Exploring Punta Mita -5 Top Restaurants

Exploring Punta Mita – 5 Top Restaurants

7 min read –  Before we dive into Exploring Punta Mita – 5 top restaurants, full disclosure…If you’ve logged any time on JauntyLife you know that  Bev & I love to spend time in Punta Mita, Mex and are frequent visitors. Located 25 miles north of Puerto Vallarta, Punta Mita is a luxurious resort community. It sits on a 1500 acre peninsula, sporting 3 sides of pristine beachfront. Also El Anclote, the low key surf town just outside the gates, perfectly complements Punta Mita.

Golf, surf, sport fishing, diving, hiking, biking, tennis, pickleball, spas or just plain lounging are all on the menu.

Speaking of Menus… 

Here’s the 5 top restaurants in Punta Mita (nailed the segue!!)

There are numerous fine restaurants both inside and just outside the gates of Punta Mita. The ones we discuss here stand out to us for their sublime food and excellent service!

P.S.  -All of these restaurants are also a quick golf cart ride away, if you’re staying in Punta Mita. Yes, you can drive your golf cart into El Anclote. 

La Rustica Mita

Location – El Anclote, on the main street. On the water, near main surf break. At the botom of the hill, turn left. It will be on your right.

Hours – 2-10PM, closed Tuesdays

Vibe –  La Rustica is both the perfect happy hour and dinner spot. Sit under the open air palapa overlooking the surfers and the expansive view of Banderas Bay. It’s a beach club atmosphere that’s bathing suits during the day and a little more dressed up (beach casual) in the evenings, for dinner. The atmosphere is festive and modern.

“A modern, open-air eatery that serves the best wood fired pizza, salad, pasta and seafood in Sayulita. The bar has an outstanding selection of cocktails, the best margaritas in Mexico and great local craft beers”

Our Favorite Fare – 

The Alcachofa Rostizada – Roasted artichoke with Gorgonzola cheese and truffle oil dip.
Gnocchi – Homemade potato dumplings accompanied with Alfredo sauce and a drizzle of infused oil with parmesan and chives.
La Picosita Pizza –  Spicy tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, shrimp, jalapeño, cilantro & slices of fresh avocado.
La Guapa Salad – Spinach, avocado, oranges supreme, dried cranberries, purple onion, toasted almonds drizzled with La Rústica balsamic dressing.

The Fresh catch or Butchers Cut of the day is always a great option!

Vacation Jump start Kit

Cocktail to consider –  The Smokey Sweet, Margarita de la Pasión by Porfirio Hernández: Unión Joven, homemade orange liqueur, orange juice, passion fruit syrup, cinnamon.

Pricing –  $$-$$$

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In a related Story…

Here’s another article on Punta Mita if you’re curious…

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Mina’s (Formally, Si Senor or DeMita) 

Location –  El Anclote, on the main Street overlooking the Bay, next to Si Sushi & Mictlan Surf . At the bottom of the hill, turn left.

Hours – Noon to 11

Vibe – Mina’s, formerly named Si Senor, has been a staple restaurant in El Anclote for several years. Cozy, outdoor dining on the sand, under palm trees and vibrant tapestries. It’s “A+” location on the beach overlooks the surf & the town marina; a great spot to watch the sun drop with a cocktail! It’s beach casual dining with a hip, festive atmosphere. Emphasis here is on FESTIVE! Strolling musicians, jovial wait and bar staff, topping off your drink from time to time are all part of a night at Mina’s.

The food is excellent and if fresh fish is your thing, Mina’s preparation and variety of marinades are outstanding! They also have private dining areas if you’re looking to have a larger get together with friends.

Favorite fare – 

Carne Al Pastor – Love their version of Al Pastor! –   Pork meat marinated with Adobo salsa pineapple & Cheese.

Mole Pablano – 30 ingredients go into Mina’s Mole sauce, over chicken. Rich and delicious!

Caddis Reader Sunglasses for outdoor Summer Fun!

The catch of the day – prepared with Mina’s Tres Chillis (three chillies) sauce or the Arriero Sauce (cambray potatoes, onion, guajillo chilli, garlic, wine, olive oil & paprika) Dorado, Tuna, Snapper are all terrific!

Carnitas – Moist & flavorful Oven roasted pork, pico de gallo, guacamole & molcajete sauce.

Cocktail to consider – The Pineapple Ginger Margarita

Pricing –  $$-$$$

Tacos Y Papas

UPDATE ALERT!! – Tacos y Papas opening its beautiful, bigger, new location, one block up from its original spot. More to love about Tacos 7 Papas!

Location –  A quarter mile into El Anclote, before the Main Street, on a side street to your left, across from the Mini Super

Hours – 5 to 10:30

Vibe – For 10 years, one of our absolute favorites! Quaint, family run, simply delicious food. Tacos Y Papas serves up mouth watering Street Tacos, Stuffed Potatoes, Quesadillas & Tostaditas.

Tacos Y Papas feels a lot like sitting down in a good friend’s kitchen for a tasty, hearty meal. The relaxed atmosphere is inviting, family friendly & low key. A margarita or beer from the bar compliments the excellent food. Throw on shorts & a T and enjoy!

CASH ONLY – Tacos Y Papas is a cash only restaurant. They will provide the bill in Pesos & USD. Given the reasonable cost for a great meal, it’s a minor inconvenience!

Favorite fare – 

The Stuffed Potato – with Chorizo or Carne Asada

The Pibil (pork) & Mahi Mahi  Tacos

Cocktail to consider – No special concoction of the house, but there is a full bar.

Pricing – $-$$

Pacifico Beach Club

The original OG owners beach club! Remodeled in 2019…

Location – Inside the gates of Punta Mita, on the Pacific Ocean side of the peninsula. Pacifico is nestled between the Four Seasons Resort & the Whales Tail: The signature Island green on the Pacifico Golf Course. 

Hours – 9am to 10:30PM

Vibe – Grabbing a meal at Pacifico Beach Club provides spectacular views of the Pacific, as well as amazeballs cuisine!  Breakfast, lunch or dinner… there’s always something tasty on the menu. Breakfast & lunch are served under the palapa or your lounge chair on the beach or near one of the two pools. Of Course bathing suits are the norm here. Dinner in the evening is more dressed up. Still, a nice pair of shorts & Tee would be fine. Throwing on something nice blends nicely too!

Craft Cocktail Kits – Perfect for vacation or the flight!

The Pacifico wait staff is friendly and very accommodating. I guess an upscale beach club without the attitude would best describe Pacifico Beach Club. A full bar and wide selection of wine is available to pair with your meals. Come for happy hour and watch the sun drop before your dining experience. During high season, make a reservation to have dinner right on the beach out front!

Favorite fare –  Since it’s breakfast, lunch and dinner there are too many delectable dishes to list here. Certainly, anything with fresh caught fish is in Pacifico’s wheel house. There are always specials worthy of consideration.

Cocktail to consider –  Signature margaritas, robust wine selection.

Pricing – $$-$$$$

Hectors Kitchen

Location – El Anclote on the main street, when you reach the bottom of the hill, turn right

Hours – 5:30 – 10:30

Vibe – Chef Hector Leyva knows the devil is in the details. Using only fresh local ingredients, Hectors Kitchen offers a gastronomic experience you won’t soon forget. This is iin a town already brimming with great restaurants. Intricate appetizers and entrees are masterfully prepared in a sleek, modern atmosphere. Great Wine and craft cocktails rule the day at Hectors.

Having eaten at Hector’s a few times, we’ve seen Chef Hector make the rounds to his guests, to ensure they are having a wonderful experience and answering any questions regarding the food. This is a very hands-on restaurateur. The dress is beach upscale. Reservations are a good idea, especially during high season.

If you’re in Punta Mita for a while, you should also consider going with Hector to the fish market. “Tour De Mercado” gives you a chance to see how Hector selects the fish for the restaurant. Then you can go back to the restaurant and cook with Hector; a great educational meal!  It’s $100 USD per person and takes about 3 hours.

Favorite fare – 

Short Rib Rolls – Red curry, apple & daikon slaw, cashews, cilantro emulsion

Vegan Appetizer – Roasted sweet potato, mushrooms, eggplant, green pepper, huancaína sauce

Pork Belly Taco – Pork belly, black beans, avocado silk, pickled onion, charred salsa.

Duck Magret –  Oaxaca black mole, plantain molote, corn crumble (Contain Nuts).

Catch of the Day – Catch of the day, peanut sauce, roasted cauliflower, cilantro hummus, pumpkin seed (Contain Nuts).

For a tasty  desert Brioche Toast – Goat cheese ice cream, figs, vanilla crumble.

Pricing – $$$-$$$$$

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In a related Story…

Here’s another article on Punta Mita if your curious…

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