Restaurante La Cantina
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Restaurante La Cantina

4.6
·491k reviews·,

A vibrant restaurant with live music, funky decor, and a menu featuring delicious seafood and hearty meat dishes. Perfect for a lively evening out.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

CrowdLow
Restaurante La Cantina

Restaurante La Cantina

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A vibrant restaurant with live music, funky decor, and a menu featuring delicious seafood and hearty meat dishes. Perfect for a lively evening out.

4.6
(491k reviews)

"The atmosphere is so good I wish we discovered the restaurant earlier on our trip so that we can come again and again!"

TIP

Order the Mix Plates

Try the 'meat taster mix plate' for a variety of perfectly cooked meats.

Ask for Recommendations

Engage with friendly waitstaff like Ramiro or Brendan for excellent service.

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Quick Facts

Closed·Opens 5PM

Cuisine

Seafood, Steakhouse, International

Price

Mid-range

Phone

+506 2777 0384

Address

Provincia de Puntarenas, Quepos, Costa Rica

Insta-Factor

High

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Live Music & Funky Ambiance

Live Music & Funky Ambiance

Enjoy live Latin music and unique decor with chandeliers made of bottles for a vibrant dining atmosphere.

Seafood Delights

Seafood Delights

Savor expertly prepared seafood, with standouts like octopus and whole fried snapper praised by diners.

Generous & Flavorful Plates

Generous & Flavorful Plates

Indulge in hearty portions of dishes like tender pork ribs and the 'meat taster mix plate'.

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Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

I'm a big believer in honest reviews, and I've been eating at La cantina for over 14 years. Their menu is huge, but every dish is spot on. It's right in the heart of town, perfect for a quick bite or a big get-together. They're open all summer, with a break in November. San Antonio Ibiza
@dwaynemuffin
444 likes • 24.2K views

Order the Mix Plates

Try the 'meat taster mix plate' for a variety of perfectly cooked meats.

Ask for Recommendations

Engage with friendly waitstaff like Ramiro or Brendan for excellent service.

Bring Cash for Tips

Card payments may not be accepted for tipping, so have cash on hand.

Enjoy the Atmosphere

Experience the vibrant ambiance with live music, especially on the lower level.

Tips

from all over the internet

Order the Mix Plates

Try the 'meat taster mix plate' for a variety of perfectly cooked meats.

Ask for Recommendations

Engage with friendly waitstaff like Ramiro or Brendan for excellent service.

Bring Cash for Tips

Card payments may not be accepted for tipping, so have cash on hand.

Enjoy the Atmosphere

Experience the vibrant ambiance with live music, especially on the lower level.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Restaurante La Cantina offers a lively dining experience with excellent live music and a unique, funky ambiance. Many praise the delicious seafood, flavorful meat dishes, and generous portions. However, some find the food to be average and slightly expensive, with one reviewer noting a poorly prepared whole grilled snapper.

"Great service! Live music, food was great! The octopus was amazing, same with the full fried snapper and shrimp. I found price comparable with everywhere else and food and service was much better."

Nicolas Volpe

"Ordered whole red snapper grilled. Was not thrilled with it. It was mushy wet inside and had oily burned texture outside.
The live music was cool. The sangria was very good."

Meira Chana Meyerovich

"We had 2 dinners at La Cantina. Both were excellent, grilled perfectly with excellent sides. The sea bass was very fresh, and fairly priced. My burger was delicious and the fries were crispy. Best part of the meal for us was the excellent service we received from our waiter, Julio. He was great!"

Lisa Slutsky

What People Like

Live music and vibrant atmosphere
Delicious seafood and flavorful meat dishes
Generous portion sizes

What People Dislike

Food can be average
Slightly expensive
Inconsistent preparation (e.g., grilled fish)

Frequently Asked Questions

La Cantina features live Latin music, particularly on the lower level, which creates a lively and enjoyable atmosphere.

Yes, many reviewers highlight that the portion sizes are very generous, with dishes like pork ribs and meat platters being particularly substantial.

Popular recommendations include the octopus, full fried snapper, pork ribs, and the 'meat taster mix plate'.

While not explicitly stated for all payments, one tip suggests bringing cash for tipping, implying card acceptance might be limited for certain transactions.

The restaurant has a funky decor with unique bottle chandeliers and offers a vibrant atmosphere, especially when live music is playing.

While reservations are possible, one TripAdvisor review mentioned a booking issue due to unexpected closure for work, suggesting it's wise to confirm closer to the date.

Google Review

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Expat Exchange

Discovering the Best of Quepos

Some of the most popular restaurants include El Avion, which serves traditional Costa Rican cuisine, and La Cantina, which specializes in seafood. For a more upscale dining experience, visitors can try La Luna, which serves a variety of international dishes. For a more casual atmosphere, visitors can try El Chante, which serves traditional Costa Rican dishes.

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