2 Best Restaurants in Central Valley, Costa Rica

The country’s top Peruvian restaurant uses fresh local ingredients to re-create Peru’s greatest hits, served with style. A variety of ceviches accompany favorites such as aji chicken risotto, grilled octopus in balsamic vinaigrette, or lomito saltado (beef tenderloin in tomato sauce). You may have a hard time choosing one entrée; a sampler plate gives you small portions of six of them. A complimentary pisco sour comes with all meals. Top off the evening with a smooth, meringue-like suspiro de limeña for dessert. A few have reported glitches in the reservation system; otherwise, the place is a winner.

This monastery-themed formal restaurant high in the hills has a great view of the Central Valley. The dining room is dressed up in antiques, with tables set for a five-course meal, and the classic French dishes are outstanding. Waiters don short friar tunics over their standard black pants and white shirts, which makes the atmosphere too theatrical for some tastes, but the food makes up for it. The more casual Cava Grill dining area serves platters of grilled meat. Cantina La Cava, beneath the dining room, has tasty appetizers, live music Thursday to Saturday, and is open into the wee hours.