The Vegan City Guide: Sayulita//San Pancho
I’m so happy to be writing this guide after an incredible long weekend in Sayulita. I turned 30 🎂 over the weekend (woohoo) & was so excited to travel somewhere in Mexico I had never been. I spent a majority of my 20’s traveling Mexico and since we live in San Diego, it was the most obvious choice for a weekend away. My passport from my 20’s is filled with Mexico stamps from all over and it felt right to end + start a decade in one of my favorite cultures.
This trip is different than other ones as we were traveling with friends who were not vegan, so instead of this being a vegan guide of all the vegan restaurants- this is a guide of restaurants with incredible vegan options. Something for everyone to come together around one commonality - good food & good vibes. Everyone we were with had a positive experience at all of these restaurants so know that no matter who you’re traveling with - it will be a win!
It can get a bit dicey traveling with people with different preferences and food allergies so I hope this guide can help you navigate and avoid aimlessly wandering around while starving - that happened to us so I can save you the trouble 😆.
Once you fly into Puerto Vallarta, it’s a quick 50 minute taxi to Sayulita and a 10 minute taxi to San Pancho from there. Both towns offer a chance to experience the beauty that Mexico beaches have to offer while also enjoying a much different feel than going to a big vacation destination like Puerto Vallarta.
This goes without saying but don’t forget to tip your servers in pesos, remain patient and if you’re unsure about something, just ask! As I write this guide on the plane home, I’m leaving with a larger sense of gratitude for Mexico and have been once again reminded of the incredible hospitality + vibes we were met with everywhere we went.
Regardless of if you’re staying long term in Sayulita, headed for a quick trip, there for an event or just wanting to save this for inspo, I hope this guide can help you have the best time while getting rid of the stress of what to eat. Eating plant based while traveling can be frustrating but it can also guide you to avoid the tourist traps and to drop into the healthy food culture of the city you’re visiting.
Be sure to save/ bookmark this guide for when you plan to visit and send to a friend!
With all of my city food guides, this of course is just my experience. Use it for reference and let me know what you found on your journey over at @chef_bai on IG or Tiktok.
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Sayulita
Organi-k Cafe:
Cash Only
This spot is the perfect place for a healthy breakfast and a latte. We visited on my birthday after a beautiful temezcal ceremony and it hit the spot. Plenty of places to eat on their patio in the back with options for to-go as well.
What we loved: Açaí Smoothie bowls, No Bad Days Smoothie, Avo toast
Tips when ordering: I’m going to be brutally honest here, don’t order the matcha. If you’ve been following for awhile you know I’ve become a bit of a matcha connoisseur and the one here is just not it. They grow their own coffee locally and their lattes are great so opt for that instead!
Northside Cafe:
Accepts cards + cash
This spot was a solid find for our whole group. They have an entire vegan section on their menu and offer both vegan and non vegan CHILAQUILES which is my fav breakfast of all time. I even have a recipe in my cookbook! Overall our experience here was great and you could tell that the food was fresh, healthy & the vegan food was not an afterthought. They even make their own cashew creama + chorizo out of plants.
What we loved:
Cappuccino, Vegan Verde CHILAQUILES + add vegan chorizo, Vegan Rojo Hash, Guac
Tips when ordering:
This spot is ideal for breakfast and is open early for those early risers!
Santa SAl.
Accepts Cards + Cash
Okay this spot may have been my favorite of the entire trip! It’s a very “instagrammable” restaurant and the food is delish. It’s in El Centro of Sayulita but it’s tucked away upstairs so you completely avoid the crowds and chaos. They have a full bar + a separate menu for vegans. It’s a great spot for brunch with live music often playing next door and our whole crew absolutely loved it! They have a full bar and have excellent cocktails.
What we loved: Verde Chilaquiles, Green Juice, Vegan Quesadilla + Chorizo Plate, Strawberry + Mango Smoothie
Tips when ordering: They seem to be closed on Mondays so just make sure that you check their current hours while walking around town before you plan to go!
FRIDAY FARMERS MARKET:
Cash Only - 9AM-2PM
We stumbled into this farmers market by complete accident and I’m so glad we did! I love a good farmers market and it was epic to experience local food and artisans in one place. There’s vegan cheese stands, incredible salsas, vegan falafel and our favorite was the vegan burritos and taco stand from Rancho St. Augustine. Be sure to book your trip so that you can venture to this Market!
What we loved: The takeaway vegan al pastor meat and the quesadilla was incredible from Rancho St. Augustine.
CHAMAN:
Accepts Cash + Card
We stumbled upon this place on our first night when we were all super hungry and looking for a spot that had food for all eaters. I completely forgot to take a picture as we were that hungry (ha!) but this spot is super cute with lights and dream catchers everywhere. We were lucky to find a small vegetarian section and the staff was super accommodating to make anything dairy free for us!
What we loved: The soy meat tacos + the hibiscus tacos.
Tips when ordering: This is an ideal spot when traveling with non vegans as the menu only has a few vegan options but is super friendly for everyone.
San Pancho (francisco):
Lovito Del Mar:
Cash + Cards
Oooff! This place was a fire find. It was Sunday and a few places were closed that we were eyeing and instead we stumbled upon this restaurant. They have a veg section that is really well done and incredibly delicious. The service was top notch and their happy hour has 2 for 1 margarita which we obviously took advantage of. Everyone in our group agreed that this was our fav meal of the weekend.
What we loved: Cauliflower Zarandeado, Aquachile Fried Tacos, Veggie Tacos, 2 for 1 margaritas
Tips when ordering: Make sure to specify that you’re dairy-free so that they can adjust the sauces accordingly! Also sit upstairs, its so cute with a great view of the street.
Yasminas place:
Accepts Cash + Card
We came to this plant based seafood restaurant for my birthday dinner and it was the perfect spot. They had so many plant based options and the whole vibe was absolutely incredible. I highly recommend heading to San Pancho from Sayulita for this restaurant alone! We were greeted with an amuse bouche of tea and cilantro soup to cleanse our pallets. We got the chai horchata which were two of my favorite things combined into one! I also highly recommend the coconut potatoes as I still can’t stop thinking about them. They even went above and beyond to hunt down a dessert for me for my bday celebration. 10/10 would recommend this place!
What we loved: Pozole, Dumpling salad, Coconut potatoes, Hibiscus potato salad, Mexican pad Thai, Chai horchata
Tips when ordering: It’s BYOB so if you want wine or beer you have to bring yourself! They will provide glasses.
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