In the Playa Flamingo and Potrero area, you have the best of all worlds. Comfortable amenities, proximity to awesome activities, and of course, great restaurants to choose from!
I frequently head to this area on the weekend since the food quality is reliable and the ambiance is unbeatable. Here are my tried and true restaurants, cafes, and breweries in the Flamingo/Brasilito/Potrero area.
I will break these restaurants up by where they are located, but just about all of them are within 15 minutes of each other.
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Where to Eat in Potrero, Costa Rica
🍴 Potrero Brewing Co.
If you’re looking for a comfortable place to grab a bite to eat and get a craft beer, check out Potrero Brewing Co.! This is also a great spot for anyone with kids because there are games like jenga and outdoor seating. While the actual brewery doesn’t have food, it shares an outdoor eating area with several small food vendors like Gecko (Mexican food) and Gracia (hamburger sliders).
🍴 Las Brisas
Las Brisas is lowkey, beachfront restaurant with great local flavors! This is one of my favorite places to come for lunch or a dinner while watching the sunset! It’s everything you want in a Costa Rican restaurant. They have great ceviche and local dishes. I suggest the Bomba Ceviche, which is a monstrous amount of seafood—it even has a lobster tail!
🍴 La Forketta
La Forketta is something of a relic in Potrero, Costa Rica. This restaurant has great food and a central location. It has become a go-to place for locals.
🍴 Curiol Lounge
Curiol Lounge is a bit off the beaten path, but it’s a great option for sushi! They specialize in sushi and Asian fusion. It is a great place to come after dark. They have the dining area lit up with gorgeous hanging lanterns which creates the perfect ambiance for a date night.
🍴 Perlas
Perlas is similar to La Forketta in that it is one of Potrero’s tried and true restaurants. They often have live music and plenty of seating options. This is a great place to come any time of day to enjoy local flavors.
🍴 Soda Marcell
One of Costa Rica’s claims to fame are sodas. These are casual, family-owned restaurants that are very inexpensive, and have great quality, traditional Costa Rican food. Soda Marcell is one of my favorite sodas in the Flamingo/Brasilito/Potrero area. It’s a fantastic place for any meal, but I particularly love their Tico breakfast with must-try Costa Rican dish, gallo pinto. It’s also a great place for a hearty casado for lunch or dinner.
🍴 Restaurant Pleamar
Pleamar Restaurant is a family-owned restaurant located right on Potrero Beach. They have traditional Costa Rican favorites like costillas (ribs) with yuca and casados (a large dish with rice, beans, salad, another side, and a protein). They have great prices and a fun, beachy atmosphere with a palm thatch roof.
Where to Eat in Brasilito, Costa Rica
🍴 Patagonia del Mar
Patagonia del Mar is an upscale restaurant with Argentine roots. They specialize in great cuts of meat and Italian dishes. This restaurant is located just steps from the ocean and has a large open-air dining area. You can watch the sunset from your table! They also have a pool, so it’s a great place to keep your kids occupied while you enjoy a delicious dinner or drinks.
Where to Eat in Flamingo, Costa Rica
🍴 Coco Loco
Coco Loco Restaurant is named after the famous Coco Loco drink, made with coconut cream, rum, and tequila. As you can imagine, the Coco Loco Restaurant is as tropical and as laidback as its name suggest. This restaurant is located on the Flamingo Beach. It’s the perfect place to get a bite to eat after a day of sunbathing. It’s also an awesome viewing spot for the sunset! They have great drinks and a reliable menu.
🍴 La Vid
Gracia La Vid is one of my favorite restaurants in Guanacaste! Their speciality is pizza and salad, but believe me when I say their pizza is incredible! They have a great menu, combining unique flavors in a creative way. They also have speciality cocktails, and their outdoor seating includes tables with gas fires in the middle, creating a cozy and exclusive ambiance.
🍴 Gracia
Gracia at Mar Vista, owned by the same people as La Vid, is also upscale, located on the top of a mountain. The main selling point of the restaurant is the infinity pool with swim-up bar and the incredible view of the Pacific Coast. They have great cocktails, small plates, and mains.
Where to Eat in Las Catalinas, Costa Rica
🍴 Sentido Norte
There are many places to dine in Las Catalinas, but Sentido Norte is a cut above the rest! This is my all-time favorite restaurant in the area. They have an amazing breakfast menu with very accessible prices and a breathtaking view! This is the best spot to watch the sunset as Sentido Norte provides a nearly 360 degree view of the Pacific Coast. Dining here, or even coming for a cocktail, is a whole experience that I highly recommend!
Looking for a complete list of activities to do in the area? Check out the Best Things to Do in Flamingo.
Final Thoughts on the Best Places to Eat in Flamingo/Potrero/Brasilito
When it comes to bars and restaurants, there is no shortage in this area! The atmosphere, cuisine, and drink selection differs in each local listed above! No matter what you’re in the mood for, you’ll be sure to find something you enjoy.
¡Buen provecho! Let me know what you try!
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