Árbol
Set within a boutique property on the forested hillside above Manuel Antonio, Árbol ("tree") earns its name literally: the restaurant is built around and within the canopy, with monkeys occasionally crossing the branches overhead as you eat. It would be easy for a place with this setting to coast on the view, but the kitchen takes the food seriously.
The menu follows a tasting concept, five or seven courses tracing a path through Costa Rica's microclimates, from coastal ceviche through highland vegetables to volcanic-soil chocolate. The wine pairing is thoughtful, mixing Old World selections with emerging South American producers.
Seven courses with wine runs roughly USD 95-130 per person. The room seats around twenty-five, so reserve at least three days ahead; the experience feels private and considered.
Guest Reviews
We quickly found ourselves looking forward to our meals at Arbol during our stay at Makanda. We ate breakfast there every morning and dinner three out of the four nights we were there. Breakfast was consistently excellent. I tried something different almost every morning, and everything was delicious. The fresh fruit was especially good and quickly became one of my favorite parts of breakfast. Dinner is what really kept us coming back, though. The standout dish for us was the whole fried snapper. I honestly don't know how they do it, but even though it's fried, the fish was incredibly tender, flaky, and full of flavor. My husband enjoyed it so much that he ordered it again on our last night. It's definitely one of the pricier items on the menu, but we both thought it was worth it. I also had the shrimp linguini one evening and the sea bass on another, and both were excellent. The seafood was consistently fresh and cooked perfectly. We also shared a pear dessert one night that was a great way to end the meal. The restaurant itself has a really cool, modern feel. We loved sitting outside overlooking the pool and the ocean. It was especially nice in the evenings after spending the day out exploring Manuel Antonio. A special thank you to Alexander on our last night. He was incredibly friendly and easy to talk to. We ended up chatting about Costa Rica, wildlife, and our travels, and he was excited to show us photos and share some of his own experiences. It was one of those conversations that just made the evening a little more memorable. Between the food, views, and welcoming staff, it became one of our favorite parts of our stay at Makanda. We can't wait to come back!
An amazing place with a truly special atmosphere. Beautiful, stylish, and very cozy — attention to detail is felt in everything. The property is surrounded by lush greenery, and the space is designed in a way that makes you want to slow down and truly relax. The level of service is high and truly stands out. The staff is professional, kind, and genuinely attentive. A special thank you to Luis, as well as Joshua and Ilyas — their service, attention to detail, and warm attitude made the experience even more enjoyable and memorable. The restaurant and bar were excellent — delicious food, quality drinks, and beautiful presentation. It’s an ideal place for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as for relaxing at any time of the day. It leaves a wonderful impression and a strong desire to come back.
Amazing experience. The wait staff are attentive and kind, the food was really special and the atmosphere is relaxing and upscale. Of course a little pricier compared to others but worth it for the nice night out!
Truly enjoyed our visit. Celebrating my husband's 60th bday and wanted a beautiful view and wonderful dinner experience. Luis was fantastic taking care of us from start to finish. The ambiance was wonderful. Highly recommend Arbol for a unique experience.
Perfect experience for valentine. Beautiful place with great food. Definitely more expensive than most places but worth it. Waiter was a pleasure too. Can be a bit tricky to find if you don't enter the name of the hotel.
Details
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