The Ultimate Guide To Eating In Sayulita 2024

Updated November 2024: New places have opened, some have closed, rebranded, and/or opened in new locations. It’s sad to have to delete some of my favorite places that are no longer around, but I’m enjoying the new cuisine available in Sayulita and constantly add worthwhile new restaurants to this list. 

One of the many reasons I come down to Sayulita in Mexico at least a couple of months every year is to eat. It’s like a second home for me. I can’t think of many spots in the world with such a concentration of good food and stalls in such a small area.

Over the years, I must have eaten at nearly every restaurant and stall in Sayulita. Surprisingly, for such a small town, there are over 100 different places to try.

I’ve broken it down by different categories and budgets, starting with my favorite go to spots. Note: For convenience, I mostly focused on restaurants in and around the center of Sayulita.

Don’t forget to bookmark this page for your visit and also check out my full guide to Sayulita.

Food Health and Safety in Sayulita

I get a lot of feedback on this guide from both new visitors and locals alike. Once in a while, I see a comment about someone getting sick eating at one of the restaurants. Calibrate your expectations. Remember that you’re in a foreign country away with cuisine and spices that might be different from what you’re used to at home.

In general, I find the food sanitation standards in Sayulita on par if not cleaner than many places I’ve visited in Mexico. My friends and I have eaten at all of these places time and time again. One incident here and there shouldn’t scare anyone away. Just something to keep in mind.

Is Safe To Drink The Water In Sayulita?

If you’re in a hotel or Airbnb rental, unless it’s specifically stated that you can drink from the tap, I would personally avoid it. Most houses and restaurants will have filtered water in those big dispensers.

Restaurants will use filtered water for drinking and ice, so in general, it’s safe to drink the water in Sayulita and order those iced cold margaritas and agua frescas. Even the ones you see in those big coolers on the street use filtered water and are safe to drink.

Favorite Places | Best Vegetarian/Vegan | Best Seafood | Best Steak/Chicken | Best Places On The Beach | Best Tacos | Best Street Tacos | Best Burgers | Best Breakfast and Brunch | Best Places For Groups/Celebrations | Best Italian | Best Far East | Best Coffee | Best Cocktails/Drinks | Best Desserts | At Home Private Dining 

My Favorite Places To Eat In Sayulita

These are the places that I immediately recommend when someone asks. They are also the places I go on a regular basis and are listed in no particular order.

1. El Itacate. There’s so many things to recommend at El Itacate, but you have to get their arrachera. You can have it on homemade tortilla tacos or wrapped in a shell of fried cheese instead of a tortilla. That one is called the “El Itacate.”

They have a hibiscus taco that vegetarians and carnivores will appreciate and they bring out trays of salsa, beans, fire grilled onions, and pico de gallo for you to add to your tacos. It’s the first place I eat at every time I get into town.

Update: El Iterate opened up at a new bigger location with more seating. While I’ll miss siting right on the bustling street, the new location is more comfortable and less noisy.

2. Mary’s Tacos. The kitchen at Mary’s (location on map) makes the best and most filling shrimp and fish tacos in Sayulita. Everything is cooked to perfection and topped with so many fresh ingredients. Two will fill me up.

My go to dishes are the Sayulita Taco and the Cazuelita, a hearty bowl filled with an assortment of vegetables and rice. You can get it as a vegetarian dish, or topped with any of their proteins. The vegetarian and the shrimps are my favorite.

3. La Fogonera. When I’m feeling indecisive, I head to La Fogonera (location on map), or “Techno Taco,” as it’s affectionately known. You’ll often find house and techno music playing from this food truck eatery. Don’t expect indoor seating or 5 star service, but it’s a staple eatery around here.

I come for the burgers, probably my favorite in town, but the quesadillas and tacos are good choices as well. Vegetarians love their hibiscus and zucchini options for the quesadilla and burgers – and I’m a fan too. They also serve kombucha and the agua fresca is always tasty.

4. Barracuda. This is one of the nicest place to eat in Sayulita right on Calle Delfines (location on map). They serve up the some of the best seafood of any restaurants in the area.

If you only had time for one nice meal in Sayulita, I would send you to Barracuda

I’ve tried most things on the menu, and I highly recommend the seafood molcajete – a volcanic cauldron filled with giant prawns, octopus, arrachera steak, bacon wrapped peppers, and big slabs of queso all swimming in the most delicious sauce.

The chicharron de pescado is another favorite and the tuna sashimi is a great fresh starter. For a quick lunch, I recommend their pepito de arrachanera (tender steak on a French baguette with a chipotle sauce).

And everything should be washed down with either a limonada (with sparkling mineral water) or a frozen mango margarita.

5. Anchor Cafe. It’s always a toss up between Anchor Cafe (location on map) and Miscelanea when I want to have lunch and do some work, but I will probably give the slight edge to Anchor Cafe.

They have a nice selection of sourdough toasts topped with everything from avocado, poached eggs, and smoked salmon to bagels/ciabattas stuffed with Serrano ham, goat cheese, apples and honey) I also love the chia cups, which are basically chia pudding bowls topped with a thick fruit smoothie.

6. El Tiburon. It’s hard to pick only one thing that stands out here, but it’s just a generally great place for a meal. There’s an eclectic menu at El Tiburon (location on map) that mixes classic Mexican with American and Tex-Mex dishes. The burger was surprisingly one of the best I’ve had in town.

I also enjoyed their wachos, which are waffle fries topped with carnitas and green onions. Overall, a lot of classic dishes done right with tasty cocktails.

7. Zingaro. A newer spot and contender for one of the best Italian restaurants in Sayulita. There are so many, but Zingaro (location on map) brings many authentic pasta dishes that were missing and a killer Tiramisu.

Update: They are temporarily closed and will reopen at a new location to be updated.

8. Alas Blancas. There are some unique dishes here that you won’t find elsewhere like sweetbread and bone marrow tacos. With seating on the beach, this is a excellent spot if you’ve got a larger group as well.

Best Vegetarian/Vegan Places In Sayulita

I have a lot of vegetarian friends who struggle on the road sometimes. Fortunately, there are many plenty of excellent vegetarian and vegan options in Sayulita.

1. Anchor Cafe. All the smoothies, smoothie bowls and chia options are obviously vegetarian friendly, but they also have the avocado toasts and bagels with so many delicious veggie combinations. There are so many good choices here that it’s an easy place for a healthy breakfast or lunch.

2. Northswell Sabor Flavor. This plant-based shop (location on map) started as a vegan dessert spot that specializes in gluten-free recipes without refined sugars. The desserts are still amazing, but they now have a full menu with crepes, bowls, tostadas, burritos, sandwiches, and salads at very good prices.

This place has jumped pretty high on my list in the last few months and I love that the local owner, Clarissa, is also the one doing most of the cooking and recipes.

3. Organi-k. This place was one of the original spots serving up vegetarian and vegan bowl options along with a few acai bowls. Organi-k (location on map) is still an easy go to option for vegetarians. I think the bowls are priced well for what you get, but the smoothies are a little overpriced.

4. Orangy. Next to where I get my laundry is a little nook of a juice bar that serves up the thickest and most delicious smoothies and shakes. Orangy (location on map) also make their own energy balls.

Update: I still kind of like Orangy, but the quality is widely inconsistent depending on who’s working. Some days my smoothies are thick, some days they are more watery. Some days it’s overflowing, other days, it’s below the line. What really bothered me the last time was that I ordered two smoothies and one was filled 75% of the way and the other was overflowing.

5. Attico. Not only is this one of the best outdoor bars (location on map) to go to for live music every night, they’ve got an underrated and overlooked vegetarian menus. Try anything with the yaca (jackfruit) or go for one of their bowls.

Large portions, cheap prices, really high quality ingredients. I was pleasantly surprised the first time I ordered food here, since I had only ever come for the drinks and the music. They do breakfast and lunch here as well.

6. Chaman Creative Kitchen. If you walk away from town on Calle del Palmar (location on map) you’ll have an outdoor garden restaurant with a mix of everything from hibiscus tacos and portobello burgers to a mezcal corn soup and even a cheese board. It’s a fun place for a drink and snacks with friends.

7. La Fogonera. This little food truck serves up one of my two favorite burgers in Sayulita. For vegetarians, they have an option with hibiscus and zucchini that’s always tempting me away from my meaty meaty burger.

8. Mary’s. Get the cazuelita de vegetales and their jamaica (hibiscus) aqua fresca.

9. El Jakal. I wouldn’t call this a vegetarian place, as the selection isn’t very large, but I will come here for their jackfruit (yaca) dishes, especially the jackfruit with mole (location on map).

Note: Sayulita is pretty vegetarian friendly in general and most restaurants will offer enough of menu that you can find something to eat pretty easily.

Best Seafood In Sayulita

Not only do these places offer the best seafood, they are probably the nicest restaurants in Sayulita. You don’t have to dress up, but you could.

1. Barracuda. My favorite of the bunch. The seafood molcajete is why I come, but I like going with others so we can share multiple dishes. The fish is always a fresh catch of the day and cooked perfectly. Every dish will delight. Also, check out the pulpo, if it’s on the menu. If you want something fried, I would get the chicharron de pescado or the calamar Frito.

2. La Rustica. This is on par with Barracuda for serving up the most beautiful dishes. I love the blue and white enamel plates and bowls. La Rustica (location on map) is an Italian restaurant, but they serve up the single best bite of fish taco in Sayulita, in my opinion.

The only problem with those tacos are that they almost too pretty to eat and a little on the smaller side. I recommend getting the grilled octopus here and the mussels, which comes in the creamiest sauce. Update: The octopus doesn’t seem to be on the menu anymore, so definitely try the mussels and the tuna tartare.

3. El Pescador. A new seafood spot (location on map) that’s a little hidden away except for a sign downstairs directing you up. Tucked away, but still right in the plaza with two floors of seating. This is just a good spot for seafood and poke bowls. Their burritos are a steal, but everything is tasty here.

Update: They are currently closed.

4. Estrella De Mar. Tucked away on Avenida del Palmar (location on map), this place is well loved by anyone in the know. You’ll find all your typical options like fresh tuna tostadas, ceviche, also with some slightly different takes on these classics.

5. Kahlo. This spot (location on map) serves more than just seafood, so it’s great if your group wants a nice meal with a lot of options. I like their Chipotle Shrimp and Seared Tuna. The Burrata Pizza is great here too.

Best Steak/Chicken In Sayulita

1. Trattoria Toscana. Right across from Barracuda is one of many Italian restaurants in Sayulita. I don’t much care for their pastas, pizzas, or salads, but this is the place if you want a big steak (location on map).

I’m a fan of the reasonably priced and sized ‘Cowboy’ steak that resembles a mini version of their 1 kg Tomahawk.

2. El Itacate. My favorite spot makes it onto another list. While you don’t get the whole steak like at Trattoria Toscana, you do get the best meat in any taco or burrito in Sayulita here. The arrachera just melts in your mouth.

They serve such generous portions that I always split each taco into two. This is by far the best taco value in town for the amount of meat you get.

3. Rosticeria La Pechugas. A small chain of chicken rotisserie (location on map). They only do one thing here, and they do it well. It’s hard to find better rotisserie chicken in town.

4. Pollos “Yolanda”. If you want flame-grilled chicken, just follow the cloud of smoke up the hill from Attico (location on map). For most, you can fill yourself on a quarter chicken plate with rice, coleslaw and and tortillas. If you’re a bit eater, get the half a chicken. You’ll find the place when you see the giant grill on the street covered with rows of chicken.

Best Places To Eat And Drink On The Beach in Sayulita

1. Alas Blancas. The best food on the beach (location on map) alongside Barracuda. Their dishes are beautifully plated and tasty. I’m a huge fan of the costenas tacos, which is a giant bone marrow topped with shrimp and octopus.

The burgers are big and they’ve even got a fried sweet bread dish served with guacamole. I come back regularly to try all dishes on their menu.

2. Barracuda. One of, if not my favorite, restaurant in Sayulita has two locations. I still prefer going to the original location on Calle Defines, but the one on the beach serves basically the same thing, and it’s on the beach.

3. Coco’s Beach Club. When I want a nice lounge chair with a shady umbrella and a big margarita, this is where my friends and I go (location on map). Even though I’m in Sayulita for months at a time, coming here feels like being on a beach holiday.

They’ve got a large menu, but I recommend their seafood tostadas and ceviches to go with your drinks.

4. El Patio. This is my favorite spot (location on map) for a lazy afternoon michelada. You get a generous portion of michelada mix with a beer and you can keep topping it off with another beer until you finish the whole thing. They serve up some nice small plates too for snacking.

5. Bar La Isla. Cross the river and you get a more quiet and rustic beach spot (location on map) with one of my favorite margaritas. Sometimes I just come out here to nap on the beach and then wake up and have a drink and some tostadas.

6. El Costeno. This constantly packed restaurant is right off  Calle Deflines (location on map) when you get to the beach. Very much a no frills type of beach restaurant that serves up generous portions of grilled fish and the largest margarita you will find in Sayulita.

Don’t get tempted by the extra grande one. It’s like 10 margaritas in one. This place is packed with locals and tourists alike and one of the cheaper options to eat on the beach.

Best Tacos In Sayulita

This is a hard category and everyone has their own opinion. I could have easily broken it down into multiple categories, but this list would be ever longer than it is now. The only category that I broke out of this is for ‘street tacos’ which you can find in the next section. Every place on this list serves handmade tortillas.

1. El Itacate. Not much else to add here. Excellent tacos, regardless of what you order.

2. Mary’s. My second favorite taco place because I love their Baja style fish and shrimp tacos. I like the Sayulita Taco and the Mary’s Taco because of all the extra things they put on top. And their chipotle sauce.

3. Naty’s Cocina. This kitchen (location on map) serves up a lot of the classic tacos you find in Mexico, but oddly don’t find enough of in Sayulita. That’s probably because a lot of these dishes take hours to prepare so it’s a different type of eating experience.

This restaurant is almost like a cafeteria, where you pick your ingredients from the many different trays and bowls My favorite are the mole and cactus tacos that I can still taste as I’m writing this.

4. The Real Fish Taco. I almost wanted to hate this place because of their name and the smaller size of the tacos, but when the fish is fresh, it’s great. The problem is their consistency and who is grilling your fish. (location on map).

5. La Rustica. This place, in my opinion, has the best looking gourmet tacos. For some, the tacos maybe a bit too fancy and small, but damn are they tasty and different from what you normally get in town.

6. Luna’s. You get your very classic meats like asada and adobado here (location on map). The prices are cheap to begin with and you’ll be pleasantly surprised when you see how big the tacos are. I always forget this and order too much.

Best Street Tacos In Sayulita

By street tacos, I usually refer to these carts with a giant rotating ‘trompo’ of meat. This is Mexico’s version of fast food and late night eating. They are greasy and delicious and it’s always a good idea to end the night with a couple of these.

1. Tacos Tono. A raved about spot (location on map) that’s well loved by the locals. For vegetarians and meat lovers alike, I’m dragged here more often than I’d like and I never regret it, but my cholesterol levels are not helped by these frequent visits.

2. Tacos Tal Ivan. Everyone ends up here because it’s right by the main square (location on map) and is still open at 3 am when you’re ending your night. It’s definitely a part of the Sayulita nightlife experience.

3. Rinconcitos. This is another spot (location on map) that has been around for as long as I’ve been visiting Sayulita. These ladies serve up some fast tacos during the day and a new “restaurant” takes over in the evening

4. Taqueria Los Reyes. This small restaurant (location on map) with a parilla grills up fresh meat to appease any carnivore, but there are plenty of vegetarian options too. Tortillas are handmade, portions are large, but more importantly the flavor is fantastic and prices don’t make the locals balk.

5. Birria “Patty” Cart. When it’s open, you’ll always find a little crowd standing this little cart (location on map) around during the daytime. They serve up these fried birria tacos that are artery clogging good.

6. Cabeza Cart. Another one with no name. It’s usually around earlier in the day in front of Orangy. I love it for the cabeza (head) and lengua (tongue) tacos. They occasionally have sesos (brain) too, and that’s my favorite.

7. Carnitas. Right at corner before you cross the bridge (location on map), is a little shack that serves up really tender carnitas for 20 pesos. I love it. Ignore the two bad reviews on Google complaining about the music at midnight because they’re not even open at night. This place was here long ago for the locals and I’m glad it’s still here.

Best Burgers In Sayulita

Like tacos, everyone has an opinion when it comes to the humble hamburger. For me, I like a steamed brioche bun with a runny egg and loaded with toppings.

1. La Fogonera. This place easily takes the top spot despite strong competition and some really smashing burgers offered around town. Fogonera offers a handful of sirloin beef and vegetarian burgers with one of the best hand crafted brioche buns.

It is crunch on the outside and fluffy on the inside to hold the well-seasoned patties and caramelized onions. I’m a fan of the Munchies burger that comes with bacon and a fried egg I order over easy (medio cocido), but the Hawaiian and the Vegetarian are just as amazing. Don’t forget the the Chipotle Cremosa sauce

2. El Tiburon. This American/Tex Mex spot down a small alley offers excellent comfort cuisine. During my burger review binge, I ordered their Gringo burger and was almost ready to proclaim it my favorite in Sayulita. It was close.

The waffle fries are the best fries I’ve had in town. Their do Coca-Cola onions instead of caramelized onions and its served on a brioche bun.

My only knock on it is on the priciest side for a burger, especially when you start adding the extras like bacon, avocado or a fried egg. Especially when you compare it with La Fogonera.

3. Ruben’s Deli. Ruben’s is a sandwich place, but it is my go to spot (location on map) for amazing hot sandwiches. It’s right in the center, and you can smell their buttery, grilled sandwiches every time you walk down Calle Deflines.

There are so many good choices like the Reuben, the Patty Melt, and the Pastrami. The cold pasta selection is amazing as well, but I never choose anything except for the Asian noodle salad.

4. Public House. This is sports bar and pub (location on map) that offers a simple but well executed menu. I’m a fan of their Cobb Salad with fried chicken, but the burger here is also done pretty well.

For vegetarians, they have a decent Beyond burger, with a plant based patty that tastes similar to real beef.

5. La Katrina. There are a few different burgers here (location on map) with my favorite being the Sayulita Suprema topped with shrimps and chipotle sauce. It’s priced between La Fogonera and El Tiburon.

Best Breakfast and Brunch Spots In Sayulita

1. Yah Yah. This health food haven is my favorite place to have a quiet breakfast (location on map) and coffee away from the crowd. It’s also a have a coffee and chat with friends. I can’t say enough about this place because there are so many options to choose from whether you go the loaded bagel/croissant route or the pretty-Instagram bowl route.

They’ve also got Vietnamese iced coffee so that automatically gets an extra star in my non-existent rating system. It’s organic-friendly, vegan-friendly, gluten-friendly, and so many other types of friendly all in one high-ceilinged modern café. Update: They just opened a second location across the bridge on Avenida Revolución.

2. Anchor Cafe. My go-to spot for breakfast/brunch/lunch on a working day. They close at five and everything is good there. Scroll up and read more about why this place makes it into my “favorites” list.

3. Pakeke. A new spot in town (location on map) that serves up a very simple menu, but done so well that I return regularly for their thin pancakes (almost like a crepe) and smoothies.

4. Orangy. If I want a liquid breakfast that is packed with all the nutrients and macros I need, I will turn to Orangy. Their smoothies, are by probably the best in the town, and you can get them with protein powder too.

5. Chocobanana. This is one of the oldest restaurants in Sayulita (location on map). Named for their offering of chocolate covered bananas, which you absolutely need to get. Come with friends because the more chocobananas you get, the cheaper they are.

This is a spot if you’re missing something from home. Sometimes you just want bacon and eggs or a full English breakfast instead of from huevos rancheros or chilaquiles. No one is judging.

6. Tierra Viva. Come here for their Eggs Benedict (location on map). Everyone comes here for their Eggs Benedict. So come here for their Eggs Benedict. I like mine with shrimp.

Best Spots For Large Groups and Celebrations

I’ve been getting a lot of private questions about where to go for a large group or a birthday celebration, so here’s where I recommend. For obvious reasons, I’d call ahead to make a reservation ahead of time.

1. La Rustica. This is probably the easiest recommendation because they have a lot more seating indoors than what you see on the street. All their dishes are great and some are my favorites in Sayulita. It’s also one of the classier spots with a large selection of cocktails and wine, so it’s perfect for celebrating.

Location wise, it’s right in the center and there’s always some street performance happening most nights of the week right in front. The only downside I see is that it’s always a crowded place. If you are looking for something a little private or intimate check out the next place on the list.

2. Casa Lvnae. This is one of the newest restaurant in Sayulita and part of a small group of spots that have elevated the dining scene. This is vibrant and elegant spot for a date or celebration. (location on map).

 

3. Don Juan’s. This is a favorite of many locals and expats and a lot of tourist will miss it because it’s not in the town center. The food is great here and there is parking (location on map). For a group celebration, you’ll find it’s much more private than most of the places in the center, like La Rustica.

It’s a little out of town, but only about a 10 minute walk down calle Pelicanos and Nuevo Gallicia to the Punta Mita highway.

4. Alas Blancas. For something on the beach, Alas Blancas is one of my two go-to spots, alongside Barracuda. The food is great and the location is perfect if you want to see the sun come down. It’s on the main stretch of beach, so it’s a pretty crowded area, but it doesn’t take anything away from eating here.

5. Barracuda. There are now two locations in Sayulita. The original one in town is where I always go, but the seating is a lot more limited. You might be able to get a large reservation, but I’ve never tried.

There’s a second location on the beach, which I think would be easier for a larger group. Barracuda is one of my favorite restaurants, so you can’t go wrong with any of the dishes on the menu.

Best Italian Food In Sayulita

For a Mexican town, there is a surprising number of Italian options in Sayulita, and they are all quality ones serving up hand made pastas and oven fired thin crust pizzas.

1. Zingaro. One of the newest Italian spots and already establishing itself well. This place is amazing – both food and the decor. During the day, you can get some freshly toasted paninis and other deli favorites along with amazing espresso.

In the evening, it becomes a lively spot for creative cocktails, freshly made pastas, breads, and even their own hand-stretched burrata. They have a killer tiramisu that’s made table side and some of the best cheeses you can find in Sayulita. If you like a show, you’ll love the big cheese wheel they light on fire for one of their pasta dishes.

Update: They are temporarily closed and plan on reopening in a new location.

2. Casa Lvnae. The newest fine dining experience in Sayulita comes from the owner of the popular Zingaro restaurant. Building off the success of their authentic take on Italian dishes, owners Dany and Vanessa, has opened one of Sayulita’s most elegant dining experience. Definitely put this one on your list.

3. L’Ulivo. The unassuming restaurant down a side street in Sayulita (location on map) just happens to be my one of my new favorite place to get Italian food – and that’s saying a lot.

The food and drinks are top notch and on pair with the best Sayulita has to offer.

I am in love with their Burrata and aged Proscuitto. I would come in just to share this dish as a snack with a friend. The pastas are superb and their Aperol Spritz is the one of the best I’ve tasted in Mexico.

4. La Rustica. La Rustica is a strong contender in this category and have been around for a while. Their wood fired oven pizzas are not large, but they are so delicious and possibly my favorite slice in town. The pastas remind me of the plates I eat in smaller Italian villages.

5. Marcolino. This place used to be called Mamma Mia’s (location on map), but they’ve expanded their kitchen into the space next door and now it’s Marcolino. Their pastas are homemade and in general, it’s a huge improvement over a few years ago with the new kitchen. The only thing that bugs me is that they add cream to their Carbonara.

Best Asian Food In Sayulita

For the longest time, Asian food was missing in Sayulita. Then came Achara with one of first proper Asian restaurants, serving Thai. Sadly, they’ve closed. But luckily, new spots have popped up over the years and the trend has fully caught on. Finally, there is decent Asian food in Sayulita.

1. Henshin Sushi. This restaurant is part of the Casa Nawalli Resort (location on map) and was one of the first spots in Sayulita to offer high-quality sushi in Sayulita. They do an omakase-style dinner where the chef prepares a multi-course meal for you based on your food preferences, budget, and hunger level.

Reservations are required. They are only opened for dinner from 5 to 10 pm and they are closed Sunday and Monday.

2. Sushi N Surf. This is one of Sayulita’s newest Japanese restaurant (location on map) and brings another quality sushi option right in the center of Sayulita. It’s located off the side of the central plaza. I no longer have to go into Puerto Vallarta for sushi. I also like they they offer 10% off for locals and 15% for people working in the local restaurant scene.

3. Yoku Dekita. There was a lack of Japanese food options for years, and now they are just opening back to back. Yoku Dekita (location on map) is a food truck that serves Japanese dishes, along with sushi nigiri and a couple of rolls. Might not fit the bill for everyone, but the quality is decent.

4. Paku Paku. Proper Japanese ramen has always been missing in Sayulita. A few places have tried, but it wasn’t close. I wouldn’t call Paku Paku’s ramen authentic, but it comes a little closer (location on map).

It’s Japanese themed, but serves a mix of Japanese/Korean food like gyozas, yakisoba, rice with kim chi, and sushi. It’s now a part of Mucho Bueno.

Best Coffee In Sayulita

The ordering and even selection in this category could cause endless debate, depending on who you ask. Just ignore them. These are my favorite places.

1. Miscelanea. This is my go to working space/coffee shop (location on map). It’s well hidden away with only a small sign next to Emelianos. This coffee place would fit right in with the Portland or Melbourne coffee scene. You can get your flat whites and drip coffee filtered through a Chemex or V60 filter, amongst other options. For me, the best coffee in town.

2. Paninos Window.  This little walk up window (location on map) serves up espresso like I get in Europe. Probably my most frequented place for coffee since it’s so quick and tasty. I always ask for a double espresso with leche condensado and get my Vietnamese coffee that way.

4. Yah Yah. My favorite breakfast places serves up a nice selection of coffee that’s just as good their space is quiet. It’s just a farther walk than the other places that keep me from coming here more often.

5. La Libreria. This quirky coffee stand is just outside of La Libreria (location on map), a little hidden gem of a bookstore where you can buy and sell used books. You definitely have to stop by at least once. It’s a little further away from where I usually stay, but worth the short walk for a cold iced coffee.

Best Places For A Nice Drink In Sayulita

I prefer a cold beer or Michelada on the beach most days, but sometimes I’m in the mood for a nice cocktail or mezcal. Note: There are quite a few restaurants that make really delicious drinks, but this is a list is for drinking only places.

1. Escondido. This place should be more popular than it is (location on map). They make the best and most inventive cocktails in Sayulita.

Update: Sadly, this place has now closed.

2. Lucid. If you like a little tucked away spot (location on map) where you can drink moscow mules out of copper cups, then this is the place to go. This is my go to spot for happy hour drinks between 4-8 pm. They’ve got a cucumber mojito for 60 pesos, a tangerine margarita for 50 pesos and and a michelada for 50 pesos amongst other things.

It’s not on the beach, but there’s a nice view right down to the ocean.

3. La Zouave. A popular hangout spot (location on map) in Sayulita. They have a nice menu of margaritas with either tequila or mezcal.

4. El Patio. More of a day drinking spot, but this place has excellent micheladas and margaritas and right on the beach (location on map). It’s either Lucid or El Patio for me when I want a drink before the sun goes down.

5. Aloha. Another spot (location on map) on the beach, this place has a little “garden” area where you can watch the sun come down (behind the mountain). I’m a fan of their drinks, though I prefer their blended margaritas to the ones on the rocks here.

6. Cava. A close second to Escondido when it comes to cocktails, Cava (location on map) which will delight you with their creative cava and mezcal based cocktails. I’d go here if what you’re after are tequila or mezcal based cocktails.

7. Sayulinda Rooftop Bar. This is one of the highest spots right in the center of town (location on map) to watch the sunset and there’s a swimming pool, ping pong table and hammocks.

The only catch is that you need to pay for a “day pass” to get up here. It’s 600 pesos, but you get 400 pesos in bar credits, so I don’t actually think it’s a bad deal if you want to spend the day lounging by a pool.

Best Desserts, Ice Cream and Pastries In Sayulita

There is no order at all to this list. I visit these places regularly in between meals for some sweet or a quick snack.

1. Casa Gourmet. A simple bakery that offers my favorite pastry in town (location on map) if you can manage to snag them right as they come from the oven. The croissants are done in the classic French style. I try to avoid walking by this place, because when I do, I always stop for a pan de chocolate.

2. Paris Delice. This is a small bakery owned and operated by a Parisian woman (location on map). If you fancy a croissant, pan au chocolate, tart, eclair, palmier, or a number of other French treats, you’ll love it here.

The croissants were a little on the greasy side for me when I had it, so I’m hoping to try it again to see if it was just a bad batch. The pan au chocolate was very big and puffy and had a chewy bite that I liked (but it wasn’t really flaky or crispy).

3. Mexicolate. Another transplant from San Pancho, this place (location on map) is amazing for chocolate lovers. Try anything with the spicy chocolate. Their hot chocolate is a great breakfast treat too and very thick in good way.

My favorite is the cacao smoothie or smoothie bowl with strawberries (all my friends prefer banana though). Another must-try item is their aqua de cacao (cacao water). It’s so refreshing and flavorful.

4. Northswell Sabor Flavor. A new plant-based and gluten free spot by one of the nicest people I know in Sayulita. This cute shop (location on map) offers some surprising gluten-free desserts that tasted like their normal counterparts.

They also sources coffee beans locally from the mountain range of Compostela in the Nayarit region. Check out their instagram if you want to see what’s on offer.

5. Postres Tables in the Plaza. On the western side of the main square, you’ll find two tables filled with all sorts of delicious cakes and cheesecakes. One serves cakes from Costco and the other is homemade (location on map).

I feel a little guilty for this, but I prefer Yvonchi’s cheesecakes, which are the store bought ones. She’s opened up a cute little storefront to just across from Tierra Vive, so if you want to have the same dessert sitting down in an air-conditioned store, now you can. (location on map)

6. Buonissimo. If you want gelato, this is your place (location on map). I can’t get enough of the Ferrero Rocher flavor. Always go for the double scoops.

7. Wakika. Popsicle heaven (location on map). Everything is made with fresh fruit. There are non-dairy and dairy options that are made with yogurt. So many cool combinations, but my favorite is the plain yogurt dipped in chocolate and covered with nuts. I also like the yogurt ice cream in the soft serve variety as well.

Private Chef And Catering

If you have a special occasion and want to bring a private chef to your residence or villa, I would recommend reaching out to Chef Rodrigo Dragonetti at Mexihcah. Rodrigo has a set menu you can choose from or you can work with him to create a custom meal for you and your friends. I’ve sent a lot people to Chef Rodrigo for special celebrations and they’ve all come back with raving reviews.

You can reach out to Chef Rodrigo through his Instagram or on WhatsApp at +52 322 274 0616.

Other Things You Have To Try In Sayulita

Lastly, there are a few other things you’ll find in different locations around Sayulita. Try these if you bump into them.

1. Banana Bread. You can find these from the people walking around on the beach selling them for 50 pesos. Get it. They are so moist and delicious.

2. Churros. There are a couple of vendors selling freshly fried churros. There’s usually a cart right after you cross the bridge and the other is in the plaza where you can get it ‘relleno‘, which is stuffed with chocolate or caramel.

3. Ceviche. It might look sketchy being scooped from a plastic bucket on the beach, but so far I haven’t gotten sick from these ceviche tostadas.

4. Elote. Hot corn with mayonnaise, butter, chili, and lime. Yum. There’s a place next to the OXXO at the corner of Avenida Revolución and Calle Gaviota. There’s also another cart across the bridge with a sign that says “Hay Elote”. It’s between 20-25 pesos for whole corn or a cup topped with cheese, crema fresa, and your choice of salsas.

5. Marquesitas. These Mexican crepes will satisfy that sugar craving of yours depending on what you want to put inside the rolled up crepe. You can find a cart near the plaza and another just by Cesaro.

6. Agua Fresca. It’s the local and fresh version of juices. They are made with real fruits and there are so many good flavors. My two favorites are maracuja (passion fruit) and jamaica (hibiscus).

In parting, I recommend you bookmark this list before you trip. I didn’t include every restaurant because there are just too many. There are a lot of small stalls that I didn’t couldn’t include them all. I think half the fun is trying places randomly.

You really can’t go wrong each at any of these places I’ve mentioned. If you’re heading to Sayulita, don’t forget to check out my Ultimate Guide to Sayulita.

Looking for more travel inspirations? Scroll through some of the 450+ experiences on my bucket list. Maybe you’ll find your next adventure on there.

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Updated on November 11, 2024