I’d heard Puerto Escondido food wasn’t very good so I asked locals and found the best restaurants with delicious Mexican food.
Puerto Escondido may be in Oaxaca but its food feels like its own world. The coast shapes the kitchen here with daily catches of tuna, dorado and marlin grilled or tossed into fresh ceviches.
You still find Oaxacan roots in moles, tlayudas and tamales but the flavors bend toward the ocean.
Coconut, plantain and tropical fruits slip into dishes and Afro-Mexican and Indigenous traditions add depth with smoky chiles and earthy herbs.
You’ll find plenty of online complaints about Puerto Escondido’s food scene. People say the tacos aren’t good. Others claim everything is overpriced tourist versions of Mexican food.
I couldn’t believe it. This is Mexico’s Pacific coast. Fresh fish comes in daily. Mexican families live here and visit on vacation.
Where Mexicans eat, you find incredible Mexican food. You just need to know where to look. Believe me it is not Trip Advisor.
Puerto Escondido Food I Loved
When I hear tourists complain about food the first place I go to is Reddit. Redditors are known to be some of the grumpiest on social media but they also never let me down.
Unlike Facebook, where tourists share the same 5 places you’ll usually find locals and expats on Reddit. If you can find two people that agree you know it’s going to be a good place.
Los Gastronómicos
Now to be fair, locals don’t eat at beach restaurants. They bring a cooler of their own food to the beach. But I heard Mexican tourists loved this spot at Puerto Angelito Beach.
They serve traditional coastal Mexican food and the services feels like you’re at a friend’s house.
The rice here tastes different from inland versions. Coastal cooks just make better rice, whether it’s the sea level altitude or family techniques passed down through generations.
The garlic shrimp comes with perfectly cooked rice that’s fluffy and flavorful. The a la diabla sauce brings smoky heat without overwhelming the seafood.
They also don’t mind if you buy traditional Mexican snacks or desserts from beach vendors, which I think is really lovely. And you can leave your table to swim and return to find your food waiting. The staff keeps an eye on everything while you enjoy the waves.
Los Gastronómicos
Puerto Angelito Beach
Smoked Fish Tacos El Viejo
A true Puerto Escondido classic. Been around since 2000. El Viejo started this business over two decades ago, creating a local institution before he passed away in 2021. His family continues running the operation with the same recipes and attention to quality.
The smoked fish tacos here use a technique that creates incredibly light smokiness. You taste the fish first, then get subtle smoky notes that enhance rather than mask the seafood. Each taco comes loaded with fresh avocado, crisp lettuce, tomatoes and house-made crema.
Three tacos cost 150 pesos and they’re generous portions. The fish is tender and flakes perfectly. The ceviche here also draws regular customers who’ve been coming for years.
Smoked Fish Tacos El Viejo
Cam. a Puerto Angelito s/n, Hidalgo, 71983 Puerto Escondido, Oax.
Amarisa Cafe
La Punta gets dismissed as too touristy, but places like Amarisa show why people love this area. The coffee here comes from their own finca, giving them complete control over quality from bean to cup.
I found this spot thanks to Travis King’s Substack Sobre Puerto Escondido. You can say all you want about ChatGPT but I still prefer local recommendations and this was a great one.
The iced Americano hits perfectly on hot coastal days. Strong coffee flavor without the bitterness you sometimes find in tourist areas. They also excel at dairy-free options, creating oat-based drinks that taste rich and creamy without any milk products.
The pan au chocolat stays surprisingly flaky despite the humidity. One of the best we’ve had in a long time.
Amarisa Cafe
Avenida, Heroes Oaxaqueños S/N, Brisas de Zicatela, 70934 Oax.
Pepe’s Fish Tacos
Pepe’s story shows how gentrification affects local food culture. He used to operate in La Punta but rising rents from development pushed him out. Now he runs from a more remote location, but loyal customers still make the trip.
His coconut-crusted tacos come from years working in Hawaii combined with local expertise. The technique creates a light, crispy coating that doesn’t overpower the seafood.
Each taco is massive, more like a burrito filled with fresh fish or shrimp. And they have a range of traditional Mexican drinks from beer to agua fresca.
The salsas here pack serious heat. His salsa macha brings complex chile flavors reminded Alan of his Indonesian sambal. The smoky mayo adds richness without cooling things down too much.
You’re paying for expertise here. These aren’t quick street tacos. Each order gets prepared carefully with attention to every component. The wait is worth it for tacos this good.
Pepe’s Fish Tacos
RXW3+6X7, Av. Oaxaca, Linda Vista, 70934 Brisas de Zicatela, Oax.
Taqueria Uno y Mas
This spot stays open until 2am, making it perfect for late-night taco runs. The al pastor here gets cooked on a proper trompo with pineapple adding sweetness to the marinated pork.
The meat gets carved to order, ensuring each taco has the right mix of crispy edges and tender interior. Fresh pineapple, cilantro and onions complete each taco. The lime adds the perfect acid balance to cut through the rich pork.
They also serve beef tacos for people who want options beyond al pastor. I love this as not everyone eats pork and so there’s something for everyone.
Late-night tacos after beach days and evening drinks make perfect sense. I have a feeling it gets more crowded as the night goes on.
Taqueria Uno y Mas
Carr. Costera km200, Brisas de Zicatela, 70937 Brisas de Zicatela, Oax.
Tacos Paco
Four shrimp tacos plus consommé for 100 pesos makes this one of the best deals in town. They double-stack tortillas so the tacos don’t fall apart when loaded with filling.
The shrimp gets cooked perfectly, tender without being rubbery. Fresh vegetables like celery and carrots add crunch and freshness. The crema brings everything together with a hint of smoky pepper flavor.
They do just a few things really well. They are known for their micheladas and the consommé comes rich with shrimp shells and vegetables. Perfect for sipping between tacos or for dipping tortillas. This combination makes a complete meal that leaves you satisfied without feeling stuffed.
Tacos Paco
Chacahua 20, Agua Marina, 71984 Puerto Escondido, Oax.
Best Puerto Escondido Restaurants I Missed
Taqueria La Playita
Located behind the airport, this local favorite stays busy with Puerto Escondido residents rather than tourists.
They’re known for traditional-style tacos using recipes that haven’t changed in decades. The carnitas here get praised for perfect texture and seasoning. Many locals consider this the most authentic taco experience in town.
Taqueria La Playita
Raúl González, Aeropuerto, 71989 Puerto Escondido, Oax.
Mexican Fish Ceviche
Fish Shack
An institution in La Punta that draws crowds for good reason. Their fish tacos feature perfectly battered fish with house-made salsas that complement rather than overpower the seafood.
The ceviche here is very popular. This place helped establish La Punta’s reputation as a food destination.
Fish Shack
Alejandro Cárdenas Peralta S/N, entre Heroes Oaxaqueños y Benito Juarez, Brisas de Zicatela, 70934 Puerto Escondido, Oax.
Taqueria La Tropicana
This Centro location serves classic Mexican taco combinations with fresh local ingredients. Their suadero and carnitas tacos get particular attention from taco enthusiasts.
The location in Puerto Escondido’s main area makes it popular with families and workers looking for quality lunch options.
Taqueria La Tropicana
Calle Segunda Nte., Centro, 71980 Puerto Escondido, Oax.
Best Food in Colima
Hermanitos Tacos Árabes
These Lebanese-influenced tacos show how Middle Eastern immigration shaped Mexican cuisine in certain regions.
Their tacos árabes feature spit-roasted pork with different spicing than traditional al pastor. The combination of Lebanese techniques with Mexican ingredients creates something unique to this part of Oaxaca.
Hermanitos Tacos Árabes
México 200, Bacocho, 71984 Puerto Escondido, Oax.
Best Tacos in Puerto Escondido
