Two coastal towns, one kitchen tradition. A guide to finding genuine Indian food on Costa Rica's central Pacific coast.
Indian restaurants are still relatively rare in Costa Rica, which makes the question worth answering properly. If you are travelling the central Pacific coast, the two places to plan around are Manuel Antonio and Jacó.
Manuel Antonio
Set between the national park and the beach, Manuel Antonio is where most visitors spend their evenings after a day of wildlife and hiking. Hola Indian Restaurant sits on Ruta 618 in front of Tulemar, serving North Indian cuisine daily from 11:00 AM to 9:30 PM. Details and directions are on the Manuel Antonio page.
Jacó
Closer to San José and busier at night, Jacó is a surf town with a genuine dining scene. Our Jacó restaurant keeps the same kitchen and the same hours — see the Jacó page.
How to judge an Indian restaurant abroad
- Is there a tandoor? Blistered naan and properly charred tikka are hard to fake.
- How deep is the vegetarian section? A short one usually signals a menu built for tourists.
- Are the breads made to order? They should arrive hot, after the curries are ready.
- Can you choose your spice level? A confident kitchen adjusts without losing flavour.
What to order
For a first visit: samosa or paneer tikka, butter chicken, a vegetarian curry, dal, biryani and garlic naan, finishing with gulab jamun. Our full menu covers appetisers, tandoor, vegetarian mains, chicken, lamb, seafood, biryani, breads and desserts.
Plan your visit
Tables fill fast in high season, so reserve online before you arrive. For private dinners, weddings and villa events along the coast, see catering, or contact us with any questions. You can also see the rooms and the food on our gallery.
Plan your visit
Taste it in Manuel Antonio or Jacó
Open daily, 11:00 AM – 9:30 PM. Reserve a table or explore the menu before you arrive.
