DINING IN DOMINICAL

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Don’t let the $$$ designations throw you off: virtually every restaurant on this list is a great value, but some are a little pricier than others. You won’t better food for the money than at Exotica. About $30 per person with wine.

Dominical Eateries

  • La Junta: This is a reasonably recent addition to our list and we LOVE IT. When we first came to Dominical, there was a Spanish language school at this site, which is right along the river, and slightly beyond Mama Toucan’s and Mono Congo. The menu is full of yummy choices including three burgers, and so we all ended up ordering their Basic Burger. It is anything but basic. The grass-fed beef burger is large and flavorful, but the condiments are what make it. Yes, tomato and onion, but the pickles are terrific, and homemade aioli. Get it with the side salad and order the Asian salad (I know, it’s an odd choice with a burger.) Then get a side of fries. Best burger you’ll ever have, and there are two others to experiment with. There’s a full bar, which was rocking, and it’s a quick walk to the riverbank if you want to stroll. $$

  • Mono Congo: excellent food along the river. Our favorite place for healthy breakfasts and smoothies. $$

  • Rum Bar: good pizza and drinks. $$

  • Tortilla Flats: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Surfer hangout, and the food is good and cheap. Try their Mahi either way, or Casado, which is the Costa Rican National meal. $

  • Crocodile Cafe: up the Rio Baru about 1km, part of the resort (Villas Rio Mar) at which we stayed whn we bought and built Caballitos del Mar. The rooms, meals, and service are very nice, and we enjoy going there for an afternoon swim in their pool with a swim-up bar. Full bar and good menu. $$$

  • Mariscos Amancio: This completely was off our radar for a few years, and we are so bummed we didn’t know about it! The driveway/entrance off of La Costanera is not very easy to find, but you can drive down and park on the driveway that leads to Porque No? (now closed.) Wonderful seafood, lovely drinks, cute location. From the Caballitos driveway, it’s less an one km. Look for the Porque No? sign on the side of the highway. The next driveway is Amancio Seafood, or Seafood Amancio. +506 8374 2855

  • La Parcela: fantastic location, especially at sunset or for lunch. One of the best reasons to visit La Parcela is that they have a local troop of monkeys who visit every evening around 5:00. Great for the kids! Recently, the restaurant has been upgraded and the food and service are excellent. Their Margaritas are superbe. South of our villas by about 1.5 km, just south of Dominicalito. Seafood and other entrees. $$$

  • Jolly Roger: a bit of a chore to get there, 4WD recommended, but a fun place for wings and burgers. Drive south, turn left just prior to Cuna de Angel, and drive up, up, up for a couple of km. It will be on the left, and probably you’ll hear it before you get there. $$

  • La Scala: Elegant dining and great cocktails. About 5km south of the villas, on the same road as the Jolly Roger. La Scala is an open-air delight, at $$$ prices.

  • Cuna de Angel: Gorgeous open air restaurant with an extensive cocktail selection and lovely service. Part of a boutique hotel on a cliff over the Pacific. Can get pricey with a full dinner, but worth it. $$$$

  • Citrus: 30 minutes S of Dominical, Citrus seems to always be popular based on the parking. Lovely open air interior, with a wide variety of salads, appetizers, mains, and deserts. Fun, somewhat noisy atmosphere. I used to rate this with four dollar signs but there are very few entrees over $30. The cuisine has Asian, beef and other meats, and seafood. $$$

 

Exotica Our Favorite Place No Question About It

  • Exotica: Formerly run by Lucy and Robert, transplanted French-Canadians, and now run by their granddaughter Maité and her husband. Excellent food, full bar, reasonable prices. Although it’s 30-35 minutes south of the villas, it’s absolutely worth the drive. Drive south, past Uvita, and look for Playa Ventanas (small beach sign on right.) Continue to Ojochal, turn left off the highway. Continue straight across a small concrete bridge. Turn left after the bridge and drive about 1km on a dirt road. Continue until you see the restaurant sign. Reservations recommended. You will not be disappointed. +(506) 2786-5050 $$$

This is Exotica’s famous avocado citric salad, with a touch of sweetness from pineapple. Perfection!