The 20 Best Restaurants in Sayulita, Mexico
We LOVE Sayulita. It’s one of our favorite places that we keep coming back to. It still has it’s small surf town vibe, but also offers great restaurants and affordability. We fell in love the first time we visited for a week and have since stayed for 2-3 months at a time to escape the miserable, Missouri cold winter months.
Restaurants
Coffee & Breakfast
Excellent coffee and food just up “gringo hill”.
What to Order: Serrano on Ciabatta, with any of of their coffees or smoothies.
Tucked behind the main square, grab a table and order some specialty coffee!
What to Order: Corn Pancakes, a specialty coffee
The owner is from Paris, so you’re getting the real deal at this tiny shop on the North side.
What to Order: Pain au chocolat and the ham and cheese croissant.
Fancier fare (also great for dinner), they were SO nice to us and our dog, and the food was fantastic.
What to Order: Chilaquiles, carne asada toast, and a green smoothie
Popular breakfast spot so there might be a bit of a wait. Sur 38 is right next door if you start getting hangry.
What to Order: So many options! Chilaquiles, bagel sandwich, hippy toast, and definitely a cup or three of coffee.
This is a Sayulita institution. The owner has lived and worked in Sayulita since the 70s and has the photos around the restaurant to prove it. First impression, the place seems like it could be a tourist trap, but the service, food, and prices here are all fantastic.
What to Order: Chilaquiles, blueberry pancakes, coffee, and fresh orange juice.
Unfussy little breakfast spot with fresh food and great service.
What to Order: Avocado toast with bacon, fresh orange juice, and coffee.
Lunch & Dinner
This place is in the next town over, but totally worth the trip
What to Order: Shrimp or mushruoom Sope of course (that’s the only thing on the menu)
Just off the main square, but offers a peaceful little garden that’s tucked behind Santa Iguana’s. The food is possibly our favorite in Sayulita.
Order: Burrata Pizza, Porchetta, and chocolate cheesecake with bacon (I said what I said).
Fresh, very delicious, and cooked to order. The ramen and noodles are simply fantastic. If you blink you’ll miss it. Sit in the garden tucked behind the burrito place out front for a more peaceful dinner.
Order: Beef skewers, Ramen, or Yakisoba
Best pizza in town and unbeatable price. A jumbo, wood-fired pizza with option of all 10 toppings, that’s cooked to order and it’s all for under $200 pesos ($10 USD). Make sure you Bring Your Own Booze if that’s what you’re into because they do not serve alcohol.
Order: Jumbo Pizza with your favorite toppings, and tiramisu for dessert.
Delicious and totally unexpected sandwich shop. It’s absolutely tiny, with only 3 tables and no “inside”.
Order: Serrano sandwich on ciabatta with chimichurri. The chicken on ciabatta is also amazing.
High quality tapas and breakfast options and the best wine in town.
What to Order: Dulce Serrano, mole tlayuda, pesto pasta, and the tuna.
Your fancy steak restaurant. Aim for Wednesday or Saturday to take advantage of the live music next door and wine specials.
What to Order: Steak, duh.
New in town, fresh mediterranean fare in a really cool, open rooftop restaurant on the main square.
What to order: Fresh mediterranean bowl with rice, cucumber, tzatziki, olives, tomatoes, and your choice of protein
Wood fired everything! Huge restaurant in the heart of town. Arrive early or make a reservation to make sure you don’t have to wait for a table.
What to order: The pizza is a sure bet, but we love the truffle pasta with chicken.
Cute little Italian place, with a mixed menu that’s short and sweet. Don’t skip the 2 for 1 drink specials.
What to order: Lasagna and shrimp pesto pasta
Very friendly, two story restaurant. Head upstairs to the rooftop for a light breeze and a view of the ocean.
What to order: If you go deep sea fishing and bring in the fish, they will cook it for you here! Otherwise, the arrachera comes with cheese and mole that is amazing.
Drinks
As close to a dog bar as you can get! Grab a drink at this beach bar and watch the sunset over the ocean.
What to order: Specialty margaritas, or a simple glass of wine. They occasionally have a kitchen open and serving food, just ask the owner.
Massive TVs all dedicated to various live sports surround the outdoor patio.
What to order: They have a full menu and the quality is as you would expect from any pub.
What to do in Sayulita
Surf
It won’t be hard to find a place to rent a surfboard for the day or even the week. Whether you need a beginner foam board that’s bigger than your first apartment, or you’re a semi-pro and need a short fiberglass board, there are plenty of options. But if you’re like us an your newbies, then you’ll want to setup a surf lesson. Again, plenty of options, but I recommend Lunazul Surf School. They are decently priced, have a large selection of boards to rent, and their instructors are very kind and patient.
Fish
If you’re looking to do some deep sea fishing, there are plenty of options and captains to choose from. We’ve gone with a captain from Sayulita Surf Center as well as a Captain named Cesar that we found on the beach. You can take your catch to Tierra Viva Restaurant and they can prepare it for you 5 different ways! Our favorite is the tamarindo, butter and garlic, and ceviche.
Beach
Sayulita Beach has two main sides, North and South seperated by a small (and sometimes completely dry) stream/ river. You’ll know it when you see it.
North side - quieter, fewer people, and sometimes a longer walk depending on where you’re staying. The waves on this part are dangerous. Heavy riptides and bigger waves. The experienced surfers and locals go into the surf on this side, but I strongly recommend the south side if you want to get in the water
South side - much calmer waters, with beginner waves. This side is generally noisier with more foot traffic, restaurants, marachi bands, etc. I recommend sitting at The Doc. You’ll get two chairs, an umbrella, bar service, and access to a bathroom all day for 300 pesos ($15 USD).
Los Muertos Beach
Located south of town, this beach is smaller and generally quieter than Sayulita Beach. The waves are also generally much calmer here and you can even swim laps here, too if you’re determined. The bathroom here costs 20 pesos and I recommend you try to avoid using it as much as possible.
Hike
Playa Las Cuevas is a short hike past the northernmost point of Sayulita beach. You’ll go over the rocks, through a bit of jungle, and time the current right to reach it. There are no services on this beach. No bathrooms, no restaurants or bars, nada. So come prepared if you’re looking to stay or if you’re feeling very adventurous, you can hike all the way to San Pancho if you keep heading North along the coast. Leave early/ time the currents so you don’t have to hike with wet shoes. The hike is doable in chacos (sturdy, strappy sandles) or better. I do not recommend trying this out in flip flops. There’s quite a bit of scrambling over rocks.