Manuel Antonio Restaurants

Manuel Antonio Dining and Entertainment Guide

Manual Antonio and Quepos together offer a wide variety of food services from traditional fare to creative fusion cuisine to high-end restaurants featuring ethnic flavors from all over the world. Below are a few of what we consider as best choices.

Kapi Kapi
A fine dining restaurant in Manuel Antonio. Open for dinner from 4-10 pm, Tuesday-Sunday.

Agua Azul
Lunch and dinner menu features a mixture of international dishes like Pad Thai, Chicken Marsala and Seafood Pasta. One of the most popular choices is Panko Crusted Tuna. Open daily from 11am-10pm, closed Wednesdays.

Barba Roja
One of the oldest landmark restaurants in Manuel Antonio with an unsurpassed ocean view and a rustic feel, offering a French style menu and live music. Open Tuesday through Sunday, serving dinner from 3:00pm -10:30pm. 2 for 1 sunset happy hour from 4:30pm - 6:30pm

Café Milagro
Café Milagro is in both Quepos and Manuel Antonio. However, dinner is served at the Quepos location only. In Quepos, the cozy café offers delicious breakfasts and fabulous lunches, such as the hummus sandwich. The dinner menu features exotic food such as banana-leaf wrapped red snapper. Both locations offer freshly baked pastries and cakes. Try a slice of the carrot cake, accompanied, of course, with a cup of their famous home-roasted coffee. Their delicious coffee and other local gift items can be purchased in their own gift shop. Quepos location is open 7am-10pm, closed Sundays. Manuel Antonio location is open 7am-6pm, closed Sundays. 

Ronny's Place
High on a hill overlooking the ocean, Ronnie's Place has it all from magnificent sunset to a quality menu. The open air setting creates a real Costa Rican atmosphere. Open 2pm-10pm. 

Salsipuedes
This is a "tapas-style" restaurant where customers normally order a great variety of dishes that come in tiny portions, although larger portions are also available if you want to make a meal out of them. Open at 4pm-10pm, closed Tuesdays.

El Avion
El Avion (The Airplane) is an interesting restaurant with a unique history. The aircraft that sits on the restaurant compound was brought here piece by piece after it had crashed and landed in Panama. It is an icon in the area and should not be missed. Have a drink in the cockpit or enjoy your dinner overlooking the ocean.

Cavallo Bianco
Silvana, the Italian owner and chef, offers authentic Italian pastas, sandwiches and salads at this small deli. 

La Hacienda
A combination of Latino, Mediterranean and Asian cuisines are served here in a relaxing and tropical atmosphere. It is located in Plaza Yara and is open daily 4-11pm.

La Luna
Located in Gaia Hotel, this restaurant offers lunch, tapas and fine dining. For lunch, try a Chipotle and Caribbean Crab Wrap or if you are in the mood of something lighter, tapas are offered from 3-6pm. For dinner, try their smoked salmon carousel or the Signature Angus Filet Mignon. 

La Cantina
La Cantina has a train wagon in its restaurant compound which is a point of interest for passers-by. You can enjoy a casual barbecue style dinner while listening to reggae beats.

Makanda
Fine dining at its best featuring an international menu; Lamb Ribs in a Mint Sauce a favorite. Open daily for lunch and dinner from 11am-10pm.

Gato Negro
This restaurant offers fine Italian cuisine including pastas and fresh fish.

Marlin
This restaurant offers a wide variety of American, Mexican and Italian dishes, but is best known for its seafood. Try the seafood extravaganza or a typical casado. It is located right across the street from the beach. Open daily from 7am-8pm with happy hour from 4:30pm-6:30pm.

Byblos
Reputedly the best pizza place in town, this sports bar and restaurant features big screen TV, full pool table services and casino. 

Mar Luna
Enjoy local music while snacking on the fresh catch of the day at Mar Luna. They have a lively atmosphere, one of the best calamari salads in town and a tuna sashimi appetizer to die for. Open daily 4-10:30pm.

Plinio
The international menu features Oriental and Thai food and Indian “boca” platters. Italian, German and traditional Costa Rican style dishes are also offered. Their kitchen uses organic herbs and spices grown on their own farm. Open daily from 5-10pm.

Si Como No
This hotel features two local restaurants, the Rico Tico’s Bar ‘n Grill and Claro Que Si Seafood Restaurant. Both are known for quality meals, genuine hospitality and pleasant atmosphere. Live music is played nightly.

Nightlife and Entertainment

Barba Roja is one of the best places to go for a few drinks and dancing in Manuel Antonio. Thursdays and Saturdays after 10pm are the busiest.

The Lounge Tuesdays and Thursdays are Ladies Night from 9:00pm till close. Ladies get free rum and cokes, guaro drinks and vodka and frescas all night long. 

Live Music

La Cantina
Located across from the Costa Verde Hotel, La Cantina Restaurant and Bar offers live reggae music nightly.

Bambu Jam
This restaurant and bar offers live music Tuesdays and Fridays. The best place to relax is upstairs in their cozy lounge.