We’ve been to most of the restaurants in the area and below are some notes from our trip there last December. Some things may have changed since then, but as there isn't a lot of information on restaurants in this area we thought it would still be useful to post.
We are a bit biased since it is right down the road, but we do think Pili’s at the Iguana Beach Club offers the best food in the area. Everything there is fresh and organic, the service is great and they are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Pili oversees everything and it shows. For breakfast we are huge fans of the Acai bowl and smoothies, though many also love the egg burrito For lunch all the salads are amazing – though our son prefers the nachos and they also offer fish tacos and other hot items. The dinner menu changes nightly depending on what is freshest at the market. While there isn’t a lot of choice you will almost always find one fish, meat and pasta dish. They are happy to adapt based on allergies or other food preferences and everything is excellent. Appetizers like the carrot hummus bruschetta shouldn’t be missed but keep in mind that the servings are generous when ordering and a salad to start can easily be shared among 2-4 people. They don’t take reservations, but if you are a large group it’s not a bad idea to give them a heads up about when you are coming in (and make sure you stick to that time).
Other places to grab lunch at Iguana are in the main commercial center. Scoops and Spokes offers paninis, coffees, fresh juices and ice cream made from locally sourced ingredients - they have a small outdoor area to sit or you can take out. Don Eloys offers traditional cuisine as well as burgers, nachos and more.
Another good spot for a group is Magnific Rock. Mag Rock has a spectacular cliff top setting overlooking the Popoyo beach and surf break. They host happy hour with half price drinks from 3-6pm (though check the time as this will change with the seasons) at the downstairs bar which offers one of the best spots (outside of our front deck) to watch the sunset. Dinner in the upstairs restaurant offers a menu of simple grilled meats and fishes as well as basics like burgers and quesadillas – all good and well priced. Appetizers are meant to be shared and range from nachos to excellent salads – the night we were there they featured a pumpkin, beetroot and watermelon salad. Reserve early and get a table overlooking the ocean. Definitely a fun, young scene with main courses ranging from $8-18.
Over in Gigante we are excited about the new Beach Bar Juntos that opened one year ago at the end of the main street. When we want in December they didn’t serve mixed drinks, only beers and shots. The dinner menu features everything from stirfrys to local Nicaraguan fare that includes everything from nachos and tacos to a few other beef and seafood main course options - everything is very well priced. They have launched a new menu since we've been there and are looking forward to checking it out when we are next there. They don’t have a lot of tables so make sure you reserve if you are a big group. Juntos also sometimes host local bands, so see if one is playing during the nights you are here.
There is also the Surf Sanctuary located down the road on the first left after the Rancho Santo service entrance. Run by our friend Tony, the food is good but basic and you can get tacos and other dishes for around $10. Hang out at their outdoor bar and play pool or ping pong. For a more local meal on the same road you can stop by Yolandas for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
For higher end meals you should try the restaurants at Rancho Santana, Aqua Wellness, and Mukul. All are a bit pricier, require reservations and can be tough (or impossible) to get in during holidays or other busy times of the year. But for a special night out, it’s well worth it! If you do go please remember to reconfirm that day as you will not get past the property gate if your name is not there - and so often these places have no record of your reservation that you know you made. This happened to us at all 3 places.
Mukul offers 3 restaurants. Recently renovated Tres Ceibas at the Mukul Beach Club is surprisingly affordable for this high end resort and offers a range of small plate dishes from sushi to carpaccio to local fish to burgers – we had an excellent meal here. Drinks can be pricey anywhere at this hotel, but at the beach club they also have specially priced cocktails on the menu. The Beach Club restaurant is helmed by an Argentine chef who does a great job with locally available produce. It’s also a sports bar so three TV screens are located around the circular bar showing the latest games. La Terraza Restaurant at the main resort is set on a beautiful outdoor terrace overlooking the ocean and is now overseen by a new French chef. Meal choices range from simple burgers to rib eye steaks and well executed local fish dishes. Main courses range from $12-$40 and with appetizers and drinks a meal here can add up, but it is a lovely evening. Inside a more traditional room La Mesa is their highest end restaurant and offers a more formal environment with a menu to match. Meals can be ordered a la carte or prix fixe.
Aqua Wellness offers one menu in two different locations – the downstairs outdoor bar area overlooking the ocean, and the Palapa covered upstairs dining area. They have one of the most extensive menus we saw down here with several options in each category – pizzas, meat, fish, vegetables (so if you have a vegetarian in your group this is a great option) and all are locally sourced and hormone free or organic – as well as a broad array of appetizers and desserts. Not everything on the menu, however, is always available and the service was almost comically disorganized when we went – but that won’t stop us from going back as it’s a beautiful spot with good food and hopefully that has been remedied since then. Six Senses bought this property so expect some big changes in the next few years as they prepare to renovate and rebrand.
La Finca y El Mar, Rancho Santana’s seaside fine dining restaurant, is available for dinner reservations only from 5pm. La Finca’s locally sourced menu features gourmet dishes from their organic farm and freshly caught seafood. Menu options include their signature local fish dish, lobster, steak, ribs – everything is great. This is probably our top choice for a nice night out taking into account value and quality and service. Main courses range from $18-24. Grab a table outside to enjoy the ocean breeze or sit inside the air-conditioned great room. Go early to enjoy the sunset and try bocce ball or horseshoes on the lawn – or stay afterwards to enjoy an after dinner drink and a game of pool. Rancho Santana also has a fine art gallery featuring Central and Latin American artists that is worth taking a few minutes to check out as you walk through their Inn to the restaurant.
