The warmth of the people of Nayarit is complemented by the exquisite cuisine of the state, the main ingredients of which come from the pristine waters of the Pacific Ocean. If, on any given morning, you take a stroll along any of the beaches of the Riviera Nayarit, you are sure to find loads of small boats carrying the freshest seafood.
Oysters, shrimp, lobsters, snappers, mahi-mahi, octopus, among many other species, are cleaned and sold right there on the beach, to be sent to the kitchens and later, to your plate.
One of the real delights you should try when visiting the Riviera Nayarit is ''Pescado Zarandeado'' (vigorously shaken fish). The recipe comes from Mexcaltitan. It is prepared with pargo (a fatty fish) which is first marinated in lemon juice and local spices and is later cooked on a smoker, using mangrove wood. The fat keeps the meat from drying out, which can happen due to the extreme heat. The fish has to be constantly turned (that's where the name comes from) so it doesn't get burnt. Pescado Zarandeado is finally adorned with slices of onion, tomato and a spicy sauce. It's usually eaten in tacos with tortillas, accompanied by a cold can of Mexican beer. Yum!
Either in ''fonditas'' (small locales found facing the ocean or in the downtown area) or in any of the exclusive restaurants of the luxurious resorts of the Riviera Nayarit, you may want to try the many delicious specialties from this beautiful region.
Meatballs, tamales, pasties, and even pate are made with shrimp. Try some ''Pollo a la Plaza'' (fried chicken with salad and french fries), ''Chicharron de Pescado'' (deep fried seasoned fish) or ''Chimichangas de Mariscos'' (a sort of fried tamale, stuffed with oysters, shrimp, onion, tomato and some chili).
As far as typical drinks from the Riviera Nayarit go, you should definitely try ''Tejuino'', also known as the ''drink of the Huichol gods''. Tejuino is a mixture of slightly fermented maize, sugar cane, lemon juice, as well as some salt and piquin chili. Sugar cane juice is also drunk alone or ''on the rocks'', and there are also some natural, homemade liqueurs you may want to try: ''Licor de Nanche'' (Nance Liqueur) and ''Tepache'' (fermented pineapple drink). For dessert, Riviera Nayarit offers banana bread, ''Ante'' (butter and egg-based bread, with custard, raisins and finely chopped nuts). Coconut candy and cookies are also a common treat in the area, since the Riviera Nayarit is a tropical area.
Come and explore all the scents, colors and flavors. You won't regret it! Every town in the Riviera Nayarit, no matter how large or small, has something delicious to offer.
This restaurant is right on the shore of the Pacific Ocean, in Nuevo Vallarta. Here you can enjoy a delightful variety of International specialties as well as typical regional dishes. It also features an excellent bar with large-screen TVs where you can watch sports while having your favorite drinks. This is one of the best places for dining in Riviera Nayarit.
If you're looking for the best Italian food in Nuevo Vallarta, you have found it at this delightful restaurant where your selection from a wide menu of imported wines from Italy, Spain, and Chile accompanies your sumptuous meal.
Located beside one of the most beautiful lagoons in Nuevo Vallarta, La Laguna Tino's joins Tino's prestigious lineup and presents another awesome setting to enjoy the traditional recipes of this fantastic restaurant chain. Situated under a huge palapa that features both the freshness of the lagoon breeze and the tropical vegetation of the area, the restaurant offers exquisite specialties, such as lobster and shrimp in coconut sauce and a whole range of other memorable dishes with extraordinary flavors.
Il Pescatore features elegant Italian cuisine. The view from your table is breathtaking. Delight your palate with a fine wine in a romantic mood with a wonderful view of the marina and the Pacific Ocean as the background. A delightful Nuevo Vallarta restaurant you should not miss.
To satisfy even the most demanding palate, Chef Eduardo Berardini creates refined seafood in his distinctive restaurant Adriatico, recently opened in Bucerias. Besides including traditional Italian recipes, such as bruschetta di pomodori e basilica, Berardini also features more avant-garde specialties created exclusively for the Adriatico, such as the Gran Fritto dell' Adriatico, a delicious mix of shrimp, squid and salmon.
The wide range of sophisticated wines offered at Adriatico, as well as the live jazz played by the most talented musicians in the area, are the perfect accompaniments to a wonderful evening and a memorable gastronomic experience.
Located in the spectacular and luxurious Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, Aramara features a perfect terrace to let your thoughts wander while contemplating the sea.
While delighting in its extraordinary fusion of flavors and styles of Chinese-Latin cuisine, you'll understand the name of this elegant restaurant, which in the Huichol language means "sacred place by the sea."
Cuatro Vientos is a simple but delicious seafood restaurant right in front of the sea, on the sidewalk of Bucerias' restaurant zone. While you are enjoying the sea delights, the little ones can play on the shore of this nice beach.
El Dorado is pleasant and casual place situated on the beach, with the typical tropical atmosphere and delicious sea specialties, featuring the traditional pescado zarandeado (fish fillet grilled in barbecue sauce) as a highlight. Excellent, delicious, and fresh dishes, plus the Banderas Bay, the perfect mix!
Enjoy the best International cuisine in this Bucerias restaurant located downtown, in an open-air garden that offers a tranquilizing and relaxing ambiance. Dining in Punta Mita and Bucerias can be an extraordinary gastronomic experience.
If you are a seafood connoisseur, then the second restaurant of Mariscos Tino's, located in Punta Mita, presents the opportunity to savor delicious traditional dishes. The ''Pescado Zarandeado'' (grilled sea bass cooked with a myriad of spices) and the Meuniere Green Shell Mussels are just two of the many enticing dishes to savor while you enjoy the captivating view and the unforgettable sunsets over the Pacific Ocean. Mariscos Tino's has gained rising international prestige, to the extent that it has been given prestigious culinary and service awards, including the ''Royal Crown to Excellence''.
With focused flavors and clean lines, the menu at Mark's reflects the best of the season and the area, changing regularly and featuring innovative specials. The menu offers dishes such as Macadamia-crusted Red Snapper on Ginger Spinach with Thai Curry Sauce. Embracing the enticing flavors and fragrances of France, Italy, and Asia, luscious local produce and seafood highlight the simplicity of fine fresh ingredients. You will not want to miss this friendly and comfortable yet elegant dining experience.
This restaurant is situated on Bucerias' highland, so it features an impressive, panoramic view of the area. Here you will find a wide variety of interesting Tequilas, besides extraordinary cuisine. Don't miss the chance to please to your palate and your eyes!