Local Area Information
Here is a guide to our favorite restaurants around town
On our street (these are some of, if not the best restaurants in town)
Pacifico Azul: One of the best, most consistent restaurants in town with friendly waitstaff, and it is just across the street (a few lots further from the beach). They have seafood, typical costa rican dishes, and other items- you can’t go wrong everything here is good, even the wings! If you are trying to tell someone where the house is, you can say that you are near this restaurant, everyone knows it. Or in in Spanish: “En frente de Pacifico Azul”. One of the more accommodating restaurants in town for larger groups.
Posada Margherita: The second closest restaurant, across the street and closer to the beach. Great Italian food including pizzas. Reservations recommended especially for larger parties. Super friendly owner and amazing gelato.
Elixir: Right next door, they offer Sushi, Tuesday through Saturday.
Beach Break: Ok, not technically on our street, but right around the corner from us down the street by Elixir and Corky Carrols. Good food (sister restaurant to Huacas) and a great vibe.
YaYa’s: Next to corky carrols surf shop. Very simple menu- tacos and casadas (typical costa rican dish consisting of rice, beans, plantains, side salad and the protein of your choice) but both good, and a little less expensive than guiones standard for both food and drinks.
“Not to Miss” restaurants
Howlers: This is at the top of the list for a reason! Typically when I recommend this place to friends, they return several times over a week. It is a very casual place, it is more of a bar than a restaurant, but they serve the best dish in town in my opinion. I have dreams about their tuna carpaccio! The tacos are also good, but in my opinion, everyone should just order their own tuna carpaccio. :) Great drinks and friendly bartenders. Located in north guiones, next to Juan Surfo’s, a surfboard rental shop.
Coyol: One of the more highly regarded restaurants in town. It is a great option for a special occasion as the pace is slow and the setting is spectacular. The most popular time to go is for early dinner, 30 minutes or so before sunset so you can enjoy their outdoor area and socialize a little with some cocktails as the sun sets. It is a bit of an adventure getting there- it’s a 25 minute+ drive, up a steep mountain road, 4wd or at least SUV clearance recommended. The food is good and it’s a great experience overall. The entrees are very large and work well for sharing. We actually like the starters the best so we often skip the entree and just order appetizers, or at least share an entree so that we have room for the starters. Steaks, fish, and vegetarian options. Reservations needed, especially for sunset. Open for lunch as well as dinner.
Huacas: When people ask us to recommend our favorite restaurant in town, Huacas is the first one that comes to mind, for upscale dining with a view. The view is amazing and it is very peaceful. Another nice thing is they serve both breakfast and lunch as well, which are both great. This restaurant is located in a hotel called Tierra Magnifica, and something important to point out is that they do now allow children under 15 in the restaurant or even on the property in general- adults only. Reservations recommended but not required generally for dinner except in peak weeks, we often just make reservations day of. Breakfast and lunch are typically very slow so reservations are not needed then.
La Cosecha: This is a newer (opened 04/2024) restaurant located within the White Palms hotel (near Bodhi tree). They only offer a prix fixe menu, with one or two seatings per evening. The food is great and very inventive. We highly recommend it if you are on the adventurous side and enjoy prix fixe dining experiences. They are generally very accommodating with different food allergies, etc.
Breakfast spots
Organico Café (formerly known as Café Paris): Most locals still call this by its previous name. Open for lunch and breakfast only. Great menu, we love everything on it, something for everyone. They have a small storefront for take away orders but also a full sit down restaurant including a pool you are allowed to use while eating there. They have a grocery across the street that is like a mini Whole Foods- lots of organic ingredients and fancier items that are difficult to find in the larger Costa Rican supermarkets. There is also a poke bowl bar in the grocery store (take away only) that’s great.
Sunrise Coffee: Located in Pelada, they have a great breakfast as well, serving Acai type bowls, breakfast burritos, various avocado toasts and sandwiches including a great monte cristo.
Huacas: Mentioned above, but deserving of a second mention. You’d need to drive or take a tuk tuk but they have a great breakfast and the view is amazing. To us, it’s bit of a hidden gem for breakfast because there are so few people going there for it.
Authentic Costa Rican Food
Celajes: In Nosara town near the airport, this is our favorite place to eat in a more authentic costa rican restaurant. Great food and cheaper than guiones.
Rosi’s Soda Tica: The go to spot for locals food. They have two locations in Guiones, both are walking distance- one just to the south and one just to the north. Typical costa rican food, cheaper than other places in Guiones and quite good.
Almendra’s: Another good spot to try for local food, located a little outside of Guiones in Esperanza. Great food and less expensive.
Soda Garza: Another good authentic costa rica option on Garza beach to the south. They are known for their lobster dinners and other casados.
Vegan/Vegetarian options
Naked Foods: One of our favorite spots for lunch- they are only open for breakfast and lunch. Cash only. They have a sister restaurant with a highly similar menu, but a little different- and better seating in Garza called La Estrellitas.
Best Bars
Howler’s: Probably our favorite place for margaritas in town but I don’t think I have ever been here without also ordering their Tuna Carpaccio which is my favorite menu item, potentially anywhere in the world!
Beach Break: Right around the corner, often have live music, great vibe and food.
Elixir: Practically next door, this cocktail lounge can’t be beat for being close and they have great cocktails and it’s a smaller space so often easy to meet people.
El Chivo: Located in Pelada, usually a fun scene and we like the food.
Perozah’s: In Garza, right on the beach- this is less of a bar and more like a nightclub/place to see a DJ if you are looking for a night out to dance, etc. Ask around to see if they have anything going on, otherwise it might just be a restaurant/bar.
Beach Dog Café: Also has good food, they have live music pretty regularly.
Restaurants that are known for their sunsets
La Luna: Located on the beach at Playa Pelada, just north of us. If you want to be here for sunset you will need a reservation. Mediterranean inspired food. Super popular with tourists, personally we are not fans because we find the service a little off-putting and the food just sort of ok for the price, but many people list this is as their favorite restaurant in town because of the beautiful setting and how it is one of the only restaurants right on the beach.
Lagarta Lodge: Located at the river mouth between Pelada and Playa Nosara. Elevated view close to the ocean and river. Reservations recommended for sunset seating, but generally not necessary.
Coyol and Huacas: both described above but they are both great for sunset as well. Reservations needed at Coyol and recommended at Huacas.
Other honorable mentions
La Malacrianza: Located in Garza, we love this place for their pizza and their fish of the day which is served with a salad and mashed sweet potatoes- simple, but delicious and perfect. It’s more of a locals vibe than you get in Guiones. Everything on the menu is great.
El Ruco: Opened late 2025, this restaurant has a nice vibe and really good food, arguably one of the better restaurants in Guiones. Open breakfast, lunch and dinner. On weekends they sometimes have DJ’s playing, so that is worth checking if it is something that you would either want, or avoid.
Satori: The best sushi in Guiones, located over by the skate park.
Olivia’s: Great place for pizza (and they have a great ceviche too) in north Guiones. There is a gelato place tucked behind as well.
Esh (the café): Careful, there are two establishments with the same name- the café, which is right on highway 160 before you get to Rindemas (after the gas station), is one of our favorite lunch spots. Everything on the menu is great. The café is a little hidden, there is a small coffee shop up front with baked goods and to go items, the café is around to the back.
Esh (the hotel): The other Esh- located up in the Huacas neighborhood, they have a good restaurant, and are known to throw “Sunday Funday” pool parties with a DJ on Sunday afternoons. They also allow you to use the pool and cold plunge if you go up to hang out for the day on other days.