Manuel Antonio/Quepos Restaurants: Tropical Sushi

Cuisine  Sushi, Japanese
Open: Wed-Mon 5-11pm
Location: Next to El Gran Escape, on a side street, Quepos
Phone: 506-777-0395
Dishes: Maki rolls $3-$7; main courses $5-$18
Credit Cards: V

As the name implies, the ambience here is decidedly tropical, with lively pastel colors and Caribbean architectural highlights, but don't let the surroundings fool you: This is still an excellent sushi joint. In addition to fresh tuna and grouper brought in daily by local fishermen, you can get maki, sushi, and sashimi made with Chilean salmon, smoked eel, and deep-fried soft-shell crabs.

The sushi bar itself is tiny, and the main dining room is similarly small. The nicest seating here is in the open-air patio. Start things off with some edamame, an appetizer of steamed soybeans in their husks, and be sure to try the Crocodile Roll, with its mix of crab, eel, and avocado. The biggest problem here is that, when busy, the food and service can be slow.