Samara Restaurants & Nightlife
Be it typical Costa Rican, Italian, Spanish or Argentinean cuisine, there are some truly wonderful culinary treats in Samara.
Ahora Si Veggie Restaurant
Samara's first vegetarian restaurant, Ahora Si welcomes diners with a rainbow of colors: billowing white curtains, tangerine accents, and blue rafters complement the kaleidoscopic menu. Choose from fresh veggie pastas, gourmet pizzas and a dessert menu featuring selections of homemade ice cream and dressed-up fruit treats.
Ancla
Ancla serves the best Italian food outside of Italy. No exaggeration. Four-cheese gnocchi is their specialty, to be washed down with a glass of imported wine.
Casa Esmeralda
The catch of the day takes center stage at Casa Esmeralda. Enjoy fresh fish, shrimp, lobster and other seafood specialties, as well as international dishes offering pasta, beef, chicken, and pork. Takeout is also available, and is a great way to cater your own beachfront picnic.
Cafe Hola Bakery
This is the most popular breakfast place in town, serving truly wonderful coffee and bread. Don’t come here if short on time, as the service is on beach-time.
Coco’s Restaurant
Run by locals, Coco's is the number one place to enjoy authentic Costa Rican food. Their chicken and steak casados (typical plates of meat, salad, rice, beans, and fried plantains) are highly recommended.
Gusto Creativo Italiano
This bar-restaurant promises a unique twist to favorite standbys. From ginger-spiked beer and black margaritas to wasabi cream tuna and lobster spaghetti, the restaurant's cuisine is as good as its beachfront location.
Las Olas
Las Olas translates to “the waves,” which patrons can hear simply by stepping outside this ever-popular bar. With pool tables, foosball, beachside seating and great bartenders, this establishment fills up nearly every night of the week.
Lo Que Hay
Lo Que Hay puts a gourmet twist on everyone's favorite comfort foods. Enjoy nachos fresh from the fryer, and taco variations like blackened fish in a cilantro-lime cream sauce. The pizzas are delicious, and toppings range from the standard pepperoni and mushrooms to olive oil and grated coconut.
Samara Organics
Refresh, replenish, and recharge at Samara Organic Cafe, where local, organic fare is the star. Quench your thirst with electrolyte-rich coconut water or smoothies to reduce blood pressure, and fuel your body with a tasty veggie-hummus sandwich or spiced taco salad.
Shake Joes
Shake Joe’s is the best place to pre-game before a long night out at Las Olas. Large and comfortable beds situated right on the beach replace normal chairs, encouraging people to lie down, relax, and unwind. They open at 5:00 p.m. and close right before Las Olas gets busy, around 10:00 p.m.