Where to eat in Grecia
One of the questions we get the most from our guests is about places to eat near Serenity. While both Tacares and Carrillos have places to dine, there is not much variety. Most are fast food outlets.
Dining is something special for many of our guests. That is why they are looking for more variety and taste for the evening meal.
A 10 minute drive away is the city of Grecia, with a culinary culture that will be the delight of many. Let’s talk a little in detail about some good places for dinner and maybe a drink.
Restaurants
Tarire: A long-established bar-restaurant in the center of Grecia, two blocks from the park. It has a selection of rice dishes accompanied by white and red meats, as well as seafood. It has a very bohemian atmosphere typical of Costa Rica in the 80s with old photographs and cushioned seats.
Cinco 20 Grill:Some may think this is a fast food restaurant, but the gourmet style of serving dishes like a hamburger makes it different. The meat is grilled, giving it a unique flavor. Other dishes are also accompanied with grilled vegetables such as yucca.
Kyoto:A Japanese specialty restaurant with a good reputation here in Grecia. From the typical suchi to the traditional ramen, with other Japanese dishes. You can accompany your meal with sake or Asian beers. If you want the whole experience of this far eastern country they have a Japanese dining room where family or friends sit on pillows around a not very high table.
Barriles:Barriles Restaurant has become a local chain in the western Central Valley area, with branches in San Ramon, Grecia and Naranjo. It serves gourmet style food with a modern style to present the dishes. They have a unique and delicious taste that justifies the above-popular prices.
La Nacheria:A Mexican food restaurant with traditional Mexican dishes. It has a decoration that makes you feel in Mexico. The menu features the typical chalupas, tacos, pozole, quesadillas and Aztec soup, among other dishes. It has a variety of cocktails and drinks for all tastes.
Rejn Asian Fusion: Another Asian-themed restaurant that includes Japanese, but also Korean and Chinese. In addition to the food menu, they have the famous milkshakes and boba teas that are very popular among young people.
Bars
If some restaurants serve alcoholic beverages, why are bars in a separate category? Because bars serve “bocas”. That’s what we call smaller dishes that are good for finishing off your hunger while you drink. Some bars close until 2:00 A.M. which can be an emergency resource for those who were unable to dine before the restaurants close. Those who dine lightly can also close the night with a drink and a “boca”.
La Esquina Cervecera:A bar on the outskirts of Grecia with a selection of traditional Costa Rican bar dishes such as chifrijo, casado and roast beef “gallos”(tortilla with beef), among others. They have their own parking area and close at 2:00 A.M.
El Timon:They serve the typical national beers at comfortable prices and you can accompany them with snacks such as fried yucca, pork rinds, meat cockerels, cheese fingers, among others, accompanied with different sauces. It is a bar with a very Costa Rican atmosphere, a bar for groups of friends. This is how Ticos used to socialize before the Internet.
Bar Cobanos:A bar with popular food prices. They have a range of dishes from fish and chips, tacos, burritos and chicken wings. Closes at 1:00 A.M.
Fast Foods
Large chains have a presence in the city of Grecia. You can find Papa Johns, McDonalds, Burger King and Subway. But as these companies are already well known, it is unnecessary to give them more coverage. Rather, let’s talk about the griegos’ favorites for fast food. Places that for the quality of service and taste have become very popular in the area.
Taqueria Bogantes – Riña: With 62 years and very popular prices, Taqueria Bogantes has made a field in the gastronomic market of Grecia. Very popular prices with combos of tacos, hamburgers, burritos, hot dogs, among others. It is a place very visited by groups and families thanks to these combos.
La Esquinita China:It is a small business that sells different Chinese dishes between rice, chow ming and chop suey. They have no tables or chairs, it is for those looking to take to Serenity and eat in the tranquility of the Casita Veranera or Cafetal rooms.
Pizzeria Duran: To say that this business is respected in Grecia is an understatement. More than 844 reviews on Google with a 4.6 rating is just one indication of how this pizzeria is a favorite of locals and outsiders alike.
Los Pira:A taqueria known for its unique dishes and popular prices. They have a kind of taco and sausage sandwich and the “surtido”, a dish of fries, tacos and sausage. People from out of town drive dozens of miles just to go to this place. There are two taquerias with this name in Grecia, one in front of the central park and the other in the Plaza Grecia Shopping Center.
Conclusion
We hope this brief guide will help you choose your next dining destination the next time you are near Grecia or staying with us at Serenity by Nature. Remember that our Casita Veraneras, event hall and rooms are available for you.
We are 25 minutes from Juan Santamaria Airport, 20 minutes from Alajuela, 10 minutes from Grecia and 25 minutes from Poas Volcano.
