Eating, Drinking and Nightlife
Tamarindo has an astounding number of good-quality, cosmopolitan restaurants - in fact, it's well on its way to becoming the gourmet capital of Costa Rica, if not Central America. The town's large Italian population means that this cuisine is perhaps over-represented, but French, Mexican, Costa Rican (and fusions of all these) can also be found. Nightlife focuses on the restaurants and bars - a couple of them with pleasant beachfront locations - in the centre of the village. Arco Iris Impressively large vegeterian menu. Closed Mon. Blue Maxx Cafe Good, filling American breakfasts, served with real cappuccino or espresso, and tasty fresh sandwiches and salads at lunch - a nice place to go for a coffee at any time of day. Fiesta del Mar Recommended by locals for good quality "surf n' turf" (meat dishes served with seafood) at slightly above-average prices (US$10-12 for most main dishes). Good selection of non-alcoholic fruit drinks and fruit cocktails, too. Frutas Tropicales One of the few genuinely cheap places in Tamarindo. As the name says, there's plenty of tropical fruit in this little snack bar - try the fruit refrescos . Otherwise, the menu is the usual soda fare, with casados (US$3.50) and hamburgers (US$3) both good bets. They also rent out a couple of cabinas (US$10-15). La Terrazza Good, authentic Italian pizzas, with an impressive view of the village and beach from the upstairs dining room. Lazy Wave This outdoor restaurant may look casual, but it dishes up some of the best cooking in the area, if not the country, with a very fairly priced menu (changes daily) distinguished by the delicacy and inventiveness of its ingredients and flavours. The bakery-patisserie is worth a visit too. Noguis Bar/Sunrise Cafe Serves excellent breakfasts, with good breads, pastries and coffees, which you can either eat at the breezy seaside tables or take away. Pachanga Intimate, candlelit restaurant, tastefully decorated, and with a dependable menu including dorado curry (US$8) and BBQ ribs (US$10). No credit cards. Panaderia Francesa (although the sign still says "Johan's Bakery"). Small bakery serving delicious fresh croissants, pan dulce, pain au chocolat , banana cake, pizza, waffles and apple flan for breakfast. Pasatiempo , in the hotel of the same name. Perennially good restaurant serving crowd-pleasers like Caesar salad (US$4) and a wonderfully succulent blackened fish with greens, or try the chicken breast with mango stuffing (US$8). Very reasonable prices, too, which isn't always the case in Tamarindo. If nothing else, try the superlative fruit cocktails and a few nibbles. Live music twice a week in high season. Pelicano Bakery and Supermarket Tasty, high-quality sweets and sandwiches, with wholewheat sandwiches, coffee, desserts, bagels and takeout lunches. Stella's One of Tamarindo's best restaurants, with good Italian pasta and fresh fish cooked in excellent, inventive sauces. A large menu encompasses wood-oven-baked pizzas and even - rare for Costa Rica - veal. Main courses US$8-12. Closed Sun. Zullymar Unbeatable beachfront location - everybody seems to come here for a drink whilst watching the sun go down - and good food, with main dishes for US$5-7. Breakfasts are tasty and (for Tamarindo) good value, while the tipico dishes - pargo and dorado fish casados in particular - are always well prepared.
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