Where to Eat in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica: Reviews of 10 Great Restaurants

Santa Teresa is one of the most vibrant surf towns in Costa Rica. Beyond the beaches and yoga retreats, this destination has also become a foodie haven. Whether you’re craving fresh seafood, local Tico dishes, or international cuisine, Santa Teresa restaurants do it all.

During our stay, we explored 10 different restaurants in Santa Teresa—from upscale beachfront dining to casual sodas serving authentic Costa Rican food. Here’s my detailed Santa Teresa restaurants review to help you decide where to eat when visiting this laid-back beach town.

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1. Manzú – Upscale Beachfront Dining in Santa Teresa

Atmosphere

It doesn’t get much better than Manzú. Right on the beach, with amazing ocean views, this restaurant combines casual vibes with a slightly upscale feel. It’s part of one of the fancier Santa Teresa hotels, but it welcomes all guests and is relaxed enough for lunch after the beach.

Food

We tried the Angus Burger and Hydroponic Salad with Feta. Overall, their menu is very varied. According to my boyfriend (a Santa Teresa burger expert by the end of our holiday), it was the best burger in town. My salad was fresh and filling, with a fantastic lime dressing.

We also received a complimentary amuse-bouche: a mini potato taco which was also delicious. Later, we came back for sunset drinks and found their mojitos to be the best in Santa Teresa.

Price – 💲💲💲

Meals here are pricier compared to casual Santa Teresa restaurants. Lunch for two cost us 42 CHF/EUR/USD (no alcohol), and the mojitos were 20 CHF/EUR/USD for two. But the quality of food, attentive service, and unbeatable setting justify the cost in our opinion!

Overall rating: 9/10

📍 Find Manzú on Google Maps

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2. Uma – Mediterranean Beach Vibes in Santa Teresa

Atmosphere

Uma was my favorite restaurant in Santa Teresa. Beachfront, peaceful, and beautifully set up with rattan umbrellas and beanbags — it’s the perfect spot for couples, families, and even digital nomads.

Food

The cuisine is Mediterranean-inspired, with plenty of light dishes like salads and mezzes. My Greek Salad was fresh and my boyfriend’s Schnitzel (though it looked more like chicken fingers) was tasty. The cocktails, especially the frozen pineapple, were absolutely phenomenal!!

Price – 💲💲💲

Two meals and two cocktails cost us 53 CHF/EUR/USD. Without alcohol, it would have been about 35 CHF. This is still a decent price for beachfront dining.

Overall rating: 10/10

📍 See Uma’s location on Google Maps

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3. Kooks Smokehouse – Casual Spot With Live Music

Atmosphere

Kooks Smokehouse is casual, with a mix of outdoor seating, a bar, and even TVs for watching sports. On select nights, there’s live music, which makes it a fun evening hangout.

Food

We had a cheeseburger, Caesar salad, and the fried Oreos for dessert. The food was decent but not especially memorable compared to other Santa Teresa restaurants.

Price – 💲💲

Dinner for two (burger, salad, dessert, beer) came to 43 CHF/EUR/USD, which is a good value, especially if you skip dessert and stay under $40.

Overall rating: 6/10

📍 Find Kooks Smokehouse on Google Maps

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4. El Facon – Argentinian Steakhouse in Santa Teresa

Atmosphere

Located just off the main road in a cute backyard full of string lights, El Facon feels very cozy. Sometimes they host live music, adding to the casual charm.

Food

As an Argentinian steakhouse, the focus is on all kinds of meat. We tried the empanadas (meat and vegetarian) and a burger. The empanadas were excellent, though the burger wasn’t their strong suit. We did not try their signature steaks (it was too expensive for us). They also offered us a small appetizer on the house, which was fried yams with a house sauce. Tasted like sweet potato fries, and it was very yummy 🙂

Price – 💲💲💲

Dinner for two (empanadas and burger, no alcohol) was 34 CHF/EUR/USD. A full steak dinner with drinks would be closer to 60–70 CHF/EUR/USD.

Overall rating: 7/10

📍 Find El Facon on Google Maps

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5. Soda Pura Vida – Best Budget-Friendly Costa Rican Food

Atmosphere

The most basic and authentic restaurant we visited in Santa Teresa, Soda Pura Vida is a no-frills, traditional Costa Rican “soda.” People come here for hearty food that will make you full.

Food

You’ll find lots of rice and chicken dishes, but they have other proteins as well of course. We had Arroz con Pollo, Arroz con Camarones, and fresh pineapple juice. The portions were huge (Cheesecake Factory level) and everything was so so so yummy!

Price – 💲

The cheapest meal in town: 24 CHF/EUR/USD for two meals, fresh juice, and a beer. Perfect for travelers on a budget!!

Overall rating: 8/10

📍 Find Soda Pura Vida on Google Maps

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6. Ranchos Itauna – Rustic Beachfront & Brazilian Cuisine

Atmosphere

Another beachfront gem, Ranchos Itauna is more rustic instead of boho compared to Manzú or Uma. And of course, you still get the great vibes thanks to its oceanfront setting.

Food

We only had sunset Caipirinhas (fantastic!), but the restaurant specializes in Brazilian cuisine, which looked very tempting.

Price – 💲💲💲

25 CHF/EUR/USD for two cocktails—on the higher side for drinks in Santa Teresa. Expect mid-to-high range prices for meals as well.

Overall rating: 8/10

📍 Find Ranchos Itauna on Google Maps

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7. Eat Street – Trendy Outdoor Food Court

Atmosphere

Eat Street definitely became our go to spot in Santa Teresa. Picture an outdoor food court with four different trailers (breakfast, bar, and two lunch spots) surrounding a shared seating area. It works for any time of day, and it’s casual and fun.

Food

We tried the hummus plate (great), coconut shrimp, chicken wings (average), and their generous portion of fries. Smoothies, iced coffees, and iced chai lattes were also all excellent. The cocktails on the other hand could not be compared to the ones we had at the beach bars mentioned before…

Price – 💲💲

Lunch for two cost about 25 CHF/EUR/USD. Cocktails were 18 CHF/EUR/USD, and smoothies or coffees about 8 CHF/EUR/USD. Mid-range for Santa Teresa.

Overall rating: 9/10

📍 Find Eat Street on Google Maps

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8. The Bakery – Popular Café & Pastries

Atmosphere

A Mediterranean-style café with indoor and outdoor seating. It’s located near the busy entrance to town, so expect some traffic noise.

Food

We had the avocado toast and the carbonara (both good) but the desserts stole the show. Their chocolate éclair and salted chocolate chip cookie were incredible. Drinks were hit or miss (mint lemonade great, chai latte meh).

Price – 💲💲

Two meals and two drinks cost 38 CHF, which is fair for Santa Teresa. We got the desserts on the house because they messed up our order 🙂

Overall rating: 7/10

📍 Find The Bakery on Google Maps

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9. Heladeria Gaucha – Best Coffee in Santa Teresa

Atmosphere

A small, cozy café with just a handful of tables. Great for breakfast, a quick coffee, or ice cream.

Food & Drinks

I only tried the espresso, but it was hands down the best coffee in Santa Teresa during my trip there. They also serve pastries, breakfast items, and of course ice cream.

Price – 💲

Espresso for just 2 CHF/EUR/USD—super affordable.

Overall rating: 8/10

📍 Find Heladeria Gaucha on Google Maps

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10. Satori – Sushi & Peruvian Fusion in Santa Teresa

Atmosphere

Satori is one of the most stylish roadside restaurants in Santa Teresa. Upscale decor, romantic vibe, and perfect for couples.

Food

We had the salmon maki, Peruvian ceviche (best I’ve ever had!!), and Teriyaki chicken. Everything was fresh and flavourful. Cocktails were great too, and the happy hour deals made them taste even better 🙂

Price – 💲💲💲

Dinner for two with cocktails came to 48 CHF/EUR/USD. For the quality, it’s fantastic value.

Overall rating: 10/10

📍 Find Satori on Google Maps

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Final Thoughts: Where to Eat in Santa Teresa

After trying 10 different Santa Teresa restaurants, it’s clear this town is a foodie paradise. From beachfront cocktails to authentic sodas, there’s something for every traveler and every budget.

✨ My personal favourites in Santa Teresa are:

• Uma (for the vibes)
• Satori (for sushi & ceviche)
• Manzú (best mojitos).
• Soda Pura Vida (best affordable, traditional food)

Of course, this is just a small sample of the many places to eat in Santa Teresa. If you have a favorite spot, drop your recommendations in the comments below — I’d love to hear them!

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FAQs About Santa Teresa Restaurants

What food is Santa Teresa known for?
Santa Teresa offers a mix of traditional Costa Rican dishes (chicken, rice & beans) as well as a wide selection of international cuisines. From Mediterranean to Japanese, Argentinian, and more, there is definitely something for everyone!

Are there vegetarian/vegan restaurants in Santa Teresa?
Yes! Many spots like Uma and Eat Street offer vegetarian and vegan options, including salads, smoothie bowls, and plant-based dishes.

What are the best budget-friendly restaurants in Santa Teresa?
Soda Pura Vida was the most affordable place we found. Meals here cost a fraction of the price we saw at other restaurants nearby.

Do I need reservations for restaurants in Santa Teresa?
We never had a reservation but we were very flexible with our time and preferences. If you have specific wishes, it might be worth to call ahead and make a booking.