Seafood in Sayulita: ceviche, aguachile and the catch of the day
Fish comes in off the pangas on the main beach. Look for ceviche, aguachile, tostadas and whole grilled fish, often at plastic tables a few steps from the sand.
Start here · Centro · 2 min from the plaza
Tierra Viva Restaurant y Bar
Long-running spot that will cook the fish you catch, with a strong tequila list and sopa de mariscos.
What to know
- Nayarit's signature dish is pescado zarandeado: a whole butterflied snapper rubbed with a chile sauce and grilled in a wire basket over wood or charcoal. excelsior.com.mx
- Aguachile is raw shrimp cured in lime juice with fresh chile, and it is usually much hotter than ceviche. foodrepublic.com
- A seafood main at a casual beach restaurant runs about 250 pesos in 2026; fish and shrimp tacos at stalls cost a fraction of that. destinationlesstravel.com
- Seafood stalls are lunchtime businesses that often sell out, and many are cash only, so go early with pesos. foodrepublic.com
Barracuda Sayulita
Busy upstairs seafood spot for ceviche, tuna tartare and tacos, with street music below. Expect buskers and vendors.
Matiz
Family-owned, open-air upstairs spot near the beach; tuna tostadas, octopus carpaccio and fried fish tacos, all from scratch.
Pedritos
A father-and-son evening stand on Calle Gaviotas, open 7 to 11pm, known for shrimp tacos cooked on the grill rather than fried, with a spicy red salsa. Grilled beef tacos too; a little dearer than other stands, and worth it.
The Real Fish Taco
Tiny family-run stand for grilled fish tacos with a loyal following. No posted menu or prices, and it isn't fast.
Tukari Restaurant Bar
Fresh, lighter fare with a frequently changing menu: fish of the day, tuna sashimi, jicama salad and habanero margaritas.
Don Pedro's Restaurant & Bar
A two-level palapa on the main beach since 1994: Mediterranean cooking with Mexican touches off a mesquite grill, red beet ravioli, spicy tuna tostadas, and tables on the sand at sunset. Mondays bring a salsa class at 7 and a Cuban band at 8.
Maika Sayulita Seafood Grille
Recently renovated beachside grill for octopus, ceviche, fish tacos and mango margaritas. Can be slow when busy.
Ruperto's Beachfront Seafood & Grill
Little tables steps from the sand for homestyle aguachile, steak tacos and burgers.
La Panga Seafood & Grill
Local-favorite seafood a short walk from the center; octopus, ceviche and pastor fish tacos. Charcoal-grilled seafood Saturdays after 4pm.
Mi Chula Beach Club
Southern main-beach club with fresh whole fish and standout service. Hosts groups and can arrange tours.
The Dock Sayulita
A deck three metres above the sand at the calm south end of the main beach, run by a family of local fishermen: ceviche, seared tuna and the day's catch, cocktails made with house shrubs, and a 3 to 5pm happy hour.
Barracuda Playa Sayulita
Laid-back beach restaurant with loungers facing the surf, good for ceviche and guacamole. Cash only.
Bar La Isla
Tables in the sand under a palapa; popular at sunset and for 4-5pm happy hour. Aguachile and octopus are standouts.
Don Pantaleón
Casual beach spot for ceviche and aguachile, with fresh-juice cocktails and a second-floor ocean view. Drinks run on the pricier side.
Taboule Beach Club
Quiet, swimmable southern tip of the beach; ceviche, Baja tacos, Lebanese eggs and baklava, with loungers.
Sí Señor Sayulita
A wooden deck over the water on the path to Playa de los Muertos, open 9am to 10pm, with the whole bay in view. Order the guacamole made at the table, the lobster chile relleno or the molcajete; book for the hour before sunset.
Kahlo Restaurante y Bar
Restaurant and bar that pours only Mexican spirits, with guided tastings of tequila, mezcal, raicilla and sotol. Pork belly, brisket and catch-of-the-day tacos; on the pricier side.
Emiliano's
Mexican bar and grill on Av. Revolución known for coconut shrimp, grilled seafood and margaritas at fair prices.
Tacos Gaby
Daytime stand on José Mariscal run by Gaby: Baja-style battered fish and shrimp tacos stuffed full, fresh empanadas and good salsas at low prices.
Bichos
Taco spot on Pelícanos with handmade corn tortillas, a salsa bar and cocktails. The wood-fired brisket taco is the house pick; smoked tuna, shrimp and mushroom tacos also stand out.
Mazo Sayulita
Upscale rooftop at the far north end with big ocean views. Grilled snapper, octopus and aguachile; pool day passes available.
El Costeño
No-frills beach restaurant off Delfines with sand underfoot, grilled fish, shrimp cocktails and some of the biggest margaritas in town. Service can be slow when busy.
Capitán Pablos
Beachfront restaurant on Gaviota with tables and loungers by the sand; fish and chips, chiles rellenos, ceviche and mango margaritas, with friendly English-speaking staff.
Tip: Order aguachile if you like heat; ceviche if you don't.
Written by sayulita.co from our own research, checked October 2026; nothing here is paid for. Owners can claim their place to add photos and hours.