Chef Eyal Ben-Menachem’s highly personal restaurant in Nuevo Arenal is a destination meal for travelers staying on or exploring the lake’s western side. It is far from La Fortuna, so treat it as a planned excursion rather than a convenient dinner after a tour.
Why It Belongs on the List
Gingerbread combines a tiny boutique hotel with an idiosyncratic, chef-led restaurant in Nuevo Arenal. The cooking draws broadly from Mediterranean, European, Middle Eastern, and local influences rather than following a fixed Costa Rican format. The experience is known for a conversational host-chef and generous, changing dishes. It is on the opposite side of Lake Arenal from La Fortuna and requires a substantial drive, so reserve directly, confirm the current menu and service hours, and avoid pairing it with an evening hot-springs booking.
What Stands Out
- Chef-led destination restaurant
- Nuevo Arenal location on the lake’s western side
- Changing Mediterranean and international influences
- Advance reservation strongly recommended
- Significant drive from La Fortuna