Top Restaurants in Ballena
Top 10 restaurants in Ballena, Costa Rica
Discover the best restaurant in Ballena, Costa Rica including Cuna Del Angel, The Dome Drive Thru, PorQueNo?, Pizzeria La Fogata, Bar Jolly Roger Dominical, La Parcela, Marino Ballena Restaurant, Villa Leonor at Ballena Beach Club, Sabor Espanol, The Baker Bean
Things to do in Ballena
1. Cuna Del Angel
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 234 reviews
Reviewed By Travelmolz
The staff and service was exceptional. The setting is gorgeous. We were able to see toucans and monkeys from our table. We just wished the food could have been better. Several of the dishes that we had were just so-so. We found tastier food in the area that was less expensive. During our stay, we ate breakfast daily, 1 lunch snack, and 1 dinner. The best thing we ate at the restaurant during our time there was the guacamole and tortilla chips at lunch. I think this restaurant would be wonderful for people who are gluten free, but if you are not gluten free, you will probably not be thrilled.
2. The Dome Drive Thru
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 197 reviews
The Dome Drive Thru, Uvitas best Breakfast and lunch specializing in Burritos and Burgers and a selection of Uvitas best coffee drinks.
Reviewed By dangstadt23 - Spring Lake, New Jersey
Stop by The Dome while waiting for your car to be serviced across the street, or to calm your nerves before your dentist appointment, or just because Michael and his team are really nice people who serve good food at a reasonable price. Consistently good and a nice variety of breakfast, lunch, and dinner items for all nationalities!
3. PorQueNo?
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 773 reviews
Within the Costa-Paraiso boutique hotel, just two km South of Dominical, Por Que No is one of the region's best dining experiences, with an ocean view. With 'tasty treats & funky beats', Por Que No is known for our great dinner specials, delicious wood-fired pizza, healthy smoothies and hit the spot coffees. For those that don't want to cook or need a packed lunch at the beach, check out our take out options.
Reviewed By Kara017 - Bayport, Minnesota
We spent four days at Costa Paraiso and wish we had spent more. Part of what we enjoyed was having access to PorQueNo? Restaurant. We ate a number of meals there and enjoyed almost all of them. I agree with other reviews that the pizza crusts were under cooked, but every other dish was great. The meals were appropriately priced, and my boys especially enjoyed the smoothies. The staff were all friendly and helpful. We absolutely plan on returning!
4. Pizzeria La Fogata
Overall Ratings
4 based on 574 reviews
Reviewed By bettybye
Wanted to grab dinner at a local spot. It was relaxed with a more local feel and less touristy. The waiter spoke little English which was fine. It gave me a chance to practice what little Spanish I had. The salads are big. The pizza was just okay. The toppings good, but the crust lacked taste and the texture was too dense, more like a Trader Joe's thin crust that lacked yeast. Thin crust should be a little chewy with a softer texture, not dense like a cracker. However, the waitress was pleasant.
5. Bar Jolly Roger Dominical
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 666 reviews
Mom and Pop Wing Joint with 23 different wing flavors, hand pattied 3/4 pound burgers with hand cut fries, 12 different tequilas, large beer selection, a great view and a fun friendly atmosphere. Come on up the mountain. You'll be glad you did. Oh! CASH ONLY!!! NO CREDIT CARDS!!! I REPEAT CASH Only. Open Monday - Sunday 12pm - 9pm. 4Wd recommended.
Reviewed By Cjsantafe1
This place is tucked up a steep road in Dominicalito, great for drinks before dinner out to watch the sunset as the ocean view from up there is fantastic. The wings are good and the burgers are great. Drinks may be a little watered down,...MoreHey guys thanks for the review. Drink not strong enough? Ask your friendly server to beef it up and we will be glad to do so. Our aim is for you to leave happy and satisfied In all areas. Pura pollo!
6. La Parcela
Overall Ratings
4 based on 373 reviews
Relax to the soothing sounds of waves rushing to meet the shore. Feast your eyes on the powerful beauty of the rugged coastline, sparkling ocean blues, and vibrant jungle greens. Allow your mouth yo enjoy local and international favorites while your eyes feast on a view that is unparalleled. Fill your soul with the magic of "Pura Vida". Join us and let your senses be touched by the wonder that is Dominical, Costa Rica!
Reviewed By Roundy - Horsham, United Kingdom
We were staying locally at Hotel Cuna del Angel and were keen to find alternative locations for dinner, and this place ticked the boxes, given the views to the sea on both sides. We checked it out during the day and were impressed so booked for just after sunset. We then arrived early and ordered a cocktail and beer which we took down the path to the sunset viewpoint. Here we watched the dozens of pelicans around the local fishing boats, and then flying off to roost in the trees as the sun went down. A fantastic sunset spot. We then headed inside for dinner with a view over the same bay, Dominicalito beach, although by that stage it was dark.
The menu provided a good selection of dishes with a focus on fish and seafood and I couldn't resist the lobster whilst Mrs Roundy had the chicken enchiladas. We also ordered fish ceviche as an appetiser but suddenly the mains appeared with no sign of the appetiser. However we didn't make an issue of this given the generous size of our main courses and thought best to get stuck in whilst the mains were freshly cooked. We both loved our dishes and the lobster turned out to be 3 halves so plenty of meat and good value.
The service overall was a bit glitchy - as well as the missing appetiser we struggled to get attention when trying to get the bill, but it was busy. They could have done with an extra member of staff.
Overall we had a nice experience and it's the best located restaurant we found in the area - worth the drive up the unmade track which isn't too onerous.
7. Marino Ballena Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 242 reviews
The best ambience in Uvita, in the Southern Pacific Costa Rica. It's a ranch style restaurant, no doors, spacious, ideal for groups, families and tourist alike. International couisine and typical Costa Rica food.
Reviewed By Terry K - Seguin, Texas
We ate here several times, the hamburgers were good, the fish was ok. We ordered take out shrimp and rice, and it was hard to find very many shrimp, almost all rice, but tasty.Thanks for the comment, it always helps us to be better.
8. Villa Leonor at Ballena Beach Club
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 82 reviews
We are a bit of a Hideaway in front of Playa Ballena. A place for a comfortable environment to visit the Ballena Coast; a coast that the owners, Ana Herrera who was born in this area, and Cliff Hulbert who has known this coast for the past 20 years or so, invite you to share a special ambiance. Restaurante Villa Leonor offers Seafood and Traditional Costa Rican plates. Please Note: Hours for June, available until 7:00pm by Reservation
Reviewed By Roger W - Florida
Wonderful food and service, very nice and helpful folks, with a really beautiful beach. The fish and other seafood is the freshest - often just off the boat and prepared to order (but you can't go wrong with house recommendations). Also excellent knowledge of the...MoreAna puts a lot of effort in keeping fresh product in the kitchen for the cooks to work with. Always appreciated to hear it is noticed. Look forward to the next visit.
9. Sabor Espanol
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 308 reviews
Spanish restaurant, owners from Ibiza and Barcelona. Specializing in Paellas, Sangria, Spanish Wines List, Meats and Seafood dishes. Open for dinner.
Reviewed By Olivier P - Lamorlaye, France
sorry i was very disapointed, i red on tripadvisor it was the number 2 restaurant in Uvita with many excellent comments but for me the paella was not good no taste like boiled rice with some boiled meat and a very little seafoods, it seemed it was not the real chief in the kitchen, it seemed it was another chief in the kitchen??? it is not possible to have a so bad paella when you read so good comments on tripadvisor, there was a problem in the kitchen ??? the paella was not a paella, just boiled rice without any taste, savorless, without spices, pity, disapointed, before paella we had excellent spicy mussels and a very bad gaspacho ( not of the day ??? limit to be sick !!! ), so when i come back home, i question me if i came in the restaurant i red on tripadvisor ??? i think there is a oroblem in the kitchen, i think sometimes it is another bad cookers people in the kitchen, the quality is not good every day, there are some comments medium and bad in tripadvisor, it was a bad day for me... sorry to write this because the service was very good and the women was very friendly, in conclusion the quality is not every day, so for a bad day it is very very expensive, bad quality and very expensive, quailty must be all day...
10. The Baker Bean
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 293 reviews
The Baker Bean is a small, boutique restaurant and bakery offering an eclectic mix of foods to appeal to every palette. Specialties include Argentine Empañadas, New York Deli-style bagels, stone-oven pizzas, and Italian fresh pasta dishes (ravioli, lasagna, cannoli, and spaghetti). Everything is prepared from scratch on the premises. We serve wine and beer as well as a broad variety of non-alcoholic alternatives. Dine al fresco or in our air-conditioned salon at your preference.
Reviewed By waywright - Ottawa, Canada
My wife and I both ordered what we expected to be familiar Italian pasta dishes (Carbonara and Putanesca) but both were unique preparations. We started with a complimentary gazpacho with croutons - a delightful and delicious surprise. Our pasta mains were very good but might not be to everyone's taste. After the meal, the 2 young chefs came out to chat, ask about our reaction, and to deliver a complimentary dessert sampler of fruit, white chocolate and s mouse. A very nice touch.
