San Jose By Night: Farm to Table Dinner & Cocktail Class
Description
A complete evening in one unforgettable experience! More than a typical food tour, this night out combines an authentic local vibe, a short historical walk, an interactive cocktail workshop, and a live Chef’s Table culinary experience. As you learn to mix iconic Costa Rican drinks, the chef will prepare delicious traditional bocas (Costa Rican tapas)—including pollo caribeño, crispy patacones, and savory enyucados—right before your eyes, serving them perfectly paired with every drink you make. You’ll also get hands-on by making your own Empanada Arreglada You aren't just making a snack; you're diving into local culinary traditions!, and mastering local drinks like the Morenito, more than just a drink, this delicious coffee-based cocktail is a tribute to Costa Rica’s world-famous coffee culture, Mojito de Cas, a refreshing Classic Michelada, and famous and legendary Chiliguaro, a slightly spicy, savory local favorite that is an absolute must-try in Costa Rica!
Tour Options
Itinerary
Our tour begins at the entrance of the bank, right next to the Monumento de los Presentes, which features small, green figures. We'll start by discussing how this monument symbolizes the resilience and survival of the community through challenging times, bridging the past and present. It's a powerful reminder of the strength and unity that have shaped the city, setting the tone for our journey through its rich history and vibrant culture.
We will visit the Central Market, established in 1880, where you'll have the opportunity to learn about the foundations of Costa Rican agriculture and daily culture. This historic market is a vibrant hub of local life, offering a glimpse into the traditions and practices that have shaped Costa Rican cuisine for generations. As we explore the market, you'll discover the essential ingredients, meet local vendors, and gain insight into the agricultural practices that sustain the region. It's a perfect introduction to the rich cultural tapestry that makes Costa Rica unique.
We will pass by the Templo de la Música, an iconic structure located in Morazán Park. As we explore this beautiful pavilion, you'll learn about its rich cultural history and the significant role it has played in the city's artistic and social life. Built in the early 20th century, the Templo de la Música has hosted countless concerts, events, and gatherings, becoming a beloved symbol of the city's vibrant cultural scene. Its design, inspired by classical architecture, adds a touch of elegance to the park, making it a perfect spot to reflect on the cultural heritage that has shaped the community.
An Exclusive "Farm-to-Table" Finale The evening concludes in a private home dining setting within a designated historical building. This is the ultimate highlight because: • Caribbean Influence: While many tours focus on Central Valley food, this highlights the vibrant, spicy, and coconut-infused flavors of Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast. • Intimacy: It avoids the "tourist trap" feel of public restaurants, offering a quiet, art-filled space that feels like a dinner party with friends. You will get to cook your own "Empanada Arreglada" and have a blast crafting two unique signature drinks: the "Morenito" (a delicious coffee-based cocktail) and a refreshing "Mojito de Cas" (made with a tropical fruit unique to Costa Rica). Whether one person crafts cocktails while the other helps cook, or you both prefer to just relax and enjoy the show, the choice is yours!
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children under 17 years of age are not allowed on the tour
- Dress code: casual
- Safety Tips, San Jose is a big city like any other, it is a preventive measure to dont wear flashy jewelry
Reviews(553)
Angel was an amazing tour guide and teacher. From the moment he met the group he was very informative, funny, entertaining and helpful. I really enjoyed his conversations about food and traveling and was very patient when we asked questions about San Jose. The food was excellent as well. We started in the Central Market, ate delicious ice cream and walked around. Then we went to the café and started drinking and eating. We had about 4 cocktails - some we made with as much/little alcohol you prefer and some were premade. We ate about 3 tapas dishes. I won't say much so as to not ruin what was served but let me just say it was an enjoyable time.
Thank you so much for the fantastic review! We are thrilled to hear that Angel made such a great impression with his patience, humor, and passion for Costa Rican culture. Combining the vibrant Central Market with our hands-on cocktail making and delicious tapas stops is what makes this evening route so special! Thank you for leaving a little mystery for future guests and for exploring with San José Urban Tours. Safe travels, and Pura vida!"
We literally had such a great tour guide, Angel. It was so much fun to see San Jose and appreciate its history and uniqueness. The cooking portion was so fun and interactive. We were all “a cachete”!!!!
¡A cachete inflado! 🇨🇷 Thank you so much for the fantastic review! We are thrilled to hear that Angel made the history and unique character of San José come alive for you, and that you loved getting hands-on during the cooking portion. Creating a fun, interactive space where travelers can connect over good food, drinks, and authentic local culture is what we love to do best. Thank you for exploring with San José Urban Tours, and safe travels on all your future adventures! Pura vida!"
Great food and drinks. Love the guide, he really knew history and modern things as well!! Will tell others.
"Thank you so much for the fantastic review! We're thrilled to hear you loved the food, drinks, and your guide’s blend of historical insights and modern Costa Rican perspective. Giving travelers a complete, authentic picture of San José—past and present—is exactly what we aim for. Thank you for recommending San José Urban Tours to others! Safe travels and Pura vida!"
We had an amazing time with Angel! The trip through the market was fun and educational, we learned so much about Costa Rican fruits especially, which we then got to use to make cocktails. The empanadas were so fun to make, and the rest of dinner was delicious! Thank you Angel!
"Thank you so much for the wonderful review! Angel will be thrilled to read your kind words—his passion for sharing Costa Rican culture always makes the tour so memorable. From learning about our vibrant local fruits in the market to using them in our hands-on cocktail making and empanada workshops, we’re so glad you loved every moment (and the delicious dinner!). Thank you for choosing San José Urban Tours, and safe travels! Pura vida!"
This tour is an absolute must in San José! Although I have already been to Costa Rica for the sixth time and have visited San José several times, this experience was a real enrichment and absolutely recommended. Angel led the tour with a lot of competence, joy, and of course, a lot of Pura Vida. It was great to learn more about the city at the Central Market, to experience the local atmosphere, and then to prepare empanadas and mix cocktails ourselves in this beautiful setting. The delicious Costa Rican food that we were able to enjoy together was also great. Everything fit together perfectly – the mood, the people, the food, and the many interesting insights into the culture. A wonderful experience that I can recommend to everyone!
Vielen herzlichen Dank für diese fantastische Rückmeldung! Es ist für uns eine ganz besondere Ehre zu hören, dass unsere Tour selbst bei Ihrem sechsten Besuch in Costa Rica ein echtes Highlight für Sie war. Angel wird sich riesig über Ihr Lob freuen – seine Begeisterung und das echte „Pura Vida“-Gefühl zeichnen ihn wirklich aus. Vom lebendigen Central Market in San José über das Empanada-Backen und Cocktail-Mixen bis hin zum gemeinsamen traditionellen Essen: Genau diese Kombination aus Kultur, Kulinarik und schöner Atmosphäre macht unsere San José Food & Kultur Tour aus. Vielen Dank für Ihre Empfehlung und weiterhin eine wunderbare Zeit! Pura vida!"
Such an amazing experience! Angel was a great guide and the food and drinks were delicious! Tour was very well thought out and enjoyable!
Such an amazing experience! Angel was a great guide and the food and drinks were delicious! Tour was very well thought out and enjoyable!
Angel was fantastic! He had great energy, was incredibly knowledgeable, and made the entire tour fun and engaging. We especially enjoyed visiting the market, making our own cocktails, and learning how to make empanadas. The meal at the end was absolutely delicious—we left very full! We also enjoyed meeting some wonderful new people along the way. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting San José.
Thank you so much for the glowing review! We are delighted to hear that Angel’s great energy made your tour so fun and memorable. Combining a vibrant San José market tour with hands-on experiences like craft cocktail making and empanada making is our favorite way to share our culture. We're especially glad you enjoyed the final meal and left completely full! Thank you for recommending our San José food and mixology tour!"
What a fantastic night!! Angel was friendly, warm, and so knowledgeable, he answered every question confidently and made the whole evening exciting and memorable. The food was delicious, the cocktails were absolutely divine, and the cocktail class was such a fun hands-on touch. The location itself was cozy and spotlessly clean, with gorgeous tropical decor that made it feel special from the moment we walked in. I loved every minute of this experience and would 100% recommend it to anyone visiting San José. Such a lovely way to spend an evening!
Thank you so much for the fantastic review! We are thrilled to hear that you enjoyed our cocktail class in San José and that Angel made your evening so memorable. Our team takes great pride in serving delicious local food and divine cocktails in a clean, welcoming environment with our signature tropical decor. It means the world to us that you highly recommend this as a top thing to do in San José. We hope to welcome you back for another hands-on mixology experience soon!"
Excellent experience! This was the highlight of our time in San Jose. Angel was an outstanding guide and the food and drinks were amazing. You will not leave hungry or thirsty!!! We parked a little too far away and had trouble finding the meeting place (our fault), and the one-way downtown streets were not easy to navigate. I would recommend getting dropped off for this to make it easy on yourself. Definitely a must-do in San Jose!
Thank you so much for this incredible review! We are absolutely thrilled to hear that our tour was the highlight of your time in San José and that Angel provided such an outstanding experience for you. Keeping our guests well-fed and perfectly hydrated is our absolute mission, so we love hearing that you didn't leave hungry or thirsty! We also want to thank you for that fantastic and highly practical piece of advice regarding transportation. Navigating downtown San José's one-way streets and finding parking can definitely be a challenge, so recommending future guests to get dropped off via taxi or rideshare is a game-changing tip to ensure a stress-free arrival. Thank you for choosing us as a must-do experience, safe travels on your next adventures, and Pura vida!"
Angel was our incredibly knowledgeable and thoughtful guide and instructor. His tour of the Mercado and Avenida Central was thorough and funny. We had so much fun making cocktails and empanadas—our group was diverse and cohesive — and that was just the appetizer. Afterwards we went downstairs for even more authentic food and drinks for dinner. We highly recommend this experience to curious travelers and adventuresome eaters.
Thank you so much for this stellar review! We are absolutely thrilled to hear that your evening with Angel was such a thorough, funny, and memorable highlight of your trip. He is an incredibly knowledgeable and thoughtful guide, and he will be overjoyed by your kind words. We love how perfectly you described the flow of our experience! From the vibrant walk through the Mercado and Avenida Central to the hands-on fun of mixing cocktails and making empanadas upstairs, followed by a traditional dinner downstairs, we aim to create a seamless and delicious journey. Bringing a diverse group together to share laughs and great food is exactly what we love to do. Thank you for highly recommending us to fellow curious travelers and adventuresome eaters! Safe travels and Pura vida!"
