Good to know
Good to Know
- Jaco's restaurant scene is concentrated along Avenida Pastor Díaz (the main strip) and the beachfront; everything is walkable from central Jaco
- A 10% service charge is automatically added to most restaurant bills in Costa Rica; additional 5-10% is appreciated for exceptional service but not expected
- You can eat very well at every price point: traditional meals run 3,500-4,500 CRC (8-10 USD), mid-range dinners with drinks 10,000-20,000 CRC (22-44 USD), and fine dining up to 25,000 CRC (55 USD)
- Reservation strongly recommended at Graffiti and occasionally El Hicaco on weekends; most other restaurants are walk-in friendly
- Jaco has become known for fresh, locally sourced seafood dishes reflecting its Pacific coastal location
- Delivery services (Uber Eats, PedidosYa) operate in Jaco and accept both colones and USD at selected restaurants
Supermarkets
Mas Por Menos
- Neighborhood
- Central Jaco
- Notes
- Central Jaco location, main strip
Rapid24 Hours Supermarket
- Neighborhood
- Central Jaco, corner Avenida Pastor Díaz & Calle Lapa Verde
- Notes
- 24-hour supermarket and liquor store with wide variety of national and international products, express delivery available
Budget
Soda Rustico
- Price Range
- CRC 3,500
- Neighborhood
- Central Jaco, Avenida Pastor Díaz
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Traditional Costa Rican comfort food, casados, gallo pinto, rice with chicken
Soda Garabito
- Price Range
- CRC 3,500
- Neighborhood
- Downtown Jaco, Calle Lapa Verde
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Costa Rican cafeteria-style food, casados, rice and beans
El Chicano
- Price Range
- CRC 4,000
- Neighborhood
- Central Jaco, Avenida Pastor Díaz near El Jardín
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Authentic Mexican tacos, burritos, fresh ingredients
High End
Graffiti Restro Café & Wine Bar
- Price Range
- CRC 16,000
- Neighborhood
- Jaco Walk Shopping Center
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Fine dining fusion, steak and seafood, coffee-rubbed tenderloin, gourmet mac & cheese, extensive wine list
Lemon Zest
- Price Range
- CRC 15,000
- Neighborhood
- Central Jaco, El Jardín Plaza above Amancio's Pizza
- Cuisine Or Dish
- International fusion, Pacific spiny lobster, creative cuisine, refined ambiance
El Hicaco
- Price Range
- CRC 17,000
- Neighborhood
- Beachfront, multiple locations in Plaza Jaco and Punta Leona
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Beachfront seafood, fresh catches, lobster dishes, sunset views
Mid Range
Zona K
- Price Range
- CRC 7,000
- Neighborhood
- Northern Jaco, downtown main street
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Latin-Asian-Continental fusion, Cajun tuna, breakfast skillets
El Point
- Price Range
- CRC 8,500
- Neighborhood
- South of Calle Morales, beachfront
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Beachfront seafood, fresh fish, tuna steak with mango sauce, nachos, burgers
Ohana Sushi Tapas
- Price Range
- CRC 7,500
- Neighborhood
- Central Jaco, Avenida Pastor Díaz
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Fresh sushi, sashimi, creative rolls, tempura shrimp, vegan options
Green Room Café
- Price Range
- CRC 6,500
- Neighborhood
- Central Jaco, main strip near Mas Por Menos supermarket
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Fusion farm-to-table, organic ingredients, fish tacos, burgers, craft beers
Jerah Thai
- Price Range
- CRC 7,000
- Neighborhood
- Northern Jaco
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Authentic Thai cuisine, spring rolls, Pad sew yew, fresh ingredients
Delivery Services
Uber Eats
- Notes
- Food delivery service operating in Jaco area
PedidosYa
- Notes
- Local delivery platform available in Jaco
Local Must Try Dishes
Ceviche
- Description
- Freshly caught fish marinated in citrus juices, mixed with onions, cilantro, and peppers; a coastal specialty reflecting Jaco's Pacific proximity
Casado
- Description
- Traditional Costa Rican set plate with rice, beans, salad, a protein (fish, chicken, or beef), and plantains
Olla De Carne
- Description
- Traditional beef stew made with root vegetables and seasonal vegetables, often prepared for family gatherings
Gallo Pinto
- Description
- Rice and beans cooked together, a classic Costa Rican breakfast dish often served with eggs and tortillas
Patacones
- Description
- Fried plantain chips topped with guacamole, black beans, or shredded meat; a popular street food
Vegan And Vegetarian Dining
- Overview
- Jaco has a dedicated vegan scene with at least one fully vegan restaurant and multiple venues with strong vegetarian options. Many restaurants offer creative plant-based dishes alongside meat-centric menus.
Venues
Karma Café & Restaurant
- Price Range
- CRC 6,000
- Neighborhood
- Central Jaco, Centro Comercial Il Galione, 2nd floor, Avenida Pastor Díaz
- Cuisine Or Dish
- 100% plant-based, international comfort foods, chickpea pattie burgers, vegan ceviche, smoothie bowls, locally sourced ingredients
Green Room Café
- Price Range
- CRC 6,500
- Neighborhood
- Central Jaco, main strip
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Farm-to-table with extensive vegetarian and vegan options, cauliflower tacos, vegan nachos with homemade vegan cheese, organic ingredients
International Non Local Cuisine
International Non Local Cuisine
- Italian (pizzerias: Rioasis Pizza, Amancio's Pizza, Inferno Pizza)
- Thai (Jerah, Rejn Asian Fusion)
- Japanese/Sushi (Tsunami Sushi, Ohana Sushi Tapas)
- Mediterranean (Amara)
- Argentinian (El Novillo Alegre)
- Indian (Naans & Curries, Hola India)
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this food & dining research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
- 1.twoweeksincostarica.com
- 2.puravidamoms.com
- 3.jacomontecarlo.com
- 4.opentable.com
- 5.costarica-condos.com
- 6.costaricatravellife.com
- 7.jacoroyale.com
- 8.hrgvacations.com
- 9.karmacostarica.com
- 10.karmacostarica.com
- 11.vacationscostarica.com
- 12.puravidatraveling.com
- 13.neststays.co
- 14.arisutransfer.com
- 15.costaricavibes.com
- 16.tradingeconomics.com
- 17.welcometojaco.com
More About Jacó
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.