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 the 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. El Avion
Of Manuel Antonio’s many bars, El Avion offers one of the most unique atmospheres. Aptly named “The Plane,” this spot offers a full bar and seating inside an abandoned plane. The rounded walls and exposed industrial parts contrast with the softness of the beach. Enjoy classic meals like steak and seafood along with your favorite brew or cocktail.
Beyond its impressively creative design, El Avion boasts one of the best views of Manuel Antonio sunsets. Head to the upper deck for covered seating overlooking the water. As you dine and drink, you can take in the area’s stunning watercolor sunsets against the sea.
6. Falafel Bar
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. Agua Azul Cafe
A favorite restaurant in Quepos, Manuel Antonio’s Aqua Azul Cafe is a great spot for all ages. This restaurant is well-regarded for its long list of tropical cocktails, from margaritas and mojitos to daiquiris. The menu also features an incredible variety of savory dishes, including grilled tuna, Costa Rica snapper and various fajitas.
Much like many other dining spots in the area, Agua Azul also offers an incredible panoramic view of the coastline. Enjoy drinks and food in the evening and witness the vibrant colors of Manuel Antonio’s sunsets.
10. La Pizza de Nino
La Pizza 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 this spot 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. Samui Thai
Looking for some Thai food in the Manuel Antonio area? Samui Thai 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.
Explore Manuel Antonio’s Food Scene When You Stay at Villa Punta de Vista
The Villa Punto de Vista Estate near Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica, offers two fully staffed private villas 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.
Experience all the best restaurants in Manuel Antonio while you indulge in Villa Punta de Vista’s luxury amenities. Book your event today or contact us online to speak to a representative.
Updated May 5, 2023
