13 Great Places To Eat In Manuel Antonio
Finding your favorite restaurants in a new place can be exciting, but you must know where to look. Thankfully, Villa Punto de Vista has found some of the best restaurants in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. Explore the area and find great places to try new foods and drinks.
Best Restaurants in Manuel Antonio
In Manuel Antonio, there is no shortage of extraordinary dining experiences. You can enjoy various cuisines in many beautiful locales, from the most elegant to great casual spots. Whether you want to sit and enjoy the view or find a local place with great cultural significance, exploring our list of fantastic restaurants will complete your search. Here are just a few of our favorite Manuel Antonio restaurants.
1. Emilio’s Cafe
Emilio’s Cafe has large portions at great prices for those who want to eat a delicious lunch with a stunning view. They offer pastries, drinks and desserts you can try while enjoying the scenery, including almond cheesecake and Costa Rican coffee. Emilio’s has live music on the weekends and accepts large groups if you plan to travel with family or friends.
Some of our favorite dishes are:
- Appetizer: Caribbean Ceviche with coconut milk, tomato, patacones — or twice-fried plantains
- Entree: Green Pepper Steak
- Entree: Sea Bass Fillet with a ginger coconut curry sauce
2. Cafe Milagro
An integral member of the Manuel Antonio community for more than 20 years, Cafe Milagro provides fine coffee and fantastic tropical cuisine. They boast a lively bar scene with exciting craft beers and tropical cocktails. Open daily, the café offers an inviting and warm atmosphere to welcome you during your stay in Manuel Antonio. You’ll even hear live music during high season on Friday and Saturday nights. Try the Mixed Greens to start your meal, then enjoy the Grilled Jumbo Shrimp Skewers.
3. El Lagarto
At El Lagarto, fresh fish and locally raised meat are prepared on their one-of-a-kind grill. Enjoy drinks and dinner on the terrace overlooking the sea, or take in the great, fun ambiance in the bar. We suggest the St. Louis BBQ Ribs and the Mixed Seafood.
4. Gabriela’s
Gabriela’s boasts a gourmet oceanfront dining experience with unique dishes and quality aged steaks and fresh seafood. You can have dinner overlooking Marina Pez Vela or enjoy the sunset. Try out their specialized wine selection and imported steaks, but make a reservation beforehand.
Some of our favorite dishes are:
- Appetizer: Aged Angus with Gorgonzola Salad
- Entree: Black Angus Sizzling Skirt Steak
- Dessert: Banana Flambe
5. Jolly Roger
The Jolly Roger offers a taste of home in one of the most popular jungle spots in Manuel Antonio. Many visitors claim that the restaurant offers the best wings in the world. With over 20 wing flavors and various tequila and imported beer options, the Jolly Roger is a great place to watch a game or listen to live music late at night.
Some popular dishes are:
- Wings: Bollywood, Honey Garlic or Spicy Maple wings
- Beer: The famous ice-cold Imperial Beer
6. Falafel House
The Falafel House is a fan-favorite healthy restaurant in Manuel Antonio. They offer Mediterranean dishes and healthy alternatives such as vegan falafel, salads or shawarma pitas. And everything is homemade! This lovely little restaurant has limited seating, so you’ll want to call them and reserve a spot before you show up.
Some dishes we recommend include:
- Entree: Falafel Pita Sandwich
- Appetizer: Delicious hummus options
- Dessert: Nutellafel
7. Cuba Libre
Cuba Libre is a relatively new restaurant near Marina Pez Vela. This hot spot has a fantastic view of the sunset over the ocean and specializes in Cuban dishes. We recommend their many seafood options and Latin dishes. And you must try their incredible mojitos while you visit. We also recommend the Vaca Frita or the Mahi Mahi as our favorite dishes.
8. Oceano Seafood
Oceano Seafood offers some of the best locally prepared seafood dishes in Manuel Antonio. The seafood place is a relatively new restaurant in the area and provides a quick or casual meal with excellent service. You can also sip their signature cocktails while enjoying the view.
We recommend the following dishes from Oceano Seafood:
- Appetizer: Local Green Papaya Salad
- Entree: Stuffed Shrimp with Mango Sauce
- Dessert: Seasonal Fruit Flambe with Caramel and Vanilla Ice Cream
9. Barba Roja
The Barba Roja restaurant is one of the most well-established restaurants in the area, having been opened in the mid-1970s. Meals range from traditional to tropical and from spicy to sweet. Chef Darren even makes his own smoked ketchup! The dish we recommend the most is their famous Pork Ribs.
10. Pizzeria de Nino
The Pizzeria de Nino is a popular spot in Manuel Antonio, with incredible thick- or thin-crust pizza. The restaurant is the best delivery option around, so the Pizzeria is the place to order from for those who want a quick meal during their stay. Consider making your own pizza with unique topping options such as spicy chorizo, artichokes, sweet chili, zucchini, ricotta and cream cheese.
11. El Wagon
At El Wagon, you can enjoy tasty food in a fun ambiance. You might even see some monkeys! They also offer delivery to Villa Punto De Vista. We suggest the following dishes from El Wagon:
- Entree: Their amazing Special Wagon Burger
- Pizza: Their delicious Mediterranean pizza
12. Koh Samui
Looking for some Thai food in the Manuel Antonio area? Koh Samui has some of the best Thai dishes and cocktails and is an ideal space for small groups. Some of our favorite dishes from the restaurant include their Thai Spring Roll, Pad Thai and Chicken Curry Puff or their signature Lemongrass Lightbulb cocktail.
13. Arenas Del Mar
The Arenas Del Mar and Mirador Oceanview Restaurant offer delicious dishes with an incredible view of the Manuel Antonio National Park. With a cliffside dining experience, you can see the Punta Cathedral while you enjoy their food. You can even receive a discount in the bar if you mention your stay at Villa Punto de Vista.
Book Your Event at Villa Punto de Vista
Villa Punto de Vista near Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica, offers a fully staffed private villa for your unique event needs. Whether you plan to hold a wedding, corporate retreat, reunion, birthday or anniversary, our bookings offer exclusive property use and access to our event venues. Book your event today or contact us online to speak to a representative.
Updated May 5, 2023
