Sikwa
San José, Costa Rica
- No.47 Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants 2023
Chef Pablo Bonilla has travelled extensively around Costa Rica to explore the country's diverse gastronomic heritage of its indigenous communities. In 2014, he began his research journey as partof the Jirondai project documenting oral gastronomic traditions. Four years later he opened Sikwa, where he interprets traditional ingredients, recipes and culinary techniques. In 2023, the San José restaurant became the first-ever eatery in the country to be voted into Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants list.
As part of his commitment to the local community, Bonilla has created a virtuous circle so that indigenous farmers and producers form part of the food-production chain, selling their ingredients not only to Sikwa but also to other restaurants in the capital. Many dishes are designed to be eaten with your hands, such as the tamal de yuca made with creamed cassava, or the crunchy pork ribs, fried cassava, spicy yellow corn atole, guacamole and Bagaces cheese. Mouthwatering mains include pejibaye (peach palm) tamal with pork belly in chilipinol adobo sauce.
Key Information
Location
C. 41, Los Yoses, San José,
