The 21 best cheap eats in Playa Samara

Gusto's is an excellent Italian restaurant that sits on a beautiful white sand beach. The atmosphere is welcoming and well styled. It is family oriented if traveling with young ones , there is a small play area for the kids. The food is absolutely delicious!!

I came here with a group of students from a college for an outdoor adventure trip. We ate here one night and it was amazing! I definitely recommend for a large group, we made a reservation earlier that day and they had an amazing table for us outside near the water that evening. The students absolutely loved the whole experience. The food was good, the students mostly split pizzas and some other dishes as well. There was a fire show at the end of our meal which was truly the perfect touch. We all really enjoyed our meal here. I definitely recommend!!!

This beach club restaurant was our favorite in Samara! We spent our days relaxing on their comfortable and clean beach furniture, chairs, couches, umbrellas, having drinks, snacks and meals (lunch and dinner). The price was worth it for us. We experienced excellent service, fresh and delicious food and drinks. Since we spent so much time there, we especially loved the variety of food options, music, vibe, everything! Thank you!!

Love the Gusto in Lindora, thought to try it out! The servers are really friendly to help is ge through the crazy thunderstorm...! The decor is always beautiful and stunning! The food kind of depends. We ordered the ceviche, tuna tartar, and a pizza the waitress recommended. The ceviche was so so so so so so so so ultra sour, that we felt like the soul was leaving our body with every bite...🤣 But yes, it was very fresh for sure! Tuna tartar was also super fresh and delicious! The pizza was baked well and tasty, just hoping that the ingredients was a little better in quality.

Great food, great service, and great atmosphere! 10/10 for us ! We went many times and tried something new each time.

It was on our list of restaurants to try. We went for breakfast at Gusto Beach one fine morning. You can’t go wrong with pancakes on the beach…the view & the atmosphere made the food tastier. Our server was attentive. The bartender was nice to make me a frozen cappuccino that wasn’t even on their menu. They also gave us ice for our water bottle a couple of times when we were walking the beach. I read reviews of people complaining about high prices but the menu is displayed so eyes wide open. It is a little more expensive than other restaurants in town but the view is part of the bill…it’s a million dollar view. Don’t forget to check out their gift store!

Went out fishing with Gladiator Sport Fishing earlier in the day (affiliated with Gusto Beach), caught a ton of tuna and was encouraged to bring it back to the restaurant for them to prepare for us - and boy did they! What a meal! Simone and staff were absolutely phonemical! Tuna Tartare, Carpaccio Tuna, Crusted Tuna and Wasabi Tuna. Couldn't make up our minds which we liked best. AND - we came back again the next night too! Jason was our server for both meals - he was amazing! Thank you to the whole team!

Delicious! They have to menu, one for breakfast and one for lunch/dinner. Both are really good. If you have a change try one of the pastas, most of them are homemade. I love the bucatini (kind of very thick and doughy spaghetti). And depending on your hunger I recommend to ask for the dish sizes of your choice because some are smaller some are bigger. Much recommended! :)

We had no idea what what to expect. We needed a spot to eat and this was well rated. The food was wonderful and unique. Portion sizes were nice. Our 5 year old tore up the pizza and she’s got refined taste, prefers artisanal pizzas (lol). We’d never had anything like the snapper prosciutto (eat it with the various garnishes). The home made pasta was on point and the rib sauce was yummy. The sword fish was fine but the fennel salad was what made the dish pop. Our only issue was they could have had better wine choices for the prices.

First off, this place has moved locations. I have submitted the correct edits to Google, but if you are reading this know that Mama Gui is located where Hotel Giada is right off 150 below, towards the beach, of Outback ATV Tours. Okay, let's get to the food. It was superb. I know our server was actually from Italy and moved to Costa Rica, but I have feeling there are some more Italians involved in this business. The menu selection is excellent and the food is scrumptious. We brought a bottle of wine from Central California and they were very accommodating, did charge a modest corkage fee, but didn't bat an eye about it. I am not one to normally eat at other "cultural" food restaurants when traveling abroad. I like to eat what is native to the country normally. However, this is an exception. Excellent food and excellent service!

Had lovely date night here. We came quite early and got a nice table (the place filled up fast later). We eat a dairy- and gluten-free diet and the waiter was super accommodating, knowledgeable and great. Just the service created an awesome dinner experience already. Our starter and gf pasta was tasty, so was the cocktail and the wine we had. We also loved to see organic and grass fed meats on the menu. Fabulous dinner experience!

Fantastic atmosphere in this open air Italian eatery. The wallpaper is very intriguing! The bartender/mixologist was skillful, the cocktails creative and delicious. The food was fantastic, the best pizza I've tasted in Sámara, presentation very nice as well. We got in on a live music night and the show was delightful. The only thing that slightly tarnished the occasion, were the motorcycles and cars racing loudly by the front door, which is by no means the restaurants fault!

Hands down best dinner you’re going to have in Samara! The owner gave us a special free appetizer and was so welcoming. We liked it so much we drove an extra 3hours and came back a second time in 1 week.

The service staff was on point. Super friendly and effective. They have good italian wine bottles worth having Don’t get me started on the food. We cleaned the plates for them, that’s how good it was. The presentation was to die for. A squared burrata?? We talked about it during half of the diner trying to figure out how they did it. Each bite was one of a white fluffy cloud. The mix of ingredients, the cuisson is perfect to harmonize everything in your mouth. I loved the fish starter served at room temperature as it should. Enrobant would be the word for each plate.

We ordered the Double Trouble chocolate cake for my mom’s birthday and it was the BEST cake I have ever had. No exaggeration. Do yourself a favour and try her amazing desserts. I cannot recommend it enough! Plus, Celia is just such a wonderful lady. Such positive happy energy! A business owner you want to support.

Lots of good looking cakes. Tried the tropical cake. Had a nice rich and moist texture. A bit expensive. Tried going back another day to try something else, but hours on Google are incorrect as it was closed.

Celia is amazing!!! The best service and most amazing food. Highly recommend the iced tea or strawberry juice. The desserts were also delicious and even had vegan options! Celia is a gem and her bright personality lights up the space.

What a great place to treat yourself healthily. They have many options, from vegan cakes to regular ones. We tried the carrot cake, and the holly crumble. We strongly relished both of them, and highly appreciated the moderate sugar content. The lady working there is adorable and welcoming.

Celia is an absolute treasure! What a friendly, wonderful person. I just felt great after ordering. Ok, so the food. I tried all three vegan cakes that were out that day, and they were all delicious. Not overly sweet and with a great texture. The gluten free cake also had a great texture, which I consider somewhat of an achievement. Definitely a good option for sweet treats. I did not try any of the savory dishes, but I did have a refreshing fresh cas juice.

Loved meeting Celia! She is so friendly and there to answer all your questions. We were there the day she had thai beef. It was amazing! I am gluten free and she had many options. The tropical cake is to die for. Went back the second day for more. A great addition to cute Samara.

Celia's burritos are awesome. So are the cakes & coffee, and when available, the cookies too. Fresh strawberry watermelon juice is available and perfect for a hot afternoon. Delicious fresh baked breads and you'll always get service with a smile be it from Celia or Philip. Sometimes there's live music onsite in the evenings so give em a follow on FB to find out about specials and stay up to date on live events. Would absolutely recommend.

Delicious and very fresh food!! We say hi to the resident dog regularly when we pass here, so we finally decided to stop in for lunch today. Everyone there was so friendly and kind, service was prompt and we left very satisfied. Gus/goose is such a good girl! We’ll be back ♥️

We were so hunger for some fresh veggies and a change of pace from our typico Casado— this hit the spot! A special with fresh juice, and a wrap (one of us had the chicken wrap and the other the falafel & chicken wrap) - both full of flavor!!! Loved the sides! Note: Cash only. The service was good and the fans on the porch really cool you down from the hot weather.

This place is awesome. The food is very fresh and delicious. You can watch the owner make your food as you order it. The lunch combo (falafel wrap and fresh fruit juice) is a screaming deal. My wife always gets the mixed plate and it’s enough to share with others. It’s a very laid back and casual atmosphere. Great place for a quick, cheap, and fresh bite.

Big wow on this place. So fresh and affordable. I went based on reviews and they did not disappoint. If your in the area I highly recommend this place, such a blessing 🙌🏻 I will be back..... like again tomorrow haha

One of my favorite restaurant in Samara. Great vegetarian options! Hummus, falafel and salad were amazing!! Cash only

Must go! The best falafel I’ve ever had. Delicious and fresh ingredients with pleasant staff.

It was delicious so fresh and tasty! I went several times on my trip and cant wait to eat there again when I return to Costa Rica! Must go when visiting Samara beach!

This is a pretty typical restaurant. Food took a long time and we didn't get everything we ordered, however we were eating very late after arriving. Food was decent, but nothing stood out. They had live music, so the atmosphere was fun.

this is the type of food that when you taste all the flavors, you can’t help but smile and/ or do a happy dance. Everything I had here from the gazpacho to the tuna steak to the passion fruit & chocolate desserts were absolutely incredible. We literally couldn’t get enough and ate here back to back nights. The ingredients are sourced fresh and locally, and you can feel it! I am typically not one to leave a review, but I felt the need to share my tasteful experience here. The ambiance attracts regulars and is place of union over delicious food & drink. I highly recommend doing your taste buds and belly a flavor and seeing for yourself!

Absolutely amazing ambience! Specialty cocktails were beautiful and delicious. Owners were so welcoming and sweet. Server was so friendly. For the first night, hit the heart and had me dancing with every bite!!! Came back for a second experience and pasta was so fresh and hit the spot with with every bite!

Cool looking restaurant. Food was absolutely horrible. The worst we have ever eaten!! 10.00 for one small slice of bread caked with butter, the quesadillas were dry and chewy, blown away by how bad it was!! Way over priced! Pick ANYWHERE else to eat

Overall, our experience was positive. We visited on a Monday afternoon in late October. The restaurant is very cozy and had live music on that night starting at 8pm. Although the restaurant had only a few guests, so most of the tables were empty. The service was friendly. Food: We ate fish fingers, a fish burger and a grilled fish. The food quality was good, but not outstanding. Compared to other restaurants in Samara it seems in the upper range. Our two cocktails were ok, the Pina Colada was not my favourite. For food and two drinks + two cocktails we paid 80$ in total. Resume: As the whole experience had some minor points to criticize and as the prices were rather high, I rate 4 stars.

This place does everything right: friendly staff, great quality food, and a chill atmosphere. I’m only in town for a short time so want to try other places, but seriously considering going back here instead.

blown away by every detail of this dining experience. phenomenal food! the burger was actually prepared exactly as I prefer, the guacamole was so fresh as were the homemade fresh plantain and potato chips that go with it. this place far exceeded my expectations for dining, and so appropriately priced, too. unique, delicious and refreshing cocktails. very good wine menu. kind and friendly staff.

I must say I was fooled by the reviews. We thought we would have a amazing breakfast but it was quite the opposite. First off we ordered fresh juice and when my kids drank from the glass they made this weird face which is kind of odd. When I tasted it , it was like watered down pineapple juice, I know it was low season and business is slow. We did mention it to the server and they added coconut juice to it, made a world of a difference to the taste. But now the kids were turned off and didn't even finish their juices, what a waste of money. I ordered the tico breakfast , It clearly states that it comes with plantain and they only served it with gallo pinto, eggs and 1 round tortilla bread cut in half. The same thing with the wife as well. I really didn't want to ask for the missing plantain after we complained about the juice. It wasn't a complaint but the honest truth. The wife ordered coffee and it was average , another punch to gut. We originally ordered pancakes from the kids menu and they said they didn't have them and suggested French toast. When it came , it had maple syrup and chocolate. Super stingy on the maple syrup and the chocolate was a dark chocolate that didn't really have sweetness to it and maybe suitable for an adult but not kids. Clearly it shouldn't have been on the kids menu. I'm not one to ever leave a bad review , but this whole experience turned me off Samara and we left he town shortly after. Wphen you pay premium price for a meal , you expect a high quality tasteful meal and drinks , not something that is sub par and doesn't honour the what is exactly on their menu.

We love Samara beach which is a 90 mins drive from our vacation rental ShortsNFlipFlops.com and usually trek down during our visit. Lo Que Hay has a beautiful position on the beach with nice lounges and tables in the sand. They even had live music during lunch the other day which we enjoyed very much. The good is just average but the beach is worth the trip.

Well made White Russians, good food, and great view. Samara is touristy so expect higher prices. Food didn’t blow my mind, but it was fusion and refreshing from the normal fare.

My girlfriend and I had visited here last year on a day trip to Samara and enjoyed the food. So on our first morning back in Samara this year we again stopped by, but this time it was for breakfast. The service was excellent and the two gentlemen that were serving us ensured we had everything we needed. We both ordered the Desayino LQH and enjoyed all but the bacon. The bacon was overcooked, dry, and near flavourless. The eggs were decent but also a bit overcooked and dry. The "rosemary" potatoes didn't taste anything like rosemary. The Gallo pinto was really good. The scenery was perfect and the outdoor tables are all shaded from the sun.

Great soft tacos. Shrimp, chicken or steak fajita meat with pico de Gallo. Banana split for dessert was delicious. Margarita was at par. Price was about what you'd expect for being served a beach side meal. Breezy air with a beautiful sunset was a nice way to top off our day.

Nice restaurant in front of the Samara Beach. The staffs are nice and attentionate. The environment is very relaxing.

Delicious daily food specials ranging from $5-10. As well you get to enjoy your meal while sitting directly on the beach under the shade of trees. The staff are competent and can speak multiple languages. We are there for lunch and dinner everyday we stayed in Samara.

I had a really disappointing experience here. The prices were outrageously high, and the food did not live up to expectations. I came with a college group of 12, and unfortunately, we felt completely overcharged. For example, one student asked for cheese on her potato and was given a single slice—only to be charged $3 for it. I ordered a Pellegrino, which ended up costing over $7. The food itself was just as underwhelming. We started with a salad with chicken. It had no dressing, and the chicken was extremely dry—all for $18. I ordered the tuna special, but they never asked how I wanted it cooked, and it arrived completely well-done, with no pink center at all. My coworker’s meat dish was also dry and barely edible. One student ordered a mushroom entrée that took an hour and a half to arrive—only to come out completely burnt. He could barely eat it, said it was one of the worst meals he ever had. Despite the long wait and poor quality, nothing was comped. I attached a picture of my receipt for reference! To make matters worse, the service at checkout was just as frustrating. The waitress/manager with a septum piercing was incredibly rude, both to our group and to the waitress who served us. She made an unnecessary comment about one of my students being in a rush—when, in reality, he had been waiting at the counter for 10 minutes just to pay. While I was still standing there, she even started berating our waitress, Sadie, in front of customers, which was completely unprofessional. She clearly was having a bad night and everyone could tell. The only positive aspect of this experience was our server, Sadie, who was kind, accommodating, and truly did her best. She deserves a raise. Unfortunately, the overall experience was so poor that I cannot recommend this restaurant. Was the most expensive, and worst meal we had in Costa Rica!

El Lagarto was recommended to us by our house manager, and it ended up being our favorite meal in Sámara. We both ordered the ribeye steak and it was cooked perfectly- tender, flavorful, and seasoned just right. The sides (potato, tomato and zucchini) were just as delicious as the steak, which is saying a lot! The service made the experience even better..Stephanie and Nadia were so sweet and friendly, making us feel completely at home. Highly recommend El Lagarto for anyone visiting Sámara. We can’t wait to come back!

Food great, service great, drinks great, ambiance great. On the beach, but set back a bit, just all wood everywhere. Could use a little more something for the ambiance compared to other restaurants on the beach for a high end steak house. Everything grilled and gives all the food a great taste. The grilled veggies ( bakes potato& tomato) were fantastic. We shared beef tenderloin and stuffed chicken. Went off the beach in swimsuits with a shirt on and was fine. Don’t have to dress up.

I had a very disappointing experience at El Lagarto, which is located on the beach in Sámara. The food had an unpleasant lighter fluid flavor, suggesting the wood used might have been impregnated with some fuel. The calamari and shrimp were undercooked and inedible, and the meat and vegetables had an off taste. Additionally, the napkins smelled like bathroom disinfectant, and the grilled pineapple dessert tasted chemical. This was one of the worst meals I’ve had in Costa Rica, and it was around $80 per person, totaling a bit under $160 for two, which is noticeably pricey for the area. The only redeeming factor was the kind and pleasant waiter named Steven. Unfortunately, this poor experience seems to be a common theme in other reviews.

Great food and fantastic, quick and friendly service from Stephanie. From the moment we entered from the beach Stephen engaged us in conversation, introduced himself and we felt welcome, Stephanie followed up with her great presence. My wife and I highly recommend.

Stephanie (server) made my experience memorable. Ocean side, listening to (and seeing) the breaking ocean waves didnt hurt either! I came here with my son a month ago & we had a similar experience. Highly recommend if you want great food & Samara ambiance.

The service and food were excellent, but was definitely U.S. prices for the food. The portions were filling and the drinks were decent. The restaurant was quieter than the surrounding ones, which was nice.

Whenever I experience an issue at a hotel, I prefer to solve it directly at the property, because it’s not fair to leave a bad review without notifying anything to the staff members. But it seems like for this specific case the only way to pass on feedback that is actually considered is here. So here’s my feedback for you to improve your customer service experience. I stayed 3 nights with my family and husband. The rooms were nice and relatively clean. The pool is nice. If it wasn’t for the way I was treated at the end, I would recommend the property. When my husband and I arrived to the room, there was water on the bathroom floor everywhere. So I notified the reception and maintenance came relatively quickly to check it out. The issue could not be solved on the spot, so I was told that a bucket was needed under the sink for the night, we would need to manually open and close and they would come and fix it in the morning. No problem. The next day maintenance came and we were told that the issue was fixed. It appeared to be the case in the afternoon, but in the evening when we came back after dinner there was water on the floor again. It was quite late, reception was closed so we decided not to bother security and used the hotel provided beach towels to dry up the floor for the night. The next morning, we notified reception again, who apologized for the inconvenience and assured me that maintenance would be sent again to fix the issue. When we came back, the issue had been fixed. The sink was changed and it appeared not to be leaking any more. However, the very wet towels we had used to dry the floor were left hanging in the bathroom, letting water on the floor. And there were traces of the glue used to install the sink on the floor, around the sink and on my husband’s toiletry items. These are not huge issues but they are quite inconvenient. On the last morning we went to check out and, when presented the bill for the 4 bottles of water we had taken from the bar, I asked if it they could be complementary as a compensation for the issues we had with the water in our bathroom. We were told that it wasn’t possible. That we should have asked the day before so the receptionist would have had the time to ask the owner. That the receptionist would have to pay out of his own pocket if he did that and he could not make such a decision. While I was trying to say what happened, the receptionist was trying to say how the issue was fixed, interrupting me and trying to give explanations rather than listening. So in the end, I left quite upset and definitely wont be coming back. Had I been offered a small gesture (even just one bottle of water for free!) I could have probably left a 4 star review. So here are some recommendations for the management or owners of the property to make sure that other clients don’t have the same experience. 1. Be proactive- don’t wait for a client to ask you for a small compensation when there is an issue. Offer it. It can be as simple as a bottle of water or a coffee but it will make a big difference. 2. Make your clients feel listened. Don’t interrupt your clients while they are talking (yes, I was interrupted while talking at least a couple of times). Don’t laugh at them (yes, I did feel like I was being made fun of). Listen first. Then try to fix the issue. 3. Take responsibility. Don’t blame the fact that you can’t make a decision to explain to your client that you can’t give what you asked for. 4. Empower your employees to make decisions. These are small issues that can be fixed. Allow your employees to fix certain issues by themselves to ensure happy clients. I hope my feedback helps you.

We stayed here for 6 nights while our kids attended Mareas Academy (4 minute walk, great opportunity for kids to attend a local school for a week or more). We had connecting rooms (room #7) that had included 3 rooms, 4 beds, mini fridge, 2 bathrooms and a view of the pool. It also included a large, private balcony overlooking scenic countryside - grazing cows, horses and even a peacock. A full, made-to-order breakfast is included and is so filling, we skipped lunch most days. We LOVED the coffee. The location is on a dirt road but they spray the road with a molasses solution to prevent dust settling on the hotel. Wifi is just in the common areas, but they have nice sofas and tables. We saw howler monkeys, iguanas and a lot of birds. I recommend ear plugs for sleeping as the monkeys and birds are early risers (you'll find this most places in Costa Rica). Friendly staff, clean rooms, big pool. Great value!

We spent two nights at villa on our motorcycle trip. We enjoyed the villa a lot ! Crew was really friendly and helpful, they making the best cocktails for us and being funny, makes it more enjoyable ! Pool is nicely maintained with a deep end. Breakfast was good, compared to the other 9 hotels where we stayed on our trip. On my next trip to CR I will definitely booking that hotel again !

I am doing a two week moto trip in Costa Rica, and this place was a wonderful stopping point! Close enough to down town to enjoy all that there is to offer and yet far enough for peace and quiet. Monkeys and other wild life very close by, and the rooms and food were great.

Friendly and good service, good advice about excursions (we went for the Dolphin tour with snorkeling included, really worthwhile, even spotted whales!) Close to the beach so you can even walk if you like. Rooms are cool, airco or fan and slept really well here. Swimming pool is very nice, kids have it max stars on our trip!

I wrote my first review of Samara Pacific Lodges restaurant 4 years ago and gave it high marks. Having reopened the restaurant to the public after the Covid-19 closure this week, I was first in line to get a seat. Many things have changed over the last 4 years but the good food, excellent service and beautiful environment of this hotel and restaurant isn't one of them. The new menu does seem expanded with more options than I remember and the new wait staff seemed even better at their tasks. Our meals for a table of 6 was well timed and our glass of Vino was never empty. This remains a wonderful option for a romantic dinner or fun lunch and swim in the pool!

I stayed in the villa with an amazing modern and clean feel. I rented longer term and got more then a paid for. If you are looking for long or short term they offer you what you need. Your own backyard and kids play area along with an extra bungalow if you are travel with parents or in-laws. The hotel has a great pool and the villa includes cleaning service. I would definitely stay again upon my return to Samara.

I had two very tasty drinks there, sat on the sofa on the beach and watched the sunset. The staff is very friendly and helpful and check in on you. They also provide you with small free snacks. The drinks were very nice but a bit pricey, I payed 16000 colones and sure I could have asked for the price before I ordered, but maybe what you can expect from a nice place right on the beach. Later on they played live music. Good vibes, great cocktails and great staff!

Thos place is a must! The most exquisite tuna we ever had! My sons had pizza and were also very happy and my daughter had a delicious escalope Milanese. The location is great and the staff is super friendly.

A Hidden Treasure in Sámara – La Dolce Vita is Everything Jul 2025 • Family 🌴 A Hidden Treasure in Sámara – La Dolce Vita is Everything. If you’re looking for a place to pause, breathe, and reconnect with yourself, your kids, and the essence of travel then La Dolce Vita in Sámara is your must-stop destination. We’ve been traveling through Costa Rica as a family, and our two nights here felt like time stood still in the best way possible. 🏡 The Hotel The rooms are literally right on the sea you step out and your feet are in the sand. Simple, super clean, cozy, and above all, a deep sense of safety and peace, especially with young children. We felt at home within minutes. 🍝 The Restaurant – La Dolce Vita This little beachfront restaurant is a true gem. Mornings with coffee and bare feet in the sand, evenings with dishes that are generous, full of heart, and served with sincere warmth. Nothing pretentious just good food, good energy, and people who care. 💛 The People This is where La Dolce Vita becomes unforgettable. Jen and Marco, the owners, are rare hosts. They care deeply. They notice everything. And they take immense pride in every single detail of your experience. You feel their passion not just for hospitality, but for creating joy. And Gregory what a legend. A maître d’ with charm, kindness, a sharp eye and real warmth. He made us laugh, feel welcome, and taken care of — every moment. The attention to detail from all Bree, Marguerite, Carla and ….. 🏄‍♂️ For Families. Couples singles, you’ll never feel alone unless you choose too • Surfboards? Steps away. • Kids playing on the beach? Completely safe. • Prices? Very fair for the level of care and quality. 💬 In short? La Dolce Vita is not just a place you visit — it’s a place that stays with you. Jenny, Marco,Gregory, et everyone thank you. You are the living spirit of “la dolce vita.” We carry this stop in our hearts.

Nice folks but fusorgsnized service. Extra drinks on bill that weren’t ordered than tried to get us to pay only by US - said machine only takes US - but exchange rate was poor. Told them to remove all extras and that we would pay in colonnes. Husband just walked to the bank and got some colonnes. Just be careful they do try to milk!

There are all sorts of ways to run a restaurant on the beach. You can do it in a way that feels stingy and overpriced, or you can do it in a way that feels spontaneous, generous, and giving. This particular place is firmly in the latter category. We sat here for hours on loungers on the beach without anybody asking us for anything. On the contrary, they gave us water and some frozen fruit to try. They allowed us to use their facilities when we needed to, and they were just super kind. We then ordered pizza, which was delicious, as well as a pineapple drink. The food is great, the location is amazing, and the staff is genuinely kind and generous, leaving you wanting to come back again. If you’re ever on this Samara beach, just come by early in the morning, grab a seat looking at the waves, and let the day take you away. Highly recommended.

I left there with a bad taste in my mouth. Beautiful setting and i left angry. It's not even the way overpriced food, i felt belittled by the owner, i got poor service, and i feel like i was scammed for extra tips there was already a service fee taken out but they said that was Costs Rican tax. Don't fall for this, i ended up tipping extra for service i didn't enjoy. They didn't want to sit me at the table, so I ended up sitting next to the owner who was smoking and being a loud jerk in general The guy i got as a waiter brought a bill for an extra drink i never ordered. I got snubbed by another wait staff when i asked for some water, that my first waiter didn't bring (she never brought it). I would avoid, they are money hungry and it just feels like a tourist cash grab; instead of doing it right and pleasing the customer. I ordered an appetizer which was two small pieces of bread and tomato for 10 dollars. And a small pasta dish for 15 dollars. My drink was way over priced, etc etc. avoid avoid avoid.

The happy hour was with an additional snack and not a second drink. The cocktail didn't have alcohol, it was more like a lemon juice. When we asked for a clarification and a little bit more alcohol, the manager was very rude. We talked calm but she went crazy and told us we are arrogant. I have never experienced a reaction like this from a manager before. The prices are a lot higher than communicated and they add taxes and a service fee additional on the check, which is not usual in Costa Rica. A very bad experience. Unfortunately we read the reviews too late, which are telling exactly the same stories, like we experienced.

We went here every morning we were in town! Tried lots of different things and loved just about everything! It does get busy and they can run out of things with the person in front of you, but don’t be afraid, your second pick is just as good! Definitely a must if you are in Samara and need a cup of coffee or a morning bite to eat!

Yes, the cinnamon rolls are absolutely delicious. But the star of the show for me was their gallo pinto! The rest of my party ordered American breakfasts and sandwiches and everyone enjoyed their meals. Make sure you ask to have your cinnamon rolls warmed up!

Bakery and large selection of breakfast items. Cinnamon roll was good. Wish the bacon on the eggs Benedict was crispier. Staff was helpful and friendly.

Went a couple times. 5/5 for the cinnamon roll and club sandwich. 4/5 chocolate banana croissant. Wasn't busy, but the club sandwich took 30 minutes to get, but was one of the best I've ever had and would have been enough for 2 people.

For all you Gringo's who are looking for that delicious croissant and coffee that you are so desperately craving...why not head to where all the locals hang out?! The absolute BEST bakery in Samara. Its location is a challenge for parking, being on the main road at an intersection, but what awaits you is worth the effort. Fresh baked goods, breads, burritos, an incredible array of coffee choices... warning you'll have a difficult time choosing. So you'll just have to return back the next morning, problem solved! They have a wonderful (shaded) courtyard just through the driveway to sit and enjoy that warm croissant and espresso...or a Cortado! A must stop during your visit to Samara!

I came here very frequently while I was in Sámara, almost every day. Really loved the coffee and baked goods, and I tried as many as I could. I highly recommend the sausage egg and cheese sandwich. I also got the cheeseburger twice and that was good as well. Loved this place, highly recommend .

The food is delicious, the atmosphere and staff are friendly.

Nice place, quite and cosy. We ordered Casado con bistek and Patacones - both were tasty and of a good size.

The best ceviche I ate in Samara.

We really enjoyed our dinner here! Delicious Costa Rican coastal cuisine, friendly waitstaff and a family atmosphere next to the farmer's market. We tried the small pescado ceviche (sundae glass size), pescado casado, pescado con salsa limón and kid's pan fried chicken fingers meal. They were able to make our meals gluten friendly. We will likely be back to try more dishes tomorrow!

Ceviche with mahi mahi was good but not the best we've had on this trip. It lacked cilantro, onion and perhaps some fruit. Mahi mahi with shrimp did not work for me as the mahi mahi was not grilled but fried in the batter. I like the fish grilled and it did not occur to me to ask and the menu fish not say fried. French fries were great, hot and crunchy. The salad was good too, no rotten taste. We were there around 2pm and there were some bugs bitting so bring the bug spray. This place has a bit lower prices.

This place was phenomenal! If you’re looking for a comfortable quiet outdoor restaurant in Samara, this is your spot. Highly recommend the pulpo al ajo (garlic octopus). I LOVE octopus, but I’ve never had it prepared with this much flavor! Cooked to perfection.

Best ceviche in playa Samara! Incredible quality and taste. One if the best I’ve had in Costa Rica..they used a largo fish that day..not over marinated nor too much onion/Chili flavor. Great value as well. Check out the Saturday morning market next door if possible.

Mixt calamari was awesome! Shrimp with rice was OK. Fans were a plus because it is so hot here. They also had imperial beer, yay.

We have brunch at Bohemia nearly every day while we’re in Samara. We love it! Everything is so fresh, healthy and delicious! When we heard it was under new management in 2024 - we were concerned it might change. Luckily, it’s the same wonderful Bohemia - only better! The usual Bohemia menu (breakfast, lunch, brunch) is available, and now there are fabulous, inventive specials added. Today I had the Turkish burak - a fabulous pastry filled with spinach and cheese. The portions are always plentiful, and I crave the delicious fresh fruit smoothies for only about $3. Lots of vegetarian and vegan options. Meat too, if you’re so inclined. But with vegetables and fruits this delicious - we always go for those! And the service is warm and efficient. If you’re in Samara - try Bohemia for breakfast, brunch or lunch (no dinner as of February 2024).

I had to try this place while visiting Samara. It is close to the beach on a pretty quiet street and is quite charming. I ordered avocado toast, which was served with fresh fruit and salad. The servings are large, service is good, and prices are reasonable. My toast had goat cheese, honey, and almonds. Yum! Would definitely go back when in town. Great experience!

In Samara for 2 weeks and we came here for breakfast 5 times because it was that good. All the food, including breads and pastries made on-site. Absolutely fantastic! But what makes it even better is the owner. Uvall is a wonderful host and a real pleasure to chat with. You won’t be disappointed. Scott & Lynn, Sudbury Ontario Canada

This was my absolute favorite breakfast spot in Samara! It’s right off the beach and has such a great vibe! Staff is very friendly and also gave us a lot of recommendations on things to do Samara! If you go you must try the Shakshouka and the croissants! They are amazing! We tried all the flavors! This place is worth the stop!

Great soundtrack, hip dangly plant vibes. Slow kitchen, broody ?owner/manager smoking cigarettes in the corner and 3 out of 4 plates at our table did not match the menu description. Food was good. Service attention was mediocre. Excellent smoothies and fresh squeezed juices.

We loved this place. Our kids said the crepes were AMAZING! No wonder it is french owned. The omelette was melt in your mouth good. I haven't had an omelette in the states that compared to this one. They serve fresh bread with certain dishes and the bread was (in our son's words) 'the best thing I have ever tasted'. Our family wants to eat breakfast there everyday!

Bohemia cafe impressed me as a French style cafe focused on natural foods snd fruit juices. They offer both a breakfast and lunch menu, with an emphasis on breakfast foods. The sandwich and avocado toast we had were excellent and surprisingly gracious portions. I am over 6 feet tall and 210 pounds and I found the baguette chicken sandwich very satisfying. The service was friendly and reasonably quick. Our waitress checked in on us to make sure everything was good and ask about more drinks. The environment is cozy, clean and well maintained. The building appears to be expanding by including more businesses, an already open tourist store and another street food cafe to be opening soon.

This is a sweet little co-op natural food store in the center of Samara. With high quality ingredients comes high prices so expected pay full value for these products, but we needed some apple cider vinegar after getting jellyfish stings at the beach and they had a variety to choose from. They also have nice local products, bags, and gifts. Recommend!

A really nice shop worth a visit if you’re spending time in Samara! I had a kombucha and a pastry, both delicious. The owner is nice too!

Loads of imported and some domestic organic products. Kind and helpful people. Stop by and see for yourself. They make fresh smoothies, and also have vegan protein powders. Sometimes they have fresh fruit. Imported things in Costa Rica are more expensive, so expect to pay a little more for quality and organic. Loads of musli, granola, nuts, dried fruit, etc.

By far the best Banana Bread in Costa Rica! Moist and banana loaded: Pura Vida

Great selection and a great market but I do have to mention that their smoothie did make me sick.

This place has everything! Great brands and delicious food, art, jewelry and more. We visited here a few times throughout our stay and loved sipping on their delicious smoothies! The also had some other great food that we will have to try next time. A great spot that I'd highly recommend!

Great to be able to get organic items, natural skin products and supplements here in Samara.

Great atmosphere, good food, and drink in the (big) small town of Samara. Perfect nightcap after our sunset swim. We had a few different local craft beers, the beer wings (4 whole chicken wings) and the chickpea chorizo. The wings are great but for added spice just drag your wings across the spicy paprika sprinkled around the plate. Though we didn’t order any mixed drinks the happy hour looks like a great deal.

Cool little bar in Samara! The guaro sour was delicious and my husband loved their selection of craft beers. Our bartender (not sure if she's the owner) was so so kind and played with and held our baby while she napped so we could enjoy our drinks. Will definitely be back!

Such a cute drink spot with the best drinks I’ve ever had. Ordered from the cocktail menu and the KIWILEAKS is a must try (on right). Go for happy hour for some great deals. They have games, food and the nicest bartender/owner who wouldn’t give up her drink recipe 🤣

Size isn’t everything! I’m smitten with this place and stop every time I’m in town. Great happy hour and service. The craft tortilla chips were unlike anything I’ve had before…little triangles from heaven! Highly recommend.

Best bar in Samara. Wait staff is amazingly friendly, and the Mojitos are always on point. Always stop by here numerous times during the week when in town

New management is running a soft opening before next week & I’m in love! Great vibe. Good margaritas. Alexis and Manuel were so friendly. Makes me look forward to coming back to Samara!

Was out for a night in samara and was caught by this craft beer place and it was great. I was greeted by Henry the owner and a server which both were excellent. If you are in town for a night at the beach stop by micro bar and get a brew. Beach is like 3 min walk away. Fantastic place and great vibes. Go there if you're in samara Costa rica

A fantastic, little place in Sámara. The food options are great and very reasonably priced. The wine selection is well curated and will not break the bank. Desserts are also really good. Ambiance is laid back and comfortable, cozy. Highly recommended!

We loved this place so much. The food & wine are delicious, the service excellent, and overall atmosphere was wonderful. A family favorite of the trip!

Great little French Tapas place with a really nice menu. Needless to say great wines. The mixed plate was amazing and a great shareable plate.

Had an amazing visit at L‘Authentique! The name stands for itself- very authentic and cozy place with an very individual interior style. Music also fits perfectly to this place. We had the mixed plate (cheese and different cold meat types) with bread. Just fantastic! A little bit far away from the buzz but worth it. They also have raclette and different desserts.

Fair price, great cheese and wine. If you’re looking for a cozy, pleasant night, here is the right place to come Btw, cheese cake is a real treat😋

wonderful little place for a charcuterie board or a sandwich! loved the sangria because it wasn’t too sweet. great solo dinner spot too ☺️

Sooooo delicious with real french cheese. Very friendly owners. We did enjoy every part of our evening stay here.

We had a fantastic experience at Restaurante Rosa. We were having a difficult time finding a place that looked good for dinner as we had a poor lunch experience, however, this place exceeded expectations. The owner, a local who moved from France was our server and was so kind and helpful. He made great food recommendations and helped us order. All of our drinks and meals were fantastic and the service was impeccable. A few of us had the chicken and mushroom risotto and others had the shrimp bruschetta. Both were delicious. We would absolutely return. Thank you for a great meal in Sámara!

Best poke in Samara! Great open air seating options. We picked a live music night. Enjoyed an incredible tuna poke bowl that was light on rice and bountiful on all the salad/vegetable options. Very light but great tuna quantity and quality. Great value. Calamari was not that great though and I’d stick to their specials. I’ll be back.

Rosa is right in the center of Samara, across from the church and near BNCR. There isn't a parking lot but street parking wasn't difficult. We were walk-ins and seated immediately but we were early and got lucky. In retrospect, I recommend reservations. The waitress was friendly and fast, but not pushy, allowing us to enjoy our time. The cocktails were good and refreshed regularly. The menu is small and covers a good variety, including vegetarian options. It is a weekly rotation, so something new each week. Everyone at our table enjoyed their meals which ranged from Tuna tartar, to angus hamburger to pork ribs. Live music on the roof above the restaurant, where the bar is located, was a nice addition.

We came here after reading the multiple really positive reviews about the restaurant. The food was mostly fine. The roast vegetables were very good. However a word of warning, “Caramelized Tuna” is not tuna that is fried low and slow (like caramelized onions). It is actually tuna steak covered in caramel sauce. This was the first time I’ve ever returned food at a restaurant in my many years of eating out. Luckily, the kitchen was very accommodating when I asked them to just wash the caramel Off and squeeze some lime on it instead (though I did see the chefs pointing and whispering about me afterwards since it was an open kitchen, and they saw that I saw them). The wine selection was good. At the end when we went to pay, we were informed that they don’t take credit card, and the owner said that it’s been a month since they’ve done this. If there had been a visible sign saying this, we would have not decided to eat here since it took a big chunk of cash out of our chequing accounts. Cash/sinpe only is to be expected from smaller places, but not “higher end” restaurants such as this one. The owner was kind enough to drive me to my hostel so I could pick up my cash from there. All in all, our visit left a caramel-y taste in our mouths and a big hole in our cash-on-hand.

Ate here 2 nights in a row and loved it. I had the poke bowl which was delicious and great portion size. Lots of tuna! I also had the mahi mahi special with avocado sauce which was also great. The ambiance is very nice as well and I love the decor. Highly recommend.

Great Poke Bowl in Samara. Avocado salad was ok. Service was great!!

Delicious food! The burger was amazing. 4 stars because of the high prices for desert (4500 colones).

We had such a great dinner at Sámara Sushi! Everything was spot on—the food, the drinks, and the vibe. We started with the fried tofu appetizer, which was crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and full of flavor. Such a perfect way to kick things off! Their wine selection was also impressive, with great options to pair with the meal. And the sushi platter? Absolutely amazing. Fresh, beautifully prepared, and every bite was delicious. Even though I’m usually not a big sushi person, I have to say this place really nailed it! If you’re in Sámara and craving sushi, this is the place to go. Great food, great drinks, and an awesome experience overall!

Fun atmosphere with a bit of an ocean view because of its location above a supermercado. Plenty of versatile seating but we opted for the swing seats. Wonderful staff. Awesome vegan options. We appreciate the team being so accommodating and even whipping up a few rolls for us they don’t usually make. Best sushi for us in Costa Rica so far. Highly recommend.

SO good, the best we’ve ever had. Was drawn here by the (multiple!!) vegetarian roll options. Got the spicy tofu teriyaki and edamame appetizers. The tofu is SO crispy and flavorful, a must try. Got the veggie tempera roll and the mango camaron roll, both were incredible. Paired with the mojito. Everything was incredible.

Delicious food, amazing views, and really good staff. I recommend eating the Godzilla roll and the tsunami roll. Two of my favorite rules. The price was actually good for grand total of nine rolls and six beers with some sake on the side it cost a grand total of 165$ US.

There are a number of vegan options here, and they were all delicious. I went twice with a group, so I was lucky enough to try every vegan roll and the bowl. I’m not positive that the creamy sauce on the side of the sushi is vegan, as I forgot to ask. The vibe of this place is fun, especially if you get one of the swing seats. All of the dishes were colorful and tasted fresh. This is a good pick for sushi lovers.

5 stars for the 1st visit & 1 for the 2nd. The first time we went for an early dinner. The gentleman at the bar served us. We ordered shrimp tempura & avocado nigiri. He was friendly & courteous, food presentation was beautiful & delish, drinks were refreshing & atmosphere was great. We had an awesome time! 4 days later we went back. A different server seated us, brought the menus and stood waiting…we asked for a few minutes & water to start with. She said “okay” in a snobby manner, brought the water and didn’t come back for a while. We ordered drinks and food including shrimp tempura (same item as our previous visit). When the shrimp arrived, each shrimp was cooked with strip of seaweed in the batter. I told the server it wasn’t what I ordered. She said she’s been working there for 4 years & they always make shrimp tempura that way. I mentioned I had them a few days before, and they weren’t the same. The server was clearly annoyed that I wasn’t going to eat what she brought, grabbed the plate & walked away. 10 minutes later she came back with the correct shrimp tempura, put the plate on the table, didn’t say anything and left. She never came back to check on us. I had to get up and asked the other server for our bill. We just wanted to have a nice evening & repeat dining experience but it turned out to be uncomfortable and unpleasant. I wish we hadn’t gone back.

Don’t waste your time at some other restaurant. Choose this place. This place is the best I have ever had in Costa Rica! The workers are so friendly! The atmosphere is so cute and of course my style. The avocado and juicy roll were so freaking good! 😍

Great burger, fries and ice cream at very reasonable prices. Great place inside a little food court close to the beach. Nice break from rice and beans, hamburger meat was very good. Service was very good during a busy afternoon.

The. Most. Superb. Gelato maracuja! The smoothie was divine! I had both twice. Also a tasty veggie burrito & salad. Thumbs up!

Went here for ice creams. Sadly the staff short changed us and then lied about it about it being a tax which didn’t add up. The ice cream was nice but clearly a culture of stealing from customers so watch your change.

Officially the worst burger I've had in Costa Rica. Raw beef, soggy bun, expensive and fries tasted like they were made yesterday and microwaved today. Very disappointing. I just don't understand how someone can ruin a burger so bad. It's time to get out of the kitchen! I know it sounds harsh, but come on, you're serving raw burger in the tropic climate it's inexcusable.

Tucked away just steps from Playa Samara (a premiere beach and surfing destination)Casa Maxou has a broad assortment of fresh, house-made, hand-made-daily gelato, perfectly executed, flavourful, texturally flawless in a variety of classic (vanilla, pistachio, caramelo…) and fresh and funky flavours (passion fruit, mango, ginger…). We had combinations of each of the above, and none disappointed. The extensive menu also extends to savoury fare, such as veggie burritos (served with an egg, pinto gallo, and salad - flawless), hamburgers, chicken burgers, casados, etc., with lots of available nearby seating. I honestly can’t think of a better way to cap off a hot day at the beach. An absolute must visit.

Wow. Very, very good vegetarian burrito + side salad + homemade chili sauce for 4,500. Possibly my favourite place to eat in Sámara maybe...!

I’ve lived in Costa Rica for 20 years and this is hands down the BEST burger I’ve had in the land. If passing through samara and you have a hankering for a burger this is your place. The buns are the perfect texture - soft and fluffy interiors with a crunchier exterior. The meat was tasty and perfectly cooked - I asked for medium rare. The veggies were fresh and delicious. The fries were perfectly seasoned and cooked. There are many places that claim to have the best burger, but most of these claims are gross overstatements. Casa Maxou -were they to claim this title - would be falling well within the bounds of truth.

We decided to take a break and grab a pizza while we waited for the rental car replacement to be arranged. It’s a place we had passed by several times but had never actually stopped to eat. Once we finally stepped inside, we were pleasantly surprised. The pizza was outstanding—flavorful and satisfying, with a perfect blend of fresh toppings and a crispy crust. It was definitely a great value for the quality we received.

I love this place for lunch or dinner, and they also have some of the best ice cream in town! The menu is huge, so there is something for everyone. Their seafood pasta and the appetizer with shrimp and avocado patacones are SO good, I have come back many times to eat them. The blended fruit drinks are affordable and a great way to accent your meal. Their vanilla ice cream is divine, and I have never ever been a vanilla ice cream person.

Love the place. Nice amount of food at a really reasonably price. We were all happy with what we got. Staff is super friendly.

Great food loved my cheesy pizza and icy cold natural fruit drink. Sweet staff, with very good service. Fantasic colorful restaurant. Loved it all. And it is part of the hotel/hostel Samara. Very reasonably priced

Excellent place to eat at any time of the day, varied dishes and great pizza. Excellent service and prices.

We ate here twice on our vacation. What a great place to eat! They are very welcoming and friendly, and the food is delicious!!!! The tuna I ordered was incredible!!

Local restaurant with Costa Rican food. Good option to escape from the Italian cuisine that you see everywhere. Low key, nice service. Inexpensive.

Really really good pizza! We knew we wanted pizza for dinner and this place did not disappoint. It’s a little hole in the wall with a group of other restaurants. Lots of seating and good menu choice. We went simple with spicy pepperoni but my wife and I polished that pizza. Fresh ingredients and a crispy yet chewy crust. I gave this pizza a 9.2 on my rigorous grading scale.

Excellent place to eat really good pizza. I liked it very much. I ordered rustica, I loved it, especially with homemade olive oil wih chilli seeds. The size was nice, good value for money. The dough was thin but crispy and the toppings were very tasty both cheese and sausage. The service was warm and quick. Everything felt clean and surrounding with other small restaurants is cute. Would recomme nd it anytime.

Nice vegan pie in roughly 25 mins. Not bad since the friendly staff told me 20. Enough time to socialize in the open food court environment. Got it to go because we wanted to head up the mountain and it held up for part of the ride and ate good cold too. On par with NY slices. Priced on par with Samara. Enjoy!

Great pizza served by a friendly, helpful staff.although the standard pizza is too big for one person so took leftovers to my hotel and gave it to the front desk staff. I had the pepperoni pizza with a little chili oil on the side. As a former New Yorker I was impressed! To the owner … My only recommendation would be to offer a personal size pizza … half of the standard :)

My wife’s and my son, daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren ate dinner at Pizzeria A'Mozzarella one evening, and their report to us was so enthusiastic that, several days later, my wife and I decided to try it. Our meal at this casual, indoor, food court vendor was our least expensive Samara dinner, but we enjoyed it very much. The staff members were friendly and provided good service, and our mushroom pizza was delicious - the crust, cheese, sauce, and toppings were perfect. In addition, my wife was very pleased by the cocktail that she ordered, as I was, with my beer.

Really liked this place. Pretty reasonably priced for Samara for a giant pizza dinner for 4 people. Pizza was good quality. Cool location. Service was good. Recommended.

Fantastic pizza! A big sized pizza was perfectly fine for three hungry adults. Fresh ingredients, great dough, very tasty. The staff is super friendly.

Came in for a hamburger. Did not disappoint. Very good, fresh ingredients, very good patty, and the bread was excellent. Decent prices for the area.

The food is great and the service from the owners is great as well. We ate here and after we ordered our food it arrived really fast. The owners were really friendly and after we paid they were really grateful with our tip. All together is this a great place to order your food if you want to have a great dinner for only a little bit of money.

Amazing gem! We brought a group of 18 here, and were absolutely blown away. We ordered about an hour ahead, but expected there to be a little wait for our big group. Not true! All 18 meals were out within ten minutes of each other- incredible since there were only 2 people working! Everything was fresh, hot, and absolutely delicious. All the breads and dishes are made in-house (best club sandwich I've ever had!). The owner and chef were extremely kind, accommodating, and energetic. And, there is a delightful variety of food at a great price- something for everyone!

Delicieux! This place is a gem in Samara. The owners love their craft, and it shows. Burgers for the kids, Quesadeas, and typical rice and beans. All plates, including buns and breads, are all made from scratch with fresh ingredients. Banana, mango, and Pinapple smoothies all so delicious and refreshing. I would strongly recommend Casa Lagun!

Great service and great food. I would go back anytime just for the bread. Burgers, fries, wraps. Fast service with a great attitude. The chef is French so the food is made with dedication and attention to detail. Also the best value we found in Sámara!

The food is just OK. We had two dishes: a burger and the rice with calamari. The burger was mediocre, and the calamari were rubbery as if they were cooked a few days earlier. I do not understand how this place has 5 starts reviews at this time.

Doña Ana María prepared a delicious meal of three mixed tacos: veggies, shredded meat, and battered fish served with homemade tortillas with a small salad. The presentation of the dish was beautiful, each taco came with avocado, and the salad included lettuce, carrot and red onion with a light salad dressing. Her customer service was great. Also, I ordered mango juice. All in the price was 6000 colones. This place is totally recommended, great food, delightful service and a good atmosphere. I hope you can meet doña María in your visit.