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- Gallo Pinto. Gallo Pinto is a breakfast dish made of rice and beans (well that’s no surprise!). The cuisine itself has roots in both Costa Rican and Nicaraguan culture, and is typically referred to as just “pinto” by the locals.
- Casado. The Casado is probably the most traditional dish in Costa Rican cuisine. It is not a singular dish, but a dish made up of many foods. In fact, it could be thought that a casado is a marriage of the foods that are served together, since marriage is the meaning of the word casado.
- Tamal. A Costa Rican tamal is not apples to apples with a Mexican tamale. While at first glance the fillings might look the same, there are a few huge differences in the preparation.
- Arroz con Leche. This is a dessert, so obviously it is toward the top of my list. The easiest way to describe arroz con leche is to say that it is rice mixed with milk.
- Start Your Day with Gallo Pinto. Gallo pinto is one of the first dishes you’ll come across in Costa Rica. It’s a regional variation of white rice and black beans commonly served for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- Compare Mexican and Costa Rican Tamales. You’ve almost certainly had Mexican tamales at some point in your life. But have you ever tried Costa Rican tamales?
- Fill Up on Casado. It’s impossible to visit Costa Rica without trying casado. You’ll find this authentic Costa Rican dish available for lunch and dinner all over the place, from family-run sodas to fine-dining restaurants.
- Grab a Pati to Go. A pati in Costa Rica is similar to a beef patty in Jamaica, but it’s got a little extra spice. A local type of chili (usually ají chombo or panameño) is added for a delicious kick that really packs a punch.
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- About The Food in Costa Rica
- Everyday Food in Costa Rica
- Soups and Stews in Costa Rica
- Fast Food in Costa Rica
- Corn-Based Foods in Costa Rica
- Dishes from The Caribbean in Costa Rica
- Yummy Desserts in Costa Rica
- Pura Vida!
Before we get into the best food in Costa Rica that you really need to try, I thought you should know a little bit about the origin of Costa Rican cuisine and what to expect. Costa Rican food is a mixture of influences from different parts of the world that have all come together. There are basic ingredients, like corn and beans, that have their ro...
1. Gallo Pinto
Gallo Pintois a traditional Costa Rican breakfast. It’s a very simple dish, with white rice and black or red beans, sauteed in oil with diced onions, sweet peppers, and fresh coriander. Some have pointed out its origin in the African culture since rice and beans are popular in many African countries. Gallo Pinto is eaten everywhere in the country, in rustic and fancy restaurants. I loved the Gallo Pinto I had for breakfast at one of the restaurants in downtown Puerto Viejo. You can eat it alo...
2. Casado
Casadois another everyday meal that you can enjoy for lunch or dinner in Costa Rica. Typically, Casados are served in small local restaurants called “Sodas” and come with a portion of white rice, beans, a meat of your choice, vegetables, fried plantains, and a salad. The meat can be prepared grilled or with a sauce, and there are usually around five options. Vegetables will either be boiled or sauteed. However, “picadillos” are also very common in Casados. In “picadillos”, the beans are stir-...
3. Arroz con Pollo
Arroz con Pollois also on almost every restaurant’s menu. It’s sautéed rice with shredded chicken and diced vegetables like carrots, green beans, sweet pepper, onion, and garlic. They also add sweet peas, canned sweet corn, and coriander. Arroz con Pollo is also a festive dish served during celebrations, like weddings, birthday parties, and communions. It’s great when served with a puree of black beans and chips!
5. Sopa Negra
This meal can be an entrée or a main dish. Sopa Negrais a soup made from black beans that are mixed with spices like coriander, sweet pepper, and onion. People sometimes make it at home after they have cooked beans for the week, but it’s also served in some restaurants. It’s a complete dish since it’s usually served with white rice and hard-boiled eggs. I personally love to add some diced avocado on top!
6. Olla de Carne
If you like hearty stews, this is a dish for you. Olla de Carneis originally believed to be from the region of Cartago, but it’s eaten everywhere in the country. However, you will have more chances to find it in traditional restaurants. It’s a stew made with beef jerky or rib and a bunch of vegetables like chayote, corn, carrot, potato, green beans, sweet potato, and cassava. Spices like coriander, oregano, and thyme are also added to enhance the flavor, and it’s generally served with a porti...
7. Patacones
I love patacones! Whether I’m eating them at a restaurant in Santa Elenaor by the beach, this is such a good snack. They are slices of green plantain that are mashed and fried. They are crispy on the outside but soft on the inside. You can find them at restaurants or street food stalls all around the country and it’s a must-try! Patacones are often served with a puree of black beans and sometimes shredded cheese or guacamole – my favorite! They are better when they are fresh and warm and eate...
8. Ceviche
Cevicheis a dish made of diced raw fish (Corvina is commonly used) that is marinated in a citrus juice like lime or lemon. The fish is then “cooked” in this mixture as the citrus breaks up the acids in the fish. It can be an appetizer or even the star of the meal as the main dish. You will also find that there’s a wide variety of ceviche available depending on the fish or seafood used. For example, there are ceviches made with shrimp, mixed versions with a few types of seafood and fish, or ev...
9. Chicharron
Chicharron is a traditional dish in the central area of Costa Rica, but it’s also very popular in the province of Puntarenas on the Central Pacific Coast. If you don’t care about calories (and you shouldn’t if you’re on vacation!), this is a really rich dish. It’s basically chunks of fried pork belly that are crispy on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside. Sometimes it’s served on a plate that is covered with a plantain leaf. A cabbage and tomato salad is then put on top of chicharr...
11. Tamales
Tamalesare a traditional dish of Costa Rica and, in general, of Latin America. However, each country has its own take. In Costa Rica, tamales are made with cornflour which is cooked with water, a meat broth (usually pork broth), shortening, and spices. Once cooked, this dough is then put in a rectangular plantain leaf. Cooked meat like shredded chicken or pork is put on top of the dough, along with a few veggies like slices of sweet pepper and carrots. Peas, olives, and sometimes dried prunes...
12. Empanadas
There are many types of empanadasin Costa Rica. An empanada is basically a “patty” filled with salty or sweet mixtures. The most common are empanadas made with cornflour and filled with cheese, mashed beans, meat, or chicken. They are commonly fried in oil so the outside is crispy. These are very popular in the country, and it’s a street food that you can find in small restaurants or sold by small vendors. It’s a good food to eat on the go or you can even have it for breakfast or an afternoon...
13. Rosquilla
This is a dish from the province of Guanacaste that tastes like tiny, crispy doughnuts. The rosquilladough is made with corn, cheese, and shortening or butter. The corn is cooked and then mixed with the rest of the ingredients to make the dough. Then, the dough is made into small doughnut shapes that are traditionally cooked in a clay oven. Once cooked, they are often enjoyed in the afternoon with a fresh coffee.
18. Rice and beans
I love the food from the Caribbean and particularly rice and beans. It’s basically rice and beans with coconut and spices, like a Gallo Pinto but with a Caribbean and spicy twist. It’s commonly served with stewed chicken or grilled fish, salad, veggies, and patacones. One thing you need to know is that in the Caribbean, dishes are spicier. For example, “chile Panameno,” which is a hot pepper, is usually added to almost everything. So if you don’t want it too hot, ask if it’s spicy or if you c...
19. Rondon
This is a stew or soup made with fish, root vegetables, legumes, green plantains, and spices (curry, ginger, hot pepper). Rondonis also prepared with coconut milk which makes it even more delicious. The dish is rich but very tasty. It’s served with tortillas, patacones, or rice. I will warn you, sometimes, rondon doesn’t always look that appetizing. However, the flavor is fantastic, so don’t let the look of the dish turn you off!
20. Pati
Pati is like an empanada, but traditionaly from the Caribbean. It’s made with wheat flour and not corn flour, and it’s filled with spicy ground beef. However, there are also veggie versions of pati made with vegetables. It’s kind of a snack or street food sold in small shops or by street vendors. You might hear street vendors selling their patis yelling “hay pati,” which means “there is pati”!
22. Arroz con Leche
Arroz con Lecheis a very popular, simple, and tasty dessert. It’s made with rice, condensed milk, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon. You can also find versions with raisins added. This is a dish that comes from the Province of Guanacaste, but can now be found everywhere. The rice is cooked with milk over low heat before the other ingredients are added. This dessert can be served hot or cold and often after a meal, such as a Casado. One of the best I have had is at one of the restaurants in La Fort...
23. Flan de Coco
If you love coconut, you’ll love coconut flan! This is also one of my favorite desserts. I had some incredible coconut flan at Emilio’s Cafe, one of the top restaurants in Manuel Antonio. This dish is very popular across Costa Rica and is commonly served in restaurants. Flan de Cocois made with fresh shredded coconut or dried coconut, eggs, milk, sugar, and concentrated milk. It’s pretty sweet but very yummy. It’s sometimes served with caramel sauce drizzled on top! Most people have tried som...
While traveling around Costa Rica, we loved trying all the food. Whether you’re chowing down at a local restaurant, grabbing a snack from a street vendor, or eating right on the beach, the food here is SO good. I still find myself craving some of the dishes we had here and while you can make a version at home, they just taste better in Costa Rica. ...
Authentic rice and pasta dishes. Typical sweets from Costa Brava. DO Empordà wines. Costa Brava's liqueurs. Typical tapas from Costa Brava. Tapes (or tapas in Spanish) are an ever-present classic in Costa Brava cuisine.
Costa Rican cuisine. Costa Rican cuisine is known for being mostly mild, with high reliance on fruits and vegetables. Rice and black beans are a staple of most traditional Costa Rican meals, often served three times a day. Costa Rican fare is nutritionally well rounded, and nearly always cooked from scratch from fresh ingredients. [1]
Sep 14, 2023 · Mouthwatering dishes such as “Gallo pinto” (rice and beans), “Casado” (traditional plate with rice, beans, vegetables, and meat), and fresh seafood are beloved by both locals and visitors. Here’s a wonderful compilation of the top 25 foods in Costa Rica that are guaranteed to brighten anyone’s day! 1. Gallo Pinto.
Feb 12, 2023 · 1. Paella Valenciana – famous traditional Spanish food. Paella Valenciana — a must-eat food in Spain. Paella is one of the most famous Spanish dishes and its origins can be traced back to the 18th century, in El Palmar, a small village south of Valencia.
