Rainforst Cafe & Restaurant
Hours: 7AM-10PM
Price: $-$$
Don’t let the name fool you, This isn’t the same Rainforest Cafe that you’ve seen at Disney or in massive malls. This is a small, quaint cafe right in the center of town that quickly became one of my favorites. Their breakfast is a must try and includes both “tico” and American style meals, including pancakes! I highly recommend the fresh fruit plate (pictured above) and the Mono Loco coffee (delicious iced coffee with chocolate and banana). If you’re not in the mood for a meal, just stop by for a coffee and dessert to go!
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Soda de Doña Flor
Hours: 5:30AM-10PM
Price: $
Looking for a tasty, inexpensive bite to eat? This soda is perfect for just that! Sodas are small, locally owned restaurants that serve traditional Costa Rican dishes. You can find them all throughout the country, even in the smallest towns. They are one of my favorite things about Costa Rica.
Soda de Doña Flor has a variety of options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You can choose to order items off the menu, such as casado, papasnachos, hamburgers, etc, or you can walk up to the counter and order the hot and ready food. I have eaten at this soda over 10 times over my many trips to La Fortuna and this is what I did every single time. The food was always fresh and the options changed daily. The best part? The price! A full plate of food including a glass of natural juice was only about 3000 colones which equates to roughly $6.00. Definitely check this place out.
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Lava Lounge
Hours: 7AM-10PM
Price: $$
Cocktails, craft beers, and live music. Do I have your attention yet? Lava Lounge is one of the most popular spots in town and for good reason. They have live music several times a week, which always brings good vibes and a good crowd. The menu has a wide range of options, such as pizzas, sandwiches, and Costa Rican fare. I highly recommend ordering the nachos. Not only is is absolutely delicious, but the portion is HUGE. The restaurant can definitely get busy in the evening, so I suggest arriving no later than 6:30PM, especially during peak season.
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Chocolate Fusión
Hours: 9AM-8PM
Price: $-$$
The name should speak for itself. CHOCOLATE!! You should definitely head over to this spot if you are craving something sweet. They have a huge selection of sweet treats, including donuts, cakes, ice cream, and of course, chocolate covered everything! My personal favorites were the chocolate covered Oreos and their decadent red velvet cake. But their menu doesn’t just stop there. They are also open for breakfast and lunch; so you can swing by to grab a coffee, bagel, pastry, or sandwich (like the one pictured above). 10/10 recommend.
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Soda Viquez
Hours: 11AM-9PM
Price: $
Of course there is another soda on the list! Similar to the other soda mentioned, this soda serves food both via menu and their hot-and-ready counter. Their fresh lemonade with mint was extremely refreshing and the casados con chuleta (rice and beans with a pork chop) were delicious and filling. The dinner even came with a small dessert of coconut rice pudding that was the perfect end to meal. What I loved most about this place was the warm welcome from the staff. The owner himself was working the night we dined and came over several times to check on us. You definitely won’t be disappointed for stopping by for a bite.
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Nanku
Hours: 12PM-9/10PM
Price: $$
Nanku is a vibe! If you are looking for another great place to spend a night out on the town, then put Nanku on the top of your list. They have a large menu including many tropical inspired dishes. They also have some GREAT cocktails that are refreshing after a long day of exploring. Make sure to stop by on one of their live music nights. The music just adds to the atmosphere even more and makes for the perfect evening.
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Travesía Restaurant
Hours: 12PM-9PM
Price: $$$
Travesía is a hidden gem right outside of the town center of La Fortuna. But don’t stress if you do not have a car! It’s VERY close and totally walkable. It’s small and quietly tucked away off the main road, which makes it absolutely perfect for a date night. You can order wine by the bottle or glass, or one of their delicious crafted cocktails. I ordered the piña colada and I loved how fresh the ingredients tasted. As for food, they offer dishes such as steaks, ribs, and pastas, along with several options for sides. But the star of the show is the parrillada mixta (mixed grill) for two. It is a collection of all kinds of meats and vegetables served to you on your own personal table top grill (see video below). It was such an awesome and delicious experience. This is a MUST. As stated earlier, the restaurant is small and gets busy, so I highly suggest making a reservation if you are going in the evening.
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Honorable Mentions:
Ketchup - A wonderful fast food spot for when you need something on the go. Large menu, great food, and very inexpensive!
Organico Fortuna - A health food restaurant that offers plenty of vegan and vegatarian options. Smoothies, salads, and more!
Spectacolar Cantina - Live music, margaritas, and tacos. Enough said!
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