Location: Puerto Limon
Top Restaurants in Puerto Limon
Where to Eat in Puerto Limon: The Best Restaurants and Bars
Puerto Limón (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈpweɾto liˈmon]), commonly known as Limón (Spanish for "lemon"), is the capital city and main hub of Limón province, as well as of the cantón (county) of Limón in Costa Rica. It is the sixth-largest city in Costa Rica, with a population of over 55,000 (including surrounding towns), and is home of a multicultural community. Part of the community traces its roots to Italian, Jamaican and Chinese laborers who worked on a late nineteenth-century railroad project that connected San José to Puerto Limón. Until 1948, the Costa Rican government did not recognize Afro-Caribbean people as citizens and restricted their movement outside Limón province. As a result of this "travel ban", this Afro-Caribbean population became firmly established in the region, which influenced the decision to not move even after it was legally permitted. Nowadays, there is an important outflow of Limón natives who move to the country's Central Valley in search for better employment and education. The Afro-Caribbean community speaks Spanish and Limonese Creole, a creole of English.
Things to do in Puerto Limon
1. Mirador Bar y Restaurante El Faro
Overall Ratings
4 based on 24 reviews
Barrio Santa Eduviges. De CableTica 200m Este.
Reviewed By KlaraNJ - Franklin Park, New Jersey
My husband, two friends, and myself had a one day stop in Puerto Limon, off a cruise ship. We went to eat in one restaurant on the beach and did not have a good experience there, so we asked a local tour guide to take us to a nice place...and he brought us to El Faro. The experience in El Faro was vastly different that the previous restaurant we went to. In El Faro, the owner was very friendly....he sat down and chatted with us for quite some time, and he seemed honest (whereas in the other place they were dishonest and were trying to rip us off and inflate the final price of our bill). He was also very open to answering any curious questions we had about his country. When I asked him for a recommendation on what's the best coffee to bring back home, he not only recommended several option, but he generously gave me a bag of one of the coffee brands for free (the one that he serves in his restaurant). That was so unbelievably nice of him! Also, the view from this place is great, day or night!
2. Restaurant Cocori
Overall Ratings
4 based on 61 reviews
International flavour, caribbean dishes, fresh fruits, amazing view
Reviewed By Anne F
We were taken by our gracious and unflappable tour guide Jorge Ramirez to this restaurant by the sea. It was pouring rain so we could only imagine how beautiful the scene would have been. But the rain didn't damper the spirit inside as full tables anxiously awaited plates of rice, plantains, and various local dishes.The food is ample, tasty, authentic, and exactly what you are looking for from a beach shack. It is casual and friendly, serving tourists, but if you are lucky and your guide eats with you, you find you enjoy exactly the same food. We were pressed for time and waited awhile but in the end they came through without a problem.
3. Red Snapper Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 53 reviews
Red Snapper View Point Restaurant.Open it's Door at one of the most exiting panoramic location in the city of Puerto Limón.Come and you will be attended in a relaxing and familiar atmosphereYou can enjoy of the best international cuisine, and a wide variety of caribbean dishes,including the best local beer "Imperial and Pilsen".If you only want to visit the restaurant, we provide transportation. (Cruise ship)
Reviewed By theWineMaven - Geyserville, California
We decided to have lunch in Puerto Limon on a rainy day and we are so glad we found the Red Snapper.
Now please note, there is NOTHING to do in Puerto Limon, the are a pretty new stop for cruise ships, and the area is poverty stricken and dirty. They are NOT set up for tourists, but we had an amazing meal on top of the town.
We started with ceviche, that was a nice mix of the freshest fish, with local Imperial Beer.
Than we shared the seafood pasta, not on the menu but suggested by the waiter, and lobster.
I asked for the lobster to be lightly cooked and it was probably one of the best we have ever had!
This place is not cheap, and taking a cab there, and being talked into a 2 hour tour, made it a tough nut $$, but it was worth it!
Lots of tourist groups have lunch there and locals.
The view is amazing, and we would recommend it highly.
4. Black Star Line Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 54 reviews
Reviewed By Showbizboy - Manchester, United Kingdom
Maybe I was expecting something more incredible after Reading a couple of other reviews but all in all this was good.
Had the mackerel with rice, beans etc. Basic but tasty. Friendly service & good price. Perhaps rated #1 on here due to lack of any real competition though.
5. Caribbean Kalisi Coffee Shop
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 34 reviews
Reviewed By Robert R - Longmont, Colorado, United States
En route to Cahuita, we stopped for lunch in Limón, It was Father's Day and I wanted some good, home-made Afro-Caribbean fare. We found the Caribbean Calisi Coffee Shop across the street west of the old Cathedral. Once we got past the hard-to-push front door (it seemed locked), we were pleasantly welcomed to a cafeteria-style line-up of every single typical Limonense dish you could imagine! There was a local family celebrating their Father's Day there, the older generations speaking Caribbean English and the kids speaking Spanish. Our bilingual hostess patiently explained each of the dishes as she loaded up our plates. My wife and son had our favorite, the Caribbean chicken (jerk-style) with "rice and beans" (red beans and rice cooked in coconut milk). I had the oxtail stew. She made sure I got a chunk of each of the typical vegetables: breadfruit, yuca (cassava), and plantain. On the side, I asked for "ensalada rusa," the Costa Rican potato and beet salad. Typical drinks in the offering were sorrel and "hiel" (ale), a non-fizzy ginger ale made with brown sugar, ginger and lime. The ginger went straight to my nose! Because it was Father's Day, I was given a complimentary piece of Tres Leches cake for dessert, which I barely had room for! There were many other tempting pies and desserts in the glass case by the bakery. We were stuffed and the whole bill was about $40 for the four of us. While we were eating, a group of priests came across the street for lunch. The whole experience was very homey and welcoming.
6. Quimbamba
Overall Ratings
4 based on 24 reviews
Reviewed By Charlene351 - Alpine, California
We stopped off for a few local beers at the Quimbamba Bar restaurant after a great time traversing parts of Puerto Limon, Costa Rica. The beach nearby is amazing and the locals very friendly. We did not eat here but did enjoy a few local brews. This place you could spend hours relaxing.
7. Gelateria Lemons
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By 255j - Wheaton, Illinois
The ice cream here is very good. The pastries look nice too, but we have not tried them yet. The cones are great! They are American style waffle cones. We tried the lemon, galleta (cookie) chocolate, cherries, and dulce de leech (caramel) ice creams. Scoops were a little small for the price. 12-13 dollars for 3 cones - 2 with 2 scoops, 1 with 1 - and a medium cup.
8. Soda El Patty
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 38 reviews
Reviewed By Consuertew
summarizes the Costa Rican Caribbean cuisine, very nice and busy, people line up to buy all because it tastes deserve it, I recommend it, I visit frequently
9. Restaurante Bar Reinas
Overall Ratings
4 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By Alex F - Tampa, FL
The staff was very attentive and pleasant. Located away from the main city, it is scenic and quiet. Not sure what to expect but food was nicely presented, tasty and plentiful. After or before eating you may jump in the beach for a swim. Nothing fancy but clean. Prices reasonable.
10. El Tostador
Overall Ratings
3 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By Mynor L - Province of Limon, Costa Rica
Al igual que El Tostador, ubicado en la terminal de Caribeños, pueden adquirirse café molido o en grano, así como nueces dulces o saladas
