La Boca Tamarindo — Restaurant in Tamarindo

A Must-Visit in Tamarindo – Unforgettable Experience at La Boca!

While strolling through Tamarindo, we were instantly drawn to the sight of ribs slowly turning over a wood fire outside La Boca. Our curiosity led us inside, and we’re so glad it did! From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere was warm and inviting, with friendly bartenders and the incredible April making us feel right at home.

The drinks were expertly crafted, and after chatting with April—who generously shared recommendations for our trip—we knew we had to return for dinner. We saved La Boca for our final night, and it turned out to be one of the best meals we’ve ever had on vacation.

Every detail of our dining experience was perfect, from the soft, warm rolls to the mouthwatering ribs and fresh-grilled veggies. We had read rave reviews about the mashed potatoes, so of course, we ordered them—and they did not disappoint! The entire staff exuded positivity, making us feel both welcomed and valued. They checked in just the right amount, ensuring we had everything we needed while giving us space to savor our meal.

Beyond the incredible food, what made this experience truly special was the hospitality. The team at La Boca goes above and beyond to create not just a meal but a beautiful cultural experience filled with laughter, kindness, and a deep appreciation for Argentinian cuisine.

If you're in Tamarindo, La Boca is an absolute MUST—especially on Saturdays for their chef’s special rib dinner! We’re already looking forward to visiting our new friends again.

Thank you, La Boca family!...

We had a group of 12 and the restaurant accommodated us very quickly. There are many great choices on the menu. Here is what we had and what each person said: Empanadas - so good, both the spinach and beef. We came back to buy more the next day (we bought 6 more beef and 1 more spinach) Pork Boston Shoulder - delicious and tender, I especially liked especially the guava plum reduction. Shrimp Risotto - spectacular, very flavorful. Pear & Brie Salad - sooo good! The Brie is lightly fried. Very fruity salad and sweet, exactly as described on the menu. Mushroom Risotto - the best I’ve had. A really wonderful mushroom flavor. Hamburger - I didn’t like it (note, age 11) Gnocchi with Bolognese - classic flavors prepared perfectly. Very authentic Italian flavors, totally hit the spot. Porcini Beef Tenderloin - really good. I’ve had better steaks before, but this was really good. If I came back, I might go for one of the pastas. But I loved the cheesy potatoes. Pizzas (Cheese and Pepperoni) - it was good (ages 10, 16 & 18).

The waitress was fantastic and asked to be in our selfie (after offing to take a picture of us all)! The meal cost us nearly $450, but the portion sizes were big and the leftovers ended up feeding most of us again!

The atmosphere with the outdoor covered seating was welcoming and relaxed. We all had a really nice time. Note that a huge group of locals were there celebrating a birthday - always...

Was the worst dinning experience I have had in Costa Rica and I have been here for 6 yrs. Absolutely terrible service! Took over an hour to get drinks and then another hour for appetizers and then they brought fish sticks instead of mozzarella sticks. We complained and they said we do not have fish sticks. We showed them and the other waiter said yes they are fish sticks. The salads never came at all, the food was subpar. The waiter blamed the kitchen but to be honest he never even refilled our water at all. They forgot to take orders for half the table and we had to track Louis down to take the order. Many other tables around us were also complaining too and said they will never come back. We almost left after an hour an no drinks. We should have left. Many good places to eat and this is by far the worst ever!!! I personally never take time to write reviews and give the staff many chances, as we did to this staff but they were beyond capable of even taking an order correctly. The ownership group has several other restaurants that I have went to many times and to be honest most of the time had good experiences at them. They need to fire the current management at La Boca and reboot it before it’s to late.

If there was a way to give it a sub-zero rating...