Yasumi means a break, day off, or holiday.

We were born in Santa Teresa with a simple yet profound intention: to create a space where time slows down — where stepping through the door feels like being transported somewhere else.

We designed an intimate experience — a sushi bar with only 10 seats, where each guest can observe the chefs up close: true culinary artists preparing each piece with Japanese technique and the freshest ingredients.

The warm tones of wood, the attention to detail, and the direct connection with the one preparing your food invite you to pause, taste, and enjoy.

Yasumi is not just a restaurant — it's a moment to return to the present.

Yasumi was born from a shared vision — to bring the intimacy and precision of a traditional sushi bar to Santa Teresa.

We were inspired by similar concept restaurants in Argentina and knew the idea belonged here.

The vision was simple: a minimal, 10-seat bar where Japanese technique meets the freshest local fish.

The philosophy remains the same — simplicity and contrast.

The fish takes the lead; everything else exists to support it, in balance and calm.

Santa Teresa felt like home long before Yasumi existed. The rhythm of the coast — early mornings, surf, fresh food, slow living — shaped us and the restaurant.

It's also the perfect place for sushi. The Pacific brings tuna, mahi-mahi, and red snapper — caught just miles off the Mal Pais beach by local fishermen who still use traditional, sustainable methods. It's all small scale and full of respect for the ocean.

Costa Rican ingredients and Japanese technique meet naturally here — like two worlds that instantly connect. A hand roll with local mahi-mahi and mango chutney tells that story in one bite.

Omakase means "I'll leave it up to you."

At Yasumi, it's more than a meal — it's an experience. Intimate, deliberate, and rooted in the rhythm of the coast.

Each omakase at Yasumi is different, blending Japanese technique with local flavors from the coast. I want guests to feel transported — calm, content, and connected through flavor.

We work with local fishermen from Malpaís, just a few miles from our coast. Their sustainable methods and precise handling — especially with tuna — ensure the fish arrives fresh, deep red, and full of flavor.

At Yasumi, freshness is everything. Fish comes in every other day, and we cut only what we need. Our rice is seasoned with a house-made Japanese vinegar blend that rests for weeks to develop depth and balance.

We love hand rolls because they offer a different way to experience sushi — holding it in your hands, feeling the texture, tasting it at its freshest.

At Yasumi, the counter is warm and inviting. Guests sit close to the chefs, sharing a calm, personal atmosphere that allows for true attention to detail — both in the food and the connection across the counter.

Each roll is made seconds before it's served, the nori kept crisp in a gently warmed box. That first bite — the crunch of seaweed and the freshness of the fish — is where everything comes together. Yasumi is a moment to pause, to taste, and to be present.

Yasumi Sushi — Santa Teresa, Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica (60111). A short walk from the beach and close to the main road. For counter seats, please book ahead.

Dietary notes: share allergies or restrictions when booking and we will adapt where possible.