Culinary of Nayarit
Culinary Experiences & Gastronomy in Riviera Nayarit MX
Gastronomy in Nayarit Mexico is quite varied. From charming beachfront restaurants in tiny fishing villages that offer authentic Mexican seaside cuisine to elegantly sophisticated gourmet restaurants with international chefs, no two dining experience are alike. Mexico’s newest vacation destination, Riviera Nayarit, is a unique fusion of tradition, contemporary innovation and local products. For the visitor, Gastronomy in Nayarit can be a memorable and intensely flavored culinary adventure.
Nayarit’s Culinary Roots
The roots behind the culinary traditions of Riviera Nayarit date back to the 1500’s when La Nao de China, a giant commercial maritime company, began sailing the Pacific Ocean in Spanish galleons from the Philippines and the Orient to the coast of pre-Hispanic Mexico. This flow and exchange of products, ingredients, and produce would provide an important foundation of flavors and seasonings for a dazzling assortment of regional dishes for centuries to come.
No less important, Riviera Nayarit is blessed by an ideal location on the Tropic of Cancer offering the perfect climate for organic growth. There’s an abundance of sun, warmth and rain in the summer to nourish fertile soils that produce a bounty of produce. Coconuts, wheat, beans, 14 types of bananas, five types of mangoes, sugar cane, and corn – like the incredible 27-inch long variety from Jala – are just the beginning.
Offshore from palm-fringed sandy beaches, tiny coves and sweeping bays, the tropical waters teem with red snapper, marlin, grouper, yellow fin tuna, mahi mahi, shrimp and oysters, guaranteeing the freshest of seafood for hungry visitors and residents alike.
With all this to work with, gastronomy in Nayarit becomes second nature for local chefs who love to prepare a wealth of favorite local dishes such as:
“Pescado Sarandeado” – Originating on the island of Mexcaltitan, this dish is best with red snapper. This “nahuatl” delicacy is grilled over mangrove wood, served with handmade tortillas on palm leaves with garlic, fresh squeezed lime juice, salt and chiles and adorned with slices of onion, tomato and cucumber.
Or…
“Tlaxtihuilli” – Comprised of thickened shrimp broth and corn meal – the fish “chicharon,” is really deep-fried fish skin served as snacks. Then there are enchiladas with oysters and shrimp, exquisite “sopes” or soups, tamales, and the ceviche-like “Aguachile.”
Where to Dine in Riviera Nayarit
Where to enjoy gastronomy in Nayarit really depends on the visitor’s palate, whims, and gustatory yearnings.
Nuevo Vallarta – This cosmopolitan town, with its international airport, is the region’s most developed area and offers a broad selection of world-class resorts and, of course, a wide variety of restaurants. These feature everything from Sarandeado and “vacio,” a tender Argentinean steak, to cosmopolitan dishes from around the world.
Bucerias – In contrast, vacationers can kick back and relax in Bucerias, which offers affordable inns and bed & breakfast lodgings as well as quality restaurants, many by the sea as well as some trendy and contemporary spots. Gastronomy in Bucerias is inspired by the Mediterranean and Asia.
Punta de Mita – Here, your choices for dining experiences live up to the area’s reputation as Riviera Nayarit’s most luxurious and exclusive resort destination. The variety, for romantic sunset dinners or leisurely lunches, includes chic waterfront establishments, elegant resort restaurants and casual eateries. “Mexiterranean” menus put a new twist on the blend of Mediterranean and Mexican influences, while distinguished chefs like Thierry Blouet of the award-winning, Café des Artistes del Mar or Ricardo Sandoval’s Ketsi, add an exciting hint of celebrity.
La Cruz de Huanacaxtle – With its luxurious 400-slip marina named “Riviera Nayarit Marina & Yacht Club,” La Cruz offers a variety of restaurants with choices ranging from regional favorites and fresh seafood tacos to Italian pastas, and even authentic German cuisines.
Sayulita – This Bohemian town is a haven for an eclectic mix of surfers, artists and expats. Sayulita offers a wide variety of bars and restaurants serving everything from Mediterranean specialties with Mexican and Californian influences to Baja-style fish tacos, homemade salsas, guacamole, empanadas, quesadillas and burritos.
San Francisco – This fishing village is also known as San Pancho. It is famed for its natural beauty and Polo Club matches, which take place between November and May. San Pancho also features seaside restaurants serving seafood “caught that morning,” plus steaks and local produce.
Rincon de Guayabitos – This is a tiny unassuming and utterly charming beach and fishing town. There is only one main street – Avenida del Sol Nuevo – where visitors will find a variety of hotels, shops, restaurants and lively bars. The main attraction is the beach, of course – over a mile and a half of it. Guayabitos beach is lined with alfresco “palapa” restaurants serving seafood fresh from the town’s fishing boats. Among the goods served by the many beach vendors is grilled shrimp.
San Blas – This fishing town shares a colonial past with its restored fort and the ruins of its ancient cathedral. One of Riviera Nayarit’s finest restaurants, El Delfin at Hotel Garza Canela, is headed by chef Betty Vasquez who studied at The Cordon Bleu School of Culinary Arts in Paris. She then worked under celebrated chef Juan Mari Arzak of Arzak restaurant in San Sebastian, Spain. Vasquez captures the region’s nuanced gastronomic traditions by using Mexican ingredients fused with classic European cooking techniques.
For more information about the Gastronomy in Nayarit Mexico, please refer to the specific locations listed below.
About Riviera Nayarit
Riviera Nayarit is Mexico’s newest travel destination stretching along 192 miles of pristine Pacific coast framed by spectacular mountains to the north of renowned Puerto Vallarta. Mostly undeveloped, the destination extends along the entire coast of the Pacific state of Nayarit including the resorts of Nuevo Vallarta, the historic, colonial town of San Blas, exclusive Punta Mita and the spectacular Banderas Bay. The region features luxury resorts and eco-tourism boutique hotels, world-renowned surfing, four professional golf courses, rare native wildlife including sea turtles and tropical birds, mountain and island adventures, shopping for local artwork and traditional Huichol handicrafts, charming fishing towns and miles of serene beaches. For more information, visit: www.RivieraNayarit.com.
###
MEDIA CONTACT:
M. SILVER ASSOCIATES
Tel: (212) 754-6500
Carrie Hyman, ext. 225
carrie@msilver-pr.com
Miruna Seitan, ext. 239
miruna@msilver-pr.com
A Sampling of Dining Choices & Gastronomy in Nayarit
Gastronomy in Nuevo Vallarta Nayarit
Angelo’s
Specialty: Italian cuisine and steaks
Website: www.angelospv.com
Address: Paradise Plaza L-J2, 3, 4, Nuevo Vallarta
Telephone: (322) 297-6130
Email: reservations@angelospv.com
Il Pescatore at Paradise Village Resort
Specialty: Italian cuisine/seafood dishes
Address: Paradise Village Resort, Paseo de los Cocoteros # 1 local 16 int 7,
Nuevo Vallarta, Nayarit, 63731
Telephone: (322) 226-6770
La Portena
Specialty: Quality steaks, like the “vacio,” a tender Argentinian steak; seafood, homemade pasta dishes
Address: Boulevard Nayarit, PTE 250, Nuevo Vallarta
Telephone: (322) 297-4950
Tino’s La Laguna
Specialty: Seafood
Website: www.tinosvallarta.com
Address: Km 1,2 on the 2nd entrance to Nuevo Vallarta
Telephone: (322) 297-0221
Gastronomy in Bucerias Nayarit
Adauto’s On The Beach
Specialty: Seafood (lobster, jumbo shrimps, red snapper, langoustines)
Address: Av. Del Pacifico # 11A, Bucerias, Riviera Nayarit
Telephone: (329) 298 2790
El Chivero Restaurant & Bar
Specialty: Mexican cuisine – Seaside establishment offers breakfast, lunch and dinner
Address: Av. Pacifico No. 9, Centro Bucerias, Riviera Nayarit
Telephone: (329) 29-806-12
Ecole de Cuisine LeFort
Specialty: French cuisine, one of the largest wine cellars in the area
Website: www.lefort.com.mx
Address: Lázaro Cardenas No. 71-A, Bucerías, Riviera Nayarit
Telephone: (329) 298.1532
Email: mlefort@pvnet.com.mx
Mark’s Bar & Grill
Specialty: Mediterranean with a touch of Asian-inspired flavors
Website: www.marksbucerias.com
Address: Lazaro Cardenas 56, Bucerias, Bahia de Banderas, Riviera Nayarit
Telephone: (329) 298-0303
Email: marksbarandgrill@yahoo.com
MezzoGiorno
Specialty: Italian cuisine – Beachfront restaurant and two bars.
Website: www.mezzogiorno.com.mx
Address: Av. Del Pacifico 33, Bucerias, Riviera Nayarit
Telephone: (329) 298-0350
Email: mezzogiornopv@aol.com
Gastronomy in La Cruz Nayarit
Marina Riviera Nayarit
Specialty: International cuisine
Address: La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Riviera Nayarit
Tel: 52 (329) 29-555-26
Sky Bar
Specialty: Bar with light snacks overlooking Banderas Bay
Address: La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Riviera Nayarit
Tel: 52 (329) 29-555-26
Aki Samurai House
Specialty: Japanese – Restaurant has a third floor palapa offering unimpeded views of the bay
Address: Coral 156 Oriente, La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Riviera Nayarit
Tel: (329) 295-5880
Black Forest Restaurant
Specialty: German cuisine
Web Page: www.blackforestpv.com
Address: Marlin 16 La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Riviera Nayarit
Phone number: (329) 295-5203
Email: contact@blackforestpv.com
Frascati Ristorante
Specialty: Italian and Mediterranean cuisine – The owner also owns a charming and sophisticated bed & breakfast in town called Villa Bella
Website: www.frascativallarta.com
Address: Av. Langosta No. 10, esq. Coral, La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Riviera Nayarit
Telephone: (329) 295 61 85
Email: info@frascativallarta.com
La Glorieta
Specialty: Seafood, Fish Tacos and chilaquiles
Address: Coral 26, La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Riviera Nayarit
Telephone/Cell: 044 (322) 278-3292
Philo’s
Specialty: BBQ ribs and hamburgers
Address: Calle Delfin 15, La Cruz de Huanacaxtle
Telephone: (329) 295-5068
Taco Stands – El Güero De Sinaloa
Address: Huachinango, La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Riviera Nayarit
Specialty: Sinaloa style meat tacos and quesadillas
Telephone: N/A
Rey Bombon
Specialty: Seafood
Address: Coral 31 esq. Delfin
Telephone:(329) 295-5204
Hikuri Cafe
Specialty: International/Mexican cuisine
Website: www.hikuri.com
Address: Coral 66, La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Riviera Nayarit
Telephone: 01 (329) 295-5071
Email: hikury@prodigy.net.mx
Columba
Specialty: Seafood
Address: Marlin 14, La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Riviera Nayarit
Telephone: (329) 295-5055
Britannia Bar
Specialty: Drinks and bar snacks
Address: Coral 68, La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Riviera Nayarit
Telephone: N/A
Miramar
Specialty: Seafood (i.e. sarandeado fish Mexican style grilled fish; whole fish, marinated with lime & chilies then grilled over charcoal)
Address: La Manzanilla Beach, La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Riviera Nayarit
Telephone: N/A
Don Emerio
Specialty: Seafood
Address: La Manzanilla Beach, La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Riviera Nayarit
Telephone: N/A
Vista Hermosa
Specialty: Seafood
Address: La Manzanilla Beach, La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Riviera Nayarit
Telephone: N/A
Gastronomy in Punta Mita Nayarit
Sufi Restaurant
Specialty: “Mexiterranean” Fusion of Mexican and Mediterranean ingredients
Address: Inside the gates of Punta Mita, across from the St. Regis
Telephone: (329) 291-6990
Café des Artistes del Mar
Specialty: French/Mediterranean with emphasis on using fresh local seafood
Website: https://cafedesartistes.com/delmar/index.htm
Address: Av. Anclote Lote 5, Block 19 at Hotel Des Artistes del Mar, Punta de Mita, Riviera Nayarit 63734
Telephone: +52 3292915145
Email: concierge@grupoblouet.com
Margarita’s
Specialty:Seafood/Mexican
Address: El Anclote, Punta de Mita
Telephone: N/A
Tino’s
Specialty: Seafood/Mexican
Address: Punta de Mita
Telephone: (322) 224-55-84/ (322) 224-55-84
Email: info@tinosvallarta.com
Gastronomy in Sayulita
Don Pedro’s
Specialty: Mediterranean style cuisine with Mexican/Californian influences
Website: www.donpedros.com
Address: Marlin 2, Sayulita
Telephone: 52 (329) 291 3090
Email: info@donpedros.com
Si Hay Olitos
Specialty: Mexican cuisine
Website: https://www.sayulitalife.com/business/sihayolitas.htm
Address: Just over the bridge on your left
Phone: 52-329-291-3203
Rollie’s
Specialty: Mexican/Continental
Address: Av. Revolución, 2 blocks west of the main square, Sayulita, Riviera Nayarit
Telephone: (329) 291-3053
Sayulita Fish Tacos
Specialty: Mexican (Signature dish is the Baja style fish tacos)
Website: https://www.sayulitafishtaco.com/
Address: Calle Jose Mariscol, Sayulita, Riviera Nayarit
Telephone: (329) 291-3271
Email: sayfishtaco@yahoo.com
Gastronomy in San Blas Nayarit
El Delfin Restaurant at the Hotel Garza Canela
Specialty: French with Mexican influences and ingredients
Website: www.garzacanela.com
Address: Paredes #106 Sur, San Blas, Riviera Nayarit 63740
Telephone: (323) 285-0112
Email: hotel@garzacanela.com
Gastronomy in San Pancho a.k.a. San Francisco
Mar Plata Restaurant (only open during winter season)
Specialty: Seafood and steak
Address: Hotel Cielo Rojo ,Calle de Palmas 30, Col. Costa Azul, San Francisco, Riviera Nayarit
Tel: 52-311-258-4425
Café del Mar
Specialty: International cuisine
Address: China no. 9, San Francisco, Riviera Nayarit
Tel: 52-311-258-4251
Gastronomy in Guayabitos Nayarit
Vista Guayabitos, Restaurant & Bar
Specialty: International, Seafood
Address: Carr. a Los Ayala Km. 1.5, Rincón de Guayabitos
Phone: (327) 274-2589
Website: www.vistaguayabitos.com
