Within this list, we have compiled both the best restaurants in Puerto Escondido, as well as the best food shacks for both the best food shacks that you MUST experience while you’re here.
With so many incredible restaurants this list has been compiled to save you time researching and use your time to do what’s most important – eat the amazing food.
Within this guide, the first section will be focused on the restaurants and the second section will focus more on food shacks or casual dining so feel free to jump ahead based on what you’re looking for.
Best Restaurants In Puerto Escondido
We’ve decided to divide this guide into areas to make it easier for our readers to spot the best restaurants in each neighborhood.
Best Restaurants in La Punta
Punta Vida
| Restaurant name: | Punta Vida |
| Location: | La Punta |
| Opening hours: | Wednesday to Sunday 5 pm – 11 pm Monday and Tuesday – Closed |
| Best time to visit: | Sunset and dinner |
| Best restaurant for: | Seafood and Tacos |
| Most popular dish: | Chamorro Taco and Pez Vela Tataki |
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The only beachfront rooftop in la punta, Punta Vida stands out as the ultimate dining spot for a picturesque sunset experience or evening dinner.
A must-visit in Puerto, this restaurant offers a perfect blend of exquisite cuisine, cocktails, music, and an unparalleled rooftop view.
Seafood enthusiasts are urged to try the Pez Vela Tataki—a local Puerto fish delicacy seared and garnished with garlic-parsley white sauce, finished with mezcal salt and shaved lemon.
Dont miss their cocktail menu, it´s one of the best mixology bars in town.
Punta Vida promises a memorable culinary journey in a captivating setting.
Sommo
| Restaurant name: | Sommo |
| Location: | La Punta |
| Opening hours: | Sunday to Monday 6 pm – 11 pm Tuesday – Closed |
| Best time to visit: | Dinner |
| Best restaurant for: | Japanesse |
| Most popular dish: | Sushi |
Sommo, where Asian cuisine reigns supreme. With the distinction of being not only the number one Asian restaurant in Puerto Escondido but also ranked as the top dining spot among 215 restaurants in town, Sommo is a culinary gem that beckons all to savor its delights.
Lyhee Thai Food
| Restaurant name: | Lychee Thai Food |
| Location: | La Punta |
| Opening hours: | Monday – Sunday 5 pm to 11 pm |
| Best time to visit: | Dinner |
| Best restaurant for: | Thai Food |
| Most popular dish: | Pad Thai |
Lychee is located in La Punta was the first Thai restaurant food in all of Puerto Escondido. Their Pad Thai is the most order. It’s a great place to meet friends and enjoy a nice dinner.
Chicama
| Restaurant name: | Chicama |
| Location: | La Punta |
| Opening hours: | 12 pm to 11 pm – closed Tuesday |
| Best time to visit: | Dinner |
| Best restaurant for: | Peruvian Food |
| Most popular dish: | Ceviche |
Chicama is located in La Punta and has some of the nicest food in all of Puerto Escondido. The seafood here is highly recommended and it tastes incredible.
Depending on when you visit it is known for having lines out the door so we would recommend grabbing a beer from the supermarket while you wait in line.
Alivo Ristorante
| Restaurant name: | Alivo Ristorante |
| Location: | La Punta |
| Opening hours: | 2 pm to 10:30 pm |
| Best time to visit: | Dinner |
| Best restaurant for: | Italian food in La Punta |
| Most popular dish: | “Spaghetti ai Frutti di Mare” |
Alivo Ristorante offers authentic Italian and Mexican food, it is considered one of the best restaurants in La Punta as it offers a complete selection of Italian dishes besides pizza. One of their most popular ones is the incomparable “Spaghetti ai Frutti di Mare”.
Located in Heroes Oaxaqueños, the restaurant is only a few blocks away from the beach and it is open all week except Mondays from 2:00 pm to 10:30 pm.
This spot is ideal for a nice quiet dinner with friends and family. We highly recommend ordering one of their pasta dishes and asking the server for their best wine suggestions.
Best Restaurants in Zicatela
Sativa
| Restaurant name: | Sativa |
| Location: | Zicatela |
| Opening hours: | 10 am to 10 pm |
| Best time to visit: | During sunset |
| Best restaurant for: | Sunset and volleyball |
| Most popular dish: | Teryaki fish tacos |
Sativa is located in Zicatela and it is definitely one of the best restaurants to visit while in Puerto Escondido.
Located right on the waterfront overlooking Playa Zicatela this is a fantastic restaurant to go to for sunset as you can set yourself up in one of the lounges overlooking the volleyball courts and the beach.
If you’re a fan of fish we would highly recommend indulging in the teriyaki fish tacos while sipping on an icy cold Corona.
From the restaurant, you will see people playing volleyball and doing acro-yoga which is a free activity that you are more than welcome to get involved in while in Puerto Escondido.
This restaurant offers both seated dining inside or casual dining if you’d prefer to eat with your feet in the sand at one of the low tables (we would highly recommend this).
El Coste Cevichería & Grill
| Restaurant name: | El Coste |
| Location: | Zicatela |
| Opening hours: | Monday – Sunday 1 pm to 11 pm Wednesday – Closed |
| Best time to visit: | During sunset |
| Best restaurant for: | Fresh seafood |
| Most popular dish: | Ceviche and Octopus |
“El Coste” is a renowned cevicheria in Puerto Escondido, serving the freshest catch of the day, a delightful array of seafood, premium meat cuts, and the city’s finest octopus.
Our warm and welcoming service complements the impressive liquor collection, featuring an exceptional variety of artisanal and organic mezcals.
La Olita
| Restaurant name: | La Olita |
| Location: | Zicatela |
| Opening hours: | Monday – Saturday 3 pm to 11 pm Sunday – 5:30pm to 11 pm |
| Best time to visit: | During sunset |
| Best restaurant for: | Vegan Food |
| Most popular dish: | Veggie Tacos |
La Olita is known for its culinary diversity, offering Mexican, Latin, seafood, grilled, and fusion dishes, ensuring a delightful experience for every palate.
Special Diets: For those with specific dietary needs, this restaurant is a haven. It welcomes vegetarians, provides vegan choices, and offers gluten-free dishes, ensuring a satisfying meal for all.
This spot is ideal for a nice quiet dinner with friends and family. We highly recommend ordering one of their pasta dishes and asking the server for their best wine suggestions.
Best Restaurants in Carrizalillo/Rinconada
Espadin
| Restaurant name: | Espadin |
| Location: | Playa Carizalillo |
| Opening hours: | 8 am to 10 pm |
| Best time to visit: | Dinner |
| Best restaurant for: | The view |
| Most popular dish: | – |
Espadin restaurant has to be the best restaurant for the view in Puerto Escondido by far. The restaurant overlooks Playa Carrizalillo which is one of the best beaches that Puerto has to offer.
If you are looking to eat here it is most popular around sunset and it books out a few days in advance so we would highly recommend pre-booking in order to save yourself the disappointment of missing out.
El Nene
| Restaurant name: | El Nene |
| Location: | Rinconada |
| Opening hours: | Monday – Saturday 5 pm to 11 pm Sunday – Closed |
| Best time to visit: | Dinner |
| Best restaurant for: | Excellent dinner |
| Most popular dish: | Crusted Tuna |
El nene is a journey through the realms of Cajun and Mexican cuisines at this establishment. Here, you can savor their remarkable crusted tuna, delectably grilled octopus, and expertly crafted fish tacos.
The talented chefs at this restaurant also create a delicate chocolate foam, a perfectly executed panna cotta, and a generous crème brûlée to delight your taste buds.
Best Restaurants in La Barra
La Huerta de Don Juan
| Restaurant name: | La Huerta de Don Juan |
| Location: | La Barra |
| Opening hours: | 8 am to 10 pm, 9 am – 8 pm Sunday & Tuesday |
| Best time to visit: | Afternoon |
| Best restaurant for: | The scenery and atmosphere |
| Most popular dish: | Sweet chili fish |
Located in La Barra, La Huerta de Don Juan is one of Puerto Escondido’s hidden restaurant gems. To get there it is highly recommended to either have a car or scooter as it is a little off track and not so easy to get to.
Depending on when you go here it is a great place to go and eat right on the Colotepec River. There are even seating options where you can eat with your feet in the water.
Best Food Shacks / Casual Dining Options
If you’re not too fussed about fine dining and just want something casual and extremely tasty then this section is for you. The food on this list is more reasonably priced and is no less enjoyable to indulge in.
Fish Shack
| Restaurant name: | Fish Shack |
| Location: | La Punta |
| Opening hours: | 1 pm to 10 pm – closed Monday |
| Best time to visit: | Straight after sunset |
| Best restaurant for: | Socializing |
| Most popular dish: | Coconut shrimp tacos |
The fish shack is one of the most popular spots for food after the La Punta sunset. It can be hard to get a table however the hostess will normally put you at a table with other people and make it work.
It may be unappealing to some however it’s a great way to enjoy great food as well as socialize with other travelers.
We would highly recommend the coconut shrimp tacos as the tacos at fish shack have been rated as some of the best tacos in Puerto Escondido.
Amoki Jr.
| Restaurant name: | Amok Jr. |
| Location: | La Punta |
| Opening hours: | 1 pm to 10 pm |
| Best time to visit: | Afternoon |
| Best restaurant for: | When you’re super hungry |
| Most popular dish: | Any kebab |
Amoki Jr. is located in La Punta and has the biggest and best kebab in all of Puerto Escondido. Make sure if you go have a big appetite or you may even want to take a friend to split the kebab with.
The Best Restaurants In Puerto Escondido Summary
This list includes some of the best restaurants and food shacks that this Oaxacan town has to offer. For those that want a little bit more of a fine dining scene at Espadin to those that just want to grab a casual taco and a beer at Fish Shack, Puerto Escondido has you covered.
