La Calle Street Food — Restaurant in Alajuela

Craft beer on draft, grilled meat, lively atmosphere.

The wife and I happened upon this place yesterday evening. It's one of several restaurants surrounding an outdoor food court (for lack of a better term).

They offer at least ten or fifteen craft beers. We had the draft IPAs, which were EXCELLENT, very hoppy and floral, without that soapy flavor you often find in bad IPAs. They also gave us a sample of a mango IPA - definitely worth trying if you like fruity drinks.

We had the fries (small potatoes, peeled, quartered, fried until crispy outside, soft in the middle, as they should be. Perfectly seasoned in the middle, with some extra salt on the outside), grilled octopus (comes with salad and grilled vegetables, served with a balsamic reduction that pairs perfectly with the grilled seafood. Another winning detail: the red onions in the salad were marinated in vinegar, which is the only way I like raw onions in salad) and the steak tacos (very generous slices of grilled steak, cooked to order, wrapped in hand made corn tortillas. Topped with a parsley gremolata ).

Very happy with the food. The service was friendly and welcoming. I'm trying to learn Spanish and they politely allowed me to speak Spanish, but the waiters spoke good English, and I honestly appreciated that they took the time to let me practice.

Price: comparable to prices in the USA. It's not a bargain, but it is high quality dining.

They accept credit cards. And there is a bank...

La Calle Street Food - Alajuela

A hidden gem for true burger lovers! From the moment you walk in, the urban and laid-back vibe gets you in the mood for serious street food — but with gourmet quality. The burgers are absolutely next-level: juicy, well-stacked, and full of bold, creative flavor combos.

My recommendation: I tried two different burgers and both were phenomenal. One had melted cheese, fresh greens, and a sauce that pulled everything together perfectly. The other was bolder — with smoky meat, crunchy toppings, and deli-style mustard. Insane flavor! The seasoned potato wedges with herbs and cheese were the perfect crispy-soft side.

The drink: The strawberry smoothie with fresh mint and a dried citrus slice was as refreshing as it was beautiful. The sweet and tangy balance made it the perfect match for the meal.

Service: Fast, friendly, and super chill. The staff clearly knows the menu and gives solid recommendations.

Extras:

Beautiful presentation on wooden trays

Generous portions

Great spot for friends, date nights, or even solo burger missions

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) Easily one of the best burger joints in Alajuela. I’m definitely coming back!

La Calle Street Food - Alajuela

¡Una joya escondida para los amantes de las burgers con carácter! Desde que llegás, el ambiente urbano y relajado te pone en mood street food, pero con calidad gourmet. Las hamburguesas son una locura — jugosas, bien armadas y con combinaciones que sorprenden.

Mi recomendación: Probé dos hamburguesas distintas y ambas fueron un espectáculo. Una venía con queso derretido, vegetales frescos y una salsa que elevaba todo. La otra, más atrevida, con carne ahumada, crujientes toppings y mostaza estilo deli... ¡brutal! Las papas gajo con queso y perejil están al nivel: doradas por fuera, suaves por dentro.

La bebida: El smoothie de fresa con menta y rodaja de naranja deshidratada estaba tan fresco como visualmente atractivo. El equilibrio entre dulzor y acidez lo hace perfecto para acompañar cualquier plato.

Servicio: Ágil, amable y con buena vibra. Se nota que el staff conoce el menú y lo recomienda con seguridad.

Extras:

Excelente presentación en bandejas de madera.

Porciones generosas.

Buen spot para venir con amigos, pareja o incluso solo si querés darte un gusto.

Puntuación: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) Sin duda, uno de los mejores spots burger en Alajuela....

The beer was cold, the view of the mountains was lovely, and the food was delicious! The waiter spoke English and humoured our broken attempts at Spanish. He wasn't super attentive, but he was smiling and pleasant and brought the food and drinks promptly. We had the Thursday night special, 2 for 1 el majado, with salad, which turned out to be a pulled pork on a fresh panini with melted cheese and a honey mustard sauce. The salad was fresh and came with a house vinigrette. The only negatives were the noise of the traffic passing by and the drills and other machines from the restaurant nextdoor being renovated. The prices were right and from 4-5:30pm we were the only patrons other than a few friends of the staff. We highly recommend this place if you are...