Some places feed you, and others make you feel at home. The Black Buddha Sayulita is one of those rare spots that does both. Founded by a couple who came to Sayulita searching for ocean air, slower days, and a more intentional way of living, The Black Buddha was born from a love of gathering, cooking, and creating meaningful connections through food. Rooted in quality, care, and community, this cozy local favorite offers a relaxed space where sandy feet are welcome and everyone belongs.

Let’s Start With You

What brought you to Sayulita?

We came to Sayulita for what a lot of people come for – the ocean, the pace, the feeling that life can be simpler. All the noise of what doesn’t matter washes away and you can live a more intentional life. What I didn’t expect was how quickly it would feel like home. Sayulita has a way of gently asking you to slow down, show up, and connect – with people, with food, with yourself.

What inspired you to start this business here?

Food has always been our way of connecting with people. The Black Buddha was born from wanting to create something quality and authentic — simple food made well, served with warmth. My fiancé learned to cook from his Italian and Mexican grandmothers, and before moving here I created performance art centered around gathering and sharing warm food in galleries and classrooms. Opening a restaurant together felt like a natural evolution.

What’s something most people don’t know about your journey?

This business is a partnership between my fiancé and me – built on trust, learning, and many late-night conversations about the kind of life we want to build, not just the kind of business. The Black Buddha isn’t about growth at all costs; it’s about creating something sustainable, human, and meaningful.

About the Restaurant

What makes The Black Buddha unique in Sayulita?

We’re not trying to reinvent food; we focus on doing a few things really well. Quality ingredients, thoughtful preparation, and treating people like they matter. You can feel when something is made with care, and that’s what we aim for every day.

How would you describe the vibe?

Relaxed, welcoming, and unpretentious. Come as you are — sandy feet, sun-tired, hungry, curious. It’s a place to pause, eat well, and feel comfortable.

Is there a dish especially close to your heart?

Our shrimp tacos. Fresh shrimp cleaned three times, sautéed with garlic and onion, lightly battered in crispy tempura, topped with avocado, creamy house-made escabeché chile salsa, melted Oaxaca cheese, and served on a warm tortilla with cilantro and lime. They represent what we love about cooking here — simple ingredients done intentionally, meant to be shared. They’ve become a delicious meeting point for locals and visitors, and we love watching that happen.

Community Connection

What does being part of Sayulita mean to you?

It means relationships over transactions. Knowing your neighbors. Supporting each other during slow seasons and celebrating together during busy ones. Sayulita works because people care — and we want to be part of that fabric.

Do you collaborate locally?

We prioritize sourcing locally whenever possible and supporting small vendors and producers. Even small choices add up, and that’s how a community stays strong.

How do you give back?

By being consistent, respectful, and rooted here. We want to be a place people trust — whether that’s for a quick meal, a familiar face, or a sense of normalcy in a town that’s always evolving.

Personal & Fun

Favorite way to spend a morning in Sayulita?

An early walk on the beach before the town fully wakes up — matcha for me, coffee for my fiancé, cool ocean air. That quiet grounding moment before the day unfolds is everything.

One scent or memory that captures Sayulita?

Salt in the air, charcoal on a grill, and warm tortillas. Simple — but that combination feels like Sayulita distilled.

Community shoutout

Our favorite taquería: Parri-Pollo — a charcoal grill spot that can be summed up in four words: warmth, flavor, and quality ingredients.
And a shoutout to the regular people who make Sayulita what it is — sharing smiles, lending tools, checking on someone who falls off their bike. These everyday acts of kindness are what truly make this town special.

Looking Ahead

What’s next?

Staying grounded. Refining what we do best. Growing thoughtfully without losing the heart of why we started.

Anything exciting coming up?

We’re always experimenting quietly — seasonal specials, small improvements, better processes. Plus, we have art workshops with mocktails and cocktails, pool nights, karaoke, and sports viewing nights coming up. Follow along on Instagram or Facebook at @theblack_buddha_sayu for updates.

For Our Readers

How can people support you?

Eat local, ask questions, be curious — and come back twice. 😉

Best way to find you?

In person, at the entrance arch of Sayulita — that’s always best. You can also follow “The Black Buddha Sayulita” on Instagram and Facebook to see what we’re cooking and what’s happening day to day.

Visit our Sayulita Life Page: https://www.sayulitalife.com/blackbuddha-restaurant