Punta Mita a Culinary Destination – Why?

With bountiful seafood and local produce available, the chefs in  Punta Mita and Punta de Mita have always stood out over the years however in the last few years they have taken it to another level and as a result one can truly say when visiting the destination you need to be aware of all that is on offer for foodies.

As we Celebrate our 25th anniversary this year, Punta Mita is a 1,500-acre resort and residential community located on a private peninsula along Mexico’s fast-growing Riviera Nayarit, just 45 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta. Aside from residential and rental properties, Punta Mita is home to three award-winning hotels: The Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita; sister property Naviva, a Four Seasons Resort, an adults-only, 15-tent luxury wellness escape; and the St. Regis Punta Mita, which is also celebrating its 15th anniversary.

Two more hotels and branded residences — Montage Punta Mita and Pendry Punta Mita — are slated to open in 2026 as the last hotel partners for the private community, which also features four beach clubs and a variety of food and beverage options, making it an up-and-coming gastronomic destination for food loving visitors.

Two new restaurants opened in the community in 2023. The Deck is a bar and grill overlooking the Pacific Ocean and 16th & 17th greens of Punta Mita’s Pacifico Course— one of two Jack Nicklaus courses within the gates.  Chef Berthas Fajitas are a must on any golfers after round bites and have been featured in a number of Best Clubhouse Bite stories in golfing circles,.Hector’s Kitchen is a beloved local favorite from the nearby town of Punta de Mita, which moved within the gated community at Kupuri Beach Club.

Located in Kupuri Beach Club, Hector’s Kitchen offers stunning cuisine and views of the Pacific Hector’s Kitchen

Spearheaded by local chef Hector Leyva, Hector’s Kitchen is set on a ridge overlooking the ocean. An open air, palapa-style space features organic elements and modern design that combine sophistication with a casual vibe. “I began my career at The Four Seasons Punta Mita, and it was always a dream of mine to have my own restaurant,” says Leyva. “When I opened Hector’s Kitchen, one of my goals was to be an ambassador for Punta Mita. Now, being located inside the gates feels like achieving a major professional milestone. It also allows me to make my clients even happier, as they can remain within the gates to dine at Hector’s Kitchen.” On the beach at Kupuri Beach Club one can find delicious Yakitori at ASAI Japanese Cuisine a small open restaurant signed off by renowned Japanese Chef Yasuo Asai on the waters edge.

At St Regis Punta Mita which is celebrating  its 15th anniversary and recently renovated their Executive Chef Pablo Arias reimagined oceanfront spot MitaMary as an elegant, yet relaxed dinner only venue offering both open-air tables and toes-in-the-sand seating, located just five meters from the sea. Named after the iconic Bloody Mary cocktail served only at the St. Regis Punta Mita — every St. Regis in the world has its own version in homage of its creation at the NY hotel — Mita Mary offers a lively setting to enjoy reinvented classics with an ever-evolving concept.

Chef Arias says . “At MitaMary, we believe in creating “from the inside out;” first, we thought outside the box with our cooking, then we packaged it as Mexican Coastal food with Asian influences.The sea is our source of inspiration, and the grill is the surface where everything is crafted.” Additional culinary venues at The St Regis include Sakana, a beachfront lunch concept featuring Nikkei cuisine at the adults-only pool; Majagua, a pop-up serving chilled and grilled seafood on the sand; Sea Breeze, a poolside bar that offers Mexican and American casual bites; a vibrant lobby bar featuring Mexican spirits, and the iconic Las Marietas Restaurant & Bar, an all-day venue offering Mexican and international cuisine, an expansive breakfast buffet bar, and a daily happy hour celebrating the signature Mita Mary cocktail.The new additions further enhance the resort’s renowned food and beverage program, which includes fine dining restaurant Carolina, a unique culinary experience that celebrates fresh local ingredients with an exceptional presentation. Led by executive chef Alejandro Eurza, Carolina serves four, six, and 10-course menus of dishes representing cuisines from across the country, prepared with seasonal ingredients.

Mirazur Beyond Borders : To mark the relaunch of the resort’s culinary experiences, the St. Regis Punta Mita hosted a series of exclusive chef-driven collaborations, with highly acclaimed chefs from around the globe, including Mauro Colagreco.Originally from Argentina, Colagreco found the bounty of the Punta Mita region as a perfect palette to craft his extraordinary dishes, hosting a series of exclusive dinners at Carolina and even a traditional Argentinian asado on the beach.Located in Menton, France, Mirazur is Colagreco’s three-Michelin star restaurant, voted best in the world by The World’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2019. More than a restaurant, Mirazur is a global farming and preservation project that includes five fruit and vegetable gardens, cultivated on permaculture and biodynamic principles. Since 2006, more than 5000 varieties of fruits and vegetable have been planted and grown in these gardens, from which Colagreco finds inspiration.

Four Seasons de Punta Mita is a “gastrohotel” that offers various proposals to satisfy all kinds of tastes. You can find everything from ceviches, sashimis, and noodle bowls, to steaks, pizzas, and hamburgers. So, after exploring each one and getting to know their dishes, we selected three of them as must-visit spots on your next visit: Dos Catrinas, Aramara, and Bahía. Let us tell you more about them below. Dos Catrinas Open from breakfast, this restaurant at the Four Seasons Punta Mita offers Mexican food with a contemporary touch. “We want to celebrate the informal lifestyle, the good food prepared by Mexican ladies and cooks. Dos Catrinas is a relaxed place, here don’t expect that elegant synchronized moment when the waiters arrive and lift the trays of their dishes at the same time. They offer a street food menu that includes octopus gorditas with morita chili sauce and beef tlayudas. Our recommendation is also to try the duck confit in pink mole, with a mix of chilies, chocolate, and other secret ingredients.

Going up the stairs, you’ll find a painting of Jorge Negrete and pink neon letters. This means you’ve arrived at Mez Bar, where the idea is to order ‘straight’ any of the 200 types of tequilas or cocktails like El Diablito, Jalisco, or Pajarito de la Fortuna, while enjoying the sunset from the terrace.  It is hard to find a better sport then  Mez to enjoy  a Punta Mita Sunset.

We are about to welcome a new edition fully revamped Punta Mita Classic “Aramara” and this scribe cannot wait. Aramara is a tribute to Asian cuisine. Chef Jorge González made several intercontinental trips to familiarize himself with the processes and flavors of the East and his culinary team reinterprets the repertoire of ideas from Hong Kong, Thailand, China, Japan, and more, but above all, transmits the philosophy of Four Seasons: ‘mi casa tu casa ’.

Chicken gyoza, steamed bun with pancetta, or the famous Vietnamese roll are part of the starters. Among the main dishes, the wok beef fillet or the rack of lamb with panang curry stand out, though the roast duck with 5 spices is the real star. It is served with apple and curry salad, hoisin sauce, cilantro, cucumber, and green onion, accompanied by flour tortillas and a plum-based dip.

Bahía by Richard Sandoval The “made from scratch” approach of Mexican-born consultant chef Richard Sandoval and his passion for Latin cuisine is reflected in this restaurant at Four Seasons Punta Mita, with a modern and coastal Mexican style, located by the sea. Here, lovers of grilled cuisine enjoy the aromas and flavors of grilled meat, seafood, and wood-fired vegetables.Here everyone talks about the “zarandeado” as the king of the menu. It is a well-known red snapper, also called huachinango, marinated with an achiote and citrus sauce. It is served with avocado, chayote, huichol aioli, and your choice of corn or flour tortillas.

Still within the gates overlooking the Punta Mita Pier you can find another classic – Sufi. For over 15 years 4 local Chefs have together been serving their Mexican Mediterranean cuisine with great success. From their delicious Vallarta Ceviche or Tortilla Soup to Duck Carnitas Sufi is a must for a Punta Mita visitor. At the same Sufi Ocean Club one can discover the best place to lunch in Punta Mita ; Sufito. Renowned for it’s Taco GOberanador and fresh fish off the grill the setting is out of this world.

For years one of the great attractions of the destination is that literally a stones throw from the Punta Mita gate you have Punta de Mita Restaurant Row aka El Anclote plus some. A great selection of gourmet offerings. Let me begin with Si Sush next to Mina ( Ex Si Senor ) that seamlessly blends Japanese and Mexican flavors. The fresh sushi and sashimi dishes are expertly prepared with a Mexican twist.The presentation of the dishes is an art form in itself, showcasing the chef’s attention to detail. The extensive sake and cocktail menu complements the meal beautifully. The attentive service and oceanfront views make Si Sishi one of the best restaurants in Punta Mita with a view. Speaking of Mina (Formerly Si Señor) probably the most famous of all the row´s offerings and a longtime favourite of this scribe  you will discover a special vibe as soon as you step into Mina. The fresh seafood is the star at Mina.

Tuna Blanca by Thierry Blouet is one of the Pioneers of this now Gourmet Destination. Thierry offers a wonderful fusion of French Mexican Cuisine for which he has become renowned  for decades and a true Ambassador of both Punta Mita and Puerto Vallarta.  A relatively new kid on the block is La Rustica Mita it has positioned itself as another must in PM , known for terrific pasta and pizza, La Rustica Mita is a staple in Punta de Mita. La Rustica is a charming beachfront Italian restaurant with an inviting and intimate atmosphere, perfect for a romantic dinner or a relaxed meal with friends and family. The rich, flavorful sauces, like Alfredo or linguine with seafood, make the pasta dishes hard to resist. The pizzas are equally impressive. The Margherita pizza, with its simplicity and quality ingredients, is a must-try.

On to another new player “Zicatela” whose beachfront location in Punta de Mita offers breathtaking ocean views, setting the stage for a memorable Punta Mita dining experience. Chefs Hector Leyva (Hector’s Kitchen) and Magdalena Juárez serve southern Mexican Pacific food. The menu selections and high-quality ingredients highlight the fresh seafood on the menu as well as some Oaxacan dishes showcasing Hectors origins

Next to Punta Mercedes which prides itself on using its wood-fired oven to create fresh, sought-after dishes. The rustic flavors and textures of its pizzas, homemade bread, and desserts draw locals time and time again. The owners of Punta Mercedes are from the City of Mercedes in Corrientes, Argentina. Blending their Argentina roots with their Mexican experience, Punta Mercedes has become a popular mainstay in Punta de Mita.

While not on Restaurant Row one must discover Naef a truly sophisticated choice for those seeking a refined dining experience in Punta de Mita. The menu features a variety of Mexican and Mediterranean dishes that skillfully blend flavors and ingredients from both culinary traditions in a magical setting. Another favourite of mine is Tacos & Papas – Ricardo the owner and family are the best hosts and their offerings of Tacos are hard to beat.

In conclusion, Punta Mita is not just a luxury destination—it’s a culinary paradise, continually evolving and offering new and exciting dining experiences for food lovers from around the world. In the not too distant future we will surely have a number of these restaurants featuring in Michelin guides.