Our own interpretation of ceviche with avocado and roasted peppers
1 / 10

Don Rufino

4.6
·491k reviews·,

A culinary gem in La Fortuna offering a sophisticated blend of contemporary cuisine and local flavors with exceptional service.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

CrowdLow
Our own interpretation of ceviche with avocado and roasted peppers

Don Rufino

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A culinary gem in La Fortuna offering a sophisticated blend of contemporary cuisine and local flavors with exceptional service.

4.6
(491k reviews)

"This is the best restaurant so far in Costa Rica, a must visit for a great dinner in Arenal."

TIP

Reservations Recommended

Book in advance to secure a table, especially during peak times, to ensure a spot at this popular restaurant.

Save Room for Dessert

Reviewers highly recommend saving space for dessert, with options like lemon tart and other sweet treats.

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Closed·Opens 12PM

Cuisine

Fine Dining, Latin American

Price

$$$

Phone

+506 8466 4288

Address

142 94, Provincia de Alajuela, La Fortuna, Costa Rica

Insta-Factor

High

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Grandma's Style Chicken

Grandma's Style Chicken

A highly recommended signature dish, praised for its flavor and execution, a must-try for authentic Costa Rican taste.

La Fortuna Nights: Where to Go and What to DoGoogle Review
Elevated Surf and Turf

Elevated Surf and Turf

Experience a refined take on local ingredients with options like grilled octopus, fresh shrimp, and prime ribeye steaks.

Where to Eat in La Fortuna, Costa RicaGoogle Review
Cozy Atmosphere and Thoughtful Service

Cozy Atmosphere and Thoughtful Service

Enjoy a warm, inviting ambiance complemented by exceptional service, perfect for celebrations and memorable dining.

La Fortuna Nights: Where to Go and What to DoGoogle Review
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Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Come hiking with me at Arenal Volcano National Park in La Fortuna, Costa Rica 🌋 🎟️ Passes can be purchased at the entry gate and cost 15 USD + tax per adult 🥾 Arenal 1968 and Mirador el Silencio are also great hiking options in the La Fortuna area #arenalvolcano #arenalvolcanonationalpark #lafortuna #lafortunacostarica #costarica #costaricatravel #costaricatiktok #costaricahiking #travelinspo #tra...
@scenicsites
708 likes • 23.4K views

Reservations Recommended

Book in advance to secure a table, especially during peak times, to ensure a spot at this popular restaurant.

Save Room for Dessert

Reviewers highly recommend saving space for dessert, with options like lemon tart and other sweet treats.

#costarica #vacaciones #cena #gourmet #lafortuna #lafortunacostarica #arenalvolcano #donrufino #viral #recomendation #recomendacion #must
@myboy506
27 likes • 7.2K views
For the walkies lovers #travel #traveltok #travelitinerary #travelguide #traveltiktok #travelinspo #costarica #lafortuna #arenalvolcano #hiketok Things to do in La Fortuna Arenal Volcano 1968 hike
@placesfrankiegoes
278 likes • 21K views

Try Unique Dishes

Explore flavorful options like the Moroccan Salad or Kabocha Squash Risotto for a distinct culinary experience.

Visit During Off-Peak Hours

Consider visiting outside of busy times for a more relaxed experience and personalized attention from staff.

Costa Rica 🇨🇷 #costarica #volcano #arenalvolcano #funfacts
@global.fun.facts
28 likes • 2.1K views

Tips

from all over the internet

Reservations Recommended

Book in advance to secure a table, especially during peak times, to ensure a spot at this popular restaurant.

Save Room for Dessert

Reviewers highly recommend saving space for dessert, with options like lemon tart and other sweet treats.

Try Unique Dishes

Explore flavorful options like the Moroccan Salad or Kabocha Squash Risotto for a distinct culinary experience.

Visit During Off-Peak Hours

Consider visiting outside of busy times for a more relaxed experience and personalized attention from staff.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Don Rufino is widely celebrated for its high-quality, contemporary Costa Rican cuisine with a focus on fresh, local ingredients. Diners frequently praise the exceptional service and the warm, inviting atmosphere, making it a top choice for special occasions. While most experiences are overwhelmingly positive, some guests have found certain dishes to be pricey for the portion size, and one reviewer reported a negative experience with the ceviche.

"I booked a reservation at Don Rufino for my boyfriend's birthday dinner. The resturaunt is cozy. Tables are set up nicely and drinks were tasty. We had grandma's chicken and kabocha squash risotto with shrimp - I highly recommend both meals. Service was 10/10. After eating, I told our server it was my boyfriends birthday. He showed us the dessert menu and came out with his fellow coworkers to sing happy birthday. It was such a thoughtful gesture."

Trinity Caplette

"Don Rufino was recommended to our group by our Airbnb host, and it was a perfect dinner. The staff was very friendly and efficient. And the food was top notch, especially for a small tourist town of La Fortuna. We tried a number of dishes, including bouillabaisse, bone marrow, potato croquettes as starters to sea bass, rib eye, grandma’s chicken, and grilled octopus for the main courses. There was not a bad dish on the table. A must visit for a great dinner in Arenal."

Trung Tran

"Excellent restaurant! We made a reservation for 5:30pm which was perfect because we got to step out and see the sunset at 6pm (see photo below with a clear view of the volcano)!

The drinks were delicious! We ordered the Moroccan Salad (fantastic, flavorful, perfect portion for sharing between two people), the kabocha squash risotto with shrimp (tasty, a little too heavy for my liking but the flavors were solid! Too much food for one person), and the mushroom lasagna with squash (excellent choice for a vegetarian, flavorful, well constructed - didn’t fall apart, filling). Quite pricey for what you get but if you’re willing to spend a little extra, it’s a good experience!"

Brenisen Wheeler

What People Like

Exceptional service and thoughtful staff
High-quality, flavorful Costa Rican dishes
Cozy and inviting atmosphere

What People Dislike

Occasional high prices for portions
Inconsistent ceviche quality reported

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, making reservations in advance is highly recommended to secure a table, as the restaurant is quite popular.

Google Review

Many diners rave about Grandma's Style Chicken and the American ribeye. Unique options like the Moroccan Salad and Kabocha Squash Risotto are also highly recommended.

Where to Eat in La Fortuna, Costa RicaGoogle Review+2

Yes, vegetarian options are available, with dishes like the mushroom lasagna with squash being a flavorful choice.

Google Review

Don Rufino is considered an upscale dining destination, with some reviews noting it can be pricey for the portion sizes.

5 good restaurants in La Fortuna, from pizza to parrillaGoogle Review

Absolutely! The restaurant is a popular choice for celebrations like birthdays, with thoughtful gestures from the staff.

Google Review+2

Yes, Don Rufino features a bar that opens onto the street, allowing guests to enjoy a drink without necessarily ordering from the full dinner menu.

5 good restaurants in La Fortuna, from pizza to parrillaGoogle Review

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This restaurant is one of the top dining options in La Fortuna for a variety of reasons, and ticks all the boxes that any socially responsible eatery should: it sources grass-fed beef from local farms, seafood is locally caught and sustainable, and the vegetables have the label “organic” written in stone. As for the food, it’s best described as “elevated surf and turf.” There’s the requisite New York strip, filet, and rib-eye steaks on the menu; the seafood selections include locally caught trout, Pacific jumbo shrimp, and grilled octopus. Unique side dishes you can find here are arracacha root puree, pickled fennel, and purple corn polenta.

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I would call Don Rufino the finest restaurant in La Fortuna, offering gourmet dining and excellent wines in a beautiful setting. It’s also probably the most expensive restaurant in town, but one of its smartest features is a bar that opens onto the street, so anyone wandering by can belly up and order a drink without facing the sticker shock of the dinner menu. We enjoyed a four-course meal of ceviche, risotto, ribeye and chocolate mousse, with a flight of white and red wines.

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As of Feb 2019, those of you who catch the 8AM bus to Tilarán, be aware that every morning at the bus station there is a man talking nicely to the tourists and getting on the same bus. 4 km (2.5 mi) before the National Park's bus stop, this man shouts "Parque Ecológico" and some tourists, who are confused, get off with him. He works for a private park that has nothing to do with the real National Park!

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For more than 10 years, Don Rufino Restaurant has forged its distinguished reputation as a preferred restaurant in La Fortuna San Carlos, mixing the best local flavors with those of world cuisine. If you are looking for a restaurant with a more high dining style, possibly Don Rufino is your best choice, this restaurant is located in the heart of La Fortuna, just 100 meters east of the Central Park.

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