When going on vacation in Costa Rica, many people choose to visit Monteverde due to its famous rainforest above the clouds, wildlife biodiversity, and opportunities for ziplining and adventure. While in Monteverde, of course, you’re going to be looking for some places to eat!
Here is a list of the absolute best restaurants in Monteverde, for every meal.
Map of Best Restaurants in Monteverde
Save this map to take with you on your Monteverde adventure. This way, you’ll be able to find delicious restaurants near you no matter where you end up!
Breakfast Restaurants in Monteverde
When scouting out places to eat for breakfast in Monteverde, there are plenty of options. Maybe you want something authentic and cheap, just to grab a coffee and pastries, or you want to sit for a while somewhere aesthetically pleasing for a photo op.
No matter what you’re after, the small Costa Rican town of Monteverde has some great options for you!
1. Panaderia Jimenez
| Address: Jimenez Bakery & Coffee Shop, 606, Provincia de Puntarenas, Monteverde, Santa Elena, centro | Price ($): About $10-15 for breakfast with coffee | Hours: 5 AM – 7 PM |
Jimenez is my favorite place to go to for an authentic, fairly-priced Costa Rican breakfast with good portions. Usually, I get the classic Costa Rican breakfast or “desayuno tipico” of gallo pinto (rice and beans), eggs, sausage, cheese, and plantain. If you’re not in the mood for a big breakfast, they also have freshly made baked goods and pastries you can try instead.
As an early riser, I love that Jimenez is open early. If you’re taking public transportation to Monteverde, the bus leaves for San Jose at 5:30 AM, giving you just enough time to get a coffee and pastry from Jimenez before you leave Monteverde.
It’s important to know that there are two locations, one located centrally in town and another outside of town. Put the address above into Google Maps or Waze and make sure you’re headed to the location next to another restaurant The Open Kitchen.
2. Taty’s Bakery
| Address: Cerro Plano – Taty’s Bakery, Puntarenas Province, Monteverde | Price ($): About $8-15 for breakfast with coffee | Hours: 6 AM – 5 PM |
Taty’s Bakery has options for traditional Costa Rican breakfast with rice and beans, plantain, and egg, or you can order a coffee and try some of their baked goods and pastries. My favorite thing about Taty’s is that there are big, round, handpainted tables outside where you can sit and enjoy your breakfast while getting some sun.
After breakfast, if you want to stretch your legs and see an amazing view, walk about 5-8 minutes up the road in the direction of the Monteverde Reserve. Before you reach the CPI Language School you can look to your right and check out an overlook of the mountains above the clouds.
3. Stella’s Monteverde
| Address: Frente a Casem Coop, Monterde, Provincia de Puntarenas, Monteverde, 60109 | Price ($$): About $12-18 if ordering drinks | Hours: 6:30 AM – 6 PM |
A crowd favorite, Stella’s Monteverde is a great spot for either breakfast or lunch. It’s my favorite restaurant for when I’m craving something different from a typical Costa Rican dish (although they do have “desayuno tipico” on the menu!).
In addition to classic breakfast choices, they have delicious French toast and pancakes made with fresh fruit and honey. The coffee and fruity drinks are also popular at Stella’s, my favorite is their papaya smoothie!
Stella’s has great food but the atmosphere is what has us coming back again and again. There is a covered outdoor seating area in their garden out back where tropical flowers frame the background of any aesthetic photos you might want to take on your trip.
Just across the road from Stella’s, there is an artisan shop of items handmade in Costa Rica. This is a great place to buy some souvenirs before leaving Monteverde!
Where to eat Lunch in Monteverde Costa Rica
Most tourists visiting Monteverde take advantage of the sunnier morning weather to do activities such as hiking, ziplining, and doing farm and coffee tours. By midday, you will probably be exhausted and ready for lunch!
Here are some of my favorite places to eat lunch in Monteverde.
1. La Cocina de Doña Mayra
| Address: La Cocina de Doña Mayra, 606, Monteverde, Provincia de Puntarenas,50 al Sur de Farmacia, Provincia de Puntarenas, Monteverde | Price ($): $8-15 | Hours: Opens at 8 AM |
La Cocina de Doña Mayra is a Costa Rican “soda”, or a restaurant that serves typical food, usually for a reasonable price. For a classic Costa Rican lunch, order a “casado”. This is a dish of rice, beans, salad, plantain, and meat of your choice such as fish, chicken or steak. You might also want to try ordering a classic Costa Rican beverage called “agua dulce”, a hot sugar cane tea.
When you arrive at La Cocina de Doña Mayra, park in the back of the restaurant where you will see an awning covering tables and chairs. You can choose to eat outside or inside the restaurant if it is raining.
2. Tiki’s Seafood Monteverde
| Address: Centro commercial, local#44, Provincia de Puntarenas, Monteverde, 60109 | Price ($$): Approximately $12-18 | Hours: 11 AM – 10 PM |
A relatively new restaurant in Monteverde, I wasn’t sure what to expect initially, but I absolutely loved my experience eating at Tiki’s Seafood Monteverde. I ordered a Hawaiin-style chicken katsu and was impressed with the large portions and delicious sides. They also serve tropical beverages like Pina Coladas, Mai Tais, and Rum Punch (for adults only!)
There are options at Tiki’s Seafood Monteverde for both indoor and outdoor seating under their large awning. One thing to know is that the restaurant is located in the commercial plaza in the center of Santa Elena, so this is not a good option if you prefer to have lunch somewhere more quiet.
3. Orchid Cafe
| Address: Orchid Cafe, Puntarenas Province, Monteverde | Price ($$$): About $15-25 if you’re getting food and drinks | Hours: 7 AM – 9 PM |
Orchid Cafe is one of my favorite overall restaurants in Monteverde. They used to be located in a smaller, quaint storefront down the road but have now expanded into a 2 story restaurant more centrally in town.
In the second story at Orchid Cafe, there is a beautiful view of an orchid garden. If you sit downstairs, you can choose to sit outside on their colorful chairs. There are plenty of electrical outlets in Orchid Cafe, so it’s my go-to spot for eating lunch and drinking coffee while I work on my computer.
Dinner Restaurants in Monteverde
With it’s beautiful mountain views, it’s easy to find great restaurants in Monteverde to eat dinner. Whether you’re wanting down-to-earth typical food for dinner, or you want a more upscale dining experience, there are plenty of options for dinner restaurants in Monteverde!
1. Sabor Tico
| Address: Sabor Tico, Centro Comercial Monteverde, Provincia de Puntarenas, Monteverde | Price: About $12-18 | Hours: 9 AM – 10 PM |
I’m not sure I can tell you how many times in my life I’ve visited Sabor Tico because the answer is countless! What I love about Sabor Tico is their outdoor seating area, typical Costa Rican food, and papaya smoothies.
On every visit to Sabor Tico, I order the same thing: a casado (rice, beans, plantain, salad) with fish. My husband is more adventurous with food so I’ve also been able to try some of their other menu items by stealing from his plate!
We like their ceviche, casado pollo salsa (chicken), and pasta con hongos (pasta with mushrooms in white sauce).
It’s important to know there are two Sabor Tico locations, the location with outdoor seating is located in the central commercial plaza (address above), not the location across from the soccer field.
2. Morphos
| Address: Frente a Correos de Costa Rica Santa Elena, Provincia de Puntarenas, Monteverde, 60109 | Price: About $15-25 for entres | Hours: 11 AM – 9 PM |
Morpho’s is my favorite moderately priced restaurant for its good vibes and view of the sunset from their outdoor seating area. They have Costa Rican foods, as well as options for pasta, steak, or burgers. When we visited I really enjoyed their tres leches cake for desert.
They have free parking if you turn into the gravel driveway at the sign with the painted butterfly pictured here.
3. Restaurante Celajes
| Address: Celajes Restaurant Monteverde, 620, Provincia de Puntarenas, Monteverde | Price ($$$): Approximately $25-30 for entres | Hours: 12 PM – 9 PM |
Restaurante Celajes located at Hotel Belmar is the place to go for a luxury, fine dining experience. They boast using organic ingredients that are locally sourced, including produce picked directly from their own garden. As an added bonus, you can try your hand at mixology with their tropical mocktail class or participate in their craft beer tasting.
They have both indoor and outdoor seating, but sitting outside on their terrace you’ll get the best mountain views of Monteverde. The best time to watch the sun sets in Monteverde is between 5-6 PM.
Be sure to contact the restaurant in advance to make your dinner reservations. You can do so on their website here!
Psst: After filling up on a delicious dinner, head over to a Night Tour to check out the rainforest after dark!
Where to Eat in Monteverde Top Picks
There are so many great places to eat in Monteverde, but here are my awards for these top picks:
- Panaderia Jimenez – best for early risers
- Taty’s Bakery – most down-to-earth
- Stella’s Monteverde – best vibe
- La Cocina de Doña Mayra – best value
- Tiki’s Seafood Monteverde – best non-typical food
- Orchid Cafe – most beautiful atmosphere
- Sabor Tico – best Costa Rican cuisine
- Restaurante Morpho’s – best sunset view
- Restaurante Celajes – best for a special occasion
Choosing the best options for restaurants in Monteverde really depends on your family’s preferences, budget, and personal tastes. That said, you really can’t go wrong with any of these Monteverde restaurants when planning your Costa Rica vacation!
Lindsay Gantz lives in Monteverde, Costa Rica with her husband who is Costa Rican. She helps visitors plan trips to Costa Rica and also organizes small group trips for solo female travelers. You can reach her on Instagram or by email at [email protected]
