Dominical Restaurants & Bars
Any vacation, relaxing or adventurous, needs fuel to “feed” the fun. (Sorry…pun intentional.) Dominical has several restaurants within walking distance of Villas Rio Mar that offer great food and a casual atmosphere for your enjoyment.
Nearly all restaurants in Dominical are on the main street, so they are easy to find. While we are partial to the Crocodile Grill and Bar located on the hotel’s property, there is good food and fun for all in the village area. Enjoy the local Costa Rican “sodas” (family-owned home cooking as well.
The best Dominical Costa Rica Restaurants
We selected 4 Dominical restaurants which are all completely different, but are all worthwhile visiting.
Dominical Sushi
years of serving quality Sushi in Dominical
K ey ingredients like Tuna and Shrimp are caught right here in the Pacific Ocean. and Dominical Sushi makes good use of that freshness. Sushi Rolls are their specialty. They offer special rolls like the Kamikaze Sushi Roll: spicy shrimp, jalapeños, cream cheese, green union and tuna on the outside. The Tico Roll is a must-try:: spicy shrimp, avocado, cucumber – and to make it Tico – mango and sweet plantain on the outside.
Dominical Sushi is located next to the Baru River in Pueblo del Rio at the entrance of Dominical; you can’t miss the big sushi sign on the roof. They are open every day from 1 to 10pm.
Dominical Sushi
Phat Noodle
Affordable quality Thai food in Dominical
Phat Noodle brings affordable quality Thai food to Dominical. Sit under a simple but cozy open rancho and watch the food being prepared in the trendy food truck that serves as kitchen. The menu offers a variety of healthy dishes and some vegan options. Their most popular dish is Pad Thai, a blend of lime juice, cane sugar & Thai fish sauce tossed with carrots cabbage, spring onions & peppers with peanuts & ribbons of omelet on gluten free rice noodles. Choice between pulled pork, chicken, beef, chickpeas, tofu, fish, shrimp or calamari.
They serve craft beer on tap and from 4:30 to 6:30pm they have Happy Hour specials.
Phat Noodle is located left from the entrance to Dominical (a bit in the back). Normally they are open every day from 11am to 9pm (in low season: Sunday 11am-3pm, Monday 5 to 9pm, Tuesday to Saturday 11:30am to 9pm).
Phat Noodle
Crocodile Grill & Bar
Best steak in Dominical
Crocodile Grill & Bar in Dominical is the most the best all-round restaurant; offering something for everybody. Intended to be a relaxing and slightly upscale restaurant (no need to dress fancy,) the Crocodile specializes in locally sourced, quality ingredients in a well-rounded menu. The Crocodile is most definitely the best restaurant in Dominical to eat steak; the Argentinian Churrasco and Tenderloin are fabulous.
Great salads, fresh seafood, and kids muni and some creative pasta dishes round out the “something for everyone!” See the menu here.
Best happy hour in Dominical
The restaurant also has a cozy bar with sports programming and pool billiards. Enjoy a Crocodile Mojito or a Laguna Longboard overlooking the pool. The bar offers the best happy hour deals in Dominical: Happy hour is from 3 to 5pm, Sunday to Friday.
Crocodile Grill & Bar is located besides the River Baru in Hotel Villas Rio Mar and is open 365 days a year from 7am to 9:30pm, so also offering breakfast and lunch.
Crocodile Grill & Bar
Eco-Hotel Resort
Playa Dominical, Costa Rica
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Two Excellent Taco Places
El Pescado Loco and Del Mar Taco
Both taco shacks have EXCELLENT tacos and both are worthy of gold stars. El Pescado Loco, specilizes in fish and shrimp tacos, fish and chips and impressive sandwiches. Del Mar Taco makes a large variety of tacos and homemade chips and guacamole. Both restaurants pride themselves on fresh ingredients and creativity.
Lori restaurant
excellent vegan food, even for meat eaters
Nutritious and delicious food with fresh local ingredients. One of the hghest rated restaurants in the area; the food is fresh and filling. The dishes are so creative that even the carnivores rave. Many vegetarian or meat-eating customers eat here at least once a week and always order the schnitzel sandwich and are not willing to replace it with anything else.
Loriis located in the middle of town, next to Tribe Hotel. They are open daily from 9AM to 8 PM.
Del Mar Taco Shop
“Crocodile Grill & Bar in Dominical is most likely the best all-round restaurant; it offers something for everybody and they use only quality ingredients.”
The best Dominical Costa Rica Bars
What are the best places in Dominical to have a drink? We made a nice selection of 4 Dominical bars that – depending on your preference – are worthwhile going to.
Fuego Brew Co
Craft beer made in Dominical
Dominical is home to one of the best micro-breweries of Costa Rica; Fuego Brew Co makes delicious craft beers. They make up to 20 different beers of all kind of types; Session IPA, Pilsener, Amber, Pale Ale and Hefeweizen. They always offer a good selection, including special brews like their unique Guanabana Heizeweize (guanabana is a common local fruit). Order the ‘beer flight’ to find out what you like; this a great tasting set of 6 beers. Fuego Brew Co is located in a stunning Bali-style building that offers great sunset views over the River Baru. Fuego Brew Co in Dominical also offersa simple menu to compliment their beers.
Next to Danyasa Yoga Retreat on the main road in Dominical. They are open daily from 11:30am to 10:30pm (low season Friday to Sunday 11:30am to 10:30pm).
Fuego Brew
Tortilla Flats
The beach bar of Dominical
Tortilla Flats in Dominical has been a long time favorite among both locals as visitors. Located right at the beach it always kept its laid back beach bar feel where surfers walk in and out and reggae music comes from the speakers. Have a drink at the nice wooden horseshoe shaped bar that gives you a good view of the beach and the people walking by. Want something special to drink; try out their signature Basil Passion Fruit Margarita! Tortilla Flats also offers food (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and for finger food we recommend their Calamari with Tropical Sauce! Live music frequently.
To visit Tortilla Flats just go to the beach road in Dominical and go north, you will see it at your righthand side. They are normally open every day from 7am to 10pm (low season 12 to 21pm)
Tortilla Flats
Rio Lindo
Enjoy the sunset with an ice cold beer and good pizza
The bar at Rio Lindo is a long time favorite among expats. It has a nice view over the Baru River towards the Pacific Ocean and the sunset shines beautifully into the bar restaurant. You can play pool billiards and darts in Rio Lindo. Rio Lindo has happy hour every day from 4:30 to 6:30pm: Try out their signature drink ‘River Water’, a lovely mix of rum and several fruit juices! Rio Lindo also offers food; they’re known for having the best Pizza in Dominical (American style).
Rio Lindo is located on the right side when entering Dominical (next to the Rum Bar and Delicias) and on the same road as The Crocodile Grill & Bar. They are normally open every day from 11:30am to 10pm, the kitchen closes at 9pm (low season 1 to 10pm).
Rio Lindo
Rum Bar
Party late!
If you want to go out late, the Rum Bar is the place to be in Dominical; it stays open until 2am. They open at 4:30pm but normally it gets crowed later when the restaurants in Dominical are closing. The Rum Bar attracts both tourists and locals. You can play darts and pool billiards. They have live music or a DJ frequently. The Rum Bar has happy hour every day from 4:30 to 8:30pm: They are known for making the best Chiliguero in Dominical. The Rum Bar is located almost directly on the right side when entering Dominical (next to Delicias).
Rum Bar
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