Bonsoir Madame/Monsieur. ¿Voulez-vous commander un plat principal à la fois ou peut-être préférez-vous la sélection de verre de vin de notre chef? (Good evening madam/sir. Do you want to order a main dish at once or maybe you prefer to first taste our chef’s selection cup of wine?)
Maybe not under the magnificent Eiffel Tower, but from an incredible view of beautiful Costa Rica or a comfortable corner of the capital, you can enjoy the wonderful French Cuisine any night. Discover here which are the best 5 restaurants to try out in San José.
The French Cuisine is probably one of the best known in the world, not only for its variety but also for its refinement. San José also keeps those small spaces filled with the extraordinary flavor of the French spoon. From private dinners in an old house to meals on top with a wonderful view of the Central Valley.
Here we show you the top 5 restaurants to try this food according to TripAdvisor ratings, the platform that allows users to evaluate the places they visit.
La Terrase
It is a small establishment that has a variety of dishes of meat, chicken, and seafood, among others, with the typical taste of France. “It works with reservations, since being a small restaurant I cannot have doors open to the general public. We are a French gastronomy company that works with 12 daily cutlery”, commented Richer, a chef, and owner of La Terrase.
Inside the dishes, you can savor beef stew in beer sauce, duck magret in red wine sauce, calf blanquette, and chicken tajine.
Dishes like mussel casseroles, salmon, shrimp flambéed with rum and the “bourride” of fish in saffron sauce, among others, are very demanded. As for desserts, there is cake with mousseline cream, chou paste, pralinée cream and almonds; and omelet norvégienne.
Where is it located? Calle 15, Avenida 9, Barrio Otoya – San José.
Services: Only with reservation, personalized service.
Timetable: Tuesday thru Friday, from 12:00 m to 10:30 p.m.; Saturday, from 7:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Grano de Oro
This luxurious hotel is located in downtown San José and features a gourmet restaurant, free parking, and free Wi-Fi. Hotel Grano de Oro also offers massage services and a rooftop garden.
The famous Grano de Oro restaurant serves a fusion of Costa Rican and European Cuisine and is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It also has a bar that offers a wide selection of wines and spirits.
Where is it located? Calle15, Avenida 9, Barrio Otoya – San José.
Services: Bilingual staff, parking, free Wi-Fi, full bar.
Timetable: Monday thru Sunday, from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Park Café
At this felicitous fusion of antique shop and French restaurant, Michelin-starred chef Richard Neat offers an exquisite degustation menu featuring smaller sampling plates (Spanish tapas–style) and a carefully curated wine list. The romantic, candlelit courtyard is eclectically decorated with Asian antiques imported by Neat’s partner, Louise French.
The tantalizing menu includes classic flavor combinations –carpaccio of beef with mustard dressing– alongside innovative offerings such as crab ravioli with asparagus and ginger cappuccino, crispy leg of duck with cucumber-mint salad or Gorgonzola gnocchi with prune-stuffed pork fillet, all prepared with passion and flair by Neat himself.
Where is it located? Sabana Norte, De Rosti Pollo, 75 meters North De Las Americas Avenue, N° 48.
Services: antique shop and restaurant at night.
Timetable: Open Tuesday thru Saturday, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
La Bastille
An elegant French restaurant is located in an elegant section, on the Paseo Colón. There, you will find a fine range of fish and seafood dishes with beef, chicken and pork, and your favorite French classics, such as snail, onion soup, steak tartar, and Cordon Bleu dishes.
Where is it located? In front of the Agencia Hyundai, in Paseo Colón.
Services: Up to the Menú.
Le Monastere
It has several small rooms, ideal for private personal or business events such as encerronas, Board meetings, or private business dinners. And a large room with a total capacity of 120 people, the majestic “Salón de Cristal” which is a totally transparent space with an impressive view from Tres Rios to the Gulf of Nicoya.
This main hall of the formal sector of Le Monastère is the favorite site for the realization of events such as weddings, seminars, conferences, workshops, training, to attend foreign delegations or another event that is required.
Where is it located? 1 Kilometer, West the Escazú cemetery.
Services: Lookout, events room, parking.
Timetable: Monday thru Saturday, from 6:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
