Puerto Escondido: A Culinary Surf Haven

Located just 20m from Casa Daikiri, Dan's Cafe serves both Mexican and Western cuisine at a great price. 

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Spirulina serves the best fresh, crunchy food in Zicatela. The smoothies, coffee, salads, baguettes and tacos are made with love at this local gem. An excellent choice for vegetarians or vegans!

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Just around the corner from Casa Daikiri, Fish Tako is a MUST GO if youre in need of a fresh fish tako! Fish is picked up from local fishermen daily. Paco sure knows how to cook and youll enjoy wonderful service and food at this hole in the wall establishment. Delicious is an understatement. 

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This iconic restaurant, which sits on the covered terrace of the Hotel Santa Fe, is a must-visit. The cuisine is mainly Oaxacan-Mexican, fully pescatarian, and sometimes vegan: Here you can find tamales Oaxaquenos, fried fish, shrimp-stuffed avocado, and some kind of ceviche. A tofu scramble is part of one of the best breakfast menus in town that pairs nicely with the beautiful view of Zicatela Beach. [$$-$$$]

El Taco Brown in Puerto Escondido is a vibrant spot known for its authentic Mexican flavors and welcoming atmosphere. Enjoy mouthwatering tacos, burritos, and fresh salsas that capture the essence of traditional Mexican cuisine. Perfect for a casual meal after a day on the beach or a relaxed evening out, El Taco Brown is open late, making it a must-visit for night owls seeking a true taste of Mexico.

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Located by the beach, La Mariinera serves up delicious dishes like ceviche, fish tacos, and shrimp cocktails, all made with the freshest local ingredients. With its relaxed vibe and stunning ocean views, La Marinera is the perfect spot to enjoy a memorable meal in Zicatela.

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Our favorite lunch spot –  a little hole in the wall  eatery down an alley that leads to the beach, Fish Shack serves up the best tacos and a bomb fish sandwich (chicken and veg options also available) Go here early in your trip because you’ll want to go back again! Definitely one of the best restaurants in Puerto Escondido.

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Inspired by food courts, Food Market opened in August 2020 and boasts six different restaurants — Grilled & Smoked, Samuray Sushi, Delixius Wave (with a menu of tacos, salads, and bagels), Fettuccini (serving handmade pasta, gnocchi, and Argentine sorrentinos, with a gluten-free alternative), Green Bowl (vegan and vegetarian dishes), and Fishos (serving fish and shrimp tacos, burgers, and burritos). The place is totally casual — groups can grab food from different spots and sit together — and the ship containers-turned-kitchens give the market an urban look, breaking up the beachy monotony with a touch of originality. 

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Relatively new to the Puerto Escondido scene, Piyoli — which means “bee” in Nahuatl — is a casual restaurant where everything is fresh, healthy, and local (the dedication is real: There’s a salad on the menu called “Fuck Monsanto”). The extensive menu includes a catch of the day, squash blossom tacos on handmade tortillas, fish burgers, and vegetarian burgers made with lentils and pea protein; the eggs are organic and all the breads are made in-house. In the morning the bar serves fresh pressed juices, while in the evening it shakes up original cocktails: Try El Anochecer En Piyoli, made with mezcal coffee, almond milk, cocoa, and grated coconut. Open from 8:00 a.m. to Midnight. 

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The Boneyard is a bar located just a few blocks from the beach in La Punta and stays open until around midnight serving drinkings and woodfired pizzas. This is Puerto Escondido’s first skater bar, with a tattoo studio attached. 

Whilst The Boneyard is open throughout the week, you’ll find it to be much more crowded during the weekends.

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Il Salento Roadside Pizza in La Punta is a charming eatery known for serving up authentic Italian woodfired pizzas right by the roadside. With a focus on quality ingredients and traditional recipes, each pizza is a delightful blend of crispy crust, fresh toppings, and rich flavors. Perfect for a quick bite or a relaxed meal, Il Salento offers a cozy ambiance and friendly service, making it a must-visit spot for pizza lovers in La Punta.

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Peruvian food and drinks at its best. Chicama has  great music, great service and delicious food. The ceviche and aguachila are phenomenal especially when paired with a Pisco sour. Get in early as this place often has a line out the door- for a very good reason.

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In the midst of a jovial atmosphere — many locals use this as a gathering place — you will find a wide variety of healthy, vegan, and gluten-free Lebanese and Mediterranean food. Wraps filled with different combinations of hummus, falafel, shawarma, and kebab are a diner’s favorite. There is also a large juice and smoothie bar. Open from Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. 

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Mezcal fuels Espadín, a restaurant named for the type of agave: Owners Amy Hardy and Arik Torren, American expats, also own the mezcal brand Fidencio. To accompany all that mezcal: Signature dishes like coconut shrimp, the catch of the day in almond crust, and the octopus chicharrón. Take in the wonderful view over Carrizalillo Beach that can also be enjoyed in the morning during breakfast. [$$-$$$]

La Spezia’s medium-sized six-slice Italian-style pizzas are handmade with fresh ingredients, and they’re all cooked to order in a large gas-fired dome oven. The pizza menu is fairly deep, but mostly focused on executing the classics. They also have a wide range of other Italian staples,  their handmade pasta is some of the best in town as well! La Spezia perfectly executes delicious Italian-style pizza at a very fair price.

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“Argentine” and “fusion” are the key words at Filomena, where you can find excellent cuts of meat, classic empanadas, Argentina’s traditional “lomito” sandwich, and specialties like calamari stuffed with red mole and chile poblano stuffed with Argentine chorizo. Of the house-made desserts, don’t miss the dulce de leche ice cream; same goes for any pour on the varied Argentine wine list; and the “White Mexican,” a version of the famous White Russian adapted to Oaxacan flavors made with mezcal infused with coffee, coffee liqueur, milk cream, and Fernet with Coke. Closed on Wednesdays.

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Dulce Tierra is a small café renowned for its phenomenal coffee and baked goods, with locations in Rinconada, La Punta, and Zicatela. Indulge in their stellar cinnamon rolls, croissants, and a delightful range of sandwiches, all at very reasonable prices. With its cozy atmosphere and delicious offerings, Dulce Tierra is a must-visit spot for coffee and pastry lovers.

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Steak and seafood are the main draws at El Nene Grill, which sits under a beautiful palapa located in Rinconada. Cuts of New York strip and skirt steak are available alongside the local favorite tasajo and, when it’s in season, seared tuna (pair any of those with a starter of garlic mushrooms). On the restaurant’s walls you can read the phrase, “You don’t drink Mezcal, you kiss it,” an invitation to kiss the house’s large selection of mezcals, though the extended list of their cocktails is also not to be missed. Open from Monday to Saturday from 3 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. 

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The Mercado Benito Juárez is a space where aromas, flavors, and cultures converge. Here you can have a taste of traditional Mexican cuisine, as you can find tlayudas, tamales, atole, enchiladas, jerky, nopal salad, chaya water, and other products of the region, which makes it the best grocery option in Puerto Escondido. It’s a delight to walk through its aisles, especially on what are called “días de plaza” (square days), Saturdays and Sundays, when all the people from neighboring communities come down and bring their local harvest: coffee, pumpkin sweets, all kind of vegetables, and a great variety of products that is usually not found during the week, such as free-range eggs and turkeys. 

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In 10 years this super-casual restaurant has become a haven to locals, though little by little, thanks to word of mouth, visitors are now in on the secret. Created by a family of fishermen, El Bunker is committed to having the best local product in the house, which shows up in rich tiritas, fresh oysters, or a delicious sashimi best accompanied by a cold beer. This hidden gem is located behind a car wash; you can leave your car next door while you eat. Open from Monday to Saturday from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.

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Non Solo Pizza is a hidden pizza/ pasta lover's paradise in Centro. They have an extensive and well priced menu aswell as a gorgeous patio in the back. 

Art Café El Huizache is a charming little spot in Centro, offering amazing Oaxacan coffee and delectable pastries. Adorned with art for sale on the walls, this cozy café creates a unique and inviting atmosphere. With friendly staff and great prices, Art Café El Huizache is a perfect destination for coffee lovers and art enthusiasts alike.

Pepe’s Fish Tacos is a popular seafood bar in Puerto Escondido that specializes in fish tacos that are known to be delicious, fresh, and authentically Mexican.

These tacos are made with freshly caught fish that are battered, fried, and served in a warm corn tortilla, usually served with fresh salsa, cilantro, and lime.

They also serve other seafood dishes such as Ceviche and seafood cocktails.Pepe, the owner, and cook of this food bar is a personality himself, his tacos gather crowds of locals and tourists sometimes causing a queue, so we recommend that you arrive early.  

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