15 Best Restaurants in Playa Potrero (Costa Rica)

Located north of the Pacific coast of Guanacaste, in the town of Santa Cruz, is Playa Potrero, famous for sport fishing and impressive sunsets. If you plan on spending time in the area surrounding beautiful Playa Potrero, you definitely need to know about the best restaurants in the area. Whether you want to enjoy a good cup of coffee and pastry or savor casual or fine dining, you will know where to go after reading all about it below.

One thing that most Playa Potrero restaurants have in common is their perfect location and how close they are to each other. We invite you to take a look at our recommended restaurants where you can delight your palate and fill your belly while enjoying a great time in relaxing Playa Potrero.

Playa Potrero Restaurants: Casual Dining

Having delicious food in a comfortable, relaxed environment is something easily attainable at these Playa Potrero restaurants.

#1

Latitude 10 and Hemingway’s

Located south of Hotel Bahia del Sol Surfside, you can find The Costa Rica Sailing Center. This is a yacht club where you can rent anything from boats to kayaks and gear for aquatic sports, but you can also indulge in delicious dishes in the two different restaurants located inside: Latitude 10 and Hemingway’s. Latitude 10 serves fusion food -Thai and Costa Rican that will blow up your senses. Just take into consideration that it opens after 6 pm. Hemingway’s opens at noon, and their menu includes Mexican, Costa Rican, American dishes, and more. Either restaurant offers a relaxing atmosphere right on the beach where you can enjoy bonfires at night, craft beer, delicious food, live music, and the most spectacular sunsets.

#2

The Beach House Bar & Restaurant

Located right in front of Playa Potrero, The Beach House Bar & Restaurant is famous for having one of the best fresh seafood in the area. This lovely quaint restaurant will allow you to enjoy a great view of Potrero Beach while savoring tasty dishes and a good variety of drinks and cocktails. It is open daily from 11 am to 9 pm featuring lunch and dinner menus.

#3

The Whiskey Howler Beach Bar & Grill

This is a good option to visit if you are in the mood for live music, good drinks, and tasty and assorted dishes (American, Asian, Costa Rican, and more). It is open for lunch and dinner. Their menu will surprise you as it attempts to cover all the bases and satisfy different tastes. You can find anything from edamame and sushi to burgers, fish, and even pasta.

#4

The Shack

Known as a popular spot for ex-pats, this rustic-looking restaurant offers a great breakfast menu with different options like the traditional Costa Rican Gallo pinto, omelets, pancakes, breakfast sandwiches, and many more. For any other time of the day, they have fresh salads, juicy grilled meat, or different types of street food like burritos, sandwiches, burgers, smoothies, and nachos, just to name a few options. This place has managed to successfully mix Costa Rican, American, and even British dishes. No matter what time of the day you visit, you won’t be disappointed.

#5

Potrero Brewing Co.

Located in the main street, just a block away from the Costa Rica Sailing Center is Potrero Brewing Co. Referred to as one of the go-to places to enjoy the best beer in Costa Rica, this cozy spot is perfect to enjoy outdoor dining, unique brews locally made, live music, and delicious food. It is always open for tasting Monday to Saturday from 11 am to 10 pm.

#6

Potrero Grill

Potrero Grill is considered to be one of the best Steak Houses in Guanacaste. This restaurant specializes in meats and high-quality pizza. Their customer service is outstanding, as well as the quality of the ingredients used in their dishes. Potrero Grill has three unique environments: the terrace, the mixology, and the gastronomic bar, and last but not least, a patio-type big room with a capacity for about 80 people. Just pick the one area that appeals more to you and enjoy!

#7

Mangue Beach Front Tapas Bar

A unique menu of different Spanish tapas awaits you at Mangue Beach Front Tapas Bar, accompanied by refreshing drinks and cocktails with local Costa Rican flavors. Situated next to Bahia del Sol Hotel, this is another restaurant from where you can enjoy a relaxing view of the ocean while experiencing a gastronomic blast.

Playa Potrero Restaurants: Fine Dining

If you find yourself in the mood for upscale dining, we recommend you visit the following restaurants:

#8

Nasu Italian Grill

Located inside The Bahia del Sol Hotel, there is this sophisticated Italian restaurant. They have managed to combine the freshness of seafood with traditional Italian dishes, elaborating impeccably along with the right combination of flavors. Delicious appetizers, healthy but satisfying options, and traditional pizzas and homemade pasta are only some of the tantalizing options Nasu Italian Grill has at your disposal.

#9

Sentido Norte

Organic local ingredients, a magnificent view, comfort, and great decor are some key elements that gather in Sentido Norte and will make your experience unique. Although this magnificent restaurant is part of Casa Chamaleon (an exclusive boutique hotel in the area), it is open to the public with the sole purpose of delighting its visitors. Breakfast is served from 7 am to 10 am, lunch is available from 11 am to 5 pm, and dinner is ready from 6 pm to 9 pm.

#10

La Forketta

La Forketta is a lovely restaurant that prides itself on serving great Italian gastronomy cooked with passion. The attentive service provided by the staff in this place will prove how much they care about their customers. It is best to make reservations but if you don’t have any, just try to get there early, as it is usually full. Think of any favorite Italian dish, and you most likely find it there.

#11

La Pampa Grill

La Pampa Grill is the other fine dining restaurant located in Casa Chamaleon. As its name suggests, it specializes in top-nudge barbeque with mouthwatering spices and masterful slow-cooking techniques that will allow you to enjoy meat like never before. It doesn’t matter what you taste there, your palate will be wonderfully surprised.

#12

Castillo de Lilo

There is one word that can describe Castillo de Lilo (translated as Lilo’s Castle), and that word is “magical”. This delightful building is strategically located on a high peak (over 2,200 feet above sea level) from which the panoramic views of Playa Potrero and surrounding areas are simply indescribable. Owned by an Italian/Costa Rican couple, this restaurant dazzles its diners with genuine Italian and Mediterranean dishes. Magical day or night views and a great meal are part of what you can expect at Castillo de Lilo.

Playa Potrero Restaurants: Coffee

Costa Rica is widely known for harvesting one of the best coffees in the world, so if you wonder if there are good spots to sip a good cup of coffee in Playa Potrero, the answer is yes!

#13

Carpe Diem Mas que Cafe

Carpe Diem is a little but beautiful coffee place located in Casa del Sol Commercial Center. The menu is varied and so good that your first visit there will certainly not be your last. The food is heavenly and freshly made, the atmosphere is inviting, and the coffee is exquisite. Their schedule is from 7:30 am to 3:30 pm. Keep in mind that they close on Tuesdays.

#14

Nita Coffee Surfside

Pastry goods to die for, great service, and delightful quality coffee is part of what you can expect when visiting Nita Coffee Surfside. Both locals and tourists always feel welcome in this simple yet cozy coffee spot located next to the Shack.

#15

Cafe del Sol

Last but not least, there is Cafe del Sol, a fantastic restaurant that offers 4 different atmospheres: bakery, bistro, lounge, and rooftop. On the first floor, there is the bakery and the bistro areas. The bakery has at your disposal not only amazing coffee but delicious baked goodies, including gluten-free options. The Bistro area is spacious, with room for about 60 people, featuring an open bar and a beautiful garden. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The lounge, located on the second floor, has a great view of the ocean and space for about 40 people. They have a good appetizer menu as well as more fulfilling options. Finally, the rooftop on the third floor is the best place to enjoy an even better view, along with great drinks and cocktails.

As you can see, Potrero Beach has plenty of options to meet your budget, your mood, and your cravings. Good atmosphere, great service, and quality Costa Rican coffee, food, and drinks are a given in this beautiful area.