Tamarindo is an amazing place full of nature, wild life and beautiful beaches. It is known for nightlife, great for surfing and many more activities. But after a long night of partying or full day of surfing you need to relax and eat some good food.
Tamarindo Restaurants can get really pricy there is a lot of places made for tourist which are overpriced. I have listed here mainly places which are run from Locals with reasonable prices.
There is a lot of street food in Tamarindo you can find a lot of juice bars on the street. Tables with food, people selling food from a car. Food and Drink markets with many Local sellers.
Anything with SODA in the name is local cuisine designed for Costa Rican´s these places will be cheaper usually with amazing food.
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Blue Station Wagon
A Local lady “Doña Rosa” who serves food from her car with her husband.
Doña Rosa has been serving the most traditional Costa Rican for ten years.
It is right for you if you are walking around Tamarindo and want to taste some Local cousine.
Cousine- Costa Rican
Food Served- typical casado, a platter with arroz con pollo (chicken and rice), black beans, fried plantains, and other traditional foods.
Location/Opening Hrs.
Starts selling around noon-closes when everything is sold Usually she is selling on main road of Tamarindo
Rating - 4.8/5
$4 USD
Usually has lines, only lunch
Black Stallion Ranch Style Bbq
RESERVATION ONLY- this place serves BBQ for lunch and dinner you have to reserve a spot.
Very lively vibe, sometimes live music, karaoke etc.
The owner is top notch you will be greeted with open arms and great energy.
It is little further from Tamarindo, but has a Zipline tour of Tamarindo nature close to it. So you can mix it together.
Cousine- Central American
Food Served- BBQ restaurant- meats, ribs, steaks, chorizo, grilled vegetables and grilled pineapples
Location/Opening Hrs.
Only 12PM and 6PM/ 8mins drive from Tamarindo Villareal
Rating - 4.9/5
$25.00 – $75.00
Usually has lines, only lunch
Little Lucha
Good authentic Mexican street tacos. You will love them!
Small yet lively atmosphere. Young, outgoing and friendly staff.
Mexican music with everything mexican cousine should have
Cousine- Mexican
Food Served- Mexican street tacos, premium tequila and bourbon options.
Location/Opening Hrs.
11AM-9PM / 100 meters east of Banco National Across from the Night Market, next to Chocolat , Tamarindo 50309 Costa Rica
Rating - 5/5
$5 – $15
Small Street food place, Amazing for Taco Tuesdays!
CAPRICHOS RESTO & BAR
Restaurant right on the beach of Tamarindo.
Live music, amazing food and drinks.
Owner usually works as a server and tries to make all costumers happy.
Look at beach while drinking or just take a break from surfing.
Cousine- Argentinean, Italian
Food Served- Empanandas, Milanesas, Pizza with delicous cocktails, milkshakes and many more
Location/Opening Hrs.
11AM-10PM / Calle Cruz Tamarindo 50309 Costa Rica
Rating - 4.8/5
$25 – $35
Playfroom for children, Amazing after surfing or during beach visit
Waffle Monkey
Before a long day of surfing or swimming you can get here some breakfest to get fueled.
During hot day on summer come here to take some cold ice cream or a milkshake.
Love to come here for a break from sun and relax during the day.
Do not come here if you dont want to eat 6 waffles in a row. 😀
Cousine- International
Food Served- Great for breakfest, Homemade Waffles, Ice cream, Milkshakes and coffe
Location/Opening Hrs.
7AM-1PM / 50 mts from Rotunda passage to the beach
Rating - 4.7/5
$5 – $10
Playfroom for children, Amazing after surfing or during beach visit
Jardín Tamarindo Food Truck Park
Love to come here at night for open air beach vibes.
Great for groups everybody can choose different food.
Great for a date or a night relax with drinking.
Cousine- All types of different food trucks
Food Served- Carrabean, American, Colombian, South American and many more
Location/Opening Hrs.
12PM-9PM / Tamarindo 50309 Costa Rica
Rating - 4.7/5
$5 – $15
Vegetarian and vegan friendly
El Mercadito de Tamarindo
Food and Cocktail market of Tamarindo beach.
It is one of the main locals favorite places.
The atmosphere is very vibrant and full of life.
With a bar which is build into a small boat!
Cousine- Mexican, Asian, Carribean and more
Food Served- Everything you can imagine from healthy food to burgers etc.
Location/Opening Hrs.
7AM-11PM / Este De La Delegación De Policías, Tamarindo Costa Rica
Rating - 4.6/5
$5 – $15
Vegetarian and vegan friendly, Local, Dog friendly, Open all day
Surf Club Bar & Grill
Place full of fun with table tennis, table football, pool, darts, board games, card games.
Amazing place if you like watching sports or active night of drinking.
If you dont want to just sit drink and talk this place is amazing for you.
Cousine- Central American
Food Served- Great salads, Sandwiches, Burgers, Sliders, Tacos, Appetizers, Grilled - Barbecued & Braised Meats
Location/Opening Hrs.
11AM-11PM / Playa Langosta, Tamarindo Costa Rica
Rating - 4.8/5
$10 – $20
Playground, Television with sports
Juice bars and local "small" sellers
As I said at the start of this blog there is a lot of local people walking and selling on the streets of Tamarindo. Be on a lookout for them.
Here is a list of some:
Soda El Buen Comer for delicious casado and watermelon drink.
Along the beach, you’ll see a variety of different types of vendors selling things like empanadas, churros, soft, delicate cookies called alfajores, beer, soda, water, amongst other things.
The Juice Box The hipster-cool stand carries fresh juices like coconut water, carrot juice, and watermelon juice.
The Mango Guy sells fresh green mango on a cup, what you can season with lemon, salt, pepper or hot sauce. Just look for the green cart Wednesday-Sunday in the afternoon.
The Ceviche Guy sells a mean ceviche along the beach.
Snow Cone Cart selling “granizados” with your choice of flavors.
Places like Sno Shack, Mango Verde Smoothie Shop, and Mandarina for fresh fruit batidos (smoothies) that are made to order.
Pipa Guy selling pipa fria (cold coconut water)