Tin Jo - One of the city's most famous restaurants.

San José has hundreds of Chinese restaurants, but most simply serve up tired takes on chop suey, chow mein, and fried rice. In contrast, Tin Jo has a wide and varied menu, with an assortment of Cantonese and Szechuan staples, as well as a range of Thai, Japanese, and Malaysian dishes, and even some Indian food. This is San José’s only true Pan-Asian restaurant. In the Thai room an 11-meter (39-foot) mural depicts a Buddhist temple. You can select from all of the above cuisines, with menus to match the varied dining areas. It’s also a restaurant that pays attention to the details. Some of the dishes are served in edible rice-noodle bowls, and the pineapple shrimp in coconut-milk curry is served in the hollowed-out half of a fresh pineapple. Dishes not to miss include the salt-and-pepper shrimp, beef teriyaki, and Thai curries. For dessert, try the sticky rice with mango, or banana tempura. The waiters here are some of the most attentive in Costa Rica. The decor features artwork and textiles from across Asia, and you’ll have real tablecloths and cloth napkins. Tin Jo is also a great option for vegetarians, and even vegans.

Tin Jo stands out with always exceptional food, attention to detail, and attentive service that make it, hands down, the country’s top Asian restaurant.

Mon-Sat 11:30am-3pm and 5:30-10pm (Fri-Sat kitchen open ’til 11pm); Sun 11:30am-10pm
Calle 11, between avs. 6 and 8
Phone: 2221-7605, 2257-3622