Moya's Place — Restaurant in Arenal

5 Stars – The Perfect Welcome to Costa Rica

Moya’s Place was the very first restaurant we visited after arriving in Costa Rica, and what a perfect introduction it was. We weren’t quite sure where to go or what to expect, but this place quickly put us at ease with its laid-back charm, warm hospitality, and incredible food.

We started with the garlic bread appetizer—crispy on the outside, pillowy on the inside, served with an absolutely delicious tomato-based dipping sauce that set the tone for the meal. I had the beef tenderloin, tender and expertly cooked, while my wife enjoyed the grilled chicken, which was juicy and full of flavor.

The staff were exceptionally kind, and our waiter spoke English very well, which helped us feel even more comfortable as newcomers. The atmosphere was relaxed and colorful—exactly what we needed to settle in and start enjoying the pura vida lifestyle.

If you’re just arriving in Costa Rica and don’t know where to begin, start here. Moya’s Place offers more than just great food—it offers a warm welcome and a reminder that you’re exactly where...

Food was great and very reasonably priced, but you have to have a lot of patience for it.

I got the shrimp fried rice and tuna steak. Both were good and portions were generous. I liked that their shrimp tasted fresh and not pre-frozen - it makes a big difference.

However, be prepared to wait 15 minutes before anyone comes by to take your order, 20 minutes before anyone notices that you don’t have water at your table, and another 40 minutes before your food is actually ready. All in all I think 80% of my time at this restaurant was spent waiting around.

Would probably recommend this place for takeout instead (and even then, you may need to build in lots of time before you actually come and...

We are a Coloradoan family of four with two teenagers and we loved our meal here. After a fun morning zip-lining we were pretty hungry. Our local guide recommended this restaurant and we love eating local and this place did not disappoint. Ordered the pulled pork sandwich, two burgers, and a tuna steak sandwich. Don’t miss the potato-cabbage coleslaw! Also had two milkshakes and a kombucha. Everything was delicious! The portions are large (I could only eat half of my tuna steak sandwich but my husband and boys finished theirs and felt full) and the food is well flavored with herbs, smoke, citrus, and spices. We are going back for...