Nordico Coffee House — Restaurant in Tamarindo

I came here because I read such good reviews. Sadly my visit was not so good.

I mostly just wanted to bring a bag of their coffee beans home after doing some research. Their website boasts about how they bag them fresh and ship worldwide. However when I went into this shop, the selection on the shelves was sparse. I asked the young man at the counter if they can bag them to order or if you have to choose what’s on display. He basically said what’s on the shelf is it. Bummer. The selection was not so great - not even any Pura Vida blend which I assume they are known for. I grabbed one bag of something random instead of buying multiple bags like I had planned. Perhaps I should order from their website instead?!

While I was there I got an iced drink which had no ice and was basically warm. And then to top it off the same young man at the counter was telling me that my card suddenly wasn’t working, all while there is a line behind me. Another employee had to come operate the credit card machine for him.

Hopefully this bad experience was a one off and the guy was maybe new - either way I’ll not be back. There is a local coffee shop down the road that we love and frequent on our yearly visits to Tamarindo and we’ll continue to...

I used to like Nordico more but every time I visit it gets more touristy and more expensive. Prices are literally higher than most coffee shops in California. I own 2 cafes in California with amazing coffee and our prices are the same or less. Keep in mind we pay $16/ hr and much higher rent while most service industry employees in Tamarindo make about $3/ hr. So it’s no wonder why there are so few Costa Ricans here. The girl behind the counter today couldn’t even speak Spanish… in a Spanish speaking country! SMH that’s just sad. The food is also average at best. For example, we got a smoothie and they use water instead of juice, which is what we serve at our cafes for even less than you’ll pay here. As a result, it was so bland that my daughter, who loves smoothies, didn’t even finish it. The one positive thing I can say is the coffee here is quite good. If you can afford it, go for the coffee. But 1 smoothie, 1 cappuccino, 1 order of pancakes and 1 “typical” breakfast set us back $30, which is more than a days wage for many of my Costa Rican friends and not what one should expect in Costa Rica. Not sure if they offer a Tico discount (hopefully) but judging from our experience, they’d need to speak English to order...

We stopped in here on our last supply run to Tamarindo and were super satisfied with the experience.. Even though it’s located in the busiest part of town, Nordic Coffee House is on the second floor so you can get your coffee fix while taking in the excitement from their lovely outdoor seating.. The staff was pleasant and helpful and the prices are fair.. They have a great menu and everything we ordered was fantastic.. Our 8 year old (the picky eater!) loved her bagel and eggs.. The avocado was perfectly ripe.. My wife ordered a dirty chai latte, using some fresh local ingredients, and loved it.. We all shared a slice of their chocolate chip banana bread and I would absolutely recommend grabbing a piece of you visit Nordic.. It definitely lived up to it’s reputation as one of the best banana breads in town!! This shop is totally kid friendly, they even have an area set aside with toys and plenty of cushioning for children to play. Also it’s just steps away from the yoga studio so a great location for a pick me up before practice, or to sit with a tea or breakfast after class.. Nordic Coffee House is a totally reliable option for a good cup of coffee in...