El Ninot — Restaurant in Carmen

We wrapped our Costa Rican honeymoon with our last meal here and couldn’t have be happier. We stumbled upon this restaurant after our first choice was closed (thankfully). We were seated upstairs and were immediately captivated by the interior design and feel of the place. Spending a decent amount of time in Spain, it took us right back. Food was amazing, wine was delicious, but the atmosphere was what was really the standout. Just really cozy and great music set a perfect vibe. We quickly realized the art on the walls and were shocked to see that it was all drawn on by hand. Upon finishing our meal we asked who had done it and the man behind the bar said he did. He was one of the owners and told us all about the place. We have a lot of great memories from our time in Costa Rica but this will definitely be a highlight. Thanks for a great last meal! Look forward to...

El Ninot is a hidden gem that international travelers must visit when in Costa Rica. The croquetas here are the best we've ever had, even better than those in Spain! The paellas and montaditos are spectacular, complemented by specialty wines and hams that you won't find anywhere else. We had the pleasure of meeting the owners, Olman and Cesar, who were incredibly kind and offered us some special Jamón to try along with a unique wine recommendation. The restaurant itself is a work of art, with hand-painted murals by the owners and their fathers, creating a cozy, warm atmosphere reminiscent of a tasca in Valencia. Located in the amazing Barrio Escalante, you can enjoy a walk to many elegant upscale local places after dinner. Highly recommend...

Beautiful, unpretentious and delicious, with a powerful and convincing Spanish flavor and ambience. This little cozy jewel is also an art and live music hotspot, with quality casually ranging from candidly amateurish to world-class amazing.

My opinion may be a bit biased because this is a place where I get together with some of my best friends, but there must be a reason why! I’ve had nothing but delightful and memorable moments here. I just wish they...