The giant video wall makes it the place to catch any major sporting event.

What to order: The burger. Locals will tell you it’s the best in Costa Rica, and they’re not far off. The fish tacos are a close second, and the wings hold their own during happy hour.

The vibe: Casual, loud in the best way, and always busy. Great happy hour with well-priced drinks and appetizer specials. Don’t miss the official Los Sueños apparel shop at the top of the stairs if you want a souvenir.

Dolce Vita

Cuisine: Café and bakery | Hours: Daily, 6 AM–10 PM

Dolce Vita is the first stop of the day for most people staying in Los Sueños. It opens early with fresh coffee, pastries baked that morning, and breakfast options ranging from quick (croissant and espresso) to leisurely (full breakfast plates). Later in the day, it shifts to sandwiches, salads, and some of the best gelato on the Central Pacific coast.

What to order: The freshly baked pastries in the morning. The gelato in the afternoon. Both are non-negotiable. For lunch, the paninis are reliable and filling.

The vibe: Cozy, friendly, and the kind of place where you’ll bump into familiar faces from your building. It’s the neighborhood café of Los Sueños.

Jimmy T’s Provisions

Cuisine: Gourmet deli and takeout

Jimmy T’s is the secret weapon for anyone staying in a condo. Everything is prepared fresh daily: pasta salads, shrimp cocktail, guacamole, and gourmet items you can take back to your kitchen. It’s perfect for stocking up before a boat day or putting together an easy dinner on the balcony without cooking from scratch.

What to order: The shrimp cocktail and fresh guacamole are favorites. Ask what’s made that day and build your meal around it.

Al Fresco at the Beach Club

Cuisine: Casual grill | Hours: Daily, 11 AM–7 PM

This one’s exclusive to Los Sueños homeowners, guests, and renters. Al Fresco is the swim-up-bar-and-lunch kind of place: ceviche, wood-fired pizza, light bites, and cold drinks while you’re poolside.

What to order: The ceviche is bright and fresh. The wood-fired pizzas are surprisingly good for a pool restaurant. Pair with a michelada and don’t rush.

The vibe: Pure vacation mode. Feet in the sand, drink in hand, zero urgency.

Dining at the Los Sueños Marriott

The Marriott sits adjacent to the resort and has its own dining options. The hotel has a few restaurants and bars on-site, and the options tend to rotate seasonally. Your best bet is to check with the hotel directly for what’s currently open. That said, the breakfast buffet is a well-known draw. Expect a big spread: tropical fruits, made-to-order eggs, gallo pinto, pastries, and more. For dinner, the Marriott’s restaurants typically serve a mix of Costa Rican and international dishes with a more refined feel than the Marina Village spots.

If you’re staying in a Los Sueños condo, the Marriott is worth walking over to for at least one breakfast during your trip.

Herradura Bay: Just Outside the Gates

Turn right out of the Los Sueños gates and head toward the ocean. Herradura Bay has a handful of beachfront restaurants that feel distinctly more local and offer some of the area’s most memorable meals.

El Pelícano

Cuisine: Seafood and Costa Rican

El Pelícano sits right on the beach in Herradura and has been there since 1983. Tables in the sand, waves within earshot, sunsets that stop conversations. The seafood is fresh, the portions are generous, and prices run lower than inside the resort.

What to order: The whole fried fish (ask for red snapper if available) and the seafood ceviche. Simple preparations that let the ingredients speak.

The vibe: Shoes-optional, ocean-view, Costa Rican beach dining at its best. This is the romantic dinner spot people don’t realize is five minutes from their condo.

Rancho Manuel

Cuisine: Traditional Costa Rican (típico)

If you want authentic casado (rice, beans, plantains, salad, and your choice of protein), Rancho Manuel is the spot. It’s no-frills, it’s local, and it’s delicious. This is where you go to eat what Costa Ricans actually eat.

What to order: Casado with grilled fish or chicken. A cold Imperial beer on the side. Simple, satisfying, and Costa Rican to the bone.

Practical Tips for Dining in Los Sueños

Do I need reservations? For Lanterna and Bambú on weekend evenings or during fishing tournaments (especially the Triple Crown in January through March and the Signature Series), yes. Everywhere else, you can usually walk in.

What about tipping? Costa Rican restaurants include a 10% service charge on the bill, plus 13% tax. An additional tip of 5–10% for great service is appreciated but not expected.

Can I get food delivered to my condo? Yes. Jimmy T’s does gourmet takeout, and most Marina Village restaurants can arrange delivery or takeout.

Dress code? Nothing formal. Smart casual works everywhere, including Lanterna. You’ll see people in resort wear (linen pants, sundresses) at dinner and flip-flops at lunch. Nobody will turn you away in shorts.

What should I budget for meals? Marina Village restaurants range from casual café prices at Dolce Vita to steakhouse pricing at Lanterna. Expect to pay more than you would in Jacó, but less than you’d expect for the quality. The Herradura spots outside the gates are noticeably cheaper.

Best for a romantic dinner? El Pelícano at sunset. Feet in the sand, fresh fish, cold wine, and the Pacific stretching out in front of you. Five minutes from your condo, and it feels like a different country from the resort.

Staying in Los Sueños? Browse our vacation rentals for condos and villas with full kitchens, private pools, and the best views on the Central Pacific coast.