NAEF restaurant — Restaurant in Nayarit

Naef is one of those rare spots that makes you feel like you’ve stumbled onto something truly special. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and a big part of that is Caesar—the heart and soul of the place. He’s not just the manager; he’s a gracious host who remembers your name, makes thoughtful recommendations, and genuinely cares that every guest has a great experience.

The food? Incredible. The sea bass is beautifully cooked and full of flavor, the wood-burning pizza has that perfect balance of crispy and chewy with just a hint of char, and the tuna tataki is fresh, delicate, and expertly done. And then there’s the salted caramel ice cream—famous for a reason. It’s the kind of dessert you plan your next visit around.

Naef feels like a neighborhood secret you want to keep, but it’s too good not to share.

We went three times in one week we love...

We booked a table at NAEF for my birthday this year and we couldn't have made a better choice. The courtyard was so charming with gorgeous tables and beautiful glassware. Our server was knowledgeable and attentive. And the food - my goodness. We are vegetarians, so we enjoyed a beautifully composed salad, a mushroom truffle pizza I can't stop thinking about, and some amazing gnocchi. We ended the meal with churros (of course!) and a really fun and delicious 5-flavor ice cream sampler. It was the ultimate birthday experience. We've joked that we may need to travel back to Punta Mita just to do it all over again! Many thanks to the NAEF team for a...

WOW! I am so glad we found this hidden gem. I highly recommend making your way outside the resort gates to NAEF—it is such a remarkably pleasant surprise. Consider calling to make a reservation and ask for specific directions, as it is concealed behind a gate and tricky to locate, but I am so glad we ultimately did. The service was incredible, the atmosphere is lovely, and the food and drinks were perfection. NAEF is such a special treat, I wish we discovered it before our last night in Mexico! Thank you so much to the staff who made our impromptu dinner...