A Complete Guide to Costa Rican Cuisine: 10 Must-Eat Dishes

Costa Rican cuisine thrives on simplicity and freshness, thanks to the country's rich biodiversity, which includes two oceans, vibrant forests, fertile volcanic soil, and cool mountains. This abundance brings forth fresh seafood and an astonishing variety of native and exotic fruits and vegetables—such as guava, mangoes, cassava, and cacao beans—alongside some of the finest coffee you can find, often just steps from a Tico's home.

These fresh ingredients shine in Costa Rica's signature dishes, including ceviche, casado (a mixed savory platter), and Caribbean rondón (a seafood stew).

Experience traditional cooking at chef Pablo Bonillo’s lively Sikwa Restaurante in San José, celebrated for its authentic indigenous cuisine, or enjoy innovative dishes at Hacienda Altagracia, an Auberge resort nestled in the country’s interior. Here, chef Liezl Odendaal reimagines classics, creating a refined version of chorreada (pancake). Be sure to tour the behind-the-scenes operations at the beachfront Arenas Del Mar resort in Manuel Antonio on the central Pacific coast, where you'll witness sustainable zero-kilometer sourcing firsthand.

Make sure to add these 10 essential Costa Rican dishes to your must-try list!

1. Ceviche

Although ceviche has its roots in Peru dating back over 2,000 years, the Costa Rican twist brings a vibrantly zesty and refreshing flair to this seafood salad. Traditional Costa Rican ceviche features white sea bass, bell pepper, onion, lime juice, and cilantro.

Where to enjoy it

Ceviche is best savored with a cold beer and tortilla chips at the beach, with some of the finest offerings found along the Pacific Coast, particularly at Leda in the port town of Puntarenas.

2. Gallo Pinto

You won't get through a day in Costa Rica without encountering gallo pinto, the beloved national dish made of rice and beans, flavored with spices, peppers, onions, and plenty of cilantro. Tico-style gallo pinto is a key component of the traditional breakfast known as desayuno típico. It's accompanied by fried or scrambled eggs, fried plantains—another Costa Rican must-try—and avocado (don't forget the Salsa Lizano tamarind sauce). This dish is also enjoyed throughout the day as a popular side.

Where to enjoy it

Each region of Costa Rica offers its own twist, with Guanacaste being renowned for some of the finest examples (check out Rancho Ania, Palenque Garabito, or La Choza de Laurel).

3. Casado

Often served alongside gallo pinto, the traditional casado dish features a choice of fish, chicken, or a pork chop, complemented by sides such as fried plantains, picadillo (vegetable hash), salad, and sometimes corn tortillas.

Where to enjoy it

A casual lunchtime alternative to desayuno típico, you can find casado on many lunch menus, particularly in Costa Rica’s quaint open-air cafés known as “sodas.”

4. Batidos

Complement your casado with a batido, a vibrantly colorful drink made from fresh fruit blended with ice. This Costa Rican smoothie typically includes a mix of fruits such as guava, pineapple, papaya, mango, blackberries, and strawberries.

Where to enjoy it

In San José, grab a batido at the Central Market.

5. Rice and Beans

Costa Rican cuisine has a notable Caribbean influence in areas like Limón and Puerto Viejo on the east coast, offering unique dishes not found elsewhere in the country. Here, the classic gallo pinto is simply “rice and beans,” infused with coconut milk (or a spicy tomato variation) using red beans instead of black, and served alongside chicken or fish and fried green plantains.

Where to enjoy it

Experience it at the boutique Hotel Aguas Claras or visit Lidia’s Place in Puerto Viejo, where you can also savor pan bon (a delightful sweet Caribbean bread made with coconut milk and dried fruit) and the slow-cooked rondón seafood stew. For the ultimate Caribbean snack, indulge in spiced meat pies filled with onion and chili powder.

6. Chifrijo

Feeling hungry for bar snacks? Try chifrijo, a taco salad with a uniquely Costa Rican twist. This dish usually features a mix of rice, beans, a fried protein (commonly pork), and a local version of pico de gallo, all served in a bowl with tortilla chips and sliced avocado. Don’t forget to add extra Salsa Lizano on top.

Where to enjoy it

You can find it in San José at Chicharronera Don Yayo, El Roble, or Bar Río de Janeiro Escazú.

7. Chorreadas

A chorreada is a traditional corn pancake made with salt, sugar, and water, typically enjoyed at breakfast or as a delightful afternoon snack alongside coffee. The corn base gives it a naturally sweet flavor and a moist, spongy texture.

Where to enjoy it

It’s commonly served with a sweet sour cream known as natilla, but you can find unique preparations at places like Hacienda AltaGracia, where a savory version includes shiitake mushrooms, pickled red onions, fresh herbs, and lime vinaigrette. You can also try it at La Fiesta Del Maíz and Casa del Maiz.

8. Pejibaye

Found along the coast, pejibaye comes from the peach palm tree, growing in large clusters high above. Harvesting them is no easy task, but once collected, they are typically boiled in salted water for a few hours before removing the skin and seeds. The final product has a sweet potato-like texture with floral undertones, best enjoyed with mayonnaise at the center.

Where to enjoy it

You can find it prepared this way at weekly farmers' markets in almost any town in Costa Rica.

9. Lionfish

While lionfish on your plate isn't a traditional Costa Rican dish, this nonnative species has been proliferating in Caribbean waters. Many restaurants feature it on their menus as part of a creative and sustainable strategy to control its population.

Where to enjoy it

Join the trend at Monly Bar Restaurant Grill in Puerto Viejo, where you'll find fish with a delicate, flaky texture reminiscent of grouper or mahi-mahi, enhanced by a buttery flavor.

10. Tres Leches

Interestingly, Costa Rica's beloved dessert, tres leches, actually hails from Mexico. Nonetheless, it has become a culinary favorite here, especially among those with a sweet tooth. This light, airy cake is always homemade using sugar, flour, eggs, and vanilla, soaked in three types of milk—evaporated, heavy cream, and sweetened condensed—and finished with a fluffy whipped cream topping.

Where to savor it

You can find it all over, but indulge yourself in San José at Spoon or at the restaurant in the Grano de Oro Hotel.