Green Tip--Support Local & Responsible Businesses

There are some fabulous international restaurants in Puerto Viejo, but why not try a small “soda” or local restaurant in town. A “soda” is a small restaurant, they have limited menus of local food, ask what’s to eat today. Usually Casados are offered. A Casado is a marriage of different foods, usually you choose a main course (fish, chicken, pork, beef, or vegetarian) and it comes with beans and white rice, a little salad or some veggie, a plantian, maybe some pasta. Don’t confuse beans and rice with “Rice and Beans.” Rice and Beans are cooked together with coconut milk. Also different is the breakfast dish of “Gallo Pinto” which is left over beans and rice mixed together with spices. If you’re a drinker you can usually bring your own bottle of wine or beers to a soda. But, try a “batido” which is a fresh fruit shake--YUM, mango, watermelon. or try a glass of “Ale” it’s homemade ginger ale--Wow.
There are relatively few local restaurants left in Puerto Viejo. Eating a meal in a local restaurant brings a them great economic boost. Here’s a list of some of the great locally owned eating establishments:

Locally Owned Restaurants in Puerto Viejo
Aquí Mirna right next to ATEC

Mis Sam’s up the street from Hotel Puerto Viejo

Mis Lidia’s just up the street from Mis Sam’s

Miss Isma on the main street, 2 blocks up from ATEC

Restaurante The Misión. a block from the main bus stop, on beach.

El Buen Sabor straight up from the main bus stop toward town center

Veronica’s Vegetarian 2 block away from the Standford’s Beach

Salsa Brava on the beach, just past Standford’s Disco

Elena Brown’s heading to Manzanillo, about 6 blocks out of PV center

Soda Tamara right across from ATEC on the main street

Guillerma’s on Black Beach, she does great group meals if you make a reservation

Soda Melon Over by the soccer field and the PV School

Tayito Behind Terraventura, in front of Hotel Lika

Johanna’s Cocles, right before the soccer field

Selvin’s Punta Uva, about 1 km before Punta Uva proper.

Maxi’s in Manzanillo the end of the road.

This isn’t to say there aren’t many other great restaurants, and restaurants that are responsible and important members of our community, but remember--we recommend that you distribute economic benefits throughout the community.