El Anclote, Punta de Mita, Mexico

An Overview of El Anclote; Surf, Beach, Restaurants and Fun
(The Break at El Anclote is in the center and El Faro is off the Far Point)

Ahhh, El Anclote. El Anclote is actually made up of two villages, Emiliano Zapata and Corral del Risco. The main beach in El Anclote is directly in front of the El Anclote Condominiums and is connected by a sky bridge that leads from the bluff to the beach. El Anclote Beach is simply awesome.

Some of El Anclote's Beach Front Restaurants

There are numerous beach-front palapa restaurants that serve excellent cuisine. Typically, folks arrive to spend the day on the beach and take up residence in one of the many beach front restaurants that open in the morning for the purpose of serving their patrons for the day. Many Americans are used to being rushed through their lunch when dining in an ocean front restaurant because the tables are in such demand. This is not true in Punta Mita where one can spend the entire day eating, drinking and enjoying the sun.

After a wonderful lunch and a few "mui frio cervezas" (ice-cold beers) you will find the custom addicting. One can sit in the sun, jump into the tropical water for a swim, enjoy a snack, have a beverage, get some more sun, go snorkeling or surfing, take a swim and simply relax the entire day. That is what El Anclote is all about.

When the day is over, you can stay for dinner at one of the beach front restaurants that serve very sophisticated menus. Many folks from the Four Seasons Hotel and the surrounding homes and condos enjoy dining here and the menus at the restaurants are gourmet and excellent. Here are our favorites for dinner.

There are currently (March, 2008) at least two more beachfront restaurants under construction (one looks fabulous) and the flavor of the beach is getting better and better. There are also several wonderful restaurants in town that I am not including here for the sake of space. These restaurants will insure that you have a wonderful dining experience if you choose to go out for dinner. I have listed them in no specific order other than as I think of them.

El Anclote Beach Restaurants

Mariscos Tino's

Mariscos Tino's Restaurant

Mariscos Tina's: This is one of the larger restaurants on the beach and serves a wonderful menu of seafood. Tradition in our family has it that on the first night of a visit and the last night, we dine at Tino's and enjoy our favorite dish.

Under Tino's Palapa Roof

For me, it is bacon wrapped shrimp, as it is simply to die for. We always enjoy a bottle of wine and an ocean front table with our favorite dog Molly at our feet.

Tino's From the Beach

Their menu is extensive and full of dishes that will make you completely satisfied. This is one of the more expensive restaurants on the beach, but it is still reasonably priced. Marico Tinos is open for lunch and dinner.

Margarita's

Dining at Margaritas Restaurant

Margaritas: Margaritas is an excellent restaurant. It is a small restaurant located right on the beach. We love to enjoy a bottle of wine and watch the sun go down during dinner enjoying an ocean front table. When I say ocean front, I mean right on the ocean.

The Margaritas Fireworks Show After Sunset

Their menu is extensive and everything on it is excellent. I love the Bar B Q spare ribs and my wife swears that their coconut shrimp is the best on the beach. Prices here are very reasonable and Hector, the gentleman that operates the restaurant is very accommodating. Margaritas is open for lunch and dinner.

 El Dorado Restaurant

El Dorado Restaurant

El Dorado Restaurant: El Dorado is one of our favorite restaurants in El Anclote. First of all, it is located right at the foot of the sky bridge and is a large restaurant with a huge dining area under an impressive palapa roof. It offers an extensive menu of seafood and other treats and a complete wine list to boot.

The Main Dinning Area at El Dorado Restaurant

There are two upstairs dining areas that over look the beach and ocean that are excellent places to enjoy the sunsets 

One of The Balconies at El Dorado

My favorite dishes here are the El Dorado special that includes both lobster and shrimp and also the Kahlua shrimp. It is to die for if you like Kahlua.. Note that El Dorado offers free wi-fi Internet access to all patrons, so if you bring your notebook computer that is wi-fi enabled, you can use their access here absolutely free.

El Dorado Entrance

The entrance to the El Dorado Restaurant is not at all impressive. You walk over a small bridge that goes over a turtle pond. But, the food and service more than make up for the entrance.

El Dorado's Beach Dining

Ding at El Dorado can offer you a number of different experiences. You can choose to dine on one of the balconies, in the main restaurant or on the beach itself. No matter what you choose, you will have fun and a great meal. El Dorado is open for breakfast (try the Punta Mita omelet made with lobster) lunch and dinner.

Swimmers Restaurant

Swimmers Restaurant

Swimmers Restaurant: New in 2008 is Swimmers Restaurant. This was formerly the El Coral Restaurant, but has undergone a complete reconstruction of its building and restaurant.

One of Swimmer's Bars

Swimmer's owner is a surfer and it is quite apparent when you walk through the front entrance that you will feel at home. Swimmers quickly became our restaurant of choice to spend the day at for a number of reasons. The restaurant overlooks the break at El Anclote, so you can watch the surf as it evolves all day long. The beach staff is attentive and the food is excellent. Most important, the beers are ice cold when they are served.

The Entrance to Swimmers

Swimmers offers free wi-fi access to its patrons and is open morning, noon and night for breakfast, lunch and dinner. There is an ATM machine at the entrance to the restaurant and plenty of lounge chairs to relax in on the beach. All in all, Swimmers is a great spot. Try the Olito Burger for lunch, as it is excellent! Swimmers is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Blue Water Grill

Also new for 2008 is the Blue Water Grill. We love this place! First of all, they serve excellent wines by the glass. They have entertainment many nights of the week and the food is outstanding.

Blue Water Grill Tables and Stage

Their menu is very limited. They usually offer a local fresh caught fish and a steak dish. But, don't let that fool you. The servings are huge and the entree is prepared over an open flame to your taste. They also have probably the best chips in El Anclote.

The Blue Water Grill Bar

The bar is set up for complete enjoyment. It over looks the panga harbor and the trees that surround the bar are full of exotic birds that sing and chirp so loudly that you would think you were in an aviary somewhere. If you like grilled steak, make sure you dine here one night. The Blue Water Grill is open for dinner.

Acuario Restaurant

The Acuario Restaurant

The Acuario Restaurant is my favorite place to have breakfast. Finding the restaurant from the street is somewhat tough because the entrance is very innocuous.

The Interior of Acuario Restaurant

Once you find your way into the restaurant you will see two staircases leading up to the second level.

The View From Acuario Restaurant

Once you are on the second level of the restaurant, you see that it has the very best view of the El Anclote surf break. Not only is the food excellent (I get ham and eggs with avocado slices and tortillas) but it is a great way to check out the surf.

The Beach Front at Acuario Restaurant

Before Swimmers opened, this was our favorite beach to hang out at. The lunches are great and you can spend all day at the beach here enjoying Acuario Restaurant. Acuario is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Debo's Restaurant

Debos Restaurant

Just down the street from the Blue Water Grill is Debo's. Debo is a Texas gal who has been coming to Punta Mita for decades and simply decided to live here full time. She operates Debo's and it is excellent! It is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and the food is excellent. Debo claims that her burgers are "World Famous" and they should be. She offers dining for surfers and fisherman and lots of healthy choices. Debo is also very friendly and is always willing to help everyone that visits her establishment. She has a small Internet cafe (free for patrons) and wi-fi. She also offers a paperback book exchange.

I would suggest going to Debo's for breakfast on you first day in El Anclote, as she and her patrons can answer all of your questions and get you plugged into El Anclote's current going-ons. Debo's is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner (with entertainment some nights).

Cafe des Artistes

Hotel des Artistes

Ummmm, I am not sure about this one. The Cafe des Artistes is a famous New York restaurant for its unique cuisine and presentation. There is also one in Puerto Vallarta that is said to be an excellent restaurant. However, Joanie and I intended to dine there on our most recent visit and got sticker shock just walking into the boutique hotel, much less the restaurant. They have a small gym with a couple of treadmills and such. The price to work out there? We were told $USD40.00 per day, ouch! We looked at the menu and immediately decided to go somewhere else. I am sure that the food is excellent and the service fantastic (it had better be for those prices) but it just seems out of place in the area. Either someone knows something I don't or they didn't do their homework.

The Patio Dining at Cafe des Artistes

At any rate, maybe I will try it on my next visit and report back as to its value proposition. Cafe des Artistes is open for lunch and dinner.

El Anclote Restaurant

Right next to the Cafe de Artistes is the El Anclote Restaurant. This was one of the first palapa restaurants on the beach and offers a great beach, good food and a wonderful bar.

The Bar at El Anclote Restaurant

This is another restaurant that you can spend the entire day at. While I haven't had dinner here, the lunch fare is good. The El Anclote Restaurant is open for lunch and dinner.

Rocio Restaurant and Bar

Rocio Restaurant and Bar

Rocio Restaurant and Bar is right next to the El Anclote Restaurant and they share the same beach. You can enjoy the entire day at Rocio.

The Interior of Rocio Restaurant and Bar

Rocio offers seafood and Mexican cuisine with a local flavor.

The Beach In Front of Rocio and El Anclote Restaurants

Rocio and El Anclote restaurants share the same beach and it is a great place to spend the day. You have a clear view of the El Anclote surf spot from the lounge chairs. Rocio is open for lunch only.

4 Vientos Restaurant and Bar

Look for This Sign to Find the Restaurant

4 Vientos is a wonderful little restaurant buried behind some commercial buildings. Its entrance is obscure, so be sure to look for this sign and then make your way into the restaurant.

The Interior of 4 Vientos Restaurant

Complete with a sand floor, this palapa restaurant is a favorite with locals who bring the entire family for the day.

Dining and Lounging on the Beach at 4 Vientos Restaurant

4 Vientos Restaurant is a good choice if you have children with you. The beach in front of the restaurant offers calm water that kids love.

Sunset at El Anclote