Atenas, Costa Rica, is a small city (pop. 27,000) that's a 45-minute drive from capital San José and also convenient to many other attractions in the Central Valley. It also happens to be unusually popular with foreign expatriates – about 1,500 year-round and up to 3,000 in winter months (and because of this as well as being a San José bedroom community), it it boasts an unusual number of great restaurants for its size - a good several dozen.
Here is a sampling of some of the favorite restaurants in Atenas. This is definitely not a comprehensive list, and there are many more restaurants, fast food places, little cafes, bars and ice cream shops around town to discover; plus, new eateries open up all of the time!
Antanos Restaurant: Traditional Costa Rican cuisine served in a charming, yellow and white, restored antique house – one of the oldest houses in downtown Atenas. Located 50 meters northeast of the Central Park. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, 9:30 am to 9 pm daily. (506) 2446-7542.
Balcon del Café: Freshly made German and international cuisine; daily lunch specials. Also has an on-site bakery with fresh breads, quiches, pastries & desserts, and a mini-delicatessen selling German sausages & other foods. Located on Highway 3, 100 meters west of the flashing yellow light. Open for breakfast and lunch, 8 am to 6 pm Monday to Saturday. (506) 2446-8592.
Donde Bocha Café: Mexican-style cuisine & fast food. Located across from the ICE electric company office, next to Miranda hardware store in downtown Atenas. Open for lunch and dinner, 11 am to 10 pm Sunday and Tuesday to Thursday; 11:00 am to 11:30 pm Friday and Saturday; closed Mondays. (506) 2446-2028.
Don Yayo’s Chicharronera: Traditional Costa Rican cuisine; specializes in chicharrones (chunks of fried pork served with fried yucca, pickled bananas and jalapeño peppers). Located on Hwy. 3 by the Oxcart Monument. Open for lunch and dinner daily, 11:00 am to 9:00 pm. (506) 2446-5901.
El Chiringuito Italian Restaurant (formerly Alida's): Italian cuisine and thin-crust pizza. Located on the corner 125 meters east of the Catholic Church in downtown Atenas, on the road to Hwy. 27. Open for lunch and dinner, noon to 9:00 pm daily except Tuesdays. (506) 4702 9298.
El Mejor Clima: Small “cantina”-style restaurant with varied Costa Rican menu; known for its ceviche. Located on the corner of Hwy. 3 in Atenas by the flashing yellow light. Open for lunch and dinner, 11 am to 11:30 pm daily. (506) 2446-3212.
Gelly’s Jardin: Gelato, ice cream, desserts, fast food & coffee in an open-air garden atmosphere. Located on the west side of the Central Park. Open for lunch and dinner, 11:30 am to 7 pm daily except Mondays. (506) 2446-1229.
Guanacaste: Traditional Costa Rican cuisine in an open-air restaurant; specialties are ribs, grilled fish, shrimp and ceviche. Located in Barrio Mercedes, five minutes from downtown Atenas. Open for lunch and dinner, 11 am to 11 pm daily except Wednesdays. (506) 2446-4995.
Hotel Colinas del Sol: International and Costa Rican cuisine. Located 100 meters east of the Roca Verde residential development. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, 7 am to 10 pm daily except Mondays. (506) 2446-4244.
Kay's Gringo Postres: Known as the “meeting place” for the international community in Atenas, this little café serves home-style American food; special Sunday brunch served weekly. Located next to the central health clinic and Red Cross in Atenas. Open for breakfast and lunch, 8 am to 5 pm Tuesday to Saturday; 8 am to 1 pm brunch on Sunday. (506) 2446-0664.
La Carreta: Traditional Costa Rican cuisine in a fun atmosphere; also houses the tremendous Atenas Friends Lending Library. Get a book and have a great meal! Located 50 meters east of the Catholic Church downtown, by the tourism information office of CATUCA. Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner, 10:30 am to 8 pm Sunday to Wednesday; 10:30 am to 9 pm Thursday to Saturday. (506) 2446-3156.
La Fiesta de las Pupusas Restaurant: Serve traditional Salvadoran pupusas. Located in Barrio Los Angeles, next to Don Yayo’s Chicharronera, by the Oxcart Monument on Hwy. 3. Open 10 am to 9 pm Monday to Friday; 8 am to 9 pm Saturdays & Sundays. (506) 2446-6987.
La Trilla: Traditional Costa Rican cuisine, served in an open-air garden atmosphere. Located 50 meters east of the Coopeatenas gas station on Hwy. 3. Open for lunch and dinner, 11 am to 10 pm daily except Tuesdays. (506) 2446-8593.
Pizzeria La Finca: Specialty thin-crust pizzas, pastas & salads. Located in front of the Civil Registry in downtown Atenas (125 meters west of the Central Park). Open for lunch and dinner, 11:45 am to 9:30 pm daily except Mondays. (506) 2446-6666.
For more information about Atenas – named a top place for international retirement – check out the Guide to Living in Atenas, Costa Rica by real estate agency Pure Life Development of Atenas. If you are thinking about buying a home, investment property, or other Atenas Costa Rica real estate, contact Atenas Costa Rica realtors Dennis Easters and Gerardo Porras González.
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