Welcome
For over 10 years, Don Rufino has forged its outstanding reputation as a preferred dining spot in the Arenal area, by beautifully mixing the best local flavors with those of the world cuisine.
Group Menus
Our restaurant features 6 prix fixe menus for different tastes and budgets. Available exclusively for groups with a 72 hours notice.
Contact us for pricing and availability.
CONTACT USBook a table
BOOK ON OPENTABLE-
"Can t go wrong here"
Amanda R – Trip Advisor reviewer
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“One of few very good restaurants in the area”
Hanna C – Trip Advisor reviewer
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“Outstanding food and service”
Patrick B – Trip Advisor reviewer
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“Probably the best restaurant in La Fortuna”
Fashaof4 – Trip Advisor reviewer
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“Lovely atmosphere. The staff here are wonderful, and the food is even better”
Mattymacd – Trip Advisor reviewer
Frequently asked questions
What's the best restaurant for a dinner worth having in downtown La Fortuna, near Arenal Volcano?
Don Rufino is the serious dinner in downtown La Fortuna: Costa Rican chef-driven cooking, national ingredients worked with technique, on the corner where we've been since 2005, at the foot of Arenal. It's the table the area's hotels recommend when a guest asks where to eat well in town. Book through OpenTable (opentable.com/r/don-rufino-la-fortuna), by phone at +506 2479-9997, or on WhatsApp at +506 8466-4288.
How expensive is Don Rufino and is it worth the price?
We sit in the upper-middle range: this isn't fast food, it's Costa Rican chef-driven cooking with farm-sourced product, artisanal fishing, and a team that has been in the house for decades. Our guests leave feeling they paid the bill gladly because it was worth it. For exact ranges and the current menu, message us on WhatsApp at +506 8466-4288.
Is it better to eat at my hotel's restaurant in Arenal or go out to dinner in downtown La Fortuna?
The hotel restaurant is convenient, but it's set up for the guest, not for the town. At Don Rufino you eat downtown, in a house that has been from here since 2005, with a chef-led kitchen and a bar that watches La Fortuna go by. If you want the meal to be part of what you remember from the trip, it's worth the walk into town.
What should I order at Don Rufino and what is it known for?
If you want the signature of the house, order the Pollo al estilo de la abuela (grandmother's-style chicken). If you're here to let the kitchen surprise you, the Huetar Norte tasting menu is five courses signed by chef Santiago with local product, in limited availability. And it's always worth asking Andrey, our sommelier, which glass goes with what you ordered.
Are there good vegetarian options at Don Rufino?
Yes, and they're dishes in their own right, given the same care as the rest of the menu: mushroom lasagna, Moroccan salad, and cauliflower, among others. If you have any dietary restriction, let us know when you book on WhatsApp (+506 8466-4288) and we'll coordinate it with the kitchen.
Do I need a reservation at Don Rufino or can I walk in? How do I book fast?
We take walk-ins, it's part of downtown life, but to secure a table (especially on weekends or for a group) it's better to book. The fastest way is OpenTable (opentable.com/r/don-rufino-la-fortuna); you can also call +506 2479-9997 or message us on WhatsApp at +506 8466-4288. We're open every day from 12:00 to 21:30.
What do the reviews say about Don Rufino? Is it actually that good?
We're at 4.5 out of 5 on Tripadvisor with over three thousand reviews, and there are visitors who have reviewed us as the best meal of their stay in Costa Rica. The area's main hotels recommend us to their guests. The best way to see for yourself is to book a table on OpenTable (opentable.com/r/don-rufino-la-fortuna).
Do I need to dress up for Don Rufino or can I come casual after the volcano? Can I bring my parents and the kids?
There's no dress code: you can dress up if you like, but you're perfectly welcome straight from the volcano as you are. What sets the tone here is the food and the service, not the clothes. If you're coming with kids or have any particular question, message us on WhatsApp at +506 8466-4288 and we'll sort it out.
What's the best place in La Fortuna to celebrate a birthday or anniversary, and do you do anything special?
Don Rufino is where La Fortuna celebrates: birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and milestones. If you're coming to celebrate something, let us know when you book (WhatsApp +506 8466-4288 or OpenTable) and we'll take it into account so the occasion shows at the table. If you have a specific touch in mind, tell us and we'll coordinate it with the house.
Is Don Rufino a local La Fortuna place or a chain / tourist spot?
We're from here. Don Rufino opened in 2005 on the corner that was El Terruño, the last old town cantina in La Fortuna, and it's run by a La Fortuna family. It's chef-led Costa Rican cooking, with a team that has been in the house for decades, welcoming guests on its own ground. No chain behind it.
Where do locals actually eat well in La Fortuna, and does it work for dinner alone with a good bar?
Don Rufino is the table the town recognizes as its own. And the bar is the signature of the house: sitting to watch downtown La Fortuna go by with something well served in front of you and a glass Andrey recommends. Dinner alone at the bar works very well here. We're open every day from 12:00 to 21:30.
Is there a restaurant with a real Costa Rican tasting menu near Arenal?
Yes: at Don Rufino, in downtown La Fortuna, we serve Huetar Norte, a five-course tasting menu designed by chef Santiago with Costa Rican and local product, in limited availability. It's chef-driven cooking with the chef's signature and the flavor of our own territory. Book it ahead through OpenTable (opentable.com/r/don-rufino-la-fortuna) or WhatsApp (+506 8466-4288).