Travesía Restaurant — Restaurant in La Fortuna

Travesía: A Culinary Masterpiece Worthy of a Michelin Star

Travesía Restaurant in La Fortuna, Costa Rica, is a culinary gem that has the potential to redefine the country's dining scene and earn a coveted Michelin star. This family-owned establishment, run by a talented husband and wife chef duo, offers an unparalleled dining experience that left me utterly captivated and eager to return.

Exceptional Flavors and Presentation

From the moment I stepped into Travesía, I was struck by the aroma of expertly prepared dishes and the impeccable presentation of each plate that passed by. The parrilla mixta, a BBQ assortment of meats, was a testament to the chefs' skill, with a steak cooked to perfection and sausage that melted in my mouth. The side dishes, particularly the best onion rings I have ever tasted, complemented the meats beautifully.

Seafood Sourced from the Finest Regions

The highlight of my dining experience was the octopus and salmon dishes, which completely reset my palate and raised the bar for the entire country. The owner's explanation of the top-tier Spanish and Chilean seafood used in these dishes only added to the allure. Each bite was a symphony of flavors, expertly balanced and presented in a way that showcased the natural beauty of the ingredients.

Impeccable Service and Ambiance

The service at Travesía was attentive and personalized, with the owner himself taking the time to explain the menu and make recommendations. The ambiance was warm and inviting, creating the perfect setting for a memorable dining experience.

A Dessert to Remember

The lava cake dessert was the perfect ending to an already exceptional meal, leaving me with a sense of culinary satisfaction that is rarely achieved. The rich, molten center and perfectly cooked exterior were a testament to the chefs' attention to detail and commitment to excellence.

A Michelin Star in the Making

Travesía is a restaurant that deserves recognition on a global scale. The flavors, presentation, and overall dining experience rival that of the best restaurants in the world, and I have no doubt that it will soon receive the Michelin star it so rightfully deserves. If you find yourself in Costa Rica, make it a priority to visit Travesía and experience the magic...

So disappointed. Three people. Two speak Spanish fluently. One does not. Menu stated “three sides with entree” In English our friend verified the list to choose his three sides. He asked for a salad, onion rings, and guacamole. All listed as sides. When his meal came, it has two tiny condiment looking that were beans and salsa. There were steam vegetables along his salad. When he asked for his sides another waiter brought him small platters. This was already at the end of our meal. The service was horrible. It took them 30 minutes to get us our beer. They said it had to be prepared then brought us a bottle. Then three tables that sat around us had their main meals way before we did. We believe this was due to the waiter we had. When we got our separate bills, this waiter messed up two. We ask for a correction. Then we noticed he charged our friend for onion ring and guacamole appetizers. When we questioned it, the waiter tried to tell our friend he ordered beans and vegetables. When all three of us pointed out this was not true, he looked at his notes and said well you ate them! They refused to take it off his bill! My friend said, if he admitted his error, he’d leave a cash tip to cover the full amount. this waiter never admitted only repeating, but you ate it? It was embarrassing and sad that for onion rings and a little guacamole, this restaurant would not admit to their error and instead tried to make a scene as if my friend didn’t understand. Was it because he was the only non Spanish speaking patron? I’d say beware of this place. It took us forever to get our food and then the waiter couldn’t get his orders right. Like I said, my friend was going to leave additional cash. He just wanted honesty. He did not get it. And just...

So good, my wife and I stopped by twice on our honeymoon trip. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Travesia highlighted as one of the top restaurants in the country. I cant wait for it to receive the Michelin star it deserves.

I wish we could’ve tried everything on the menu. On day one Sunday evening, we started off with the parrilla mixta, a bbq assortment of meats with tasty side dishes. The steak was cooked to perfection and sausage was so good. The onion rings were the best onion rings I have had in my entire life. For drinks, the wine and cocktails list is excellent. We tried the house recommended merlot, rose, and chardonnay and ordered the Mula Tico, Mojito, and Passionfruit Daiquiri. Wow.

We were left so impressed we obviously wanted to come back on Tuesday (Monday the restaurant is closed). I phoned ahead and made reservations since it tends to get busy during dinner. The restaurant is family owned and operated by husband and wife chef duo.

With all the food passing by, the aroma, the plates, the ambience, the service, the taste, everything absolutely impressive. The octupus and salmon! My god, that was delicious! Carlos, the owner, explained that that seafood is sourced top tier Spanish and Chilean. We ended the night with a wonderful lava cake dessert.

If you’re like me, visiting Costa Rica for the first time, then this is exactly the type of place you want to eat at. I’ve traveled far and I am adding Travesia as one of the best restaurants in the world on my list. I wish Anthony Bourdain was alive to try this and cant wait to see it obtain the Michelin star...