El Shrimp Shack — Restaurant in La Asunción

This was an unexpected find - but possibly the best meal we had in Costa Rica.

We had to walk down a dark and winding road from our hotel (City Express) to find this place, past the DoubleTree hotel, and near the tennis courts. Once inside, it had a beautiful ambiance.

Chef Marlon and his staff were so attentive and helpful. Chef checked on our table with every course, and offered recommendations when asked. Food was prepared with love and plating with attention to detail. Don't make the same mistake I did and not believe them that the taco order is huge!!!

Shrimp bisque and gluten-free flourless chocolate torte were my favourites (literally the best flourless chocolate torte I've ever had, and I've had a lot).

The chef offered to drive us home after he found out we'd just arrived in the country and would be walking back with a tired child in the pitch black - I thought he was joking but a few minutes later he came out with his car keys and asked if we were ready to go. I was both shocked and so grateful for the ride.

Highly recommend, not only due to the delicious and skilled preparation of the food, the attentive service, the beautiful restaurant and having gluten-free options, but for the true empathy and kindness of chef Marlon and his staff. We need more people like this in the world. We'll remember this core family...

Eat here! Small menu with 6 shrimp dishes in various butter sauces, fish, steak, chicken and burgers. But the chef is a magician with the sauces - like the French. I had the maracunya (passion fruit) butter sauce. Liz had the Thai peanut sauce version. There is something about the cows here in CR - that are so happy - as the sauces are exquisite. Light, buttery and deeply flavorful. Our meals came with ~10 shrimp ( in the US you get 5 or 6) along with mashed tators and grilled vegetables. So tasty.

The building is part of the Cariari country club and open to the public. But you have to go by security, sign in, have your temp taken, put your mask on — and only then do they let you in. No big deal because they take COVID so seriously here! The restaurant is small - about 10 tables and a small bar. We arrived w/o reservations, but on a Friday night, seems reservations are recommended as 9 of the 10 tables were reserved. We ate early (around 6 pm as we had a very early flight the next morning). Restaurant is located behind the DoubleTree hotel

And on the Friday night we ate here, there was live music. A nice guitarist singing ballads to add to the atmosphere.

This is...

We had THE BEST meal at El Shrimp Shack. We had just arrived from the airport after flying in from the United Stated. I had messaged the restaurant on Whats App the day before to ask if they had room for us since we were a party of 7 and would have 7 suitcases with us. They messaged right back and had our table ready when we arrived and space for our bags even though we were almost an hour early!! Our table overlooked the beautiful club with the GORGEOUS mountains in the distance. I had a (ok several) glasses of a lovely Sauvignon Blanc and others had the local Imperial beer while we looked over the menu. We started with fresh ceviche which was some of the BEST I have ever had. My teenagers even loved it!! Our meals were fabulous from the several pasta dishes which were cooked and seasoned to perfection to the shrimp burger which was unique and delicious! The sides of yuca and grilled vegetables were the perfect accompaniment to the meal. I can not recommend this restaurant highly enough. The owner Marlon and his staff made us feel right at home for our meal in Costa Rica and to top it all off he gave us a ride to our AirB&B in his golf cart after...