Serves meat, vegan options available. This restaurant has a cute theme where it's taken the body of a 1954 Fairchild cargo plane which was originally purchased by the US government in the 80s for the Nicaraguan contras, but it never made out of its hangar in San José because of the ensuing Iran-Contra scandal. In 2000 the owners purchased it for cheap and proceeded to cart it piece by piece to Manuel Antonio. It now sits on the side of the main road, where it looks as if it had crash-landed into the side of the hill. It's a spot for drinks, dinner, and a Pacific sunset. The oriental salad and oriental fried rice are both vegan suitable. Open Mon-Sun 9:00am-9:00pm. Call for hours - tell us.
-
Calle Manuel Antonio, Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
-
Loading...
-
- Outdoor seating
-
-
Last update on 24 Mar 2019 by GermanDiManzo
Update business info -
Are you the owner?
Claim this business -
Added by Soul2Soul Educare on 26 Aug 2014
-
-
25 Reviews
First Review by Soul2Soul Educare
albergonx
Points +846
Buen sitio para tomar algo - Edit
Terraza con vistas muy buenas. Recomendable ir con mucho tiempo o reservar para poder ver el atardecer. El avión por dentro está chulo. Las alitas de coliflor ya no las tienen, nos dijeron que no les salía rentable...
Read moreGuest
GabiBlue
Points +761
bland but nice view - Edit
okay for the view and atmosphere but the food wasn’t very good or flavoursome. portion of nachos was small and the beans were just stuck to the plate below the nachos so very dry. expensive for what it is too but the staff were nice.
Read moreGuest
MaylaNebeská
Points +1966
Sunset, drinks and vegan food - Edit
Went to Avion mostly for sunset (and it was lovely!) but we received a lot more. Yummy piña colada and tasty vegan food. The nachos plus cauliflower wings were too much for one person and so good! We met few mokeys as well, could not be a lot better😄
Read more(The wings in their sister restaurant El wagon are not so good as here in El Avion do not dissapoint yourself like I did)
Updated from previous review on 2024-02-07
Guest
Coseverde
Points +1369
Worth the visit - Edit
Having a whole airplane with an interesting history is a draw, but the food and the view make it clear that this is a good choice.
Read moreThere are several vegan options clearly indicated on the menu, and the prices aren't as ridiculous as some restaurants in the touristy areas.
Definitely worth a visit. I expect the sunsets would be awesome from here too.
Guest
JessMikeWinnemuller
Points +403
Come for the sunset, stay for the food! - Edit
Come for an early dinner and take in the breathtaking views and stunning sunset. There is a plant-based menu and the food portions are huge and each bite is mouthwatering. The staff are friendly and are extremely attentive. We ordered drinks and the plant-based nachos to start with which was way better than expected. We then each ordered the vegan burger with fries and cauliflower wings, which was way too much food, but so worth it. I had half packed up to go and will have it for lunch the next day. I highly recommend checking this place out for a fun, romantic night out. 
Read morePros: Delicious, mouthwatering food, Good selection, large portions , Stunning views, excellent service
Guest
soph161
Points +420
Attentive staff in beautiful venue - Edit
A whole page of plant based options, stunning view over the sea and super attentive staff!
Read moreGuest
heyjemma
Points +36
Good food and views - Edit
Dedicated vegan section of the menu consisting of about 5 options. I had the burger which was a handmade mushroom and bean patty and served with chips and cauliflower wings - all tasty but the wings were sooo good! Setting is also very cool, and stunning views from the top floor
Read morePros: Variety of vegan options , Cool setting, Beautiful views
Guest
Karin1975
Points +183
Love this place - Edit
A plantbased menu on the best spot of Manuel Antonio, friendly service. We love this place #Veganuary
Read morePros: Plant based part on the menu, Price is okay, Amazing location and amazing setting in a plane
Cons: Nothing
Guest
nataliac@me.com
Points +117
Quick service - Edit
There is a separate section for vegan dishes . I had the tacos and they were really good. The service was very good. #Veganuary
Read morePros: Food, Service, Options
Cons: A bit noisy with the waiters using Wally talkies
Seatown_vegan
Great options in Manuel Antonio.
Read moreGuest
beetsrock
Points +807
Sunsets and monkeys - Edit
Went here for the sunset views and enjoyed a delicious meal with excellent friendly service. We ordered pasta with tomatoes, the vegan nachos and the vegan garbanzo poke bowl. Everyone was happy and the poke bowl was absolutely delicious. Great deck with ocean view for sunset watching and the airplanes make a fun theme. Monkeys were entertaining us from the ceiling.
Read morePros: Gorgeous views, Friendly staff, Many vegan options
Guest
LeonV
Points +1288
Great overall experience - Edit
Many vegan options. Cauliflower wings and nachos were good. Even better than the food, however, was the restaurant itself. A huge plane inside of the restaurant serves as a cocktail bar. The restaurant itself has two levels and the view is spectacular, especially around sunset. I went several times and always saw amazing animals in the trees nearby: monkeys, Tulane, macaws and even a sloth. This, it is definitely worth it to come here even if it’s only for a cocktail!
Read morePros: Plant-based options, Impressive view, Wildlife close by
Guest
calliebyrd
Points +95
More vegan options - Edit
They added several more veg options including a burger, cauliflower wings, and a mushroom fettuccine. The service was amazing. It was one of the cheaper upscale restaurants we ate at. The portions were huge!
Read morePros: Good food, Reasonably priced, Amazing view + atmosphere
Guest
24kgould
Points +284
Perfect for sunset! - Edit
Vegan options were clearly marked with 5 different options that all sounded great. I ordered the poke bowl which was delicious and very filling. A little pricey compared to other places we have eaten, but the view was 100% worth it. There were toucans flying around and monkeys climbing in the trees right in front of us. I highly recommend this spot!
Read morePros: Several vegan options, clearly marked, Beautiful atmosphere , Friendly staff
Guest
GregKamprath
Points +32
Good for for vegan options like - Edit
Great views and decent food. It has a vegan section on the menu which is great
Read moreGuest
Kiriemare
Points +39
Typical casado, amazing view - Edit
As a vegan or vegetarian, you're gonna get a casado here, and it'll be fresh and tasty. What makes it special is the decor and the view. Great service, accomodated a large group.
Read morePros: Decent vegan/veg options , Excellent service , Amazing views/ambiance
Guest
DcVeganFoodie
Points +179
We were served cheese - Edit
We ordered cocktails and the vegan nachos with beans. When they came we were surprised they had added cheese and sour cream- thinking it was vegan, we tried some and then asked if it was vegan or regular cheese, which of course it was not vegan. Do not advertise vegan menu items and then add cheese without asking! Cocktails were good and the view is great.
Read morePros: Delicious cocktails and nice views
Cons: Served cheese & sour cream with vegan nachos
Guest
ollie33
Points +805
Cool History, Light on Vegan Options - Edit
Family- friendly spot with a cool theme (real Iran-Contra-funded airplane with a bar) great for the kids to explore. Food nothing special at all and vegans have minimal options. The plant- based nachos were adequate. Good place for a drink and appetizers with a group of non- vegans but not the spot for a full meal.
Read morePros: Vegan nachos , Cool theme beautiful view
Cons: Not many vegan options, Slow service
Guest
Abuckhouse
Points +187
Flavorless - Edit
They have vegan nachos, they will ask if you want sour cream and cheese. They are not good. They also have veggie fried rice which was completely flavorless and very oily. We give them one star for the awesome view and nice bathrooms. Otherwise, skip it.
Read morePros: Great view, Decently priced for the area
Cons: Flavorless food
Guest
MaryStruddel
Points +38
Just salad for vegans. - Edit
They don't really have vegan options, the menú says for ex vegan nachos with cheese and sour cream?? The beans inside are fried and the waiter didn't know if the beans doesn't have lard or something. So i ended up just drinking a juice.
Read morePros: Nice place and view.
Cons: Not vegan friendly really.
LesleyTarleton
i dont understand this review as online it has a vegan menu with 5 choices? cauliflour wings and burger , garlic spaghetti etc ?Maybe this is a new menu introduced recently.
Read moreMaryStruddel
Hi. Yes i went 1 year ago, hopefully they have improved, we need to be careful and request for real vegan dishes, with no chheese, condiments etc.
Read moreGuest
Derina
Points +490
Few options but great location - Edit
There are limited options for vegans at El Avion but the portions are large and the view is good.
Read morePros: Location
Cons: Expensive, Limited options
Guest
itsmichaeldiego
Points +1888
Ok options, nice view and theme - Edit
Loved the view and the plane was nice. Food was ok but nothing crazy. Not many options. No plant based milk alternatives either.
Read moreGuest
LisaSpykers
Points +8196
Large serves but limited options for vegans - Edit
There was only 3 plant-based options and although not the most interesting of choices, the serves were large and actually tasted quite good. The vegetables in the stir-fry were cooked perfectly and seasoned well. The nachos were also tasty but a weird combination of ingredients: they were served with guacamole, mango, broccoli (!), and a little salsa. It would be great if they could add more vegan options in the future -- a vegan burger or something containing more protein.
Read moreOn the restaurant itself: it has a great view, the food comes out quickly, and the service is very good.
Cons: Not enough vegan options
Guest
MischaJaniec
Points +26
Only one vegan meal available as of Jan 2019 - Edit
Server did’t know about vegan at all. They probably changed the menu, couldn’t find one thing besides fried rice on the menu. Very fishy sent in the restaurant. Great view tough.
Read moreGuest
sirena23
Points +77
descent vegan nachos - Edit
Only tried the nachos which were good for bar food and a very cool atmosphere.
Read moreGuest
Soul2Soul Educare
Points +1102
“Good options for veg - fun airplane theme - Edit
This restaurant has a real cute theme where they've taken the body of a 1954 Fairchild Cargo Plane which was originally purchased by the US government in the ’80s for the Nicaraguan Contras, but it never made it out of its hangar in San José because of the ensuing Iran-Contra scandal. In 2000 the owners of El Avión purchased it for only US$3000 and proceeded to cart it piece by piece to Manuel Antonio. It now sits on the side of the main road, where it looks as if it had crash-landed into the side of the hill. It’s a great spot for a drinks, dinner and a Pacific sunset. The food was good and really large portions (even their appetizers). We ate the veggie nachos (vegetarian), oriental salad (vegan) and oriental fried rice with came with a large salad (vegan). We had to doggy bag our food. A great place to take pictures and enjoy the view of the ocean - lots of seats where you sit and admire the view. The service was great! It was pretty inexpensive for a themed restaurant with beautiful ocean views!
Read morePros: Interesting, Ocean view tables
Cons: Noisy
Guest
For Members
Why was my review removed? Guidelines for writing a review View our privacy policyFor Business Owners
Claim this business See inaccurate information? Submit an update here Link to this page from your site See an unfair review? View full terms & conditionsThis page has been viewed 0 times.