Last Updated: October 21, 2025
A big part of visiting any destination is its food. In this post, we’ll give our top picks for restaurants in Samara, Costa Rica. This beach town may be small, but it’s packed with great options. Our family always finds ourselves coming back here. Samara has everything from delicious local restaurants, cafés, and beach bars, to steak houses and fine dining. We’ll also give information on specialty food shops with fresh bread and organic and vegan options.
Map of Samara’s Best Restaurants
Our interactive map showing the location of each restaurant we recommend below.
Restaurants in Samara, Costa Rica
Teca Beach
We first visited Teca Beach back when it opened in 2021. We have since been back a couple of times and are always impressed with the consistently good food. The chef at Teca Beach is French and you’ll see this influence in his dishes. We’ve enjoyed many of them, but some highlights are the beef tenderloin with sweet potato gratin, tuna steak, and classic burger with frites.
The ambiance at Teca Beach is cozy and inviting. Check out their live Latin music on Mondays.
$10-28 with most menu items around $14-26.
Open every day, dinner only, 5-10 p.m.
Located in the center of town along the soccer field. See map.
Restaurante Agua Dulce
For upscale Costa Rican food, there’s Restaurante Agua Dulce. They serve all the classics like gallo pinto (rice and beans) for breakfast, casados for lunch (beef, chicken, or fish alongside salads and sides), ceviche, patacones (savory fried plantains), rice dishes like arroz con pollo, and a variety of fish and meat dishes.
Traditional olla de carne (Costa Rican beef stew) is served on Sundays. They also have delicious fresh fruit smoothies, which our kids love. Prices are good and the service is very friendly.
$6-15 with most menu items around $10.
Open every day except Tuesdays for lunch and dinner from 12-8 p.m.
Located in the center of downtown, across from Pali grocery store. See map.
Mar y Fuego
If you’ve had your fill of rice and beans, head to Mar y Fuego. They have some of the best brick-oven pizza we’ve had in Costa Rica, made with quality ingredients. The pizza menu is huge, but they also have burgers, steaks, grilled fish, and a few pasta dishes. The small dining room is open-air and comfortable.
$15-32 with most menu items around $15-20.
Open 11 a.m.-12 p.m. daily.
Located on the side street leading to Intercultura Samara Spanish School. See map.
Las Olas Beach Bar
Samara is one of the few places in Costa Rica with beachside dining.
A great spot on the northern end of Samara Beach is Las Olas Beach Bar. This locally-owned spot has tables set up right on the sand. The rustic building doesn’t look like much but it’s a well-known hangout that will let you mix with the locals.
Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Las Olas has a big menu with casual food like tacos, burritos, fajitas, nachos, and burgers. You’ll also find sushi and pasta dishes. Happy Hour is every day from 4-6 p.m. This is a fun spot with live music, open jams, and karaoke night.
Las Olas is a good option if you’re traveling with kids because it’s so laid-back. They also have a kids’ menu.
$10-50 with most menu items around $15-20.
Open 8 a.m.-11 p.m. daily.
Located on the northern end of Samara Beach. Take the side road across the street from Villas Verdes hotel. Parking is available. See map.
Gusto Beach Club
Another great spot for seaside dining is Gusto Beach Club. Gusto is more upscale than Las Olas with higher prices to match. Still, you can’t beat the amazing view from one of their beach chairs.
Gusto Beach has a large menu with Italian specialties like antipasti and pasta, to salads, poke bowls, pizza, and focaccia. They also have a snack menu if you’re just planning on a light meal and drinks. The kids’ menu has several good choices. You can view the full menu on their website.
Gusto Beach is very popular so be sure to make a reservation if you’re visiting during high season (December through April).
$12-46 with most menu items around $20-25.
Open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner from 8 a.m.-11 p.m.
On the beach in the center of town. See map.
Sweeties by Celia
For several years now, Sweeties by Celia has been a favorite in Samara.
People love the small, but well-curated menu, and the owner herself. When you arrive at the outdoor food court, Celia will greet you with her big smile and tell you about the chalkboard menu for the day. Offerings are constantly changing, but she always has something vegan and gluten-free. Her made-from-scratch cakes and cupcakes are also delicious.
$8-11.
Open 11:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m. daily, or until she runs out of food.
Located in the small food court in the center of Samara, next to Pali grocery store. See map.
Malibu Restaurante
If you’re visiting Samara’s weekly farmers market, a great stop for lunch is Malibu Restaurante right next door (formerly called Soda Colochos). This simple soda (local restaurant) has some of the best traditional food we’ve had in Samara. It’s also a great place to beat the heat on hot days as it’s nestled under the Guanacaste trees.
$8-12.
*This restaurant is currently changing its hours. As of October 2025, the hours were 12 p.m.-3 p.m. and 5:30-9 p.m. Closed on Monday and Tuesday.
Located in the center of town next to the Samara farmers market. See map.
Kalimba Restaurant
For a fine-dining experience, we recommend the restaurant at Villas Kalimba.
Kalimba Restaurant has thoughtful, well-executed dishes. Some of our favorites have been the tuna tartar appetizer, pasta carbonara, ravioli with speck, and fish with capers and tomatoes. Be sure to save room for dessert; they are a real treat. The tiramisu is not only delicious but served in a cute mini-Dutch oven.
Kalimba Restaurant overlooks the hotel’s pool and lush gardens. It only has a handful of tables so advanced reservations are best. Reservations can be made by WhatsApp.
$16-30 with most entrees around $20-25.
Open 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. every day except closed Sunday.
Located on the southern end of the main road that runs along the beach. See map.
El Lagarto
El Lagarto has been a staple in Samara for many years. This outdoor restaurant is known for its delicious BBQ made in a wood-fired grill. Steak, chicken, and seafood come with a baked potato and veggies. Prices are on the high side, but they source good-quality meats and seafood.
Full menu on their website. El Lagarto also has a couple of options for vegetarians and vegans like grilled vegetables or mixed mushrooms.
$8-70. Most entrees are around $25-30.
Open daily 3-10:30 p.m. You can make a reservation through their website.
Great location on the northern end of the beach. See map.
Roots Bakery & Cafe
For coffee or a sweet treat, heads to Roots Bakery and Café. This small, locally owned café has coffee and tea as well as delicious homemade pastries, tarts, scones, cinnamon rolls, croissants, pies, and much more. They also offer breakfast and sandwiches for lunch.
Roots Bakery has a few tables inside (with A/C) and a nice outdoor courtyard with more seating.
$6-13.
Open every day, 7 a.m.- 6 p.m.
Located on the main road out of town, left side in a small plaza. See map.
Microbar
Craft beer lovers should definitely check out Microbar. This unique bar features 24 taps with local beers so is a good place to get a sense of Costa Rica’s craft beer scene. The small space has a cool vibe with eclectic decor. Limited food menu.
Beers, $6-9. Drinks, $9-12.
Opens at 2 p.m. daily.
Located on the main road parallel to the beach, just after the school. See map.
Specialty Food Shops
Boulangerie (Bakery)
The Boulangerie just outside town is the best place for homemade breads and authentic French pastries. The French owners prepare delicious baguettes, brioche, chocolate croissants, eclairs, fougasse bread, and sometimes muffins.
$2-5.
Open Tuesday through Saturday from 7 a.m.-12 p.m. Arrive early for the best selection.
Located north going out of town just past the small river, right-hand side of road. See map.
Samara Organics
If you’re looking for specialty ingredients or natural foods, Samara Organics is the perfect stop. This market has locally made cheese, fresh produce, bread, granola, nut butter, kombucha, and a lot of gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options. They also have books, paintings, jewelry, and natural beauty products made by locals.
Open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. every day except closed on Sunday.
Located on the main road parallel to the beach, after the school. See map.
Conclusion
As you can see, for such a small town, Samara has a great selection of restaurants. You’ll get to try authentic Costa Rican food and also international cuisine from the many expats who now call Samara home.
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Have a question about restaurants in Samara or have one you love? Leave a comment below.
Looking for more information to plan your trip? Check out these posts:
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Things to Do in Samara: 10 fun activities to check out, including local beaches, dolphin watching, and lesser-known nature hikes.
Using ATMs and Credit Cards in Costa Rica: Will you be able to use your credit card at restaurants? This post has all the details on money.
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