Varuna Plant-Based Food & Juice Bar — Restaurant in Quepos

Overpriced, mostly hyped – Only Smoothie Bowls Are Worth It

I walked into this vegan restaurant with high expectations(partner was more excited about it) , given the vegan hype and the premium pricing. Unfortunately, the experience was underwhelming, starting with something as basic as the restroom. The toilet was untidy or not decent, toilet paper was not put in the dispenser, and to make matters worse, a staff member had just used it for 5ish minutes before me. For a place charging these prices, a clean, presentable bathroom is the least I’d expect.

The ambience was nothing special—again, not a problem if the food had been spectacular, but that wasn’t the case. Let me break it down dish by dish: Lentil Soup ($9): The taste was good, and the portion size was decent for the price, but the soup wasn’t properly warm. I didn’t bother complaining because the flavor was okay, but it’s a soup. How do you serve it anything less than warm enough? Varuna Bowl: This is supposed to be their signature dish, but it left me unimpressed. The plate looked generously filled, but the food was spread out thinly, which was disappointing for the price. The taste was decent, and I had to reach for their hot sauce to add some flavor. Big mistake! I have Indian taste buds and can handle a good amount of spice, but this sauce was something else—it had me crying. The spice level was unbearable, and there was no warning or note about it. If you’re going to have something that intense, at least put up a sign or offer something to tone it down. Cacao Bowl: Honestly, this was the only dish I really liked. The flavors were beautifully balanced, the sweetness was perfect, and the cacao nibs added a nice crunch. However, there was one glaring issue—about 3–4 pieces of frozen coconut lurking at the bottom. Tasteless, hard, and just unpleasant. Why not grind them into the bowl? It was so odd and unnecessary. Still, the overall flavor of the bowl was great, and I’d recommend trying one of their smoothie bowls if you visit. Hot Chocolate: We ordered this with almond milk, though I’d suggest oat milk if you’re planning to try it. l regretted that my partner ordered this, and in hindsight, I should’ve trusted my gut about not ordering too many items here. I was pretty pissed that they had added 500 CRC to my bill for agave. So, story is initially we’d ordered unsweetened but after my hot sauce incident we had requested for sugar. They removed this from my bill when I requested, but come on, are you kidding me?!

For the ~$44 we spent, I walked away feeling disappointed. The only thing worth trying here are their smoothie bowls. Everything else—whether it’s the food, the cleanliness, or the overall experience—just doesn’t justify the hype...

A fully vegan cafe right in the center of Manuel Antonio. There is no better way to start your day than with a healthy breakfast.

I had a fresh coconut water and a CACAO BOWL and it was delicious (details below).

🔥What’s special: This cafe is 100% vegan and 99% gluten-free and a great variety of dishes.

🥗Menu: Includes fresh juices, smoothie bowls, pancakes, avocado tortilla, local dish, desserts, savory bowls, noodle and curry dishes as well as coffee and cold drinks.

🥣Cacao Bowl: Since I make cacao bowl at home a lot, I want to share more here. Bowl consisted of cacao, banana, coconut milk and cardamon with toppings included banana, strawberries, home-made almond butter, granola, cacao nibs and dates. I would rate it a 9/10. SUGGESTIONS for the owner: You have to hold the bowl in your hands or it will fall over. Thats a little inconvenient when eating. Also, the bowl was full to the edge (which is great) but with the first bites everything ran down to the side. I would add less content :-)

⏰Opening hours: Mon-Fri 7 - 21.00 / Sat-Sun 8 - 21.00

💵Price: juices ($3-6), smoothies ($7), Smoothie Bowls ($8.5 - 11), Savory Bowls ($9-11),

💳Payment: cash or by card without fee.

🙋‍♀️Service: I would plan in a little more time. I was there in low season and there was one person serving and preparing drinks. When it gets busier, it can take a while.

🏡Vibe: relaxed and casual

🌎 Wifi: free wifi

🌎Sustainability: Fully plant...

Varuna is the best of the best! The food is incredibly fresh, healthy, delicious, vegan, and frankly, inspired!! Each dish, dessert, and beverage is uniquely crafted and balanced. The flavors are wonderful and complementary. And it just feels great to eat clean and compassionate. Plus, the food sits so well after the meal, provides tons of energy, and you don’t feel bloated or overly full like many other restaurants. Phani is such a kind host and is working so hard to make Varuna a welcoming, inspiring place to eat and enjoy community. We love chatting with him about the nutrition qualities of his ingredients and how he designed all the unique dishes, drinks, and desserts. The matcha latte with real almond/coconut milk and rose petals on top is to die for and the bowls are incredible. It’s centrally located in Manuel Antonio for easy access as well! We just can’t say enough great things about Varuna! We ate there three times during our last stay in MA. Can’t wait to...