Best Restaurants in Monteverde, Costa Rica: where to eat?
- Aurélise Leroux
- Oct 15
- 6 min read
Monteverde may be famous for its misty cloud forests and wildlife, but its food scene is just as unforgettable. From treetop fine-dining experiences and farm-to-table bistros to cozy local sodas serving traditional Costa Rican dishes, Monteverde has something for every traveler’s palate. Whether you’re craving a romantic dinner surrounded by nature, a casual café with mountain views, or hearty comfort food after a day of adventure, this charming highland town delivers. Here’s your guide to the best restaurants in Monteverde, Costa Rica, and exactly where to eat during your visit.
Fine Dining Restaurants
San Lucas — Treetop Dining Experience
General Location: Chira Glamping, Monteverde.
Type of Food: Contemporary / Central American fusion tasting menu
Price Range: $100–$150+ per person for multi-course experiences
Phone Number: +506 8456 1022.
Website: http://sanlucas.cr/
Do I Need a Reservation?: Yes — intimate setting with very limited tables, reservations required and frequently pre-payment is requested.
Do They Deliver?: No — this is an on-site, immersive treetop experience.
San Lucas Treetop Dining Experience is Monteverde’s signature special-occasion restaurant, offering private glass dining pods and raised decks among the forest canopy. Guests enjoy a multi-course tasting menu that highlights local ingredients and creative presentations — more of an unforgettable experience than a quick meal. The intimate setting, surrounded by misty treetops and birdsong, makes it perfect for anniversaries or a romantic night out, especially at sunset, when the forest glows with golden light.
Restaurante Celajes (Hotel Belmar)
General Location: Hotel Belmar (close to Santa Elena / Monteverde hills).
Type of Food: C reative Costa Rican / international, elevated farm-forward
Price Range: $40–$100+ per person
Phone Number: +506 2645 5201
Do I Need a Reservation?: Recommended — hotel restaurants often advise reservations, especially at sunset.
Do They Deliver?: No — on-site dining.
Restaurante Celajes at Hotel Belmar is one of Monteverde’s most polished, terroir-driven dining options: it emphasizes seasonal, regenerative ingredients (many sourced from its own farm, greenhouse, or organic garden), inventive presentations, and a strong sense of place. With balconies and terraces offering sweeping views (on clear days, you can glimpse the Pacific), the food ranges from creative riffs on traditional Costa Rican flavors to globally inspired dishes. Perfect for those wanting an elevated, locally-rooted meal paired with a relaxed, scenic atmosphere — especially at sunset, when the light and vistas are at their most magical.
El Sapo — Restaurante & Bar
General Location: Inside Senda Monteverde Hotel
Type of Food: Contemporary Costa Rican / international — hyper-local, seasonal menus.
Price Range: $30–$100 per person
Phone Number: +506 8962 6161
Website: Instagram
Do I Need a Reservation?: Recommended during high season
Do They Deliver?: Typically not — on-site dining; contact the hotel/restaurant to confirm.
El Sapo is the on-site restaurant and bar at Senda Monteverde, offering hyper-local, honestly prepared cuisine with deep roots in Costa Rica’s natural and ancestral traditions. From breakfast, lunch to dinner, the menu features artisan breads, handmade sauces, and fresh produce often grown in their own kitchen nursery. Your meal may range from modern takes on traditional Costa Rican classics to creative, international-inspired dishes, with options for vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free. The atmosphere is stylish yet warm, with big windows, cozy fireside seating, and a terrace overlooking the highlands — making El Sapo perfect for a relaxing dinner or cocktail while watching the sunset.
Casual Dining Restaurants
Bon appétit! - Pizzeria & Ristorante
General Location: 300 mts noroeste plaza de fútbol, Santa Elena
Type of Food: Italian (homemade pasta, wood-fired pizza, classic Italian dishes).
Price Range: $25-$40 per person
Phone Number: +506 2645 5301
Website: Facebook
Do I Need a Reservation?: Not usually required but helpful on busy nights.
Do They Deliver?: Typically no, dine-in / takeout options depend on current local services; check their site or call.
Bistro Bon Appetit is a cozy, well-loved Italian bistro in Santa Elena, specializing in wood-fired pizzas, fresh pastas, grilled meats, and generous wine offerings. With a bright, welcoming interior and attentive service, it offers good value for elevated comfort food. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available, making it a popular spot for relaxed dinners.
Farm to Table Escondido
General Location: 700 suroeste Escuela Cerro Plano Puntarenas Monteverde,
Type of Food: Farm-to-table, wood-fired pizzas, seasonal plates (organic/regenerative farm produce).
Price Range: $15-$40 per person
Phone Number: +506 2645 5156
Website: www.valleescondidocr.com/restaurant
Do I Need a Reservation?: Recommended for dinner and weekend visits.
Do They Deliver?: No — on-site farm dining (harvest-to-plate experience).
Nestled in the Valle Escondido Nature Reserve, Farm to Table Escondido is a charming, sustainability-focused restaurant where much of the food comes from the hotel’s organic farm—vegetables, herbs, and greens are harvested onsite, and if they’re not grown there, they are sourced locally. The setting is peaceful, with sweeping valley views, lush permaculture gardens, and a relaxed open-air ambiance that invites you to slow down and really enjoy your meal. Their menu offers a mix of wood-fired thin-crust pizzas (with vegan and gluten-free options), Costa Rican classics like casado and gallo pinto, fresh salads, soups, chef’s specials, and fermented sides or drinks from their gardens. It’s a great place to go for dinner, especially around sunset, when the light over the valley makes the views extra memorable and the atmosphere turns particularly magical.
Morpho’s Restaurant
General Location: Downtown Santa Elena (near Orchid Garden / Plaza area).
Type of Food: International / Costa Rican comfort dishes — steaks, pastas, casados, soups.
Price Range: $15-$30 per person
Phone Number: +506 2645 7373.
Website: Instagram
Do I Need a Reservation?: Not usually necessary, but recommended during busy times.
Do They Deliver?: Typically no; dine-in recommended.
Perched on a hillside overlooking Santa Elena, Morpho’s Restaurant combines elevated views with a broad, eclectic menu. Guests can expect a mix of Costa Rican favorites (casados, arroz con pollo, seafood soups) alongside international dishes like burgers, pasta, steaks, and more adventurous fusion plates. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, with indoor/outdoor seating and big windows that help you soak in sunset views when the weather is clear. Many visitors highlight the friendly staff and the extra touches (like co-owners going out of their way to help). Morpho tends toward the more upscale side of Santa Elena’s dining scene, so it’s a good pick if you want something a little more refined than a casual soda.
Budget Dining Restaurants (Great value & local flavor)
The Green Monteverde
General Location: Plaza Monteverde local 31, Provincia de Puntarenas, Monteverde, Costa Rica
Type of Food: A fusion of international and Costa Rican cuisine
Price Range: $10 to $25 per person
Phone Number: +506 2645 7755
Website: www.thegreenmtv.com
Do I Need a Reservation? Reservations are not required but are recommended during peak hours or weekends.
Do They Deliver? No
The Green Restaurant offers a vibrant and health-conscious dining experience in the heart of Monteverde. It provides a diverse menu that caters to various dietary preferences, including vegetarian and gluten-free options. The restaurant's commitment to using fresh, natural ingredients ensures a flavorful and wholesome meal. With its friendly service and inviting atmosphere, The Green is a popular choice for both locals and travelers seeking a nutritious meal in a relaxed setting.
Restaurante Sabor Tico
General Location: Two locations: one in Plaza Monteverde, next to The Green and one in Santa Elena, in front of the Sports Plaza).
Type of Food: Traditional Costa Rican (casados, gallo pinto, plantains, local specialties).
Price Range: $7 to $15 per person
Phone Number: (+506) 2645 5968 (Plaza location) — also a second phone listed for Sports Plaza.
Website: saborticorestaurante.com.
Do I Need a Reservation?: No
Do They Deliver?: Usually not; primarily dine-in/takeout (check directly if needed).
Sabor Tico is a warm, family-run “soda” (traditional Costa Rican restaurant) in Montverde & Santa Elena that specializes in authentic local cuisine. Expect hearty portions of dishes like gallo pinto, casados with beef, chicken, or fish, empanadas, plantains, tamales, and some Caribbean-influenced “rice & beans.” The atmosphere is cozy, friendly, and relaxed — with wood-paneled interiors, plantains hanging from walls, and patios where locals and visitors alike gather. Sabor Tico is a top choice if you want a genuine taste of Costa Rica without the tourist price tag, but with generous food and welcoming service. Locals and budget-minded travelers love it for its classic flavors.
Orchid Coffee & Restaurant
General Location: Jardín de orquideas, Santa Elena
Type of Food: Costa Rican specialties, international dishes, and vegan-friendly options.
Price Range: $10 to $20 per person
Phone Number: +506 2645 6850
Website: Instagram
Do I Need a Reservation? No, generally not required
Do They Deliver? No
Orchid Coffee & Restaurant in Monteverde is a cozy café-restaurant known for its excellent locally brewed coffee, homemade pastries, and fresh, flavorful meals ranging from hearty breakfasts to salads, paninis, and crepes. The bright, inviting space and friendly service make it a favorite stop for travelers and locals alike. It’s a perfect spot to relax between adventures — enjoy a great cup of Costa Rican coffee, a slice of cake, or a light meal while soaking in Monteverde’s laid-back charm.
Conclusion
Monteverde’s dining scene perfectly mirrors its surroundings — fresh, sustainable, and full of character. Whether you savor a multi-course sunset meal among the treetops, enjoy handcrafted cocktails with a view, or share a pizza in a cozy mountain bistro, every restaurant here adds its own flavor to the cloud forest experience. So come hungry, stay curious, and let Monteverde’s culinary side surprise you — it’s the perfect way to end (or start) your adventure in Costa Rica’s magical highlands.
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