Silvestre San José, Costa Rica: Óptica Tasting Menu and Dinner Planning
Some links may earn Jet Set LatAm a commission at no additional cost to you. Recommendations remain editorially independent.
Silvestre is a reason to give San José an evening of its own. Choose it when you want contemporary Costa Rican cooking to be a central part of the trip, with a menu that asks for attention and time. The useful first question is whether you want its full tasting sequence or another service offered for your date.
Find the restaurant in Barrio Amón
The official site gives Avenida 11, Calle 3A, number 955, Barrio Amón. The restaurant’s own profile identifies chef Santiago Fernández Benedetto. Start from the restaurant’s website when reserving: the name Silvestre also appears in other Costa Rican hospitality businesses, so confirm the city, address and service on the booking.
Understand Óptica before choosing it
Silvestre currently describes Óptica as eight courses, usually taking two to two-and-a-half hours, with Costa Rican ingredients and a recurring role for fire and smoke. It lists alcoholic and non-alcoholic pairing options separately. Use that format to decide whether the evening suits your group, then request the current price and inclusions.
Choose beverages as a separate part of the meal
A tasting menu does not require everyone to make the same beverage choice. Ask how the current pairings work and whether alternatives can follow the sequence. For a mixed group, discuss preferences while reserving rather than waiting until the first course. Let the menu’s pacing shape the evening instead of booking another timed activity immediately afterward.
Consider lunch on a shorter visit
The official site also presents a midday service. Ask which menu is available at lunch and whether it fits your schedule; do not presume it reproduces the dinner experience. A deliberate city lunch can work well before a relaxed afternoon, while a tasting dinner benefits from a light, unhurried lead-in. Choose the service around the way you want to spend the day.
Keep the reservation coherent
Tell the team about dietary needs and celebrations before committing. Confirm adaptation limits, cancellation terms and the complete cost with drinks and any charges. If staying at Grano de Oro, arrange the journey independently: Silvestre is a separate restaurant. Keep a long excursion on another day so an uncertain return does not determine whether you reach a significant dinner on time.
Sources checked October 18, 2026: Silvestre, its Óptica description and official profile and reservation links. This researched guide does not claim a tasting of the current menu.
Destination image from an existing Jet Set LatAM guide; it does not depict the hotel or restaurant. Photo: Naths Vargas Arias / Pexels.
Plan the rest of your stay
Pack for a city break
Explore the existing city shopping edit on ShopMy. Check products, availability and retailer terms before buying. This collection is separate from the hotel or restaurant.
Guided experiences — San José
Your next good read
Keep exploring with Jet Set LatAM
Go deeper into the destination or follow a shared interest through these stories.
- Los mejores hoteles boutique y de diseño de Costa Rica: Nayara Tented Camp, Kasiiya, Kurà y Punta Islita
- Costa Rica’s Best Boutique and Design Hotels: Nayara Tented Camp, Kasiiya, Kurà and Punta Islita
- Mendoza Fine Dining: Michelin-Starred Winery Restaurants, 1884 Francis Mallmann and Casa Vigil
- Arequipa Boutique Hotels, Fine Dining and Alpaca: Cirqa, Chicha and the White City
Turn inspiration into a journey
Make room for this in your next trip.
Notes from the Jet Set world
A little inspiration.
A beautiful next trip.
New stories, city discoveries and the Jet Set edit, delivered to your inbox.
Free to join. Unsubscribe whenever you like. Privacy & disclosure
Planning this trip? Save the places you love and build your itinerary in the Jet Set LatAM app.
Search flights with Skyscanner
Choose your airports and dates. Results open on Skyscanner.
This search uses affiliate tracking and may earn Jet Set LatAM a commission at no extra cost to you.
Compare stays in San José
Choose your dates and compare hotels and rentals. Check the location, total price and cancellation terms before booking.