Coco Loco

Just steps from the sand, Coco Loco isn’t just about the fantastic beachfront view—it’s a vibe! Enjoy fresh, local flavors with a cocktail in hand and your feet in the sand. Perfect for those lazy beach days or a romantic sunset dinner.

Brothers Of Ale

Located 5 minutes from Playa Flamingo, Brothers Of Ale serves up tasty food and local brews. It’s one of our favorite spots after a day in the sun. Sip up and chill out. 

PLAYA FLAMINGO

• Coco Loco – A fantastic beach cafe near the waters of beautiful Playa Flamingo. It’s our go-to spot for a quick snack and only 2 minutes walking from Villas Flamingo.
• Gracia at Mar Vista – Our favorite place for a sunset dining experience. It’s located in the Mar Vista residential community but is still open to the public. Their infinity pool is open to use during dinner so swimsuits are encouraged. Drive time: 10 minutes
• Surf Box – Recently relocated to the new Flamingo Marina, Surf Box offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Don’t miss their French Toast for breakfast and poke bowl for lunch! Drive time: 5 minutes
• NALU Bagel & Café Flamingo – Nalu is another must-try spot for breakfast in Playa Flamingo. Drive time: 5 minutes
• Marie’s – Located behind the Flamingo Marina, Marie’s offers a mix of local Costa Rican dishes at reasonable prices. Drive time: 5 minutes
• El Tiki – A great little street food inspired restaurant with Tiki Vibes! Drive time: 5 minutes
• Doki Sushi – A simple spot with amazing sushi. Try a poke bowl and a fresh cocktail. Drive time: 5 minutes
• a’lo Nico – Rated one of the best restaurants in the Playa Flamingo area, a’lo Nico is the place to go for a Costa Rican breakfast. Drive time: 5 minutes

POTRERO

• Hemmingways – A high energy beachfront restaurant / bar in Potrero. Great for sunsets with live music. It can get busy at sunset so get there early. Drive time: 10 minutes
• Mengue Tapas – A relaxing beachfront tapas restaurant. Grab some snacks and watch the sunset colors over the ocean. They are on a grassy field, so bring the bug spray. Drive time: 10 minutes
• La Forketta – A popular Italian restaurant in Playa Potrero with an excellent wine selection and a fun atmosphere. We’ve had hit or miss experiences with the food but still a good spot for Italian. Drive time: 10 minutes
• Gracia at Potrero Brewing Food Court – The little sibling of the Gracia at Mar Vista Restaurant. Located in a small food court at Potrero Brewing, they offer various sliders and small bites. Pairs well with the local craft beer! Drive time: 10 minutes
• Gritanga at Potrero Brewing Food Court – Another small eatery in the food court at Potrero Brewing. They dish up delicious tacos and small plates. Drive time: 10 minutes
• La Pizzetteria Da Oreste – A gem for Italian-style pizza in the area. Owner-operated, and their wine list is limited but very good. Drive time: 15 minutes

BRASILITO

• Patagonia Del Mar – A fusion restaurant with all types of food. We love the Tico California Roll, but it’s all good. High end wine selection. Drive time: 10 minutes
• New Shogun – This is the spot for a variety of Asian cuisine in the area.
• Brothers of Ale Brewing – Really, this is located at the edge of Huacas town, but it is one of our favorite breweries in the region. Not only do they have great beer… the food is fantastic. Drive time: 12 minutes

BREWERIES

• Potrero Brewing – One of the two main breweries in the area. The owner / brewer TJ is a master of the craft and his beers pair perfectly with the on-site food stands. They play many of the sports games and are family friendly. Don’t miss if you’re searching for craft beer. Drive time: 10 minutes
• Brothers Of Ale – One of our favorite breweries in all of Costa Rica. Owner / brewer Alaks is a blast and has crafted some delicious food and beer. They also have misters to cool you down after a day at the beach. Drive time: 12 minutes
• Las Olas Brewing – This brewery is just outside the scope of this post, but worth mentioning. The sleepy surf town Playa Grande is a great spot for a day at the beach, and Las Olas is the perfect spot for a beer afterwards. Drive time: 23ish minutes
• Papagayo Brewing – Located in Las Catalinas, this Papagayo tasting room is worth a visit if you’re in the area. Otherwise I’d check out any of the breweries above first. Drive time: 25 minutes + expensive parking
• Monkey Head Brewing – So technically not in the area, Monkey Head Brewing is our go-to brewery by the Liberia Airport. We stop here on the way to and from LIR so it makes the cut here. Drive time: 50-80 minutes