Snappers House — Restaurant in La Fortuna

When you step into Snapper’s House, you're not just entering a dining establishment; you're embarking on a culinary adventure, where the flavors are as vibrant as the lush Costa Rican landscape! My server, Barbarena, was the shining star of the evening. Despite only studying English for three months, her proficiency was impresionante! Her service was not just great; it was like having a personal guide through the menu's delights. Barbarena, you're a gem!

Now, let's talk comida. The mussels? A revelation! Each bite was like diving into the ocean and coming up with a treasure. The nonalcoholic coconut drink was a tropical dream in a glass, making me question my life choices—why don't I drink these every day?

The seabass? Muy bueno. It whispered sweet nothings of the sea with every forkful, perfectly complemented by the outdoor seating that was nothing short of encantador. Surrounded by gentle breezes and the restaurant's exquisite decorations, I felt like I was dining in a hidden garden, a secret known only to a lucky few.

And, oh, the decorations! Each piece seemed to tell a story, adding layers of mystery and charm to the environment. It's like the walls themselves were seasoned with salt and tales of the sea.

Located in a spot that can only be described as perfecto, Snappers isn't just a restaurant; it's a destination. Whether you're a local or a traveler, this place calls to you, promising an experience that's as rich and satisfying as the seabass that graced my plate. In conclusion, my evening at Snappers was unforgettable. With food that dazzled my taste buds, service that warmed my heart, and an atmosphere that captured my imagination, it's a place I'll be dreaming about long after I've returned home. ¡Gracias, Snappers, for a night...

Very poor service: they tried to serve us an old, warm, dusty bottle of cava (pretty sure it was overdue) we waited for over an hour for 2 mains without any excuses. They did give us more wine (for free), which was appreciated but we didn’t like the wine and the waiter didn’t give any explanation and just poured more wine in our glasses. when asking if the food was good when it finally came, they walked away before I could answer (they could probably see from my face that I didn’t like it) when complaining about the service and the service charge, they just said that they can’t remove it and thank you for the feedback. No excuses for the poor services and that they are sorry for this bad experience. very slick waiter without any actual interest in our experience at this restaurant.

The food was average at best: I ordered the special of the day (tuna and lobster) they didn’t mention prices and this dish was the most expensive one. As a courtesy, the waiter could have informed me about the high price. tuna was dry and charcoaled and tasteless. I ordered it without potatoes and with rice and of course they served it with potatoes. They did bring me rice, which was undercooked. The 1/8 part of lobster was dry and tasteless. the fettuccini with lobster (1/4 part of an very small lobster at best) was very simple. Just pasta, cream and lobster. Definitely not worth 20 euros, no veggies or garnish or anything.

Total score: very expensive (80 euros for 2 mains, 2 glasses of wine and sparkling water), not worth the price,...

Snappers House was recommended to us by another restaurant owner in La Fortuna (and his was recommended by our property host at Villa Hermosa, but Covid forced many restaurants closed, temporarily.)

We picked our favorites for appetizers, which were prepared uniquely and with great flavor (sometimes difficult to find.) My husband and I shared the Chef's special--a huge platter of every type of crustacean--including a giant lobster tail--meant for two, but easily could've fed four-- all fresh from Costa Rican shores. Our two teenage daughters and my 9-yr-old son were all adventurous in their trying of many different versions of seafood; they were not disappointed.

The owner, kind and gracious, was our server. He made THE best frozen drinks 4 fresh ingredients--with and without alcohol--not overly sugared with fake ingredients, like most frozen drinks.

All of that superb food and service would've cost twice as much--if not more--anywhere in the U.S. We would dine here weekly, if we could. Make time for a meal at Snappers when in La Fortuna, near the Arenal Volcano and lake.

Not once did we feel unsafe regarding Covid. Everyone we saw, both locals and tourism employees, wore masks--both indoors and out. It wasn't a big deal. Other precautions were clearly in place. (This country, like many, doesn't have the luxury of over-filling its hospitals.) Restaurants are patio style, with three...