dining
Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa Restaurants Ranked (Best Food, Best Ambience, Best Value)
Looking for the best restaurants and bars at Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa? This guide covers all six dining and drinking venues at the resort near La Fortuna, at the base of Arenal Volcano in Costa Rica. Tabacón is an all-ages resort with facilities for children, so this guide covers options for couples, families, and groups. Use it to match each venue to your day, from relaxed meals between hot spring sessions to evening drinks in the gardens.
The right choice at Tabacón depends on how you want to spend the day: a relaxed buffet-style meal for variety (Tucanes Restaurant), a sit-down dinner for a slower evening (Ave Restaurant), a casual, relaxed meal (Caña Brava), or drinks in the forest, gardens, or by the pool (Bosque Bar, Shangri-La Gardens Bar, and Agua Ardiente Pool Bar). Use the rankings below to decide quickly, then mix venues across your stay.
Continue planning your stay at Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa with these quick guides. Compare room options, browse restaurants and bars, preview activities and the hot springs, and learn about the spa, weddings, and meeting spaces. Tabacón welcomes guests of all ages, so you can plan a stay that works for the whole group near Arenal Volcano in Costa Rica.
Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa Restaurants and Bars Ranked
This table is the fastest way to pick where to eat and drink. "Best overall" is the most complete option for a full meal, "best atmosphere" is the most scenic or relaxed setting, and "best for families" is the easiest choice when the group includes children.
| Category | Top pick | Runner-up | Why it wins |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for families & variety | Tucanes Restaurant | Ave Restaurant | Wide range of choices so every age and appetite can find something |
| Best sit-down dinner | Ave Restaurant | Caña Brava | A more unhurried, table-service evening that suits couples and adult groups |
| Best casual meal | Caña Brava | Tucanes Restaurant | Easy, relaxed eating when you come straight from the hot springs |
| Best pool-side drinks | Agua Ardiente Pool Bar | Shangri-La Gardens Bar | Cold drinks close to the water, ideal between soaks and pool time |
| Best scenic evening drinks | Shangri-La Gardens Bar | Bosque Bar | Garden and forest settings that feel quiet and atmospheric after dark |
Venue-by-Venue Guide
Below is a practical breakdown of each restaurant and bar at Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa. Use it to plan family meals, a romantic dinner, or an easy drink between hot spring sessions. Menus, hours, and seating can change, so confirm the latest details with the resort before you go.
Tucanes Restaurant
Tucanes is the most practical choice at Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa, especially when your group includes children or guests with different tastes. It's a good fit for breakfast, lunch, and relaxed dinners after a day in the hot springs.
- Best for: families, mixed-age groups, guests who want plenty of choices
- Vibe: relaxed, welcoming, easy to enjoy at any hour
- Strategy: use Tucanes on arrival days or active days so you can keep the rest of your plans flexible
Ave Restaurant
Ave is the best choice for a slower, sit-down dinner at Tabacón. It suits couples, adult travelers, and groups who want a more considered meal after a full day of hot springs, forest walks, or excursions around Arenal.
- Best for: couples, a special evening out, adult travelers who want table service
- Vibe: calm, polished, unhurried
- Strategy: book an early dinner before a relaxed night in the gardens or hot springs
Caña Brava
Caña Brava is a relaxed, casual option for guests who want to eat without planning ahead. It works well for lunch between soaks, an easy early dinner, or a laid-back meal with children after a day outdoors.
- Best for: casual lunches, families, post-hot-spring hunger
- Vibe: laid-back, informal, easy-going
- Strategy: pick Caña Brava on a busy day of activities so you can eat quickly and get back to the water
Bosque Bar
Bosque Bar is the place for a drink surrounded by forest. Its name means "forest," and it suits guests who want a quieter, nature-focused break between activities. It's a good stop before or after a relaxed evening walk.
- Best for: couples, quiet drinks, nature lovers
- Vibe: relaxed, natural, tranquil
- Strategy: visit in the late afternoon so you can enjoy the setting before dinner
Agua Ardiente Pool Bar
Agua Ardiente Pool Bar is the easiest place to get a drink while you soak. Its name means "burning water," a nod to the volcanic heat that gives Tabacón its hot springs. It's ideal for guests who want refreshments without leaving the water.
- Best for: hot spring and pool days, all ages (non-alcoholic options are available), relaxed afternoons
- Vibe: casual, warm, poolside
- Strategy: plan a drink stop mid-session so you can rest and rehydrate in the heat
Shangri-La Gardens Bar
Shangri-La Gardens Bar is the best choice for an evening drink in the gardens. The garden setting makes it a memorable stop after dinner or before a quiet walk around the resort grounds.
- Best for: sunset or evening drinks, couples, small groups
- Vibe: lush, tranquil, scenic
- Strategy: end your evening here after dinner at Ave or Tucanes
Smart Dining Tips (How to Plan Your Days)
- Mix meals with the hot springs: the thermal waters are the highlight, so plan lighter meals around long soaks and save sit-down dinners for later in the day.
- Use Tucanes for family meals: its range of choices makes it the easiest option when children and adults want different things.
- Save Ave for a slower evening: a sit-down dinner works well on a night when you want to unwind after a full day of activities.
- Keep drinks close to the water: Agua Ardiente Pool Bar is ideal for refreshments between soaks, and Shangri-La Gardens Bar suits a calm evening stop.
- Plan for the heat: hydrate often, and eat lighter meals on hot afternoons so you have energy for the evening.
For a 2–3 night stay, plan one sit-down dinner (Ave), one relaxed family-style meal (Tucanes or Caña Brava), and one evening drink in the gardens or forest. For longer stays, rotate venues and return to your favorite.
FAQ: Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa Restaurants and Bars
What are the best restaurants at Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa?
Tucanes Restaurant is the most versatile option for families and mixed groups, and Ave Restaurant is the best choice for a slower sit-down dinner. Caña Brava is a good casual option for an easy meal between activities.
Is Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa suitable for children?
Yes. Tabacón is an all-ages resort with facilities for children, so families can plan meals and activities together. Tucanes and Caña Brava are often the easiest options for mixed-age groups.
Which venue is best for couples?
Ave Restaurant is the top pick for a romantic or special dinner. Bosque Bar and Shangri-La Gardens Bar are good choices for a quiet drink together.
Which bars are best at Tabacón?
Agua Ardiente Pool Bar is the most convenient bar for drinks while you're in the hot springs or by the pool. Shangri-La Gardens Bar suits evenings, and Bosque Bar offers a quieter forest setting.
Do I need reservations for Tabacón restaurants?
Reservations are recommended for sit-down dinners such as Ave Restaurant, especially during peak travel periods. Confirm booking options and current hours with the resort before your visit.
How can I plan dining around the hot springs?
Eat a light lunch at Tucanes or Caña Brava, use Agua Ardiente Pool Bar for refreshments between soaks, and save Ave for dinner. Finish the evening with a drink at Shangri-La Gardens Bar or Bosque Bar.
BOOK YOUR STAY NOW
Questions? Contact Us!