costa rica restaurants

We debuted a lot of things in 2018 and one of our favorites was our new dining and nightlife column “Off the Eaten Path.”

Growing up in Vancouver, Canada, a world-class sushi city and so I can confidently claim to know the difference between the real deal and the not-so-authentic. With that in mind, I’m just going to go right out and say it: if this isn’t the best sushi in Costa Rica, it’s definitely the best affordable sushi in Costa Rica.

Have you ever wondered, how the chifrijo was invented?

I’ve already highlighted what I think are the top three chifrijos in Costa Rica. Doing so was one of my first orders of business when I started this column.

Taj Mahal is well-known and might not be as “off the eaten path” as some of the other restaurants I review, but it was back when I reviewed it for my high school newspaper back in 2005.

When the owner is the one in the kitchen, you’re in for a treat. La Tacopedia is no exception.

The restaurant Holiday offers an authentic culinary experience.

Apart from its name and a mural inside featuring the namesake city in Brazil, Rio de Janeiro is a very much Costa Rican establishment. It’s a traditional style cantina leftover from an older, simpler time. It's the kind of place I love to tuck into for some bocas and beers.

Visiting Holiday is like stepping into a foreign land. I’m surprised they don’t ask for your passport at the door.

At Pad Thai, everything is grounded down fresh. I’m talking all the curry paste, turmeric, galangal, basil and coriander; all ground with a mortar and pestle.