Don't Miss Vito's Restorante Italiano

Vito's Restaurant on a Side Street in El Anclote, Punta Mita

We had heard about Vito's Restaurant from some of the folks that live in the El Anclote complex. When their beachfront restaurant opened (Villaggio Italiano) and we met Nadia, the owner's daughter and head waitress, did we make reservations to dine there. We had a fantaqstic experience and the food, service and ambiance far exceeded our expectations. That was the first of what will become many times that we will enjoy Vito's.

The Car That Brought Vito's Owners to Punta Mita.

First, a little history. Vito and his wife came to Mexico looking for opportunities. They drove down from the border and when they came upon Punta Mita, they felt that they had found their new home. Of course, this was before all of the development started. Vito still has the car that they drove down in and it is on display once you enter the restaurant. They purchased a structure at the end of a dusty little side street in El Anclote and opened their restaurant.

The Entrance to Vito's Restaurant

The first thing that you notice when arriving at Vito's is that this is no ordinary restaurant. There is no "Open" sign and there is no open door to walk through. Dinner at Vito's requires reservations in advance because they plan the meals for the number of people that will be dining each evening. When you ring the bell on the door, the owner will great you and bring you into the restaurant.

The Reception Area / Bar at Vito's

Before you are led into the restaurant and to your table, you spend some time getting to know the family in the reception area. Vito's assigns a dining time for each reservation so that this tradition will continue. It is a wonderful way to start a dining experience.

Vito's Ovens

One can't help to note the outdoor cooking ovens used at Vito's. One is starting to get an idea that you are not in Mexico at all, but somehow made a turn into Italy. The smells from the ovens and adjacent kitchen only serves to confirm that you are in Italy.

Mexico or Italy?

Once you arrive at your table and sit down, you start to get the idea that your are, in fact, in Italy. Vito has recreated scenes from his hometown in Italy and paistakingly focused on the small details that remind anyone that has been to Italy, that this is as authentic as it can get.

One of the Dinner Tables at Vito's

Each table has its own unique ambiance and views of the Italian architecture. While the ambiance is wonderful, it only starts to define the overall dining experience. Nadia and her Mom make everyone feel as if they are guests at their house for dinner. The food is simply wonderful and the service from teh waiters superb. The feature a small menu of Italian dishes and an excellent wine list. I have heard that there is a different menu each night and I suspect that if you requested a special dish in advance, that they would prepare it for you with no problem.

The price for dining at Vito's is a bit higher than the restaurants on the beach, but don't come to Punta Mita and miss Vito's if you enjoy authentic Italian cuisine and a unique dining experience that you will not forget for a long time.

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