MARY’S BBQ • La Fortuna Lounge & Grill — Restaurant in La Fortuna

We found this “off the beaten path” place for our final dinner in La Fortuna. We stayed at Los Lagos resort and had a hard time finding a good restaurant in town. We were hoping this was our ticket.

We arrived around 6pm on a Thursday for a party of 6. 3 of us showed early and the waiter was super cool. He brought a little bean sampler from the kitchen that was “ok” and a couple blue curaçao shots.

The rest of our party arrived and the gentleman brought out shots of Bloody Mary. That was where the service ended.

We ordered the smoked chicken, brisket x2, rib eye, and ribs. Then the wait began. I think they start the 12-hour smoking process when you arrive.

We waited. And waited. The place was empty except for a group of 4 locals Chuckling it up with our bartender and server. I got up 4x to request drinks for the table why we waited.

About 45 minutes later, our food arrived. We were excited. But underwhelmed.

BRISKET- Two small dry pieces of meat for $30. Laughable. Flavor? Bland. Think there was some sauce to dip in? Nope. Eat it dry.

RIBS - Where is the meat? 95% bones. They had sauce, but tasted like a basic store bought sauce.

RIB EYE- 400 grams of gristle and about 1/8 inch thick.

CHICKEN- My aunt had the chicken and said it was “good”. But she’d never say a bad thing anyhow.

Overall, a $200+ dinner that was less than good. We had a great vibe going in. But the waiting, self serving and low quality food took over.

Our best dinner in La Fortuna was pizza for $50. That covered all of us and beers. If you are hoping for a good “meat” dinner,...

I will never forget the tuna tartar. The ripe perfection of the avocado and the mango, combined with the perfectly marinated tuna and seasoned tortilla chips made for an unbelievably delicious combo. The moment we were done with the tartar and Caesar salad, the kitchen bell rang and they arrived with our entrees.

When I think about the brisket, my stomach groans and my loins ache. It had a thick layer of flavorful fat and was smoked to absolute perfection.

The sweet BBQ chicken was hearty and delicious. The sweet potato with honey side was simple but the perfect balance to the richness of the meat. If you order some mushroom casserole, ask for a bowl of chips to dip into it. You'll thank me later.

The service too was exceptional. Although it started Rocky, with our server seeming to forget about us during the first 20 minutes we were there, Andres took over and more than made up for it, apologizing and taking excellent care of our experience the rest of the time.

Overall, it was our favorite meal of our time in Costa Rica. Thanks for the love and passion you put into making an extraordinary...

If you’re in La Fortuna and craving seriously good barbecue or any Costa Rican dish with a volcano view that looks like a postcard, do yourself a favor and head straight to Mary’s BBQ. This place has chill vibes from the moment you walk in – relaxed and super friendly. The Arenal Volcano view from the restaurant is absolutely breathtaking. Pair that with a cold drink (their cocktails are top-notch), and you’ve got the perfect setting to unwind.

Now let’s talk about the food – WOW. Hands down, the best food in La Fortuna. Everything is cooked to perfection, full of flavor, and served hot and fresh. Whether you’re into ribs, brisket, steak, or ceviche, you can’t go wrong. And the sides? Just as impressive.

The staff is amazing – warm, welcoming, and attentive without being overbearing. You can tell they love what they do, and it adds to the whole experience.

Chill atmosphere, top-tier BBQ, great drinks, and that unbeatable volcano view – Mary’s BBQ checks all the boxes. A must-visit whether you’re a local or just passing through La...