Mar Plata Restaurant — Restaurant in San Francisco

This is hands down the best restaurant in San Pancho, especially if you want something a little different. There are some wonderful traditional Mexican places in town, but after three days we wanted to change it up a bit. We were staying at the Hotel Maraica right on the beach, so we were removed from the town a bit. Marplata was only a five minute walk down Calle Palmas from our hotel, off the beaten path nestled between vacation rental villas and near the La Patrona Beach Club.

We arrived just before they opened, but they were kind enough to let us in early. The entire place is absolutely gorgeous, with metal lanterns hanging like stars against a deep blue ceiling, lush plants everywhere, and pieces of a recovered steam ship worked into the decor. We were greeted by Kevin, the wonderful co-owner of the place who is a transplant from the Napa valley. His years of work as a sommelier meant we got to try some of the best unique wines from Mexican wine regions. They were both delicious, as was the craft cocktail with fresh cucumber and gin. Then there was the food - I cannot say enough about the food. It is creative and intricate, yet also simple, fresh, and locally-sourced. We ordered at least half the menu and loved everything from the refreshing jicama, apple, and white cheddar salad to the fresh and spicy tuna aguachile, to the creamy octopus risotto that was so amazing we actually ordered another round of it after we'd finished the first dish! The chef really knows how to blend flavors from his European/Mexican heritage to create the most unique and delicious food on the island. The staff is so friendly and helpful - we got a lesson on Mexican wine regions and learned a lot about the town of San Pancho as well. All while watching the most breathtaking sunset with views of the ocean peeking through the palms. Even with the high-end food and service, it was so reasonably priced that we gasped (in a good way) when we saw the bill. Coming from Dallas where dinner + drinks of this caliber would cost at least double what we paid, we were pleasantly surprised by the affordability.

To say this was a magical experience would be underselling it. Bottom line - if you are in San Pancho, Lo de Marcos, Sayulita, or anywhere nearby...get to Marplata as quickly as you can! You won't be...

I live in NYC. This is a Michelin Star restaurant hidden on the end of a road. Not one bite was off or poorly constructed. We were a group of seven from SF, NYC, and France. The rib eye was cooked medium-rare instead of medium but every bite, of every dish including the rib eye was creative and cooked to perfection. The wine list was formidable and the cocktails well crafted like the beautiful ambiance on a picture perfect evening.

We ordered:

Burrata Bone marrow x 2 Apple, cheddar, celery salad An extra order of the homemade bread and beet jam Roasted carrots x2 Rib eye Octopus risotto x2 Deconstructed pumpkin pie x2 A Mexican dessert dish

Wine: chilled Alma Mora Pinot Noir Cocktails to start

This meal would have easily been $1000 in NYC for 7. Well done by the chef, sommelier, waiting staff. You have created something special...

If you are ever in the San Pancho area you MUST come here for dinner: Marplata restaurant at Calle Las Palmas in San Pancho.

This might have just become my favorite place to eat of all times. Its interior design is so beautiful. It makes you feel like you're on a ship under a starry sky (the lanterns are in the constellations of Ursa Major and Minor, among others) and watching the sunset from the deck is simply amazing.

And the food, oh the delicious food... It's tapas style for sharing. They recommend 3-4 plates per person but I would go with 2-3 for a group (we have lots of yummy leftovers). Every dish was exceptional. My favorite, the grilled shrimp with corn was unlike any corn I ever had. SO GOOD. The kids couldn't stop raving about how great this was and, clearly,...