L' Estanco El Jardin Escondido — Restaurant in Tamarindo

⭐️⭐️⭐️ We would go out of our way to eat here again.

During our first visit to Tamarindo, we stumbled upon a hidden gem that exceeded all expectations: L' Estanco El Jardin Escondido. As residents of the Atlanta area, we're accustomed to dining at establishments known for their exceptional service and delectable dishes. However, this restaurant left an indelible mark on our culinary journey, making it a standout even among Atlanta's finest.

Recommended by our travel agent, we were curious to see if L' Estanco El Jardin Escondido would live up to its glowing endorsement. From the moment we arrived, it was clear that this was no ordinary dining experience. The owner greeted us with a palpable enthusiasm, eager to share his passion for the food and hand-crafted cocktails that define his restaurant.

The owner's background is as diverse and vibrant as the flavors he creates. With Lebanese and French heritage and a career that has taken him across the globe—from France and Dubai to the Mediterranean, South America, and beyond—he has masterfully fused the culinary traditions of French, Mediterranean, and Central and South American cuisine. Each dish we sampled was a testament to his skill and creativity, with every bite telling a story of its international origins.

The ambiance of L' Estanco El Jardin Escondido is as inviting as its menu. Nestled away from the hustle and bustle, the restaurant offers a serene and intimate setting that feels like a well-kept secret. The attention to detail in both the decor and the presentation of the dishes adds to the overall experience, making it not just a meal but a memorable event.

What truly sets this restaurant apart, however, is the owner's genuine excitement and love for what he does. His passionate descriptions of each dish and cocktail enhanced our dining experience, making us feel like we were part of something special. It's rare to find such a personal touch in the world of dining, and it made our evening all the more enjoyable.

Adding to this exceptional experience was our waiter, Victor. Despite the busy atmosphere, Victor's attentive service made our family feel as if we were enjoying a private dining experience. His exceptional care and professionalism did not go unnoticed, further elevating our time at L' Estanco El Jardin Escondido.

L' Estanco El Jardin Escondido is a place we would gladly go out of our way to visit again. If you find yourself in Tamarindo, make it a point to dine here. You'll leave with a satisfied palate and a deeper appreciation for the beautiful fusion of flavors crafted by a truly dedicated and talented chef. This was our first visit, but it certainly won't...

I'm honestly impressed with this place. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted by the manager, Leo, who showed us to our table and right from the start, we felt at home. Every little detail was taken care of. The owner, Marone, kept stopping by our table to check in, which added a personal touch. When our server came over, he explained that there was no drink menu—they’d make whatever you wanted. I got a custom cocktail with basil that I can still taste in my mouth, and my wife had a sweet and sour made with cinnamon-infused rum that was absolutely delicious. Our appetizers, the mushrooms with salad and the meatballs, were spectacular. They also came with some homemade bread that was tasty enough to eat on its own. Our main dishes were visually stunning, matching the vibe of the restaurant perfectly. The flavors were unique, creative, and memorable. Each bite was an experience. Sipping my basil cocktail while eating the prosciutto pasta was my ideal combo of the night. However, there was something that really caught my attention and left me with a strange taste in my mouth: seeing the owner yelling at his staff in a very aggressive way. I’ve never seen anything like that before. He was in the middle of the dining room, shouting, while the servers were literally running around trying to keep up. My father’s family is Mexican, and I speak enough Spanish to understand that he wasn’t saying anything nice to them. In my opinion, they were doing an amazing job under a lot of pressure with a packed restaurant. That moment stuck with me. I couldn't help but empathize with the situation, and I honestly feel bad for not checking in with the servers to ask how they were doing. That’s why I’m writing this review. The service at our table was top-notch from start to finish, and that’s the only reason this review isn’t a one-star rating for the...

Fantastic fantastic fantastic!! My boyfriend and I stumbled upon here one night for some drinks and we were immediately greeted by a wonderful server. He made sure we were comfortable where we were seated because it was very hot outside. He then thoroughly explained the drinks they offer and would go into tremendous detail when we asked for more explanation. A short while into the night, he came to our table with complimentary hummus (a recipe from the owner's grandmother) which was delicious with a side of homemade foccacia bread. At the end of the night, we were given complimentary shots (Rio Celeste) and it was delicious.

We loved our experience so much that we decided to come back for dinner on our last night in Tamarindo. The food absolutely blew us away. We got stuffed mushrooms as a starter and the Porchetta and Garden Beef as entrees. For dessert, we had Creme Brulee and Tiramisu which were amazing as well. The most memorable part about our experiences both nights was the outstanding service. We felt so welcome in a country we were not too familiar with and every person we interacted with at the restaurant was so kind to us. We spoke with the owner, Marjuan, for a bit and got to know his story. It was a great conversation and made everything so personal. He gave us complimentary shots that he had fermented with pineapple and basil with tequila and it's something my boyfriend and I will never forget. Our time at L'Estanco El Jardin Escondido was a favorite memory of ours during our holiday. I cannot wait to...