Yasumi Sushi - Santa Teresa — Restaurant in Cóbano

I was really excited to try Yasumi, a lovely and charming little place. At first glance, they have a great wine and sake list, which is something you rarely find in Santa Teresa. So, this was definitely intriguing! The menu also seemed very promising at first. I was told that all their fish was local, which is a nice touch. We opted for a tasting menu, featuring several handrolls and nigiris. This is where the experience unfortunately started to go downhill.

Some courses were quite good, like the handrolls, which needed to be eaten quickly, and the scallop nigiri. But overall, there was a significant lack of technique, and at times, flavor. The fish was cut so poorly! The pieces of fish were large and uneven, which led to unpleasant textures in the mouth. Japanese cuisine is a blend of skill, technique, and quality ingredients. Here, despite the good ingredients, we were left wanting in terms of execution.

The final course was, unfortunately, the worst. The red snapper nigiri, with its skin intentionally left on, was a true disaster—inedible and impossible to chew. The skin remained slimy in my mouth, making it impossible to swallow, and I had to spit it out. When I asked the cook why they kept the skin, as it was inedible, he didn’t seem to have an answer. Instead, he responded with, “Are you a chef?” as though my observation was only valid if I were a professional. To which I replied, “Yes, I am!” At that point, he became much more receptive!

In the end, it was a lack of technique, balance, and harmony. A restaurant that, in my opinion, still has a lot of work to do in order to master their craft. Interesting, but not...

Yasumi Santa Teresa exceeded every expectation and quickly became one of the highlights of my entire trip. From the moment I arrived, I was welcomed with warmth and hospitality that instantly made me feel at home. The property is beautifully designedand every detail is thoughtful, serene, and impeccably clean. The atmosphere is peaceful and calming, a true oasis just a short walk from the beach and the vibrant heart of Santa Teresa.

The team at Yasumi goes above and beyond to make your stay specia; they are very friendly and helpful. It’s clear that care and passion go into every aspect of this place. Definitely want to...

This is by far, hands down, the best restaurant in Santa Teresa. I live in NYC and the sushi here is here NYC quality. They had some issues with meeting reservations due to technical difficulties during new year’s but it was really the fault of their suppliers (we spoke to the owners who are very nice and work at the restaurant - amazing people). The sushi was not traditional but rather very innovative and included lots of interesting condiments. Quality of the fish was exceptional (way better than Nami and katana). The sake selection was out...