Restaurant
A Restaurant in Puerto Viejo, Limón: How a Day at GigiO Actually Goes
2 min read
If you are planning a trip to the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, you will end up looking for a restaurant in Puerto Viejo, Limón that you can return to more than once — somewhere that works for breakfast and still works at night. That is the kind of place GigiO is built to be, so rather than list features, here is how a full day tends to go.
Morning
We open at 7:30 am, and the early light on this coast comes in clean. The coffee is strong, the sea is right there past the terrace railing, and the town has not fully woken up yet. It is the quiet end of the day — good for a slow breakfast before a walk to Playa Cocles, a surf at Salsa Brava, or a drive out to the Jaguar Rescue Center. Families settle in easily; there are lighter and kid-friendly options alongside the full menu.
Midday
Lunch is when the kitchen's character shows. GigiO is a Caribbean restaurant first, so the plates lean into what the coast does best: fresh seafood from local fishermen, ceviche, coconut rice, grilled catch of the day, plantains in every form, and house-made sauces rooted in Afro-Caribbean cooking. There are vegetarian and gluten-friendly choices for the table that needs them. It is the meal to have after a morning at Cahuita National Park or before an afternoon at Punta Uva or Manzanillo.
Evening
By night the same room becomes something else. Candlelit tables, the bar working through cocktails built on tropical fruit and regional spirits, and live Caribbean music in the air on a regular schedule. We sit oceanfront at Stanford's Square on Playa Puerto Viejo, with the terrace open to the sea, so dinner comes with the sound of the water. The building also holds Casa de la Poesía, an in-house museum, and an upstairs art gallery showing local artists — worth a wander between courses.
Finding Us
GigiO is at Stanford's Square on Playa Puerto Viejo, within walking distance of the town centre and Playa Cocles. We are open six days a week, 7:30 am through late evening, and closed on Wednesdays. The venue is also available for private events and special occasions with customisable menus, and group bookings are welcome for tours and hotels around Puerto Viejo de Talamanca.
Whether you are coming from Limón city, Cahuita, Punta Uva, or just down the road, browse the menu, make a reservation, or call us at +506 8676 7889.
