There are only three restaurants in Cabo Matapalo: the restaurant at Lapa Rios Ecolodge, the restaurant at Encanta La Vida lodge and Buena Esperanza. Because food has to be brought in from Puerto Jimenez, both Lapa Rios and Encanta la Vida require prior notice to be able to prepare a meal. You may be able to get away with an unannounced breakfast or even lunch, depending on how large your group is, but dinner reservations should be made by 2p.m.
Buena Esperanza, also known as “Martina's” is, right now, the only independent restaurant in Cabo Matapalo. It operates normally - no reservation required, and is also by far the cheapest of the three places. An organic produce farmer's market is held here every Friday at 4:20.
The Osa Vida also plans to open a soda by high season this year. In the past, the people at Casa Tortugas de Oro have prepared the meals for guests of Osa Vida, so if you're in a pinch you might be able to get a meal here.