The more casual of the Four Seasons’ two dinner restaurants, Bahía is a great pick both for guests of the resort and travelers staying elsewhere. The menu focuses on fresh seafood and meat cooked on an open grill visible from the dining area and served with a selection of sauces. My husband raved about the freshly grilled catch of the day, but my favorite was the tangy ceviche appetizer. Reserve one of the front tables, where you dine with your toes in the sand. Bahía also offers a children’s menu.

Eating a Choco Banana is as much a Sayulita experience as catching a wave or downing a fish taco. Served to hungry surfers since 1991, the treat is divinely simple: a frozen banana dipped in chocolate and served cold. Anyone in the town can point you to this ramshackle patio on the main plaza. Buy one of their signature treats the moment you arrive in Sayulita, because you’ll probably want another before you depart.

One of few modern restaurants in downtown Sayulita, La Rústica serves wood-fired pizzas, coffee and delicious cocktails in their charming, al fresco patio. If you tire of Mexican fare, La Rústica offers a delicious break from the traditional regional cuisine.

This casual beachfront restaurant in the town of Punta de Mita is a good choice for local seafood.

This small restaurant and tequila bar serves a full menu, but what it’s best known for is its fish tacos. Don’t miss trying them.

Should you tire of Mexican food during your visit, book at table at Sea Breeze, the California-style bistro at the St. Regis. The lunch menu features fresh salads and sandwiches, most prepared with organic ingredients, while at dinner you’ll find simple and healthy grilled-fish dishes, plus a few steaks for those who are also weary of sea fare. Although hedges partially block the water views, the coolness of the air-conditioned interior dining room, nicely decorated with white tablecloths and comfortable wicker chairs, can outweigh the need for gazing at the sea.