San José + The Central Valley
Le Monastère
Northeast of Escazú
Costa Rica
TEL: 506 2228-8516
Located in a complex of decades-old stone buildings that once housed a mountainside monastery, this elegant French restaurant has three parts—all worth experiencing: the bar at the entrance, which has both panoramic views over the Central Valley and live piano music in the evenings; the main dining room, decorated with antiques and old photos of the monastery; and the Cava, a snug cellar-turned-intimate-bar, which is perfect for after-dinner drinks. The cuisine served here is mostly traditional French—dishes include vol-au-vent with escargots, shrimp Provençal, and a hearty wild-boar stew with truffles. But there are a few culinary digressions, like the carpaccio-and-sashimi appetizer that showcases the catch of the day. Be warned: the servers here all dress in 19th-century monks’ garb.
Insider Tip:
The lovely arched chapel connected to Le Monastère has been beautifully refurbished and still hosts occasional services; it’s worth a look.
Amenities
Open / Closes- Dinner
- Dress Code
- Full Bar
- Handicapped Accessible
- Lunch
- Live Music
- Notable Wine List
- Parking Available
- Private Room Available
- Views
Cuisine Type:: French
