17 Best Restaurants in Sayulita Mexico You Can’t Miss in 2023
Heading to the little surf town of Sayulita? These are the best restaurants in Sayulita Mexico you can’t miss.
The little coastal surf town of Sayulita is becoming more and more popular every day. For good reason. Located on the Riviera Nayarit and just 40 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta, Sayulita is the perfect place to come for a couple of days. There are so many things to do in Sayulita such as shopping, spending time on the beach and surfing but what makes Sayulita really stick out is its eating options. The restaurants in Sayulita are a must.
For such a small town it sure has its fair share of incredible restaurants to fit all tastes and budgets. Here you’ll find aesthetic, Instagrammable cafes, local eats and Mexican street food as well as great international cuisines like Italian and Thai.
After recently spending quite a few days making our way around quite a fair share of restaurants in Sayulita, prioritizing those that serve healthy, plant-based cuisine, I’m happy to report that by the end of it, our stomachs and our souls have come back full.
So what makes a restaurant the best restaurant for us? Well, if you come here often you’ll know we are all about healthy travel and wellness and uncovering the best places that support that kind of lifestyle.
Saying that however, we don’t compromise on authenticity or taste either. If you’re also looking for fresh and healthy yet tasty and authentic food you’re in the right place.
Keep reading for our list of the best restaurants in Sayulita Mexico that you have to eat at least once.
*This ‘restaurants in Sayulita’ post contains affiliate links meaning I might make a small profit if you choose to book at no extra cost to you. This helps me to keep providing you with top quality content for free.
Note: There aren’t any vegan restaurants in Sayulita (apart from a taco joint or two) but most restaurants and cafes have veggie or plant-based options. The one fully vegetarian restaurant, Americua which we wanted to try always seemed to be closed whenever we walked past. According to their opening hours on Google, they are generally open for dinner if you want to check them out yourself.
Read more: Top Things to Do in Sayulita Mexico: The Complete Travel Guide
17 Best Restaurants in Sayulita Mexico
Sueños Creative Cuisine and Cocktails
The best place in Sayulita for conceptual and creative food this is a must for all foodies. Using ideas from global cuisines, Sueños leans more towards modern European cuisine yet uses only the freshest ingredients from Jalisco. There’s the perfect balance of meat, fish and vegetarian dishes on the menu making this a great spot for anyone looking for a fine dining alternative. There are also many vegan options and the chefs and open to veganising dishes.
Like the food, the cocktail menu is just as creative. We couldn’t resist trying the ‘Nube de Oro’. Make sure not to miss this gem, there’s no creative menu quite like it around.
Best for: Dinner
Hours: 3 pm – Midnight
Where: Marlin 23
Check out their menu here
Anchor Cafe
Hands down my favourite cafe in all Sayulita a visit to Anchor Cafe at least once during your stay in Sayulita is a must.
It’s best at breakfast time where you can dig into extraordinary portions of banana bread french toast, vegan chia pudding topped with a frozen smoothie and creamy avocado toast on homemade sourdough.
There’s also an array of smoothie bowl options, bagel and ciabatta sandwiches and smoothies.
The selection of drinks is also something to write home about. From matcha lattes to oat milk cappuccinos, cold brew and homemade Balinese-style Jamu juice (turmeric and ginger mix) everything is super fresh, tasty and extremely well-presented.
Anchor Cafe also has a small lunch menu where you can get fresh soup with grilled cheese or a farm bowl that includes hummus and fresh veggies on a bed of brown rice.
If you’re looking for a great cafe with quality food and a great aesthetic, make sure to come to Anchor.
Best for: Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch
Hours: 8am- 4.30pm
Where: C. Marlín 45
Check the menu here.
Read more: The Best Vegan Restaurants in Playa del Carmen
Best Restaurants in Sayulita Mexico: El Itacate
A favorite among locals and digital nomads alike, el Itacate is one of the best Sayulita restaurants for steak tacos. Not only that, their salsas are all out of this world. Start with some tasty chips and guacamole and a cold beer.
Don’t order anything else but tacos- there’s a large selection from their famous steak tacos to shrimp tacos and even vegetarian options. The best part is their beans and onions you can also put on top of your tacos along with the fresh salsas.
El Itacate has some of the best tacos in the heart of Sayulita- make sure not to miss them.
Best for: Lunch, Dinner
Hours: 1pm- 9pm
Where: Calle Jose Mariscal
Organi-K
You’ll no doubt walk right past Organi-K at some point while in Sayulita and you’ll want to go in.
With a line down the street most mornings, this cafe/restaurant in Sayulita has the best coffee in town if you like yours strong. They also do amazing açai bowls, avo toast (but if avo toast is what you’re after it’s better at Anchor Cafe or Miscelánea), smoothie bowls, sandwiches and poke bowls.
My personal favourites here are the açai bowls and the coffee. They are blended smooth and they don’t skimp on the toppings either.
It’s a great place to just grab something to go on your way to the beach.
They also have branches in Punta de Mita and Puerto (Nuevo) Vallarta just in case you miss the one in Sayulita.
Best for: Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch
Hours: 8am- 6pm
Where: Av Revolucion 21B
Check the menu here
Alquimista
If you’re looking for a relaxed local cafe with great, healthier, Mexican food options then head right here. With a great selection of Mexican and Western breakfast classics like breakfast tortas and burritos, chilaquiles, huevos rancheros and even oatmeal, this is a great way to start the day.
They also have great coffee which is sourced from Don Pancho- local, third-generation Mexican farmers in the Nayarit area.
For lunch or brunch, there are lots of classic options like tortas, tacos, salads. They have a variety of smoothies and hot and cold drinks too.
There aren’t too many plant-based options here- mainly vegetable tacos, burritos and salads but they are great.
Best for: Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch
Hours: 8am- 3pm
Where: Av Revolución 89
Check the menu here
Burrito Revolution
For some of the most scrumptious burritos in town, come right here to Burrito Revolution. With a small menu of mainly burritos, tacos and nachos, it’s really the burrito you want to grab here.
Choose between seafood options or the plant-based friendly black bean option (omit the cheese if vegan) and you have yourself a cheap and hearty meal option.
Burritos are also some of the most portable Mexican foods so if you’re looking for something to take to the beach this is a perfect choice.
Note that the burritos here are huge. I could barely finish one so if you’re not that hungry it’s an idea to split one between two.
Best for: Lunch, Dinner
Hours: 12pm- 9pm
Where: Calle Jose Mariscal 10 (right next to Restaurant Yeikame)
Check the menu here
Mary’s Traditional Mexican Cuisine
One of the best places in town for authentic Mexican food and good vibes, Mary’s is loved by many. A small, hole-in-the-wall eatery with great prices and large portions, come here for shrimp tacos, quesadillas, enchiladas, rice, chile rellenos, grilled fish, and tasty mole.
As there are only a few tables- most of them outside, there tends to be a long line here, especially during the high season. Make sure to come early this is one of the best restaurants in Sayulita Mexico.
Best for: Lunch and Dinner
Hours: 9 am- 11.30 pm
Where: Av. Revolucion
Tacos Gaby
This street food stall is just iconic in Sayulita. One of the best places in town to grab some Baja-style fish tacos, Gaby is super friendly as she serves up fried fillets of fresh fish. Wrap your fish in a tortilla, throw on some garnishes and salsa and you have yourself a delicious taco.
For those that don’t eat meat, this taco stand is a great alternative at a very affordable price.
They also serve tostadas too if you’ve already had your fill of tacos.
Best for: A quick lunch
Hours: Lunch time and early dinner time.
Where: here
Miscelánea Cafe
Another one of my personal favourites, Miscelánea Cafe is one of the best options in town from breakfast and brunch and everyone seems to know it so come early or you’ll have to wait.
It’s a great cafe if you really want to wake up slow and have a leisurely breakfast.
Miscelánea Cafe does breakfast, brunch and lunch with so much vibe and aesthetic. Choose a seat outside in the patio surrounded by great light, blue walls and giant cactuses or opt for the beautifully decorated inside with a natural aesthetic.
The menu here is impressive with so many delicious breakfasts and brunch classics it’ll take you ages to decide. Go for gluten-free pancakes, eggs, chia oats, yoghurt bowls, fruit bowls or local breakfast classics like chilaquiles.
We ordered the avocado toast (which I thought was the best in town) and the corn pancakes. Everything was just so good.
My only regret? Not having time to come back again. There is also one in Puerto Vallarta.
Miscelánea Cafe is very vegetarian-friendly but much less vegan friendly. They do make up for it with the avo toast, stir-fried vegetable toast and smoothie bowls.
Best for: Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch
Hours: 8am- 3pm
Where: Av Revolución 32a
Check out the menu here
Headed to Tulum? Check out the Complete Guide to Vegan Restaurants in Tulum
Achara
If you’ve just had too many tacos recently and are looking for something different head to Achara, one of the only Thai places in Sayulita.
With all the Thai classics like green curry, papaya salad, and pad thai, Achara is a great place to come for a spot of dinner, drinks, and some delicious Thai flavors.
The dishes are flavourful, pretty authentic, and beautifully presented. There are quite a few vegan and vegetarian dishes on the menu too.
Best for: Dinner
Hours: 5.30pm- 10.30pm
Where: Calle Jose Mariscal 33
Check out the menu here
Best Restaurants in Sayulita Mexico: Barracuda Sayulita
Barracuda is the place to go to in Sayulita for seafood. The food here is fresh, tasty, and well done and the menu is creative.
One of the best things to order are the seafood tostadas, fresh fish topped with tomato, avocado, and fiery salsa. There are also some pretty amazing fried and grilled fish and seafood dishes too. It’s all cooked to perfection and well-balanced. For seafood lovers, this is the best restaurant in Sayulita for seafood.
In terms of drinks, all the standards are available but you’ll want to go for their freshly-made cocktails- the perfect way to finish the day.
Best for: lunch and dinner
Hours: 11.30am – 10.45 pm
Where: Calle Delfines, Sayulita’s main street
Tacos Tal- Ivan
Ok, not exactly healthy, but a street taco place has to feature on the best restaurants in Sayulita Mexico guide right?
If you’re looking for simple, cheap, no-frills yet delicious street tacos this place is where to go.
