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Don’t let the $$$ designations throw you off: virtually every restaurant on this list is a great value, but some are a little pricier than others. You won’t better food for the money than at Exotica. About $30 per person with wine.
Dominical Eateries
Mono Congo: excellent food along the river. $$
Rum Bar: good pizza and drinks. $$
Tortilla Flats: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Surfer hangout, but the food is good and cheap. Try their Mahi either way, or Casado, which is the Costa Rican National meal. $
Villas Rio Mar: up the Rio Baru about 1km, part of the resort at which we stayed originally. The rooms, meals, and service are very nice, and we enjoy going there for an afternoon swim in their pool with a swim-up bar. Full bar and good menu. $$$
La Parcela: fantastic location, especially at sunset or for lunch. Somewhat hit and miss. South of our home by about 1.5 km, just south of Dominicalito. Seafood and other entrees. $$$
Jolly Roger: a bit of a chore to get there, 4WD recommended, but a fun place for wings and burgers. Drive south, turn left prior to Cuna de Angel, and drive for a couple of km. It will be on the left, and probably you’ll hear it before you get there.
La Scala: Geez, we’ll have a review soon, but it’s on the same mountain road as the Jolly Roger, but closer to La Costanera. Looks elegant, with a good view if you’re wandering around, but not as good if you’re seated. More on this in a future post.
Exotica Our Favorite Place No Question About It
Exotica: Formerly run by Lucy and Bernard, transplanted French-Canadians, and now run by their granddaughter Maité. Excellent food, full bar, reasonable prices. Although it’s exactly 30 minutes south of the villas, it’s absolutely worth the drive. Drive south, past Uvita, and look for Playa Ventanas (small beach sign on right.) Continue to Ojochal, turn left off the highway. Continue straight across a small concrete bridge. Turn left after the bridge and drive about 1km on a dirt road. Continue until you see the restaurant sign. Reservations recommended. You will not be disappointed. +(506) 2786-5050 $$$
This is Exotica’s famous avocado citric salad, with a touch of sweetness from pineapple. Perfection!