Puerto Viejo Restaurants & Nightlife
Puerto Viejo's international community has created a surging culinary scene where you'll find artisanal Italian gelato and homemade pasta, Spanish charcuterie and pastries, fresh sushi, spicy Thai and a formidable list of restaurants to back it up. Of course it's also the southern Caribbean where you'll find cacao, coconut, banana, passion fruit, mango and all the other key ingredients that go into savory Caribbean casados, coconut-infused rice and beans, stewed pork or chicken, delicious seafood Carpaccio and Costa Rican ceviche.
Central Puerto Viejo
You'll find the highest concentration of restaurants in central Puerto Viejo with longstanding favorites like Asian-themed Chile Rojo and Lotus Garden; homemade pizza and pasta at A Mi Modo and Café Viejo, and one of the best breakfast places in town – Pan Pay. For fresh seafood, get to Lazlo's place around 5:30 p.m., they don't take reservations and they only serve what they catch that day, but it's worth it. Alternatively, try the mixed seafood plate at Mopri, you won't be disappointed.
The nightlife in central Puerto Viejo burns the candle at both ends with bars and nightclubs that open at noon and close just before the sunrise. You'll find two-for-one happy hours at almost every bar in town, as well as nightly deals and parties like Friday night beer pong and Sunday night open mic at the Lazy Mon, Thursday's ladies night at Mango and weekend DJ events at bars all over central Puerto Viejo.
Playa Negra
Stop in for a craft beer at Luke's Taproom in Kaya's place just a five-minute walk from the bridge in central Puerto Viejo. Bar owner and craft brewer, JT, brews beer inspired by his surroundings using local ingredients in beers like honey mango brown ale, ginger mead and chocolate porter for $5 a pint. Or, visit The Point sports bar and grill on the far side of Playa Negra for some beach eats and a chance to catch the night's soccer game.
Playa Cocles
For the biggest weekly event along Playa Cocles, drop in for Taco Tuesdays at Tasty Waves with $4 tacos, happy hour from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and live music starting at 5:30 p.m. Chocolate lovers will want to visit Caribeans Café for organic chocolate bars made on the farm just behind the café (with daily tours leaving from Caribeans).
Playa Chiquita
Outside of central Puerto Viejo, Playa Chiquita has some of the area's best restaurants. Pecora Nera, is renowned both locally and nationally for its unique and inspired Italian menu. For something equally creative but less expensive, try the innovative Spanish influenced cuisine at Pura Gula.