As a private chef working in Jacó, people are always asking me where to eat on the nights they want to go out. One name that comes up again and again is Graffiti Restaurant — officially Graffiti Resto Café & Wine Bistro, established back in 2010. It's a creative, art-filled bistro that's become a true Jacó institution, and if you want one memorable dinner out, it's an easy one to recommend.
Good to know
Where: Avenida Pastor Díaz (the main street) in central Jacó, Costa Rica. Hours: open daily for dinner, roughly 5:00–10:00pm, with Happy Hour from 5–6pm. Graffiti has been a Jacó favorite for over 15 years and recently came under the Tsunami restaurant group, so it's always worth confirming the current hours and menu when you book.
What Graffiti is known for
The tagline on the window says it all: Gourmet · Spirits · Art & Music. Graffiti takes fresh, local Costa Rican ingredients and does something creative and a little edgy with them, and the room matches the food — bold street-art murals, warm wood, music, and a serious wine selection. It's upscale but relaxed, the kind of place you can show up to in nice shorts and still feel like you're having a real night out.
One heads-up locals always give: it can be a little tricky to find the first time. It's set toward the back of a small plaza near the center of town, so watch your map pin — it's worth the two-minute hunt.
The vibe: art, wine & a covered patio
Inside you'll find the murals and the bar; out back there's a long covered patio that catches the breeze. The wine list is a point of pride — you'll spot the racks as you walk in — and it pairs naturally with the gourmet, surf-and-turf style of cooking.
On the menu
The menu is creative and seasonal, with real gourmet mains. Here are some of the dishes you'll find on the current Graffiti Jaco menu (prices in Costa Rican colones):
- Signature starters: Tuna Tartar Tower (₡9,900), Caramelized Pork Belly Delight (₡9,900), Costa Rican Mahi Mahi Ceviche (₡9,900), Portobello & Chardonnay Harmony (₡9,900), Crispy Cajun Potato Bites (₡3,500).
- Seasonal greens: Graffiti Garden Salad (₡7,990), Harvest Bowl (₡8,990), Pacific Yellowfin Tuna Salad, Rustic Mushroom Casserole, Surf & Spicy Grilled Edamame.
- Gourmet mains: the much-loved Coffee & Cacao–Rubbed Beef Tenderloin (₡18,990), Slow-Roasted St. Louis Pork Ribs (₡18,990), Catch of the Day – Two Ways (₡16,990), Pacific Yellowfin Tuna Steak (₡16,990).
- Surf & turf: Surf & Turf of the Day (₡22,990), Wine Bistro Ribeye (₡24,990), Costa Rican Churrasco with Chimichurri (₡23,990).
- Dessert: Sweet Rock & Roll (₡6,990), Tropical Lemon Cream Pie (₡6,990), Pura Vida Fruit Bliss (₡7,990).
Prices are from Graffiti's current printed menu, in Costa Rican colones (₡1,000 is roughly $2). Menus and specials change with the season, so treat this as a taste of the style, not a guarantee.
Daily specials & happy hour
On top of the regular menu there's a specials board that changes often — we've seen a shrimp crispy roll with sambal, a dragonfruit-jalapeño dish, chicken wings, a tomahawk BBQ pork chop, Caribbean chicken with rice and beans, and pan-seared salmon. There's also a Happy Hour from 5–6pm on margaritas, mojitos, sangrias, wines and tapas. They run seasonal promotions too, so it's worth asking what's on when you book.
Planning a wedding in Jacó? A great rehearsal-dinner spot
If you're wedding planning in Jacó Beach, a spot like Graffiti makes a lovely rehearsal dinner or welcome dinner for the group — the art-filled room, the wine list and the gourmet menu feel special without being stuffy, and it's an easy walk from most of the town's hotels. For bigger groups, just message us and we'll reserve the space for you.
And for the wedding itself — or the nights your group would rather stay in at the villa — that's where we come in. Jaco Beach Chef handles the wedding catering and private-chef dinners, from a plated reception to a relaxed welcome barbecue, right where you're staying. A night out at Graffiti plus private chef meals at the villa is a great way to feed a wedding party all week.
Prefer to stay in? Bring the restaurant to your villa
Here's how a lot of our guests play it: one or two nights out at a spot like Graffiti, and the rest of the week with a private chef at the villa. After a day at the beach or on a tour, not everyone wants to clean up, drive into town, find parking and wait for a table — sometimes the best dinner is the one that comes to you.
That's what we do: we bring the menu, shop for the freshest local ingredients, cook it fresh in your kitchen, serve it, and clean up — whether it's a fresh-catch seafood dinner, a Hawaiian-style pig roast, sushi and teppanyaki, or a relaxed family meal on the deck. Same quality night, zero hassle, and often a better price per person than a big group dinner out.
How to plan your Jacó food week
Want a hand mapping out where to eat — a night at Graffiti plus private chef dinners at your villa the rest of the week, or full wedding catering? Just message us with your dates and group size and we'll build it around you. Reach us anytime at www.jacobeachchef.com or +506 6079 6435.