Vacations are all about experiencing interesting places, savouring unusual flavours, meeting new friends and embracing different cultures. Often the best way to combine all three is by venturing into destination dining forays and what could be better than having a local to guide through the best of those options.
Miguel Carvalho, founder of Punta de Mita-Rentals and Tripwix Vacation Rentals spent twenty years as Food and Beverage Director for such esteemed groups as Four Seasons Hotels, Hyatt and Mandarin Oriental. Miguel is a long-term Punta Mita resident with a passion for pursuing the best that Punta de Mita area restaurants have to offer.
“My philosophy has always been that because you decide to visit a five-star resort does not necessarily mean you want to pay five-star meal prices, nor confine yourself to traditional dining options. Luckily for us, Punta de Mita is served by an excellent choice of restaurants showcasing the best of Mexican and International flavours from fine dining to street grab n go grub.
Of course, the other excellent option is having a local cook or chef bring the local flavours to you – in villa dining is an excellent and affordable way to enjoy that fish you caught today or design your own culinary experiences ( with and without Mexican wine and Tequila pairings).
Consistently Best Local restaurant
Mina, Punta de Mita
A good restaurant for me is one that delivers consistent greatness through the freshest products, ambience, service, and flavour. In all the years Mina (used to be Si Senor) has been open, it had never failed to deliver the freshest fish, (TRY catch of the day arriero style) interesting ingredient combinations and a great nod to Mexican cultural design
Service options: Dine-in · Takeaway · No delivery
Address: Ave El Anclote 200, 63734 Punta de Mita, Nay.
Lunch and dinner
Phone: 329 291 6652
Hours: Open from Noon . Closes 11 PM
Menu: demitarg.com
Best Fresh Fish
La Pescadora, Punta de Mita
More like a local club than a restaurant, its frequented daily by residents and tourists alike. I come here to grab a super fresh midday ceviche or poke bowl but I recommend La Pescadora for a next -to- the ocean dinner. Always check out the fish which is fresh daily but give the shrimp tacos a try too.
Service options: Dine-in · Takeaway · No delivery
Address: Ave El Anclote 10, Nuevo, 63734 Punta de Mita, Nay.
Lunch and Dinner
Phone: 329 291 5212
Hours: Open ⋅ Closes 11 PM
Kitchen: Open ⋅ Closes 10 PM
Menu: demitarg.com
Best Special Occasion restaurant in Punta de Mita
Tuna Blanca, Punta de Mita
This is the ‘’dress up’’ restaurant for us locals. I personally prefer to sit at the bar and dine casually. You can’t beat the tuna tostada and a great glass of Baja red, but the deck with its ambient lighting, efficient service, white linen table cloths and oceanside location is perfect for a celebration.
Service options: Dine-in · Takeaway · No delivery
Address: Ave El Anclote Lote 5, 63734 Punta de Mita, Nay.
Dinner Only
Phone: 329 291 5414
Hours: Open 5 PM ⋅ Closes 11 PM – Closed on Mondays
Menu: tunablanca.com
Reservations: opentable.com.mx
Best Authentic Mexican Experience
Vista Paraiso Ranch, Higuera Blanca
Vista Paraiso ranch is a large Mexican hacienda better known for its outdoor activities like zip lining, ATV rides and nature hikes. Being a horse guy, I like to visit the prized stallions used in competitions as dancing horses BUT… the hidden secret here is the typical Mexican restaurant that serves the most popular local specialities prepared in a very authentic manner. There is no better setting to enjoy hearty, traditional flavoursome Mexican food.
Address: Carretera Punta de Mita #9 Higuera Blanca
Breakfast and lunch
Phone: 329 298 4008
Hours: Open 9 AM ⋅ Closes 5 PM
Best Live Music in Punta Mita | Best dance and salsa experience in Punta Mita
Aramara Bar and Restaurant, Four Seasons Hotel
Call me a creature of habit but when I find something I like, I stick with it! Aramara is the Four Seasons fine dining venue, but I skip the pomp and go straight to the bar for the best crispy duck tacos in town. Champagne or red wine seem to pair well with this dish, and both are in plentiful supply and variety and can be bought by the glass.
A true bar experience is only possible with a great bartender and some good music. My old buddy Ramiro knows how to pour a mean drink and is a fountain of local knowledge. It’s the only joint in town, year round, to go to for live music and dancing provided by the excellent Cuban band.
Located in Four Seasons Hotel
Dinner only . Live music
Phone (329) 291-6000
Hours: Open 6 PM ⋅ Closes 10 PM
Menu: https://www.fourseasons.com/puntamita/dining/restaurants/aramara/
Live music: Cuban band – Tuesdays and Fridays from 7:30 PM to 10:15 PM
Guitarist – Wednesdays and Saturdays from 8:00 PM to 10:30 PM
Best Traditional Mexican Food
Casa Traditional, Punta de Mita
Real Mexican food with a great atmosphere. Offering one of the best margaritas in town ( I always drink a classic on the rocks with Siete Leguas white tequila) and eat a piping hot, cooked -in- its- own juices, black lava “molcajete” meal served with homemade tortillas, beans and all the usual goodies. You’ll be back for more….
Service options: Dine-in · Takeaway
Address: Carr. Federal la Cruz de Huanacaxtle – Punta de Mita, 63727 Nay.
Dinner ONLY
Phone: 322 222 1812
Hours: Open ⋅ Closes 11 PM
Menu: places.singleplatform.com
Most Romantic Dining Experience
St. Regis Hotel Beach- Private Dining
Book a romantic table for two or a special occasion or an event for 20 of your closest friends – the beachside private BBQ (the restaurant sends different menu options for the customer to choose from) the way to go! Combine an awe-inspiring sunset with some excellent cuts of charcoal grilled meat, a selection of crispy salads and superb service and you have the recipe for a perfect proposal or memories you’ll never forget.
Address Located in St Regis Hotel
Dinner only
Hours: Private BBQ – 6 PM to 10 PM ( time can change up on request)
Phone: 329 291 5896
Best Toes-In -The -Sand Tacos
Mita Mary, St Regis Hotel, Punta Mita
Mexican street food Pacific Ocean style! Taking traditional tacos, quesadillas and tostados to a five star ocean front location seems to bring out the best in everybody! Meet the Haute Taco best washed down with a shot of freezing cold tequila or a fine French wine! This is a great vacation experience that shouldn’t be missed.
Note – do not expect a street food price tag!
Address Located in St Regis Hotel
Lunch and Dinner
Phone: 329 291 5896
Best Pizza Punta de Mita Style | Best for Take Away
La Rustica, Punta de Mita
Ocean side dining with a good selection of freshly made crispy pizzas with a vast array of toppings and healthy bowl choices.
All day casual dining with a great ambience.
I definitely recommend the Punta de Mita restaurant over the Sayulita outlet.
TAKE AWAY
Address: Av. El Anclote 222a, 63734 Punta de Mita, Nay.
Menu: larusticamita.com
Phone: 322 131 7444
Best Argentinian Grill
Punta Mercedes Cociña a la Lena, Punta de Mita
For the carnivores out there, like my wife, Punta Mercedes offers up some tender and juicy cuts of meats grilled over a large open, wood burning pit and cooked in the Argentinian style to perfection. Expect side dishes of garlicky chimichurri and crispy French fries. With an extensive wine list from the owned wine store next door be prepared to try some labels you may not be familiar with but which pair expertly with the meal. Any sweetbread lovers will delight in these crispy, cooked to perfection morsels.
Address: Av. El Anclote 341, 63734 Punta de Mita, Nay.
Hours: Monday to Friday – Open 4 PM ⋅ Closes 11 PM (Closed on Tuesdays)
Saturday & Sunday – Open 1 PM ⋅ Closes 11 PM
Phone: 329 291 6387
Reservations: opentable.com.mx
Best restaurant for Foodies
Zicatela, Punta de Mita
A relative new comer to Punta de Mita, Zicatela is the brain child of my friend and ex colleague Hector Leyva. In this ocean side eatery Hector has created some seriously good dishes, well balanced and worthy of a fine dining setting. Fish, meats and a superb dessert menu offer, to my mind anyway, the most sophisticated eating experience in the area.
Word of advice – skip the small wine glass servings and just buy the bottle!
Service options: Dine-in · Takeaway · No delivery
Address: Av. El Anclote 14, 63734 Punta de Mita, Nay.
Hours: Open 2PM⋅ Closes 11 PM
Menu: zicatelarestaurante.mx
Phone: 322 198 4460
Reservations: opentable.com.mx
Best restaurant Location
Hector’s Kitchen, Kupuri Beach Club, Punta Mita
The old Hectors Kitchen is relocating to Kupuri Beach Club palapa space. From contemporary to al fresco the verdict is still out on the new menu in the new space. Hector is the consummate professional with a great local following so I wish him well in his new digs and look forward to eating there soon.
Service options: Dine-in · Takeaway · Delivery
Hours: Open 6 PM⋅ Closes 10 PM – Monday to Saturday
Phone: 3221425183
Reservations: opentable.com.mx
CONTACT Punta de Mita rentals Concierge
Best Meat Lovers Restaurant
Meet Meat, Bucerias
As close to a big city dining experience as you’ll get in the area, the swanky urban rooftop space does not fail to deliver a huge WOW! In terms of location the views across the Bay to Vallarta and up to Mita are exceptional, the service has been faultless to date and the extensive menu does not disappoint whatever you order. As the name infers this is a speciality meat restaurant but Mexican cuts are as tender and flavourful as their International counterparts. Sides are abundant and for non-meat eaters there are pasta to fresh fish options all as tasty as each other.
A well-priced and varied wine list rounds out the excellent experience. Not to mention some exciting dessert options
Service options: Dine-in · No delivery
Address: Calle Lázaro Cárdenas 84, Flamingos, 63732 Bucerías, Nay.
Hours: Open 5 PM⋅ Closes 10:30 PM – Monday to Saturday (Closed on Sundays)
Menu: grupoargentilia.inteliqr.app
Phone: 322 192 0078
Reservations: opentable.com.mx
Best In Home Dining
And….. My hands down favourite- a private chef in the comfort of my own home who can teach me some new techniques and prepare fish that I have just caught myself…… priceless!
Contact Concierge: yjoya@tripwix.com | +52 322 152 1541
+ Note the information provided here was last updated 10.2023 and hours, days, menu items and services may be subject to change.
