Top Restaurants in El Castillo
Top Things to do in El Castillo
Top 10 restaurants in El Castillo, Costa Rica
Discover the best restaurant in El Castillo, Costa Rica including Loma Linda Restaurant, Pizza John's Jardin Escondido, Que Rico Arenal, Essence Demo Cuisine, Cascajo's del Arenal, Fusion Grill Restaurante., Altamira Restaurant, Howlers Bar & Grill, La Mesa de Mama, La Ventanita
Things to do in El Castillo
1. Loma Linda Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 62 reviews
We are located in a unique area in El Castillo just outside of La Fortuna. Owned by a local family this restaurant offers great 360-degrees views (lake,volcano and mountains). Our cuisine is a combination of Costa Rican and international food.
Reviewed By Hunster25 - Ontario, Canada
Spent 2 nights at Linda Vista. The views are incredible and enjoyed looking out the large windows while eating here. Service was fast, efficient and the staff were very pleasant. Had a lot of fun joking around with one particular young man, so sorry I can't remember his name. Breakfasts included delicious fresh fruit and you could choose American or traditional breakfast. I preferred the latter with chorizo sausage and rice with beans versus the cooked ham with the American breakfast. Dinner prices were reasonable. Our group had the jalapeno beef tenderloin which was delicious and the shrimp with rice - also very good. Caprese salad was nicely presented and tasty. Enjoyed our meals here and would recommend this restaurant.
2. Pizza John's Jardin Escondido
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 498 reviews
Lonely Planet's Top choice-featuring thin crust Italian style handmade pizza, and tropical ice cream. Family Friendly-Open air, casual dining Come for lunch, stay for dinner. Open everyday 12PM to 8PM
Reviewed By Brede E - Washington DC, District of Columbia
We loved lunch here! The pizza was delicious and had an excellent, crispy crust. The service was wonderful. We sat upstairs, overlooking a garden full of flowers. We went after hiking in Arenal National Park--it was a lovely break from the bustle/traffic of Fortuna. The drive is on a dirt road the whole way, but was totally fine in our two wheel drive midsize SUV. Highly recommend!
3. Que Rico Arenal
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 737 reviews
We offer Italian, local Costa Rican and International cuisine. Located right infront of the Arenal Volcano.
Reviewed By Jim T - Branson, Missouri
A group of 55 can be a bit daunting but the staff at Que Rico handled us like true professionals. They provided a quite tasty selection of items including the most delicious little Zuchini segments roasted with cheese inside. Salad, chicken, so much to recall all of it but it was nice to see many of our group return for seconds. Lunch was followed by a nice bowl of vanilla ice cream for dessert. In, out, filled and very happy, we trundled off to our next destination. Great place to eat. Very friendly and efficient staff.
4. Essence Demo Cuisine
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 24 reviews
Essence Demo Cuisine is a meat free restaurant that gets everyone involved with the food. We show our international guest about local products and present them in a non-traditional way. Our chef Isaac Welivér ("Le Cordon Bleu" of Chicago) prepares 3 gourmet vegetarian dishes not only in your presence but with your participation. Unique location overlooking the Arenal volcano on its lava flowing side.
Reviewed By Diane D - Dallas, Texas
We traveled in a group of 6 and rented a home in El Castillo for 3 days. Essence was a 10 minute walk away. This is a vegetarian restaurant with the dinner menu different every night. They use vegetables from their own farm. We came for lunch and had delicious pasta, sandwiches, salads and crepes. The food was so good, we had to come back for dinner. That night, we were served Peruvian food. Everything here is perfect: you can see the chef cooking, the staff is so friendly (as is everyone else in El Castillo), the portions/price are perfect. I highly recommend making it in as you will not be dissapointed!
5. Cascajo's del Arenal
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 252 reviews
Very friendly people. Good choice of typical food- we had a nice fish. Quite place. You sit outside under a wooden roof.
Reviewed By FM100
We called in here on the way back to our hotel from a hot mornings walking. We didn’t speak Spanish and the staf didn’t speak English but they were lovely and we got there in the end. Reasonable prices for a touristy area, superb views.
I ordered a burger, something I don’t usually eat (I had already had rice for breakfast), and it was clearly home made and a very tasty meal. Wished we were in the area for longer as we would have returned.
It isn’t flashy just friendly with good freshly cooked food.
6. Fusion Grill Restaurante.
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 478 reviews
Fusion Grill, we are a family restaurant, formed by a family where we work, brothers, children, cousins and friends all Costa Ricans some experienced in gastronomy with more than 24 years our main focus is to satisfy all our visitors and treat them like the house they have a different experience to all the restaurants in the area making the difference in our service and human warmth also our kitchen is one of the best in the area evaluated by all our visitors, we make a fusion of TASTE, QUALITY AND SERVICE to make you feel at home. taste and at home, in addition to our privileged location, the only Terrace with panoramic views of Lake Arenal, Arenal Volcano, Rivers, and the Forest of more than 28,000 hectares of virgin forest. (Cloud Forest and Rain Forest)
Reviewed By pacyabags - Illinois
Ate here with my husband and 26 year old daughter. First, the cocktails are outstanding. I had one that was a mixture of tart and spicy--really unique and terrific. The service is efficient and gracious. The food ranged from average to very good. My husband and daughter had pasta which they were craving after a week of rice and beans. They pronounced it, "solid," meaning okay and just what they were craving, if not spectacular. I had the caesar salad with grilled chicken which was really good. The chicken was cooked perfectly and it made for an ample dinner. It was too cold to sit on the lovely porch but the inside was warm and comfortable. We went at night so missed the view.
7. Altamira Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 276 reviews
Reviewed By cruiseagentandtaxman - Bedford, New Hampshire
We had breakfast and seafood grill dinner here. Both were great. The seafood grill has an extensive selection of fresh fish and there are many other interesting items on the buffet including lobster bisque (very nicely done), charcuterie selections, fresh, small oysters and delicious cold shrimp (beware - no traditional US-style cocktail sauce though, only the high-test spicy stuff). Desert was delicious and all the staff were friendly and very accommodating. Very worth it. We will probably go back for the meat grill night!
8. Howlers Bar & Grill
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 102 reviews
Reviewed By Daniel M
Howlers Bar and Grill is a perfect little spot along Lake Arenal serving comfort food like pizza, burgers and fries. The fries are amazing!! They so something special with the way they prepare them but they are crispy and delicious. They also offer healthy options like salads too if you are into that.
I watched a big soccer game there and there were both locals and tourists alike drinking and having a blast and everyone was friendly. The owner Walter was great! He wants to be sure everyone is having a great time and he's funny with a ton of interesting stories.
The decor and furniture was really cool and the tables and chairs were high quality wood. It's just done right. Howler's is awesome and I'm so glad I made a stop here when in El Castillo. If you go, you won't be disappointed.
9. La Mesa de Mama
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 112 reviews
Reviewed By FlipFlopsandCoconuts - Playas del Coco, Costa Rica
Service was good and the staff friendly. We had hamburgers, chifrijo, Azteca soup, pantacones and hot with fries. Everyone enjoyed their meal and we left full. The chifrijo I thought was better than most I've tried. Nice place to have local fare.
10. La Ventanita
Overall Ratings
5 based on 179 reviews
Reviewed By StephenH240 - Hannibal, Missouri
Of course they have the best burrito in the area, but order your smoothy with milk rather than water based for a treat. While your burrito or wrap is being made walk to the river's edge for a special view. Very relaxing. Excellent English spoken....MoreHi Stephen, Thank youfor stopping by and visiting our little window and recommending it. Pura Vida Kelly & Ale.
