Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
  1. Home
  2. Costa Rica
  3. Costa Rica
  4. Alajuela
  5. Alajuela
Don Rufino, La Fortuna, L Fortuna

Don Rufino

4.8
4.8
638 Reviews
$30 and under
International

Make a booking

2 people
7:00 pm
Booked 30 times today
  • Innovative
  • Good for special occasions
  • Neighbourhood gem
Don Rufino is about contemporary food, with a local touch. Fine, local, fresh ingredients, the use of novel cooking techniques and great passion, are the main components found in our kitchen and in each dish served.

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    International, Fusion / Eclectic, Meat
  • Hours of Operation
    Lunch Daily 12:00 pm–4:00 pm Dinner Daily 5:00 pm–9:30 pm
  • Phone number
    2479 9997
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Diners Club, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Executive Chef
    Santiago Fernández Benedeto

What 638 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.9Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.5Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Costa Rica

    Best Overall

  • Costa Rica

    Best Food

  • Costa Rica

    Best Service

  • Costa Rica

    Best Value

  • Costa Rica

    Innovative

  • Costa Rica

    Neighbourhood gem

  • Costa Rica

    Great for fine wines

  • Costa Rica

    Romantic

  • Costa Rica

    Good for special occasions

  • Costa Rica

    Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Don Rufino in La Fortuna is celebrated for its "incredible experience" with dishes like lamb shoulder, chicken in café/cocoa sauce, and almond financier dessert. Guests praise the "amazing staff" and "wonderful and unique dishes." While some note the noise, its "fantastic food" and attentive service make it a must-visit.

638 Reviews
  1. Dave

    VIP

    Chicago

    30 reviews

    5.0

    30 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    The menu was very creative and the foods were very flavorful. The service was very good however did feel a little rushed at times by the servers. It is near a busy street and quite noisy in the evening still a five star experience.

    Is this helpful?

  2. ConnorM

    London

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Incredible evening. Thanks for making my wife's birthday so special xxx

    Is this helpful?

  3. Scott

    Denver

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    My family and I really enjoyed our meal. Everything was delicious and tasted incredibly fresh. The bone marrow appetizer was unique and great as was the lamb sausage. Three of us shared the Lamb Shoulder which was so flavorful and tender. The potatoes that came with it were cooked perfectly. My wife had the grilled shrimp and she loved it. The waitress made sure that that our one son who can’t eat dairy was more than taken care of. Really did a tremendous job assuring he knew what he could and could not have. Highly recommend. Would suggest making a reservation. I should mention that one of our kids is a trained chef that works in high end kitchens and he was also thoroughly impressed with our meal and service. One of the best meals we have had in Costa Rica. Pura Vida.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Mark

    New York City

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on 5 January 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Beautiful upscale restaurant in downtown La Fortuna. Food was delicious, excellent wine list, and amazing staff.

    Is this helpful?

  5. Florent

    London

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 3 January 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Incredible experience at Don Rufino from starter to dessert. With a bunch of flavors, textures and blends that bring so much satisfaction and joy. Special recommendation on the chicken in cafe/cocoa sauce and the crème brûlée. Both are just wow! A real pleasure for the palate and senses. I want more already!!! Impeccable service.

    Is this helpful?

  6. michelle

    Los Angeles

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 29 December 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Money well spent. Fantastic food and professional service.

    Is this helpful?

  7. Brett

    VIP

    Detroit

    5 reviews

    4.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on 29 December 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 3
    Went for late lunch around 3pm. Food was good though expensive. Not impressed with maitre d. Place was empty. Was sat next to bathroom and told no other seats available because they are very busy… left at five and place was still empty. Bizarre not to accept table change.

    Is this helpful?

  8. Adam

    Greater Boston

    6 reviews

    3.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on 27 December 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Top sirloin was expensive and bad. Bone marrow was good

    Is this helpful?

  9. Dawn

    Los Angeles

    15 reviews

    5.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on 22 December 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    The service and food were top notch! Unfortunately there was a Christmas parade happening outside and due to the openness of the restaurant, it was impossible to have a conversation. This is not the restaurants fault but it did impact our experience

    Is this helpful?

  10. William

    VIP

    Chicago

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on 22 December 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had a Wonderful experience. The food was excellent and our waitress was great with her food and wine recommendations. Our family was celebrating a birthday and the waitress made it a special day.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Don Rufino is rated 4.8 stars by 638 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people
7:00 pm
Booked 30 times today
Google Map for Don Rufino

Calle 466 Ave 142, Downtown, La Fortuna, L Fortuna 1417

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Area
    Alajuela
  • Hours of Operation
    Lunch Daily 12:00 pm–4:00 pm Dinner Daily 5:00 pm–9:30 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    International, Fusion / Eclectic, Meat
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Diners Club, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Santiago Fernández Benedeto
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Privacy policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2024 OpenTable Australia Level 22, 357 Collins Street, Melbourne, Victoria - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
OpenTable Logo