El Capricho Mexican Restaurant & Bar — Restaurant in Sardinal

An Unforgettable Night at El Capricho – Full of Music, Dancing, and Pura Vida Energy

If you’re looking for an experience that’s less about fine dining and more about fun, energy, and unforgettable vibes—El Capricho in Costa Rica is where it’s at. The moment we walked in, we were greeted by an open, airy space with doors and windows wide open, letting in the warm breeze and sounds of the night. It instantly set the tone for a relaxed and lively evening.

The real highlight? The live music. It wasn’t just background noise—it was the heart and soul of the place. As the band played, people got up and danced like no one was watching. Locals and tourists alike were laughing, moving, and truly enjoying themselves. It felt more like a celebration than just a dinner out.

One of the most unique and heartwarming touches was seeing homeless dogs casually wander in. It’s not something you’d expect, but it added a beautiful layer to the atmosphere. They weren’t a nuisance at all—in fact, they were sweet, calm, and clearly welcomed by the staff and guests. It really showed the warmth and compassion of the people there.

Speaking of the staff—they were amazing. Friendly, quick to check in, and full of personality. You could tell they loved working there and enjoyed making everyone feel at home.

Now, for the food. It was fine. Nothing bad, but nothing particularly memorable either. I wouldn’t go back just for the food—but I would absolutely go back for the drinks, the music, and the overall environment. The drinks were delicious, strong, and thoughtfully made. Whether you’re into tropical cocktails or something classic, they had great options.

Overall, El Capricho was a blast. It’s not the place you go for a quiet dinner or gourmet cuisine—it’s where you go to let loose, enjoy live music, dance with strangers, sip great drinks, and soak in that one-of-a-kind Costa Rican spirit. Highly recommend it for a night out full of good vibes and...

The place is located marvelously in the heart of El Coco, however that’s about it. My wife tried to use the restroom and it was a mess, apparently, someone had explosive diarrhea and there was no cleaning crew to report it, she spoke to the waitress and let her know but the issue remained even after we left, the prices on the menu do not have the IVA and service fee included, which is an illegal practice in Costa Rica, this is a very North American thing to do but totally illegal here, the food was mediocre at best, we ordered the shared plate (surtido) with multiple options and this is how it went: the “carnitas” were undercooked, to the point I saw some totally raw pieces, the ribs were also undercooked which makes the meat hard, the chicken wings had a red tint near to the bone and I was too disgusted to see if there was blood or anything else, for drinks we ordered Mexican Micheladas just to find out it was a can of kerns tomato juice, tahini and a smidge of lemon with beer which is not how you make a proper Mexican Michelada. The service was great tho since our waitress was very attentive, however when we explained everything wrong with our order she apologized but still brought a full bill to pay, which we paid in full and left to avoid confrontation. At this point we just wanted to go home. I think for the price (almost $120 for all 3 of us) this was an...

One of the Worst Dining Experiences in Costa Rica

I’m a foodie and a chef, so I always look forward to trying new places when I travel—but this was incredibly disappointing. I ordered a shrimp taco and received shrimp that were completely burnt—blackened and crispy beyond saving. Not edible at all.

We also ordered the burrita burritos, which arrived dry with no dipping sauce or salsa—just bland and difficult to eat. The rice was burnt, the black beans were tasteless, and the entire meal was a complete miss.

Garlic Shrimp Dish We also ordered the garlic shrimp, and this was a huge letdown. The shrimp came with the heads fully intact and had not been cleaned or deveined properly. For anyone who enjoys seafood, this was a major red flag and made the dish unappetizing from the start.

We left our food barely touched and ended up going across the street for dinner. This was, unfortunately, the worst dining experience I've had in Costa Rica. I rarely leave negative reviews, but I hope this helps others make an...