KOKi Beach Restaurant & Bar — Restaurant in Cahuita

During our stay in Costa Rica, we had the pleasure of dining at KOKI Beach Restaurant multiple times, and every visit was nothing short of spectacular. From the moment we stepped in, we were greeted by the incredibly warm and attentive staff who went above and beyond to make sure our experience was perfect.

The restaurant itself is absolutely breathtaking—an oasis of beauty nestled right in the heart of nature. The attention to detail is evident in every corner, from the stunning decor to the vibrant flowers that surround the space. Dining here feels like you’ve been transported to a jungle paradise, especially when the resident sloths make their appearance! It’s a magical experience to enjoy a meal with such unique wildlife nearby, adding a touch of wonder to an already exceptional setting.

The food? Simply unbelievable! Every dish we tried was a burst of flavors, prepared to perfection, and beautifully presented. The cocktails were equally impressive—vivid, refreshing, and perfectly crafted, they were as much a feast for the eyes as they were for the palate.

The ambiance at KOKI Beach is unmatched. Whether you're soaking in the natural beauty, sipping on a delicious cocktail, or indulging in their mouthwatering dishes, you can't help but feel completely immersed in the experience. We found ourselves returning several times because the combination of the incredible ambiance, the delicious food and drinks, the gorgeous decor, and the unforgettable charm made it impossible to stay away.

If there were 10 stars, KOKI Beach would undoubtedly deserve them. Five stars simply don’t do justice to how phenomenal this place is! Highly recommend to anyone visiting Costa Rica—this is a dining experience you won’t...

I had no idea what to expect when we arrived at Koki last night. Based on the photos I’d seen I anticipated a small setting on the beach; a few tables, a menu with variety, and a good last meal in Puerto Viejo. When we arrived and entered through a large structure not unlike an archway to the sounds of pumping club music, I had my doubts. The hostess was hospitable, took our names and temperatures and showed us to our table. From that moment onwards the experience was exceptional. Every member of staff was attentive, polite, spoke both English and Spanish with us, and proceeded to give me one of the beat restaurant experiences I’ve ever had. The bartender took our drink orders himself, brought us two delicious passion fruit margaritas then took our food order. The spring roles, our appetizer, was very tasty though nothing I hadn’t had before. It was when the entrees arrived that my mind was really blown. We had the grilled octopus and the surf and turf with filet mignon, lobster tail, and shrimp. Suffice it to say, it was the best seafood I’ve ever had in my life. The lobster melted in your mouth, the octopus was flavorful, cooked to the perfect consistency, the filet, though it had no sauce on it, was some of the most flavorful steak I’ve tasted. We finished our visit with a chocolate mouse that was equally as delicious as the rest of the meal. As if that weren’t enough, the meal was punctuated by the arrival of wild sloths climbing through the rafters of the building. One on its own another with a baby wrapped around its front. Mind-blowing. I cannot speak highly enough of this establishment. Thank you to all involved! I’d fly back to Costa Rica...

Only giving this 2 stars and not less, because the servers were generally very nice and the ambiance is indeed pretty cool — or I assume it must be during other times of year. Just not in November when it was too dark to see the water by the time they open (5pm) and there was construction on the street outside. It was pouring rain (and they seated us right on the edge of the patio closest to the sound of construction — and where at one point it started dripping on our table).

I said I couldn’t eat cilantro and asked if the ceviche had cilantro (in Spanish) — and the server said no it doesn’t. We get the ceviche and it’s full of cilantro, which I can tell just by looking at it, and especially with the first bite that tastes like a spoonful of soap. It’s fine, people make mistakes — but then 2 sets of servers proceed to try and convince me there couldn’t possibly be cilantro in the dish and it’s just green onions. I just felt uncomfortable at that point, with them insisting I prove/show the cilantro to them. Finally, they take it away and ask if we would like another one without cilantro. We say no. It wasn’t very good ceviche anyway. We nevertheless get another ceviche: another bowl of flavorless, watery, seafood that tastes like it was taken out of the freezer, defrosted, and dumped in some lime juice.

The prices are American/European, the ambiance is upscale for the area, the servers are well dressed and buttoned up (maybe because 10% tip is included), so if touristy places like that with mediocre food are your thing, sure. Not a single local in the...