Good to know
Good to Know
- Most menus in Tamarindo display prices in USD, though Costa Rican colones are also accepted. Many restaurants add a 10% automatic gratuity to bills; check before deciding additional tip.
- Tipping 15–20% is customary at mid-range and high-end restaurants if not already included.
- Many smaller restaurants in Tamarindo are cash-only; always carry colones or small USD bills.
- Most restaurants do not have websites; some have Facebook pages. Stop by in person or call to check menus.
- For food allergies, inform your server immediately and consider carrying a card with your allergies translated to Spanish to prevent miscommunication.
- Tap water is generally safe to drink in Tamarindo, though bottled water is available and commonly purchased by visitors.
- Mosquitos are intense after sunset; bring insect repellent for outdoor dining.
- Tamarindo's restaurant scene is dynamic and changes frequently—venues open and close regularly, so confirm current operation before visiting.
Supermarkets
Auto Mercado
- Location
- North of town, Tamarindo Heights complex (requires taxi or ~30-min walk)
- Description
- Largest supermarket in Tamarindo; full-service American-style store with wide selection of imported goods, fresh produce, meats, seafood, household items, and bakery
Super Compro
- Location
- Center of town, near Pueblo del Mar
- Description
- Smaller central-town supermarket with decent selection of groceries, fresh produce, and meats; convenient location but limited inventory compared to Auto Mercado
Pimienta Verde
- Location
- Central Tamarindo
- Description
- Organic and health-focused market with locally sourced products, gluten-free, and vegan staples
El Almacén
- Location
- Central Tamarindo
- Description
- Organic market specializing in local and health-conscious products
Vindi
- Location
- Up dirt road toward gym and La Esquina (Central Tamarindo)
- Description
- Mini-market subsidiary of Auto Mercado; newest market in town with freshest fruits and vegetables in central area, higher prices but better quality
Budget
Long Boards
- Price Range
- CRC 6,000
- Neighborhood
- Central Tamarindo
- Cuisine Or Dish
- BBQ, pulled pork, brisket, fish tacos
Green Papaya Taco Bar
- Price Range
- CRC 7,000
- Neighborhood
- Central Tamarindo
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Mexican fusion, tacos, margaritas
Santa Rita Cafe
- Price Range
- CRC 5,500
- Neighborhood
- Central Tamarindo
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Costa Rican, gallo pinto, vegetarian/vegan options
La Bodega
- Price Range
- CRC 6,500
- Neighborhood
- Central Tamarindo
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Breakfast, lunch, sandwiches, local queso fresco
High End
Pangas Beach Club
- Price Range
- CRC 25,000
- Neighborhood
- Playa Tamarindo (estuary)
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Upscale seafood, grilled octopus, fresh catch
Patagonia Argentinian Grill
- Price Range
- CRC 24,000
- Neighborhood
- Central Tamarindo
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Premium steaks, Argentinean, Bife de Chorizo
Agua Salada
- Price Range
- CRC 26,000
- Neighborhood
- Playa Tamarindo
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Fine dining, limited high-quality menu, sunset views
Cala Luna Origen
- Price Range
- CRC 24,000
- Neighborhood
- Playa Langosta
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Farm-to-table, organic ingredients, Costa Rican-international fusion
Mid Range
NOI Bistro Tamarindo
- Price Range
- CRC 14,000
- Neighborhood
- Central Tamarindo
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Creative international, breakfast, lunch, cocktails
Bamboo Sushi Club
- Price Range
- CRC 18,000
- Neighborhood
- Central Tamarindo
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Sushi, fresh seafood, Nikkei fusion, poke bowls
Dragonfly Bar & Grill
- Price Range
- CRC 16,000
- Neighborhood
- Central Tamarindo
- Cuisine Or Dish
- International fusion, Costa Rican twist, seasonal menu
Nogui's Meson De Mariscos
- Price Range
- CRC 15,000
- Neighborhood
- Playa Tamarindo
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Fresh seafood, Costa Rican dishes, beachfront
Delivery Services
TicoToGo
- Notes
- Caters to English-speaking customers; covers 27+ local restaurants plus grocery delivery. Order online or by phone. Delivery fees vary by restaurant agreement.
Rapido
- Notes
- Food and grocery delivery across Costa Rica including Tamarindo. Mobile app-based, accepts credit card, Apple Pay, PayPal.
SIPP
- Notes
- Food delivery app operational in Tamarindo covering restaurants, supermarkets, and various cuisine categories.
Local Must Try Dishes
Casado
- Description
- Traditional Costa Rican lunch plate with rice, beans, plantains, salad, tortilla, and choice of protein (beef, chicken, fish, pork, or vegetarian eggs/cheese)
Ceviche
- Description
- Fresh white fish with diced peppers, onions, cilantro, and citrus—Costa Rican style, lighter and tangier than Peruvian versions
Gallo Pinto
- Description
- Black beans and rice with sautéed onions, peppers, salsa Lizano, and cilantro; served at breakfast, often with natilla (Costa Rican sour cream)
Patacones
- Description
- Crispy, deep-fried smashed green plantains, traditionally served with refried beans or shredded beef
Olla De Carne
- Description
- Slow-stewed beef and vegetable soup with local tubers like yucca, yams, tiquisque, and ñampí—traditional comfort food from local sodas
Chifrijo
- Description
- Hearty bar food with white rice, stewed beans, chicharrones (fried pork belly), and pico de gallo, usually served with chips or patacones
Fresh Coconut Water
- Description
- Ice-cold agua de pipa served straight from the coconut with a machete-cut top and straw, sold by vendors on beaches and in markets
Vegan And Vegetarian Dining
- Overview
- Tamarindo has a growing vegan and vegetarian scene, reflecting its wellness-oriented expat community and proximity to organic farms in the region.
Venues
Flora Vegan Cafe
- Location
- Central Tamarindo
- Description
- 100% vegan and plant-based restaurant with specialty coffee, bar, and handmade merchandise. Sources ingredients locally from markets.
Off The Grid
- Location
- Mother Earth Vegan Hotel, Central Tamarindo
- Description
- All-vegan restaurant at Mother Earth Luxury Boutique Vegan Hotel; serves American and Italian cuisine, vegan pasta, plant-based burgers, and desserts
Verano Vegano
- Location
- Jardin Tamarindo Food Truck Park (minutes from beach)
- Description
- Vegan food truck in Jardin Tamarindo Food Truck Park; specializes in house-made vegan burgers, tacos, and desserts
Sprout Tamarindo
- Location
- Central Tamarindo
- Description
- Health-focused cafe with locally sourced, fresh food; vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free meal options including burritos and bowls
Halal Dining
- Note
- No documented halal-certified dining venues found for Tamarindo.
Kosher Dining
- Note
- No documented kosher-certified dining venues found for Tamarindo.
Gluten Free Dining
- Overview
- Gluten-free options are increasingly available, particularly at higher-end and health-conscious restaurants. Auto Mercado carries gluten-free products.
International Cuisine
- Overview
- Tamarindo has a robust international dining scene reflecting its role as a beach-tourism destination. Italian, Mediterranean, Asian fusion (particularly Nikkei-style sushi), Argentinean steakhouse, and Mexican-fusion establishments are common. Many restaurants blend Costa Rican ingredients with global techniques.
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.remotelyserious.com
- 2.specialplacesofcostarica.com
- 3.costaricavibes.com
- 4.10feettraveling.com
- 5.drinkteatravel.com
- 6.stayintamarindo.com
- 7.floravegancafe.com
- 8.wanderlog.com
- 9.mytanfeet.com
- 10.wanderlog.com
- 11.blackvegabond.com
- 12.coastalrealtycostarica.com
- 13.wanderlog.com
- 14.rapidocostarica.com
- 15.sippdelivery.com
- 16.news.co.cr
More About Tamarindo
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.