10 Best Restaurants in Tamarindo, Costa Rica (2026)

Updated October 2026

These are the best restaurants in Tamarindo, ranked by the most 4- and 5-star Google reviews this year. Refugio comes first, followed by Little Lucha and Naans & Curries. The list covers tacos, two Indian restaurants, Japanese-Peruvian sushi, steak and seafood on the sand, almost all within walking distance in the center of Playa Tamarindo.

Several places on the list serve the same kind of food, so each entry starts with what sets it apart. That way you can pick the right taco spot, Indian restaurant or beach dinner for your night in Tamarindo, Costa Rica.

How we ranked these

These are the restaurants in Tamarindo with the most 4- and 5-star Google reviews this year. Recent reviews tell you what visitors think right now, not years ago. Every business here fits the category, is in or near Tamarindo and shows recent signs of being open.

Dragonfly Bar & Grill and Lizard Lounge are featured businesses, so they appear after the top 10 without a number.

Every business in Tamarindo is listed free on Tamarindo Guide. Featured businesses, the ones that support the guide, are usually included when they fit the category, and we always label them.

1. Refugio

See Refugio on Tamarindo Guide

1,079 4- and 5-star Google reviews in 2026 · 4.9 average

Refugio roasts its own coffee and stays open from breakfast to late-night burgers, on Central Avenue across from the BAC bank. Mornings bring fresh breakfasts, bagels and good coffee. Later, reviewers order the homemade burgers, personal pizzas, fries with truffle aioli and a crunchy chicken casado, the classic Costa Rican lunch plate of rice, beans, salad, plantain and meat.

It suits breakfast, a casual lunch or a workday on your laptop, and reviewers say it’s baby-friendly and welcomed their dog. It’s a short walk from the beach, not on the sand. At night it hosts parties and gets loud. A few guests were confused by a service charge plus a tip request on top, so check your bill.

2. Little Lucha

See Little Lucha on Tamarindo Guide

1,015 4- and 5-star Google reviews in 2026 · 4.9 average

Little Lucha keeps its menu short: tacos, margaritas and churros. The birria tacos, served with a cup of consommé (a rich meat broth) for dipping, are the dish reviewers mention most, along with fish, shrimp and the taco of the day. Infused margaritas, like cucumber or pineapple jalapeño, come up again and again. It’s across from the night market in the center of town.

Come here for a quick, casual taco night with friends. Reviewers mention a Taco Tuesday deal and drink specials on other nights, plus outdoor seating, live music at times and two friendly cats. Stay with the tacos: several recent reviewers were let down by the big burrito, and a few felt prices were high for a simple room.

3. Naans & Curries

See Naans & Curries on Tamarindo Guide

855 4- and 5-star Google reviews in 2026 · 5.0 average

Of the two Indian restaurants on this list, Naans & Curries has the bigger menu for vegetarians, with a dedicated vegan menu too. It serves North Indian and Punjabi food on Central Avenue. Reviewers praise the paneer dishes, soya chaap, biryani, dal makhani, sharing platters and naan in many flavors, including coconut. Meals often start with free chutneys and crispy snacks.

You can sit in the open-air area or in an air-conditioned room, but the cool room fills up, so ask for it when you arrive. It’s a good fit for vegetarians, vegans and families. A few reviewers had slow service, and one had a gluten-free mix-up, so state any allergy clearly.

4. Green Papaya Taco Bar

See Green Papaya Taco Bar on Tamarindo Guide

767 4- and 5-star Google reviews in 2026 · 4.8 average

Swing seats at the patio tables are the first thing many guests mention at Green Papaya Taco Bar, on Corona Street off the main road. Compared with Little Lucha, the menu goes well past tacos: tuna tacos, a huge shrimp burrito, ceviche, poke and Buddha bowls, house-made chips with dips, and plenty of vegetarian choices. There’s an air-conditioned room inside too.

It’s an easy choice for a long lunch, families with kids or drinks with friends, and many regulars come back every trip. Before you go, some recent reviewers said they had to pay in cash, and some were surprised by the service charge, tax and extra fees for paying in dollars. Bring colones (₡), the local currency, and check the total.

5. Sushi Bamboo

See Sushi Bamboo on Tamarindo Guide

749 4- and 5-star Google reviews in 2026 · 4.9 average

Sushi Bamboo, also called Bamboo Sushi Club, serves Nikkei food, a mix of Japanese sushi and Peruvian flavors, and servers often take time to explain it. Reviewers praise very fresh rolls and nigiri, tuna bowls, the edamame and desserts like banana tempura. It sits a little back from the main street in the center of town, in a calm space open to the outdoors.

It suits a relaxed dinner or takeout when you’re craving sushi. Since it’s open-air, bring bug spray at night. Some reviewers found the portions small and the prices high, and a few were surprised to be charged for bottled water refills, so ask before you accept water.

6. Delmonico’s Steak

See Delmonico’s Steak on Tamarindo Guide

717 4- and 5-star Google reviews in 2026 · 4.9 average

Meat is the whole point at Delmonico’s Steak, a steakhouse on Central Avenue south of Hotel Mar Rey. Reviewers order ribeye and New York strip, tomahawk steaks and big mixed grill platters made for sharing. Many mention an all-day happy hour on drinks, sangria and a cozy dining room. Waiters get a lot of praise, especially for being great with kids.

It works well for meat lovers, birthdays and families. Portions are large, so sharing is common. Opinions on the meat aren’t all the same: a few reviewers who know steak well found their cut tougher or more cooked than they asked for, and one wished for sharper steak knives. Be clear about how you like it.

7. L’Estanco El Jardín Escondido

See L’Estanco El Jardín Escondido on Tamarindo Guide

573 4- and 5-star Google reviews in 2026 · 4.9 average

Its name means “the hidden garden,” and that’s what you get at L’Estanco: tables in a quiet, green, softly lit garden west of Banco Nacional, often with live music. The menu changes, and reviewers mention Peruvian ceviche, burrata, porchetta and local fish. A mixologist will make a cocktail to your taste, and the owner often stops by to explain the dishes.

This is a place for a date, an anniversary or a special dinner. Some guests got a table without a reservation and felt lucky, so book ahead. It’s a higher-priced meal, and a couple of reviewers felt the final bill and the exchange rate used weren’t clear, so ask how you’ll be charged before you pay.

8. Tandoor Indian Restaurant

See Tandoor Indian Restaurant on Tamarindo Guide

397 4- and 5-star Google reviews in 2026 · 4.9 average

Tandoor is the Indian restaurant to choose when you want a fully enclosed, air-conditioned room and a kitchen that cooks around your diet. Reviewers say staff adjust the spice level, make dishes that aren’t on the menu and handle gluten-free, dairy-free and kids’ requests. Favorites include kadhai paneer, samosas, butter chicken, Kashmiri naan and frozen mango margaritas.

It’s on the main street across from El Vaquero, and reviewers stop in after watching the sunset on the beach. It suits families, large groups and anyone with food allergies. A few recent reviews felt portions were small for the price and didn’t like paying extra for rice, so ask what comes with your dish.

9. Agua Salada

See Agua Salada on Tamarindo Guide

385 4- and 5-star Google reviews in 2026 · 4.8 average

At Agua Salada, many diners reserve a table out by the beach for sunset, under strings of café lights. Seafood leads the menu: mahi-mahi, red snapper, shrimp risotto and a seafood casserole come up most, along with a well-made Old Fashioned. Servers are praised for being polished and friendly, and the kitchen has grilled fish on request.

It’s a strong choice for birthdays, honeymoons and group dinners, so book ahead for a sunset table. When it rains, staff move diners to a covered open-air patio, and bugs can be a problem on wet nights. A few reviewers found some dishes bland for the price, but most leave happy.

10. Namu

See Namu on Tamarindo Guide

256 4- and 5-star Google reviews in 2026 · 4.6 average

Namu adds a show to dinner. On some evenings, fire dancers and aerial silk performers take over the sand in front of this beachfront restaurant and cocktail bar, set back from the main street among the trees. By day, lunch guests watch monkeys and iguanas. Reviewers like the seafood risotto, whole fish, ceviche, tuna tartare and the happy hour drinks.

It’s a good pick for a sunset drink, a family lunch on the beach or a fun night out, and reviewers say the kids’ menu is good. One reviewer said the show was on Friday nights, but call ahead to check. Bring cash to tip the performers. A few recent reviewers felt pushed to order bottled water.

Dragonfly Bar & Grill (Featured)

See Dragonfly Bar & Grill on Tamarindo Guide

Featured · 97 4- and 5-star Google reviews in 2026 · 4.7 average

Dragonfly Bar & Grill puts sushi rolls and a grill on the same menu, so one table can share a Dragon roll and a grilled tenderloin. Reviewers also mention spare ribs, red snapper, seared yellowfin tuna, Thai steak and beef empanadas. It’s on Corona Street behind Hotel Pasatiempo, with glowing lights, live music on some nights and a busy bar.

It suits anniversaries, team dinners and a last-night-of-the-trip meal, and reviewers say it’s a bit pricey. Book ahead, though some guests without a booking found seats at the bar. On busy nights the kitchen can be slow, and one table got its bill early because of the next booking. Dragonfly Bar & Grill is a featured business on Tamarindo Guide.

Lizard Lounge (Featured)

See Lizard Lounge on Tamarindo Guide

Featured · 13 4- and 5-star Google reviews in 2026 · 4.9 average

Small plates and air conditioning set Lizard Lounge apart. It’s a tapas bar, serving Spanish-style small plates to share, in Plaza Tamarindo on Central Avenue. Reviewers like the garlic shrimp, chorizo with scallops, Spanish tortilla, bombas and ceviche, plus cocktails like a rum Old Fashioned. There are a few main dishes too, and reviewers call the prices fair for Tamarindo.

It’s a good spot for something to eat after sunset, a drink with friends or watching a big game. Reviewers say there’s a promotion most nights, so ask what’s on. One reviewer found the calamari chewy and the cheese plate small for sharing. Lizard Lounge is a featured business on Tamarindo Guide.

How to Choose a Restaurant in Tamarindo

Two Indian restaurants made the list. Pick Naans & Curries if you’re vegetarian or vegan, or if you want to sit outside. Pick Tandoor if you want a fully air-conditioned room or have allergies the kitchen needs to cook around.

For tacos, Little Lucha is a short, fast menu built around birria tacos and margarita specials. Green Papaya has a longer menu with bowls, burritos and ceviche, plus swing seats and an air-conditioned room, but reviewers say to bring cash.

For dinner by the water, Agua Salada and Namu are the beach restaurants reviewers talk about most. Book a sunset table ahead in the dry season, roughly December to April. When the bill comes, read it before you tip, since many bills already include a service charge and tax.

Quick comparison

#	Business	4- and 5-star reviews in 2026	Average rating	Best for
1	Refugio	1,079	4.9	Coffee, breakfast and burgers
2	Little Lucha	1,015	4.9	Birria tacos and margaritas
3	Naans & Curries	855	5.0	Vegetarian and vegan Indian
4	Green Papaya Taco Bar	767	4.8	Tacos, bowls and swing seats
5	Sushi Bamboo	749	4.9	Sushi and Nikkei fusion
6	Delmonico’s Steak	717	4.9	Steaks and shared grills
7	L’Estanco El Jardín Escondido	573	4.9	Date night in a garden
8	Tandoor Indian Restaurant	397	4.9	Indian food, AC and allergies
9	Agua Salada	385	4.8	Sunset seafood on the sand
10	Namu	256	4.6	Beach dinner with fire show
Featured	Dragonfly Bar & Grill	97	4.7	Sushi and grill, special nights
Featured	Lizard Lounge	13	4.9	Tapas, cocktails and sports

Frequently asked questions

What are the best restaurants in Tamarindo, Costa Rica?

Ranked by this year’s 4- and 5-star Google reviews, the top three are Refugio, Little Lucha and Naans & Curries. Green Papaya Taco Bar, Sushi Bamboo and Delmonico’s Steak come next. The list covers tacos, Indian food, sushi, steak and beachfront seafood.

Are there good beach restaurants in Tamarindo?

Yes. Namu is right on the beach, with ocean views and a fire show on some evenings, and Agua Salada has sunset tables by the sand. Both are busy, so book ahead for a sunset table.

Which restaurants in Tamarindo have air conditioning?

Tandoor has a fully enclosed, air-conditioned dining room. Naans & Curries and Green Papaya Taco Bar have air-conditioned rooms as well as outdoor seating, and Lizard Lounge is air-conditioned too.

Do you need reservations at restaurants in Tamarindo?

For casual places like Little Lucha or Refugio, you usually don’t. For dinner at L’Estanco, Agua Salada, Namu or Dragonfly Bar & Grill, it’s smart to book, especially in the dry season from about December to April.

Is the tip included in restaurant bills in Tamarindo?

Often, yes. Many reviewers found a service charge and tax already added to their bill, so check it before you add more. Leaving extra for great service is up to you.

Find more restaurants in Tamarindo

Want more choices? Browse all the restaurants listed on Tamarindo Guide, from coffee shops and sodas, small family-run Costa Rican restaurants, to seafood spots.

Browse all Restaurants in Tamarindo on Tamarindo Guide

Best Restaurants in Tamarindo in 2026