a'lo Nico

Restaurant in Playa Flamingo, Guanacaste, Costa Rica.

A daytime kitchen with its own rhythm

a'lo Nico sits on the inland road through Playa Flamingo, about 400 meters south of Banco de Costa Rica. It is not a toes-in-the-sand beach restaurant, and that is part of its charm. The room feels more like the kind of place a friend takes you for a long breakfast or an unfussy lunch: open air, friendly, and focused on food that leaves you ready for the rest of the day.

The kitchen serves breakfast, brunch, lunch, and drinks from Monday through Saturday. Doors open at 9:00 a.m. and the day winds down at 3:00 p.m., with Sunday reserved as the weekly closing day. That makes it especially useful before a beach afternoon, after a morning at the marina, or between errands along the Flamingo and Potrero corridor.

Start with a Costa Rican breakfast

If this is your first breakfast in Guanacaste, the tico plate is a natural place to begin. Gallo pinto brings rice and beans together with herbs and seasoning, then eggs, sweet plantain, cheese, toast, or avocado round out the meal. It is hearty without feeling formal and makes sense before swimming, driving, or spending a few hours on the water.

The Vaquero breakfast builds a larger morning plate with eggs, pinto, plantain, avocado, bacon, and yogurt. Huevos rancheros and omelets offer another route when you want eggs to lead the table. Coffee here is brewed coffee rather than an espresso-bar menu, so come for a generous mug and the food rather than a complicated latte order.

Casados, shawarma, and a lunch that travels well

Lunch moves easily between Costa Rican comfort food and international flavors. A casado brings rice, beans, salad, plantain, and a chosen protein onto one plate. Chicken shawarma is one of the kitchen's better-known alternatives, and it can also appear with the kind of sides that make it feel at home in Guanacaste. Sandwiches, wraps, salads, seafood, and vegetable-forward dishes give a mixed table room to order in different directions.

Takeout is available, which is handy if the next stop is a villa, a fishing boat, or a shaded place near the beach. Dining in is the better choice when you have time. The menu is broad enough that breakfast can turn into brunch without anyone at the table feeling forced into the same kind of meal.

Crepes are part of the personality

The crepes help a'lo Nico stand apart from a standard soda. A chicken crepe in mushroom sauce makes a satisfying savory lunch, while a warm Nutella crepe turns easily into dessert. They sit comfortably beside casados and gallo pinto instead of replacing them, which gives the menu its French-meets-Costa-Rica character.

Fresh juices and smoothies match the climate. A cold fruit drink is welcome after a walk from nearby lodging, and it also gives brunch a lighter option when someone else at the table wants a full breakfast. If you are sharing, a sweet crepe at the end is an easy way to stretch the meal without ordering another main plate.

Good choices for vegetarian and gluten-free diners

Vegan and gluten-free choices are part of the offering, along with vegetarian sandwiches, salads, falafel, vegetables, fruit, and other adaptable plates. Tell the server what you need when you order, especially when an allergy involves shared cooking surfaces or ingredients hidden in sauces. The menu's variety is useful for families and groups because one person can choose a casado while another keeps lunch plant based.

Outdoor seating, table service, takeout, card payments, parking, highchairs, and wheelchair access make the practical side of the visit fairly straightforward. Reservations are accepted, and a call to +506 2654 4008 is the quickest way to discuss a larger table or a particular dietary need. Online time slots will appear here only when the restaurant chooses to publish them.

Finding a'lo Nico from Flamingo or Potrero

From Playa Flamingo and the marina, head inland toward Banco de Costa Rica and continue south. The restaurant is between Villa Ferlito and Jungle Gym. From Potrero or Surfside, follow the local road toward Flamingo and use those landmarks rather than searching for a beachfront entrance. Parking is available, but the area can be busy around midday.

The location also works on foot from some nearby rentals, though the heat builds quickly after late morning. Bring water and sun protection if you are walking. A taxi driver will understand the bank, Villa Ferlito, or Jungle Gym as reference points, and the telephone number is useful if the final turn is unclear.

Make it part of a Flamingo day

For a relaxed plan, eat breakfast here and continue to Playa Flamingo while the morning is still bright. After a marina excursion, return for lunch before the 3:00 p.m. close. Families can settle in for a full plate, while solo travelers can keep the stop simple with a sandwich, juice, or crepe.

The main thing to remember is the daytime schedule. a'lo Nico is built for breakfast through lunch, not dinner. Arriving by early afternoon leaves room to order without rushing, enjoy the open-air setting, and decide whether the next move is the beach, the marina, Potrero, or the road south toward Brasilito and Conchal.

Location

Phone: +506 2654 4008

Visit the official website