RESTAURANTS
Here are our favorite spots for you to try. There are a lot of restaurants in Samara, and many are 'good' but not great. We tried to separate out the best ones for you here.
And of course we highly recommend the Casa Niri Sunset Dinners (see our menu).
**We have not included addresses are they are somewhat meaningless in Costa Rica. Just use the restaurant name as provided and find it on google maps.
Gusto Beach
Best beach restaurant in Sámara. I love it for the beachy decor, friendly waiters and healthy food options. The pizza's are really good too. You can choose to eat in the restaurant, at tables on the beach, or on lounge chairs on the beach. If you get there early, you can stay all day and use Gusto as your beach day base camp. There's an outdoor shower in the restaurant as well.
Italian, Beach eats
(6 min drive from Casa Niri)
whatsapp for reservations
+506 8972-4444
Brunch till 11am, Lunch, Dinner
Gusto Beach
This is my favorite restaurant for really good food with a spectacular view. Nestled in the hills above Playa Carrillo, it's decor is super unassuming. It's small and intimate so you'll definitely need a reservation. It's definitely an experience, not just a restaurant. Arrive early or stay late and enjoy a drink in their bar. Make sure to get a reservation at least a week in advance.
Peruvian Fushion, really really good
In Playa Carrillo (15 min drive from Casa Niri)
whatsapp for reservation:
+506 8941-5184
Dinner
La Puesta Del Sol
Beautiful setting below a big beach almond tree. I recommend dinner as it's really pretty in the evening below the tree and they typically have an amazing fire show when it gets dark. They make their Ravioli's in house and have great pizza as well. Fish is good when they have it. Good wine and cocktail selection. It’s also a great spot to use as a base for a dip in the ocean. They have beach beds and mats - some with great shade. My kids love climbing all around the big almond tree and playing in their swinging chairs that hang from its branches. To get here, you can enter at the boardwalk and walk along the beach to the right (if you’re looking at the ocean) about 100 meters. There’s no direct street access.
Italian, Beach eats
(6 min drive from Casa Niri)
whatsapp for reservations +506 8309-6463
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Afternoon Cocktails
La Dolce Vita
Mama Gui
Italian, really really good
Dinner
It's not on the beach, but has a really fun/funky atmosphere. I've loved everything I have ordered here. Amazing Italian food with some great upscale options. They often have live music & always fantastic cocktails.
El Lagarto
Fresh dishes from the BBQ
Dinner (reservations can be made by walking by, but not necessary for smaller groups)
On the beach right next to La Dolce Vita, El Lagarto cooks all their food over open flame. Our favorite is the whole grilled fish, but all options, including the vegetarian option are great.
Mr. Pelicano
Great seafood
Lunch starting at 12:30
This is a gem of a spot. Inside the Natural Center (a food court right across the street from Gusto), Mr. Pelicano serves up the best seafood based lunch options. Their bowls are delicious and healthy, and the Tuna Burger is wonderful. Natural Center food court has other options too so it's good for groups.
Coffee Shops: Roots or Malehu
Malehu has the best coffee in town, but Roots has better food, options and is great for grabbing lunch to go.
Restaurants worth the drive:
Local & Fresh Ingredients, Amazing Food
(35-40 min drive on dirt roads, from Casa Niri)
https://www.perozah.com/
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, & Great Cocktails
Perozah
I love Perozah. The drive is an adventure in itself, but so worth it, as long as you’re ok on bumpy dirt roads. Even in rainy season this restaurant is really special. There’s lots of comfortable lounging spots on the beach, plus regular tables and chairs. The cocktails are delicious and their fish is always fresh. This is a great spot for a full meal, or just for a drink. It’s on the road to Nosara (about 15 minutes before Nosara) so it’s a great place to stop to/from, but definitely worth it as a destination itself! Spectacular at sunset, but I often find myself there for a late lunch and afternoon cocktail.
Mediterranean
**In Playa Pelada, Nosara
(45-55 min from Casa Niri)
call for reservation:
+506 2682-0122
(You will need one)
Brunch, Lunch, Dinner
La Luna
For a truly spectacular setting on the beach, we highly recommend La Luna. Sunset is amazing here and the food is outstanding. Try the Kabob plate. It's worth the drive, but it is a bumpy adventure and on the far side of Nosara in the cove called Playa Pelada. The cocktails are large and delicious and the sunset is truly out of this world. If you come during the day, check out their sister cafe (ESH Mediterranean Street Food), for some of their delicious sauces and breads to take with you back to Casa Niri.
Mediterranean
(1 hour + drive all on dirt roads, from Casa Niri)
online reservations needed
Brunch, Lunch, Dinner
Coyol
Coyol is my favorite restaurant in the world. I mean that very literally. The setting is truly breathtaking. The cocktails are beautiful and delicious. The food is all locally sourced and as you can see from the smoke in the photos below, smoked on premises. The drive to get there is an absolute adventure. It’s at the top of a mountain in what feels like the middle of no where. We like to go for lunch because it is a difficult drive in the dark.
Getting to Coyol: You MUST have a 4x4 to get here. It’s a bumpy drive, but it’s part of the experience. It is 60-90 min from Casa Niri depending how you drive and is approximately 20 minutes beyond Nosara. Make a whole day of it - see Nosara in the morning and then head to Coyol for lunch, and be back at Casa Niri before dark.
