Restaurants and Nightlife in Arenal

The Arenal area offers a huge range of gastronomic options, from cozy, inexpensive sodas (small restaurants serving local food) to candlelit fine dining. On the road between La Fortuna and Lake Arenal, mid-range restaurants promise mouthwatering dishes, including steakhouse fare, wood oven-fired pizza and spicy Mexican platters. Additionally, many upscale resorts have on-site restaurants, where diners enjoy international cuisine served at the base of Arenal Volcano. Here are a few recommended favorites:

Don Rufino Bar and Restaurant
Throwing Costa Rican flavors together with international dishes, Don Rufino’s cooks up a unique fusion cuisine. Splurge on the marine cocktail (shrimp and scallops marinated in lemon, blackberries and passion fruit), followed up with shrimp-stuffed ravioli, carved meats, or any other of the restaurant’s specialties. Located on Avenida Central.

El Novillo de Arenal
While plastic lawn chairs and matching tables may seem unassuming, El Novillo de Arenal is known as one of the area’s best steakhouses. Large, tender steaks are served to order, and each plate is stacked high with garlic bread, French fries and coleslaw. On a clear night, diners have a fantastic view of lava rolling down Arenal Volcano. Located six miles outside of town, on the road to Lake Arenal.

Saltamar
Located on La Fortuna's main drag, Saltamar offers casual dining with an elegant flair. They specialize in fresh seafood (try their calamar) like snapper, jumbo shrimp and octopus. Their fried snapper and surf and turf dishes are absolutely delicious!

Las Brasitas
This moderately-priced Mexican cafe offers sizzling-hot fajitas, burritos and other authentic specialties such as tacos al pastor. Open for lunch and dinner, Las Brasitas is located on Avenida Central.

Lava Rocks Cafe
This outdoor, breezy cafe serves up hearty breakfasts, fresh salads and a host of heavier fare, including cheeseburgers, pasta, fish and chicken. There is a tour-booking agency inside the cafe. Located on Avenida Central.

Pizzeria y Soda La Parada
If you’re looking for local Costa Rican fare, then this is it. Snack on pizza, empanadas and other fried goodies, or fill up on a well-rounded casado, which includes rice, beans, salad, fruit and a choice of meat or fish. Located across from the bus stop in central park. Open 24 hours.

Restaurant Nene's
Walking distance from central park, this hidden gem is a favorite among locals. Nene's dishes up traditional Costa Rican fare along with international favorites. Great selection of pasta, seafood and salads as well.

Nightlife:

Although a hotspot on the tourist trail, La Fortuna's nightlife is much tamer than that of San Jose or Jaco. The area’s favorite after-dusk activity will always be lava watching, but Friday and Saturday nights offer partiers a few places to make new friends and salsa the night away.

Volcan Look Disco
Located three miles from the town center, this discotheque is the happening party spot on the weekends. The bar has regular DJ's and plays a mixture of Latin and contemporary dance music.

El Vagabondo
Also popular with tourists, El Vagabundo is on the smaller side and attracts locals as well. Located two miles west of town.

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