Lemon Zest

My recent visit to Lemon Zest was, overall, a delightful culinary experience. The food quality is truly exceptional, easily surpassing the average four-star establishment, though a few minor points keep it just shy of a flawless five. The Food: A Flavorful Journey Every dish we ordered was simply delicious. • My main course, the Dorado in Lemon Sauce, was perfectly executed—tender, flaky, and bright. Highly recommend. • For appetizers, the shrimp were a standout. They were coated in what seemed like a rustic rye breadcrumb crust, giving them a wonderfully crispy texture and a comforting, almost nostalgic, "taste of home" flavor. We also tried the Korean-style beef appetizer, which was incredibly rich and savory. • I enjoyed the classic Tuna Tartare with avocado, which was fresh and vibrant. • Also we ordered rolls, which were somewhat unexpectedly presented—more like a tartare with rice, rather than traditional rolls, but we found them quite tasty. • The children were initially disappointed that the NY Strip Steak they wanted was unavailable. The server suggested the Beef Medallions as a substitute, and while they weren't the steak, they were well-prepared and satisfied the kids. Desserts & Drinks The desserts were a hit with the kids: a simple but enjoyable ice cream with chocolate and a well-executed crème brûlée. The mango and strawberry cocktails were also pleasing and refreshing. The Verdict The chef and the kitchen clearly deserve five stars. The cuisine at Lemon Zest is truly the main attraction. However, the reason I'm giving a 4.8 rating and not a perfect 5 is because of the atmosphere and service. While certainly adequate, there was just a little something missing in the overall dining environment and the attentiveness/polish of the service that would elevate the experience to that top-tier, five-star level.

Our absolute favorite dining in Jaco. Richard & Nellie lead a great team at LZ. Whether we bring our fish or enjoy the delicious specials cultivated with multiple local ingredients, don’t miss it!! Lobster bites, lobster francaise, enchiladas w mole sauce, Great drinks and tasty desserts.

this restaurant was by far my favorite when visiting Costa Rica! Nellie and Richard are the most amazing, kind hearted owners. We went one night and had to go back the next night for dinner again!