Restaurante Baklava Bucerias — Restaurant in Nayarit

Baklava Restaurant

My wife and I recently stayed at The Hotel Ysuri Busarias in La Cruz, Mexico, which is around thirty minutes north of Puerto Vallarta. Baklava Restaurant is located on the hotel property, but is separate from the hotel.

We ate there the night of our arrival on December 4th, 2024, and had one of the best meals we could have hoped for anyplace in the world. We shared a Greek salad and truffle mushroom appetizer, which were both excellent. Our favorite mushrooms are from an upscale Italian restaurant in San Diego, called Baci, but we both agreed that these were just as great! I had the fresh Mahi with crushed pistachios, olive oil, white wine and cherry tomatoes, which was amazing in both the flavors and the quality of the fresh fish. My wife had the filet mignon, which she also liked very much.

A couple of nights later we just wanted a light bite for dinner, because we had a late lunch on the beach. My wife was really just craving desert and a margarita, but I decided to try the eggplant parmigiana appetizer. Eggplant parmigiana is my favorite food in the world, and I’ve had it in many different parts of Italy, including Sicily, where it’s pretty much the unofficial national dish. I didn’t try it on our first night at Baklava because I was a little hesitant about how authentic it would be in Mexico. But when I did finally try it, I swear it was as good as any I’ve ever had, anywhere! As soon as I put my fork into it I knew how tender it was, so that I wouldn’t need a knife, which is how eggplant parmigiana should be. The fresh red sauce was off the charts both in its consistency and extraordinary flavor, and made with plenty of olive oil, which I think is the secret for great red sauce. I was raving about it so much to the wait staff, Giovanni and Cielo, and the chefs, Margarito, and Emiliano, who’s Argentinian, that they probably thought I was a little crazy! But I assure you I’m not! It was really just that amazing! Oh yeah, the baklava, served warm with vanilla ice cream was pretty great too!

We then went back to Baklava for our final night, and this time we ordered the Greek salad, truffle mushrooms and eggplant parmigiana for appetizers. I ordered the fresh seafood with black squid ink pasta for my entree, which was great, but I’d still recommend the fresh Mahi. My wife, who doesn’t have quite the same appetite as me, just ordered a bowl of mushroom soup for her entree, in light of all the appetizers we had. And that too was incredibly flavorful and full of fresh mushrooms. And she did still have room for another baklava and ice cream for dessert!

The restaurant is situated around the hotel’s pool area with several tables on a deck overlooking the Pacific Ocean.A very charming and romantic ambiance for sure.

Finally, I’d like to mention Pepe, Carlos and Victor, who were all part of the great wait staff at Baklava.

If you’re living in, or just visiting the La Cruz / Buscerias area of Puerto Vallarta, I can’t recommend this exceptional dining experience...

Amazing Service, Food & Atmosphere!

It was truly a lovely dining experience. Service, food and location are 5 star! Everything was delicious and beautifully thought out. Our server Jesse was funny, thoughtful and super helpful, it wouldn’t have been the same without him. This isn’t just limited to dinner either. Their lunch and breakfast are delicious as well. We were lucky to be able to go a few times and it was defiantly some of the best food we had in Bucerias. Not to mention the cocktails! They were so fresh and couldn’t be beaten.

Being adult only, it definitely gives it a lovely and intimate feel.

We stayed at the adjoining hotel for two weeks and sampled just about everything on the menu. The swordfish appetizer is a must try and the shrimp salad was delectable. All of the entrees we tried where done to perfection. For Breakfast we loved the Avocado Toast and how can you beet a poolside burger or ceviche in the afternoon.

We can’t...

Checked out menu and walked over to have drinks and dessert. Extremely hard to access as all doors are locked and have to be buzzed in. Beautiful building and space but NO WHERE does it say adults only. Had our 2 children who are 10 and 7 with and extremely well behaved. Were told by a staff member in a very rude manor that we could sit but only if the kids didn’t run around. Then were told we’d have to wait 15 minutes as it was a dinner “rush” the restaurant was almost entirely empty. Then were also told the menu items we wanted weren’t available. Over all very snotty attitude and terrible service. Bartender was playing solitaire on the computer and server taking shots. All while “ extremely busy” apparently. Wouldn’t ever go even without kids. Place could be beautiful but service and attitude are disgusting. Don’t...