Eating in Nosara

The food scene in Nosara has grown up fast. Ten years ago there were a handful of sodas and one or two hotel restaurants. Today the town has wood-fired Italian, Mediterranean-influenced tasting menus, classic Costa Rican home cooking, and a serious private-chef economy serving the villas.

This is the working list we book from, broken into the ways we actually use it: long sit-down dinners, easy lunches, breakfast and coffee, markets, and chefs in the villa.

Dinner reservations worth making

Harmony Hotel Restaurant

On the road just behind Playa Guiones, this is one of the most refined dinner experiences in town. Locally sourced ingredients, global influences, lush garden setting. We typically book guests here for at least one dinner per stay.

Sendero Kitchen (at Sendero Hotel & Villas)

Casual-elegant, with an after-surf atmosphere and a menu built around Nosara’s coastal cuisine. The crispy rice topped with fresh tuna is a guest favorite. Reservations recommended, and they accept pre-orders if your group prefers.

Mama Gui

Italian, with handmade pasta and wood-fired pizza. Warm, welcoming atmosphere. A reliable family dinner when half the table wants pizza and the other half wants a real plate of pasta.

La Luna

Beachfront on Playa Pelada with ocean views. Mediterranean influences with local ingredients. Famous for its watermelon margarita, which our guests order at least once a trip. Beautiful at sunset.

Coyol

Perched up on the hill above Nosara, this is the sunset dinner. Wood-fired dishes, craft cocktails, sweeping jungle and coastline views. There is a swing at the edge of the property that has become the obvious photo. Allow about 25 minutes for the drive.

Celajes

A healthy, locally owned restaurant near the Nosara airstrip, known for fresh ingredients, bright flavors, and warm hospitality. Excellent for a late breakfast or early lunch on a slower day.

Casual lunches and easy spots

La Ventanita

An open-air cafe in the heart of Guiones, across from Outpost. Bowls, sandwiches, smoothies, and a constant flow of surfers and locals. Perfect for a relaxed lunch after a morning session.

Howler’s Beach Lounge

Just off the North Guiones beach access by Juan Surfo’s. Light, refreshing food, live music nights, and one of the best tuna carpaccios in town.

Zest Kitchen and Pantry

Inside El Pueblo. Clean, simple, beautifully made dishes with fresh ingredients. The lunch trio is a guest favorite, and the pastry case is excellent on the way out.

Beach Break

A short walk south of Gilded Iguana. Bites, live music, and a laid-back atmosphere. A reliable backup when the dinner plan falls through.

Soda Rosi’s

The classic local soda. Hearty Costa Rican breakfast, fresh juice, home-style cooking, and a fraction of the price of the sit-down restaurants. A trip to Nosara is not complete without at least one breakfast at Rosi’s.

Breakfast and coffee

• Sunrise Coffee in Playa Pelada near Cantina El Chivo. Vibrant salads, wraps, smoothies, and a welcoming vibe. Excellent for a slow morning.
• Beach Blend Coffee, just behind the BCR bank near the gas station. Locally roasted beans and quick, well-made coffee. A great place to grab beans to take home.
• Rolling Waves Coffee Shop, with locations in both Pelada and Guiones. Solid coffee and pastries.
• Organico Bakery in Guiones. Fresh bread, pastries, and ready-made items for villa breakfasts.
• Go Juice, for fresh juices, smoothies, and bowls. A clean fuel-up before a busy morning.

Markets and groceries

For a villa stay, you have a few good options:

• Tuesday Organic Market in Guiones, on the same road as Harmony Hotel. Local farmers, artisans, and makers. Fresh produce, prepared foods, baked goods, and a real local-scene morning. Runs 8 am to 3 pm.
• Super Nosara, the largest grocery store in town. Good for staples, drinks, and basics.
• La Bodega Nosara, a smaller market with a more curated selection. Useful for last-minute fill-ins.
• Organico Store, for fresh prepared items and quick grab-and-go.
• Swill Wine, for a thoughtful wine list and a strong premium tequila selection.
• Blue Zone Brewery, for beers on tap and (in our team’s opinion) the best non-alcoholic ginger beer in town.

Private chefs in the villa

This is where Nosara gets quietly remarkable. The private-chef scene in town is real, deep, and not particularly expensive given what you get. For groups of four or more, an in-villa dinner is often a better value than a comparable restaurant table, and nobody has to drive home.

We work with several chefs as part of our Avela Experience. Each has a different style, and we match the chef to the group:

• Mediterranean tapas-style. Refined family-style menus, generous shared plates. A favorite for welcome dinners.
• Technique-driven tasting menus. Local ingredients, considered plating, paced over the evening. Strong for special occasions.
• Warm, family-style cooking. Generous, comforting, abundant. Excellent for holiday and celebration meals, including Thanksgiving feasts in the villa.

A typical in-villa dinner is plated for your group at your table, paced over the evening, and cleaned up before the chef leaves. We talk through preferences, allergies, and any dietary needs ahead of time and walk every menu by you before you arrive.

Late-night and drinks

Nosara is not a nightlife town. Most kitchens close by 9 pm. A few options for a later evening:

• Elixir, the late-night spot in Guiones, open until midnight. Excellent espresso martinis.
• Beach Break regularly programs live music and stays open later than most.
• Gilded Iguana Surf Club has a steady bar scene and runs a busy weekend rhythm.

Tipping

Most restaurants automatically include a 10% service charge on the bill. Adding another 10 to 15% for excellent service is generous and appreciated. For private chefs, a 10% gratuity is typically included; any additional amount is welcome. For drivers and guides, small cash tips are standard.

Frequently asked questions