El Callejero

El Callejero is an unpretentious eatery that is run from a food truck, but with plenty of covered outdoor tables. The theme of the menu is roughly Texan barbecue, but you can also enjoy some Mexican salads and poke bowls, plus local beers.

• Address:

  Coast-west of the Hector Zúñiga Rovira park, Liberia, Costa Rica

• Phone:

  +506 2665 4111

• Opening hours:

  Tue–Sun 11am–9pm, Mon closed

El Patio

El Patio is a great open-air restaurant way off the beaten path. Most guests order set menus, like the menu ejecutivo — with falafel, grilled veggies and fried yuca. Grab a table outdoors on the lush terrace and say hi to Roberto, the resident cat. Among other things, El Patio offers good WiFi and is popular for its high-protein vegan and vegetarian dishes.

• Address:

  200 m north of the Ermita de la Agonia, Liberia, Costa Rica

• Phone:

  +506 4034 6245

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Sat 11:30am–3pm / 6pm–9pm, Sun closed

Los Comales

Los Comales is one of the best sodas (local budget-friendly lunch restaurants) in town! You'll get traditional Costa Rican fare: the most tender and juicy pechuga (chicken breast) with a side of beans, two salads, rice, and tortilla. This is the best place in town to try Gallo Pinto for breakfast. If you're especially hungry that day, order a side of maduros con queso frito (pan-fried plantains with fried cheese).

• Address:

  Calle Central, Avenidas 5 & 7, Liberia, Costa Rica

• Phone:

  +506 2665 0105

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Sat 6:30am–9pm, Sun closed

• More info:

  There's a second location next to the Hector Zúñiga Rovira park

Restaurante Jauja

Jauja serves authentic Costa Rican cuisine along with dishes from all over the world, all making for an extensive menu that calls for more than just a single visit. Come hungry, as the generous portions can easily feed two. Live music played some nights.

• E-mail:

  juanpabloberrocalsalazar@gmail.com

• Address:

  Calle 10, Avenida 25 Julio, Liberia, Costa Rica

• Phone:

  +506 2665 2061

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Sun 11:30am–10pm, Sun closed

Sabor Porteño

Sabor Porteño is a famed seafood restaurant: delicious food, pleasant atmosphere and excellent service! Your biggest difficulty will be choosing among the dozens of great-looking plates. The ceviche porteño comes highly recommended, as does the shrimp and avocado salad, paired with mango juice.

• Web:

  marisqueria-sabor-porteno.negocio.site

• Address:

  Calle 2, Avenida 8, Liberia, Costa Rica

• Phone:

  +506 2665 6851

• Opening hours:

  Tue–Sun noon–3pm / 6pm–9pm, Mon closed

Tierra Mar Liberia

The Tierra Mar in Liberia specialises in Peruvian ceviche and all manner of seafood dishes. You'll find comfortable decor, a broad and creative selection of menu choices, generous portions, and first-rate quality in taste and presentation. The bar is well-stocked with an array of mixologist recipes with native juices as added flavour.

• Address:

  Avenida 1, Calles 4 & 6, Liberia, Costa Rica

• Phone:

  +506 6335 5407

• Opening hours:

  Mon, Tue & Thu–Sun 11:30am–9:30, Wed closed

Bar Julia

Julia is another honest local watering hole. Cold beers, friendly smiles and good rhythms. They offer a decent menu, too — great place for a family dinner in a relaxed atmosphere.

• Address:

  Avenida 23, Calles 15 & 17, Liberia, Costa Rica

• Phone:

  +506 2666 8918

• Opening hours:

  Daily 11am–midnight

Bar La Selegna

This bar is one of the city's most popular meeting places. Head here for a couple of drinks, to catch a game broadcast or wash down some quality pub grub with a few chilled beers.

• Address:

  Calle 6, Avenidas 7 & 9, Liberia, Costa Rica

• Phone:

  +506 2666 0029

• Opening hours:

  Daily noon–midnight

Maderos Brewery

The Maderos Brewery is living proof that the craft beer scene is alive and well in Costa Rica, and the owner, Doug, is very knowledgeable on the subject. Only a short drive out of Liberia, just north of the city, this bar is absolutely worth a visit — don't miss out on the well-selected variety of beers and accompanying snacks.

• Address:

  125 m north of the bridge over Santa Inés river, along the Interamericana highway, Liberia, Costa Rica

• Phone:

  +506 2666 4243

• Opening hours:

  Wed–Fri 4pm–10pm, Sat & Sun 4pm–9pm, Mon & Tue closed

Mariajuana Restobar

Mariajuana is a Mexican restaurant and bar in a shopping centre. Apart from great drinks, they serve excellent ceviche. The restaurant opens earlier than most places in Liberia, so it's also an excellent choice for breakfast after a busy night out. Vegetarians, vegans and carnivores will all leave satisfied!

• Address:

  Santa Rosa Plaza Shopping Mall, Shop # 37, Plaza Santa Rosa, Liberia, Costa Rica

• Phone:

  +506 2665 7217

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Sat 7am–9pm, Sun 11:30am–9pm

• More info:

  Located in the Santa Rosa Plaza Shopping Mall

Numu Brewing Company

Numu is a cool brewery in an industrial park very close to Liberia airport. Try their beers (and fall in love with their IPA), get a few cans to go. Their restaurant offers great food, too. The venue is pretty sizeable, so Numu is a great option for big groups.

• Web:

  https://www.numubrewing.com/

• Address:

  Solarium Logistics Center, 19F Through main security gate. Left for 50 m, then right for 200 m, Liberia, Costa Rica

• Phone:

  +506 4703 9621

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Sat noon–6pm, Sun closed

Palavicini Rock Pub

If you've grown a bit tired of rancheras and reggaeton-tuned, head to the loud and unapologetic Palavicini — the only rock pub in Liberia. Party hard and shout your lungs out to rock and metal hits, then cool down with a cold beer or keep the party going all night with artisanal shots.

• Web:

  restaurante-pub-rock-palavicini.business.site

• Address:

  Avenida 7, Calle 13, Liberia, Costa Rica

• Phone:

  +506 8702 0277

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Wed 6pm–midnight, Thu & Fri 6pm–2:30am, Sat 5pm–midnight, Sun closed

Café Avenida 4

Café Avenida 4 has arguably the best-prepared espresso in Liberia. The venue itself is beautiful, with covered outdoor seating and lots of plants. Great place to relax with a cup of coffee and a brownie while reading a book or chatting with friends.

• Address:

  Avenida 4, Calle 10, Liberia, Costa Rica

• Phone:

  +506 6269 6014

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Fri 1pm–9pm, Sat 2pm–9pm, Sun closed

Coquitos Cafe

Start with one of Coquitos Cafe's fresh salads before savouring a burger, pasta or Costa Rican specialties, and do not forget to finish off with a piece (or two) of their wonderful cakes — in fact, the sweet treats are already worth the visit all by themselves.

• Address:

  Calle Central, Avenida 7, Liberia, Costa Rica

• Phone:

  +506 8964 4380

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Sat 11:30am–7pm, Sun closed

Donde Pipe

This low-key cafe serves everything from fresh salads and Costa Rican wraps to home-baked cakes and shakes, with a cantina-style buffet to pick and choose from. Self-service.

• Web:

  www.dondepipe.com

• E-mail:

  info@dondepipe.com

• Address:

  Calle 8, Avenida 3, Liberia, Costa Rica

• Phone:

  +506 26 654 343

• Opening hours:

  Daily 7am–6pm, Tue from 11am

El Pilón

El Pilón is a great find for seafood lovers, as their menu always features fresh catch and great drinks to enjoy them with. Take a seat at their wooden tables within the dark-tiled dining room, and soak in a laid-back yet classy atmosphere, preceding it with, perhaps, an aperitif at the bar.

• Address:

  Calle Central Rafael Iglesias, Avenida 5, Liberia, Costa Rica

• Phone:

  +506 2666 0616

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Sat 7:30am–3pm

Kaffee-tal

Kaffee-tal serves excellent espresso-based drinks and pastries, some of which are German-inspired. The quality of their coffee is widely praised not only by visiting coffee enthusiasts, but also by vacationing professional baristas. This cosy cafe is a peaceful oasis in the (slight) craziness of Liberia. The owners are amazingly friendly and speak good English.

• Address:

  Avenida 3, Calle 3, Liberia, Costa Rica

• Phone:

  +506 8794 2697

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Sat 9am–6pm, Sun closed

Posada Real

Posada Real serves amazing gluten free food from a beautifully renovated colonial house. Come by for their delicious breakfasts and one of the best-fried banana ever.

• Web:

  posadarealcafe.com

• Address:

  Calle Centra, Avenida 2, Liberia, Costa Rica

• Phone:

  +506 2665 0219

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Sat 8am–7pm, Sun closed

• More info:

  The menu is gluten free, but you can still buy some beer