There are moments while traveling when everything comes together just right—the scenery, the people, the food, and that unmistakable feeling that you have discovered something genuine. Not flashy. Not manufactured for tourists. Just real. Fredo Fresas, located along the scenic route to Poás Volcano National Park, is exactly that kind of place.
If you are traveling the Touristic Route from Alajuela to Poás Volcano, about four miles downhill from the park entrance, do yourself a favor and plan your day so that lunch is at Fredo Fresas. It is more than a restaurant. It is a window into rural Costa Rican life, a celebration of homegrown food, and a reminder of how deeply satisfying simplicity can be when it is done with love and care.
A Cool Mountain Setting Worth the Jacket
At roughly 7,000 feet above sea level, the Poás Volcano area enjoys a cool, refreshing climate that surprises many visitors. This is not the hot, humid Costa Rica that first comes to mind. Here, the air is crisp, the mornings misty, and by midday you’ll be glad you brought a light jacket or sweater.
Fredo Fresas sits in a picturesque pastoral community where rolling green hills, small farms, and cloud forest frame the landscape. This is a traditional “Tico” countryside—families living off the land, growing what they eat, and supplementing their income with small, tourism-related businesses. Life moves at a gentler pace here, and that rhythm is felt the moment you step onto the restaurant’s grounds.
A Rustic Restaurant Built by Hand
The restaurant itself is a rustic wooden structure, built by the owner, Emilio, using locally grown cypress wood harvested from the surrounding high-altitude forests. Nothing about the building feels mass-produced. The wood is warm and aromatic, the design simple and practical, perfectly suited to its rural surroundings.
Large windows and open spaces allow the mountain air to flow through, carrying with it the scents of wood smoke, fresh tortillas, and herbs from the garden. The setting feels intimate and welcoming, as if you’ve been invited into someone’s home rather than a commercial establishment.
And in many ways, you have.
A True Family Operation
Fredo Fresas is a family-run restaurant in the truest sense of the word. Emilio and his wife, along with their children, nieces, and nephews, do everything themselves. There is no hidden kitchen staff or outside management. The people who greet you, serve you, cook your food, and chat with you afterward are all family.
The women prepare the meals on a wood-burning stove, just as Costa Rican families have done for generations. Watching them work is like stepping back in time—tortillas rolled out by hand, dough kneaded with practiced ease, bread baked fresh in the oven while laughter and conversation fill the kitchen.
There is pride here. Pride in the food, pride in the land, and pride in sharing it with visitors.
Farm-to-Table Before It Was a Trend
Long before “farm-to-table” became a fashionable phrase, Fredo Fresas was already living it. Nearly everything served here comes from Emilio’s organic garden, located just steps away.
Fresh ingredients aren’t a marketing concept here—they are a way of life.
The flavors reflect that difference immediately. Vegetables taste brighter. Herbs are more aromatic. Nothing feels rushed or processed. You can taste the care in every bite.
Classic Costa Rican Cuisine Done Right
The menu focuses on traditional Costa Rican food, prepared simply and authentically.
One standout is picadilla, a beloved Costa Rican dish made with finely chopped vegetables. At Fredo Fresas, the picadilla features potatoes, corn, sweet red pepper, and plenty of fresh cilantro—grown right in their own garden. The flavors are comforting, earthy, and deeply satisfying.
Then there is the classic casada, the plate of the day and a cornerstone of Costa Rican cuisine. A typical casada includes:
- Fluffy white rice
- Savory black beans
- Picadilla de papas (potato picadilla)
- A small green salad of crisp lettuce and tomato, lightly dressed with fresh lime
- Warm homemade tortillas
- And your choice of meat, grilled over a wood-burning fire
The tortillas alone are worth the stop—soft, warm, and far removed from anything you’ll find packaged in a supermarket.
My husband chose a grilled chicken sandwich, served on freshly baked bread made that same day. It was simple, flavorful, and absolutely delicious.
Strawberries, Milkshakes, and a Sweet Surprise
True to its name, Fredo Fresas (which translates to “Cold Strawberries”) is famous for its fresh strawberry milkshakes. The strawberries are locally grown, sweet, and bursting with flavor.
We each ordered one, and they were nothing short of scrumptious—thick, creamy, and refreshingly cold against the cool mountain air.
And the best part?
The entire meal—for two people, including milkshakes—cost just $14.00.
In today’s world of overpriced tourist restaurants, this feels almost unbelievable.
An Unexpected Personal Tour
Just when we thought the experience couldn’t get better, Emilio surprised us with a personally guided tour of his property.
Across the street from the restaurant is his home, where he introduced us to Bambi, his pet baby deer. Yes—an actual deer. Gentle, curious, and completely at ease around people, Bambi was a joy to meet.
Then there was Camillo, Emilio’s beautiful golden retriever. The bond between the two animals was heart-melting. Bambi affectionately licked Camillo’s face, and Camillo stood patiently, tail wagging, as if this were the most natural thing in the world.
Moments like this don’t happen on packaged tours. They happen when people genuinely want to share their lives with you.
A Walk Through Private Cloud Forest
Next, Emilio led us along a private rainforest trail that winds through his property. The path passes a small stream, shaded by towering trees and thick cloud forest vegetation. The air was filled with birdsong, and overhead we heard the unmistakable calls of wild green parrots that make their home in this high-altitude forest.
As we walked, Emilio explained that during the month of August, visitors are sometimes lucky enough to spot the elusive and legendary Resplendent Quetzal. With its brilliant emerald-green feathers and long tail, the quetzal is one of Central America’s most iconic and reclusive birds.
Just knowing that such a creature lives here adds a layer of magic to the experience.
Inside the Organic Greenhouse
The final stop on our impromptu tour was Emilio’s greenhouse, home to his organic vegetable garden. Inside, neat rows of onions, lettuce, green peppers, black beans, and cilantro thrived in the cool mountain climate.
This was not a show garden created for tourists—it was a working garden, essential to the family’s daily life and the restaurant’s kitchen. Seeing where the food comes from, and meeting the person who grows it, deepens your appreciation for every meal.
Why Fredo Fresas Matters
Fredo Fresas is special not because it is fancy, but because it is honest.
It represents the best of Costa Rica:
- A deep respect for the land
- A commitment to family and community
- A slower, more meaningful way of living
- And a generosity of spirit that welcomes strangers as friends
In a country known for its natural beauty, places like this remind us that Costa Rica’s greatest treasure may be its people.
Final Thoughts
If your travels take you to Poás Volcano National Park, don’t rush back down the mountain. Take the time to stop at Fredo Fresas. Enjoy a warm meal, breathe in the cool mountain air, meet a family who truly lives the Costa Rican way, and let yourself slow down.
It was, without question, a great day—one of those travel experiences that stays with you long after the journey ends.
Please join us for our next posting, where we will continue sharing interesting stories of special people, memorable places, and the simple lifestyle that makes Costa Rica so extraordinary.