I was born in the province of Limón and its culture is very different from the rest of Costa Rica, so food changes a lot as well. Several people came to the capital and established some authentic Caribbean restaurants so we can all enjoy their dishes closer. I’ve been at several of them and want to share the list and location of the best ones I’ve tried. If you have some time in the capital and didn’t plan to visit the east coast (Ohh you should have planned haha) at least you can try the food while staying at the capital.
- Maxi’s by Ricky (Santa Ana)
Source: Maxi’s
Ricky came from Manzanillo, Limón, the farthest town you can reach by car on the caribbean coast. Maxi’s is a famous restaurant in manzanillo and to the best of our luck he established his restaurant here in San José. This place is great for rice n beans with any variation of meat, caribbean seafood and as well offers a caribbean chifrijo. Highly recommended restaurant with the most similar ambiance of being in the caribbean coast, or how he likes to say “Somos el caribe de Santa Ana” (We are the caribbean in Santa Ana). Also don’t forget to try the banana cake and “agua de sapo”.
- Kontiki also known as La Caribeña (Zapote)
Source: kontiki
This is the only restaurant I’ve been able to have rice n beans with ackee and cod. It’s located next to “the redondel”, where costaricans also do the farmer’s market on Sundays. Not only do they offer a unique dish, but they also have “escobish” (a mackerel fish dish) which you usually can only find in Limón, a super good mondongo soup, patty, fry cake and plantain tart. One of the most complete menús you can find with caribbean food.
- Gilligan’s (Belén)
Source: Guilligans
On the west side of the central valley this tiny and cozy place offers real authentic caribbean food from Limón city center. I highly recommend the Canasta de patacones with shrimp or seafood, it is the best I’ve had in Costa Rica. Also I would try their other dishes without a doubt.
- Patty Factory (San Francisco)
Source: Patty Factory
A small place which primarily sells among the best patty in San José, lately they’ve added extra dishes to their menu and you can have a really good rice n beans with ribs and mondongo soup if you are lucky and there is some left. Now they offer some variations like patty “arreglado” (filled with sauce, tomato and lettuce, panbon, an extra sized patty and others.
- Los Tucanes (San José)
Source: Los tucanes
A small bar with a friendly owner called Sergio who loves Salsa music and offers great quality caribbean food. Their mondongo soup is flawless every time offered as well with Fry cake. Their rice n beans is high quality as well and you can get beef tail or ribs with it. I prefer to have a rice n beans with a regular agua de sapo, but they also have it with our costarican liquor cacique so I’ll leave that up to you.
- Higuerón Ciros (San Pedro)
Source: ElHiguerón
This Bar/restaurant has a relaxed deck to enjoy a beer with a pretty different variation of chifrijo that has rice n beans instead of rice with beans. It is a really good option if you are nearby. Also you can find good enough rice n beans with chicken on the menu.
I hope you are able to try some of them at least, I’m sure you won’t regret it. Do consider that caribbean food is not light on taste or spices, so it might not be for the ones with a picky stomach, but if you like flavorful food you’ll be glad and safe.
Now Go Explore: Costa Rican Caribbean gastronomy!
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