Donde Familia Manito

We were staying at Bahia Rica and walked down for dinner. The place was empty except for the family, but they put together an excellent meal. My partner had chicken, and I had shrimp. The fresh, light slaw and excellent vegetable sides were especially welcome, since most restaurants don’t include or offer vegetables. We had several glasses of wine, with generous pours at inexpensive prices. The food was excellent, and the family made the evening even nicer.

We didn’t stay overnight, but came back several times for the delicious food. The Costa Rican dishes were flavorful and high quality, and we couldn’t get enough. I’m vegetarian, but never felt envious of my meat-eating companions. Every meal was great in its own way. The family were so welcoming and friendly, the pool looked very inviting, and Cookie was an absolute delight. There are hammocks in the middle of the restaurant, and the beach is within walking distance. I can’t wait to come back and see what they cook next.

I visited Donde Familia Manito a couple of times for breakfast and dinner, though I didn’t stay overnight. The food was delicious, and the family made us feel incredibly welcome. If you’re after a home-cooked Costa Rican-style family meal, I highly recommend stopping by. And be sure to say hello to their adorable dog, Cookie.

We stayed at Bahia Rica Lodge and went to this small, family-run restaurant two nights in a row. The staff were friendly and wonderful, it’s a great place with children, and the traditional food was really good. Highly recommend this authentic restaurant!