El Jardin Restaurant — Restaurant in San José

Was one of the more expensive meals I had in Costa Rica and I absolutely hated the food. I was trying to go to another place and found out it was closed. That’s why I ended up here. Service was good. The ambience was fine.

Unfortunately, they burnt my food and that’s all I could taste so I ordered the mahi-mahi with shrimp and vegetables. It was plated nice and I didn’t notice right away and then until I started eating and then I saw that all the vegetables were burnt burnt broccoli, burnt carrots, burnt zucchini, which was also bitter and burnt eggplant two pieces. There was a few pieces of potato that were pre-cooked and reheated and just didn’t taste good and the potatoes. Here are excellent so those were disappointing also. The fish seemed fresh but was served in a sauce that was not good. The shrimp were unremarkable tiger shrimp that had a little bit of burnt flavor from the vegetables. I did not send it back. I was too tired. I just ate it, but it was $35 for this. A decent part of my meal was my drink “cas in aqua”. A bitter taste in my mouth when I left, and I even started itching and was obviously allergic to whatever oil they cooked the food in. I will never go back. Came here based on the high reviews and was very...

This was the most delightful restaurant experience I've had in a long time. I hosted a 15-person team offsite down the road in Atenas. We were returning from a long day to Monteverde and were looking for a local restaurant. We chose El Jardín due to the great reviews and proximity to our lodgings.

Not knowing what to expect, we arrived at about 8:00pm and the hosts, while initially surprised that such a large group would show up on a weeknight, immediately rearranged the tables to make a place for all of us. The owner and chef came out to greet us, and the service all night was incredible. As it approached 9pm, we were conscious of the fact that the Google Maps entry lists 9pm as the closing time. Mentioning this to the chef, he said he would stay open later for us and then offered us dessert! Oh, and did I mention that the food was really amazing? I had the Capi Burger, which was served with shrimp and grilled pineapple.

Truly, the staff at El Jardín went way out of their way to make our experience really memorable. The food was delectable, the service was fantastic, and overall El Jardín helped create a valuable and unique memory for my team. I highly, highly recommend...

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Best Restaurant I’ve Experienced in Costa Rica! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

After four trips to Costa Rica and countless meals at different restaurants, I can confidently say this is the best place I’ve eaten at—by far! Everything about this restaurant is exceptional, from the warm and welcoming atmosphere to the impeccable service and, most importantly, the absolutely amazing food.

Every dish is crafted to perfection, bursting with fresh flavors and authentic Costa Rican charm. You can tell that the ingredients are top-quality and that the chefs put their heart into every plate. Whether you’re enjoying a traditional dish or something unique, each bite is an experience in itself.

The service is just as impressive—attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable. The staff makes you feel at home and ensures that every moment of your meal is enjoyable.

If you’re in Atenas, this is THE restaurant you need to visit. I only wish I had discovered it sooner! A true 10/10 dining experience that I’ll be dreaming about until my...