How San José Became a Gastronomic Capital of Latin America 

San José is making waves on the world stage, rising as a gastronomic capital that Costa Ricans can be proud of. Founded on Costa Rica’s biodiversity and fertile lands, this city is becoming a creative and excellence hub for culinary innovation.  

“It’s no surprise at all that San José is being in the spotlight,” says Juan Ignacio Salom, experience director of Cafeoteca. With the most biodiversity per square meter in the world and incredibly fertile land, Costa Rica has an extraordinary pantry of products to create a rich gastronomic culture,” Salom shared. This abundance provides the perfect canvas for a culinary revolution. 

Indeed, there are transformations in the city’s gastronomic scenario and a growing haute cuisine movement that put San José on the map.  

For example, a restaurant that was listed for the first time under this category on the elite Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants is proof that changes and development are occurring within Costa Rica. 

But it’s not just about fine dining. San José is chiseling its name as a global destination for specialty coffee. According to Salom, the Greater Metropolitan Area boasts around 70 specialty coffee shops, outshining even cities like New York, which has about 30. 

This makes us a global specialty coffee destination, and we haven’t even fully realized it yet,” Salom said, looking at the untapped potential of Costa Rica’s coffee culture. 

San José’s rise is driven by the talent, dedication, and passion of the country’s culinary professionals. With innovation and tradition going hand in hand, the city is poised to attract food enthusiasts and coffee lovers from around the world. 

San José represents a shining beacon of creativity and flavor in Costa Rica’s culinary journey. It blends the best of nature and human ingenuity to offer something truly special. And to Costa Ricans, this is more than just an important gastronomic milestone.