Don Rufino

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3,036 reviews

#14 of 287 Restaurants in La Fortuna de San Carlos$$ - $$$, International, Fusion, Vegetarian friendly

+506 2479 9997+ Add website

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Hours

Sun

11:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Mon

11:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Tue

11:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Wed

11:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Thu

11:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Fri

11:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Sat

11:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.

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What is Travellers’ Choice?

Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

Ratings and reviews

4.5

3,036 reviews

#14 of 287 Restaurants in La Fortuna de San Carlos

Travellers' Choice 2024

RATINGS

Food

Service

Value

Atmosphere

Details

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PRICE RANGE

$9.00 – $94.00

CUISINES

International, Fusion

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options

meals, features

Location and contact

Ruta Nacional Secundaria 142 Diagonal a la Gasolinera La Fortuna, Arenal Volcano National Park, La Fortuna de San Carlos 21207 Costa Rica

+506 2479 9997

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Is this a Spanish restaurant?

Yes

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About

Our cuisine features a contemporary concept, influenced by the classic European cuisine, Asia and Latin America, from an eloquent and modern perspective. Our steaks are locally produced, with very high farming standards; and our seafood and fish dishes are amongst the preferred by our guests, for whom our menu also offers many vegetarian options, made with ingredients which, in most cases, are harvested in our own farm, pesticide-free.

PRICE RANGE

$9.00 – $94.00

CUISINES

International, Fusion

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options

Meals

Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, After-hours

FEATURES

Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, American Express, Mastercard, Visa, Free Wifi, Discover, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service

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4.5

3,036 reviews

Excellent

2,041

Very good

681

Average

227

Poor

Terrible

TheGoodThingsInLife

Brooklyn36 contributions

Our Choice Every Night at Arenal!

Jan 2020 • none

La Fortuna has many casual an inexpensive eating options but fine dining is a bit sparse. Fortunately we found Don Rufino on our first-day wanderings, and we took up residency at the bar every night of our stay at Arenal. The found was fresh, delicious, and offered innovative Costa Rican cuisine. On top of that the cocktails were excellent. We commonly struggle with getting a good dry martini outside of the US, but our bartender Jose (you rock!) made perfect dry vodka martinis every night. Oh and a Ketel One martini was only $6! It was packed every night, so if you want a table make sure to reserve (can be done online).

Written February 7, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

aekrfk

Newport Beach256 contributions

Superb restaurant in La Fortuna

Aug 2021 • none

There are many restaurants in La Fortuna. After hiking in Arenal National Park and taking a Mistico Park hanging bridge tour we were ready for a nice meal to top off the day. This restaurant is listed in several tour books as one of the best. I can assure you it is. We got there early at 6 pm and it was completely booked starting at 7 pm. They were very nice to seat us. We both had "grandma's chicken" their signature dish and two cocktails each. The food and drinks were fantastic. The staff and atmosphere was wonderful. Highly recommend it if you are looking for great dinner in La Fortuna. And I might add that it was very reasonably priced.

Written September 11, 2021

hoosier63

Greenwood165 contributions

Best food I had in Costa Rica

Jan 2020 • couples

This restaurant is fantastic. I love the food. I had the mahi-mahi. It was awesome it was Bella didn’t swim and had a side of your car and mushrooms. It was delicious. My wife had grandma‘s chicken on risotto. She to brave about how great the food was. For dessert we have the orange flavored ice cream and the brownie with orange candy bits. It was awesome as well. Just be aware that it’s pretty pricey for two people with two entrées and an appetizer and dessert and no alcohol it was about $75. I definitely recommend this restaurant and will go back.

Written January 1, 2020

Gaf

Bucks County181 contributions

Great service, not so good food and drinks

Feb 2020 • couples

Our experience didn’t mirror the reviews we read unfortunately. To start with the positive, the service and customer facing staff were fantastic. The issues we had were with the cocktails and food. My martini was watered down. I had to order an extra shot of vodka and mix it in myself so that I could taste anything comparable to what I’m used to back home. Then for the food - my pork chop, barely a 1/4 inch thick (see photo), was the saltiest thing I’ve ever eaten. After speaking to the waiter, it’s apparently soaked first in brine and then coated with this super salty red glaze. I took two bites and my mouth felt like I had eaten a cup of salt. And I like salty foods... My husbands mojito was also watered down and his risotto was under cooked. And it was served with avocado slices that were not yet ripe. To their credit they did comp my salty pork chop and the martini. Plus they were very eager to offer me another entree option. At that point I had lost any appetite to eat anything else. Wonderful people. Not so great cocktails and food. In fact worst meal during our Costa Rica trip thus far sadly

Written February 14, 2020

Lottie126

1 contribution

Best meal in La Fortuna

Jan 2020 • couples

Just had the most amazing meal here to kick off our honeymoon. Starters were so delicious, highly recommend the tuna tiradito. The mains were just as good I had the filet mignon cooked to perfection and my other half the rib eye both would revival some of the best steaks we’ve had in London. We ate early around 6 and the service was great, we weren’t rushed at all however I would recommend booking as all tables were reserved from 5:30 onwards.

Written January 1, 2020

Caitlyn C

San Francisco198 contributions

Good

Feb 2020 • none

You'll get a lot of people telling you this is THE place to eat when you're in La Fortuna. While it was good, and the meal was tasty, I think it's a little overpriced for what you get and there are TONS of little sodas and restaurants that have quality Costa Rican cuisine just steps away. If you're looking for a nice night out with your honey though, this has a more sophisticated atmosphere.

Written March 3, 2020

Charles F

Huntington Beach43 contributions

Good Find - Want to Go Back

Feb 2020 • none

On a tour and tired of tour buffet food. Our guide suggested Don Rufino. We dropped in with no reservations and was told to wait for about 15 minutes when they could get us in. Ordered a quick drink at bar and was then seated. Wait staff was knowledgeable and very courteous. We made or selections and order a bottle of wine. Wonderful hummus appetizer ( unlike anything we have had before ) followed with well timed interval with our entries ( fish, shrimp, and chicken ). Food presentation was spot on as was the food. Complex, beautiful and very flavorful. All 4 in our party agreed. Hope they have another Don Rufino at our next stop. Be a shame to miss this place if your are in La Fortina.

Written February 8, 2020

tangi1

Elizabeth760 contributions

Special Place

Feb 2020 • none

During a sudden downpour we ran into Don Rufino for some drinks. The atmosphere and staff were so welcoming. After a quick look at their menu we reserved a table for dinner. This was probably the best dinner we had in Costa Rica. The Filet, Lamb Loin and Grilled Shrimp were so delicious and nicely presented with fresh greens and potatoes. Highly recommended for a upscale dinner.

Written March 23, 2020

JT Smith

Calgary2 contributions

Found my new all-time favorite dish here!

Feb 2021 • none

Where to begin? Being on the main drag in downtown La Fortuna, you absolutely get the feel of being right in the middle of the action, but when sitting at a table, it's quiet enough that it's not obnoxious. The staff stop at nothing to make sure that your meal is everything you hope it can be without checking on you every 5 minutes. It's so nice to know that they are extremely attentive without commanding your attention in the middle of a conversation. And then, there's the food. Oh my god, the food. The first night in La Fortuna, I had the rib ravioli and all I kept asking myself is: why don't they make a dish like this at home?!? I spent most of my meal just sitting there with a stupid grin on my face because it was so delicious. The richness and depth of the flavors were to die for. My last night in La Fortuna, I decided to go back for my last dinner in the area. I don't have the words in my vocabulary to describe how much I enjoyed the caramelized pork skirt. "Unbelievable" would be near insulting, and "heavenly" would be the understatement of the century. The sweetness of the caramelization combined with the savouriness of the pork was genuinely life-changing. The sweet potato puree was the metaphorical icing on the cake and the absolutely perfect pair for this dish. If you spend any time in La Fortuna and don't go to Don Rufino, you are wasting your trip. Plain and simple.

Written February 14, 2021

Justin F

3 contributions

One of the best meals we've had in several years

Apr 2021 • none

Our Easter Sunday 2021 dinner at Don Rufino was one of the best meals we've had in several years. The appetizers were distinctive and good. My tuna entree was excellent. My wife's octopus entree was even better -- a perfect preparation. Our older daughter had a pork chop, which was tender and tasty. Staff was attentive but not intrusive. Our daughters were amused by the servers shooing away a local dog that REALLY wanted some of the lamb chop that a nearby table ordered (which looked and smelled delicious). Constructive criticism: We saw on our way out there there were some kid-friendly options not listed on the menu, but we didn't know about them. Although fine dining restaurants don't really cater to kids, it would have been nice to know that for our younger daughter. Our bill was about half of what we would have expected for a meal of this quality back home in the midwestern U.S. If we're able to take another trip to Costa Rica, we will be sure to include a dinner here.

Written April 17, 2021

Willie C

San Jose266 contributions

Good Service, Bar, Ingredients, & Ambiance, Needs a bit of improvement in the Kitchen

Oct 2022 • none

I had high hopes for Don Rufino as our travel agent recommended the location as we celebrated our wedding anniversary with our young children. Service was attentive and was very accommodating to our elementary school aged children. Our water cups never went dry which is very much appreciated in this climate. I never had an old fashioned before, but it was delicious. WiFi connectivity was great for guests. First couple dishes (chips & Octopus) were excellent and then we ran into some trouble. After my experience at another restaurant in the area, I requested my Rib Eye be cooked rare. What I got was medium well. The manager was very nice to notice and asked if I would like another which I agreed to. My daughter was adventurous and ordered the Tuna tiradito thinking it was going to be similar to a Tuna carpaccio which it sort of was but she didn't find the sauce particularly appetizing. I had to agree with her but I can't fault the restaurant too much for that. It doesn't say carpaccio on the menu after all. Coming back to the Rib Eye, the second time around I did receive a rare steak which looked great at the start, however it was cold in the middle this time. I mean probably 65 degrees at best. I really wanted to like it and all that was needed was to let the steak rest at room temp for 15-20 minutes and then cook it. I didn't think I was asking too much and luckily a couple nights later I discovered another restaurant a couple blocks over that did exactly that. My spouse ordered the pacific shrimp which were fresh and tasty. We are being really particular - they were also slightly overdone as in the shell was fused to the flesh of the shrimp. So it was a bit challenging to separate the two. A perfectly cooked shrimp in my opinion should be firm and easily peel off the shell. While the decor is very handsome inside, if you're looking for a quite place avoid Don Rufino. Unfortunately there is little they can do to control it as the live music from Nanku across the street projects right into the Don Rufino dining room. The noise wore on my kids as time went on. At the end of the night, there's a taxi stand kitty corner from the restaurant as you walk towards the city square or use your ride share app with the free WiFi for guests. There are gelato and souvenir shops nearby if you want to walk off dinner before heading home. In summary, a very good place to go for fine dining if you don't mind the live music from Nanku - just needs a few tweaks in the kitchen to be excellent.

Written October 17, 2022

Solano7

We’re sorry to hear of your less than satisfactory experience and hope you will accept our sincerest apologies. We are committed to providing great customer service and we would like to make things right. We value our customers’ opinions and would like to thank you for bringing this to our attention.

Written October 24, 2022

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

FamilyOf5

17 contributions

What a unexpected treat!

Jun 2021 • none

This was an expected treat as we wandered La Fortuna in pouring rain looking for a good meal. We found out afterwards how highly regarded this restaurant is, and I will say our meal rivaled some of the best we've had in the world. Everyone was happy, from my vegetarian daughter who loved her mushroom lasagna, to my carnivore husband who loved his pork chop. Everything was very refined, tasty and beautifully presented. The atmosphere and service was also stellar, as was the wine list. While this place is higher priced for the area, we actually spent less than at our hotel restaurant to feed our family of five, and the food was much better. Treat yourself! Lots of souvenir shops around too, to make it a nice afternoon and evening in town.

Written June 20, 2021

GRSteve

Harwinton97 contributions

World class restaurant in La Fortuna.

Apr 2021 • none

We were staying at Tabacon and made reservations at Don Rufino -about 15 minutes away and right in the center of town. Once we tried it, we had to come back. The restaurant has a wonderful vibe. Beautifully polished wood throughout the restaurant and open air access including bar stools on the outside sidewalk. The staff is so responsive. I hesitatingly asked if they knew how to make a Martini and they made one of the best I've ever had. The food though is the star of this show. We tried their Civiche and it was out of this world - made with strips of marlin. The grilled shrimp was lucious. Also highly recommend the grilled chicken wrapped in bacon as well as the seafood soup.

Written April 29, 2021

OmanRob

Canmore1565 contributions

Very good but ….

Mar 2022 • family

Holy crap it’s pricey for a holiday town - $40 for a steak is American city pricing … any way back to a review Tatiana our server was excellent - she took car to understand and offer ideas for our daughter who has coeliac and was generally very attentive and helpful. Good - Ceviche was truly excellent as was seafood tagliatelle which was spicy and tasty and incredibly well seasoned. Garlic shrimp very very good but again a bit overpriced and my wife had the risotto which was also excellent. Lovely meal and great service but just a little too pricey for what and where I’d say Rob

Written March 25, 2022

nicklx

Fort Lauderdale30 contributions

The location and ambiance

Jan 2021 • couples

The location and ambiance are great. We came there one night for drinks and the next night for dinner. Nice drink selection (probably best wine selection in all of La Fortuna). The food presentation is beautiful to the eye. The taste is average. And the price is too high. My fish was very salty and my wife’s medium rib eye was chewy. The service was almost too attentive (we had about 3 different servers bring us each the dishes). In the end, however, they treated us with a free dessert for our anniversary.

Written January 16, 2021

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