Costa Rica (Lonely Planet, 9th Edition) - Matthew Firestone [62]
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La Sabana & Surrounds
The residential area around the park is dotted with family eateries.
GROCERIES
There are two good neighborhood supermarkets here:
Más x Menos (Map; www.masxmenos.co.cr; 2248-0968; cnr Autopista General Cañas & Av 5; 7am-midnight Mon-Sat, 7am-9pm Sun)
Palí (Map; www.pali.co.cr; 2256-5887; Paseo Colón btwn Calles 24 & 26)
RESTAURANTS
Budget
Soda Tapia (Map; 2222-6734; www.sodatapia.com; cnr Av 2 & Calle 42; sandwiches from ₡1000, breakfast from ₡1600, casados ₡2300-3000; 6am-2am Sun-Thu, 24hr Fri & Sat; ) An unpretentious ’50s-style diner, this place is perpetually filled with couples and families noshing on grilled sandwiches and generous casados. If you have the nerve, try the monstrous ‘El Gordo,’ a pile of steak, onions, gouda cheese, lettuce and tomato served on Spanish bread. But save room for dessert: Tapia specializes in sundaes (from ₡1800).
Sabores de Jeruzalen (Map; 2221-6715; cnr Paseo Colón & Calle 36; mains ₡2900-3500; 8am-7pm Mon-Thu, 8am-6pm Fri & Sun; ) This small, informal Middle Eastern shop sells plates of hot shawarma and sandwiches stuffed full of fresh hummus and falafel.
Las Mañanitas (Map; 2256-5737; Calle 40 btwn Paseo Colón & Av 3; mains ₡2900-7900; 11am-10pm Mon-Sat, noon-8pm Sun) You can get your Mexican fix at this charming garden restaurant that serves a variety of well-rendered specialties. It’s the tacos that are tops: corn tortillas stuffed full of chicken, steak, sea bass or carne al pastor (spiced pork) – best when accompanied by one of the restaurant’s refreshing margaritas.
Midrange
Machu Picchu (Map; 2255-1717; Calle 32 btwn Avs 1 & 3; mains ₡4200-11,000; 10am-10pm Mon-Sat, 11am-6pm Sun; ) This locally renowned Peruvian restaurant will do you right if you have a hankering for all things Andean. A popular spot for a leisurely Sunday lunch, it has an encyclopedic menu featuring tasty Peruvian classics such as pulpo al olivo (octopus in olive sauce), ají de gallina (a nutty chicken stew) and causa (chilled potato terrines stuffed with shrimp and avocado), among many other things. There is also a children’s menu (₡4500).
Lubnán (Map; 2257-6071; Paseo Colón btwn Calles 22 & 24; mains from ₡4800; 11am-3pm & 6-11pm Tue-Sat, 11am-4pm Sun) This cozy Lebanese spot serves a mix of Middle Eastern dishes, including shish kebabs, falafel and kebbeh (bulgur wheat and lamb fritters). Want to try a little bit of everything? Order the meze – a platter of small portions, ideal for two.
La Piazzetta (Map; 2222-7896; cnr Paseo Colón & Calle 40; mains ₡5000-16,000; noon-2:30pm & 6:30-11pm Mon-Fri, 6-11pm Sat) This old-world Italian spot (expect waiters with bow ties) serves a lengthy list of traditional specialties: antipasto, creamy risottos, homemade pastas and tender veal. There is an extensive list of imported wines, and several luscious desserts – including a celebrated chocolate mousse.
Top End
Restaurante Grano de Oro (Map; 2255-3322; Calle 30 btwn Avs 2 & 4; lunch mains ₡5900-12,000, dinner mains ₡7500-15,600; noon-2pm & 6-10pm Mon-Sat) One of San José’s top dining destinations is the stately, flower-filled restaurant at the Hotel Grano de Oro (Click here). Known for its Costa Rican–fusion cuisine, the menu is laced with unique specialties such as pork loin roasted in coffee and seared duck crowned with caramelized figs. There is an encyclopedic international wine list (from ₡11,900 per bottle), including half a dozen types of champagne and cava. For dessert, don’t miss the coffee cream pie. Reservations are recommended for dinner; credit cards are accepted.
El Chicote (Map; 2232-0936; Av Las Américas; mains ₡6000-14,000; 11am-3pm & 6-11pm Mon-Fri, 11am-11pm Sat & Sun) A pleasant family spot that draws carnivores for long Sunday lunches, El Chicote grills up beefy sirloins in the middle of the restaurant