We may earn income from links in this post. Please read this Disclosure for details.
Looking for the best breakfast in Puerto Escondido? Whether you’re after a quick bite to start your day or a relaxed brunch with ocean views, Puerto Escondido offers plenty of delicious options.
From classic Mexican specialties like chilaquiles to health-conscious choices like smoothie bowls, there’s something to suit every taste.
Over the past 15 years, while contributing to Fodor’s Guide to Oaxaca, testing recipes for Lonely Planet’s Mexico from the Source cookbook, and living in Puerto Escondido, I’ve had the opportunity to sample a wide range of breakfasts in town.
Many of the local cafés and restaurants not only serve incredible food and Oaxacan Pluma coffee but also feature stunning architecture, lush garden settings, and even live music, making your breakfast experience just as memorable as the food itself.
So, if you’re ready to discover the top spots for breakfast in Puerto Escondido, here are my top picks:
1. Restaurante Doña Claudia – Best Cheap Breakfast with a View
You’ll enjoy breezy ocean views as well as Puerto Escondido’s best bargain on traditional Mexican breakfasts at Restaurante Doña Claudia, one of a string of cheerful eateries facing Zicatela Beach within Mercado Zicatela.
It’s impossible to miss the sprawling, modern building located on Highway 200 in the Zicatela area on the way to La Punta.
Once you arrive, stroll the walkway beneath the soaring roof to the row of restaurants on the opposite side of the entrance.
Breakfast menu options include Mexican-style eggs bathed in salsa such as huevos divorciados or huevos a la Mexicana which come topped on a tortilla with ham and accompanied by refried beans, cheese and a basket of tortillas.
Other enticing menu options at Restaurante Doña Claudia include chilaquiles verdes o rojos. Be sure to order of the fresh seasonal fruit (featuring papaya, melon and pineapple) with pancakes and organic local honey.
Fresh squeezed orange juice and Pluma Hidalgo Oaxacan coffee are included with the breakfast packages
Restaurante Doña Claudia serves breakfast all day.
Make It: Craving a Mexican-style breakfast but don’t feel like going out? Try our easy recipe for Scrambled Eggs with Tomato (Huevos Revueltos con Tomate y Cebolla)
2. DulTi Restaurante in Mercado Zicatela
With a focus on what’s fresh, local and all-natural, DulTi Restaurante is another popular place for breakfast in La Punta and Brisas de Zicatela (Google Map).
Not only do they offer traditional Mexican breakfast dishes such as huevos rancheros con frijoles (fried eggs bathed in tomato sauce with beans) and huevos divorciados (fried eggs in red and green sauce), but you’ll also find many Oaxacan food specialties.
Top dishes are the entomatados, enfrijoladas and enmoladas, corn tortillas stuffed with quesillo, the white string cheese of Oaxaca.
DulTi is also a good option for a vegan breakfast in Puerto Escondido as they offer a plant-based chorizo packed with smoky flavour. Avocado toast, smoothie bowls, hot cakes and quesadillas with epazote round out the offerings.
If you’re looking for Puerto Escondido’s best French Toast, you won’t be disappointed with the Pan Francés at DulTi. It’s made with thick slices of white, artisanal bread with a hint of cinnamon. Enjoy it bathed in honey or maple syrup.
DulTi Restaurante is also a great spot for cappuccino, cafe Americano and espresso. Soak up the ocean views from your breezy table, then shop for fruit and veggies in the market.
3. Café Olé – Streetside Breakfast in La Punta
Café Olé restaurant is a happening place located at the entrance to La Punta’s beach zone on Calle Alejandro Cardenas (Google Map).
Although there are often line-ups for a table, turnover is quick. Service is streamlined as there are no menu substitutions, no splitting bills and every dish on the menu is the same price.
If you’re taking a surfing lesson or one of the other top things to do in Puerto Escondido, then you’ll love Café Olé. Breakfast is available all-day.
No need to rouse yourself early to score crepes stuffed with nutella or an order of waffles stuffed with fresh spinach and mushrooms. Coffee is among the best in Puerto.
Prices are higher than what you’ll find elsewhere in Puerto. You’re paying for the ambiance (there’s a DJ spinning tunes, original art and a garden vibe), sparkling clean washrooms and quality of the wide range of menu items.
There’s lots to choose from for vegans and vegetarians. The homemade breads are especially good.
4. Jardin Zicarú – Soul-Satisfying Breakfast in La Punta
Breakfast at Jardín Zicarú in La Punta Zicatela (corner of Calle Guerrero & Avenida Heroes Oaxaqueños) is a laid-back and soul-satisfying way to start the day.
The garden setting, live music, and co-friendly touches—like free water batter refills and reusable straws—make it a place that feels both welcoming and mindful.
The menu is full of Mexican-inspired dishes that make choosing a challenge. We admit to having a pang of plate envy as we watched towers of chilaquiles pass by enroute to other tables.
But we were more than happy with our own picks: Salsa de Huevo con Hierba Santa, eggs simmered in a rich sauce of red and green tomatoes with a kick of chile chiltepin, alongside a fresh mango smoothie.
We also enjoyed Huevos Mexicanos, served with black beans and whole-grain bread.
After breakfast, make a quick stop at Canta Tierra boutique next door. Filled with mandalas, chimes, textiles and hand-crafted pieces it makes for a thoughtful and inspiring morning.
Prices are reasonable: $MEX90 for eggs as you like them and sandwiches at $MEX135. The Special of the Day was chilaquiles + agua de dia for $MEX120.
Check the Jardin Zicarú Instagram page for events, specials and more.
5. Los Alebrijes Restaurant – Cheerful Crepes on the Rinconada
You’ll love the inspiring artwork and super-fresh breakfast selections at Los Alebrijes on the Rinconada (Google Map). This cheerful eatery features imaginative paintings, a lending library and friendly service from owner Letty and her team.
Check the chalk board for the day’s offerings. There which include a wide selection of omelettes as well as molletes, hot cakes and classic Mexican dishes such as huevos rancheros and chilaquiles.
They also whip up what are likely the best crepes in town (nutella anyone?) They’re served with fresh squeezed orange juice or licuados in a rainbow of colours such as strawberry, chocolate and platano.
You’ll love the easy on the wallet prices. This is one of the cheapest places for breakfast in Puerto Escondido. An order of crepes stuffed with spinach, cheese and mushrooms will set you back just 75 MXN pesos.
🌟 Insider Tip: Stop by on Sunday evenings for live music! Enjoy an evening of jazz and/or Mexican ballads with Letty on guitar.
6. La Julia Coffee, Market & Gallery in Bacocho
With its Parisian flea market meets Midsummer Night’s Dream decor, you’ll feel as though you’ve been transported into a magical realm at this cafe, food shop and art gallery in the Bacocho neighbourhood.
Twinkling chandeliers, a profusion of flowers cascading from the soaring ceiling and a mix of indoor/outdoor space including a reflecting pool make La Julia Puerto’s most atmospheric setting for breakfast.
It’s arguably the best brunch in Puerto Escondido.
Even the servers dressed in black lacy blouses and red top hats look as though they’ve stepped out of a Montmarte cabaret show.
What’s inside the velvet-clad menu is just as memorable. In addition to English breakfast classics such as hot cakes, waffles, French Toast and scrambled egg with sausage there’s a wide selection of regional Mexican specialties.
This is the place to sample carne machaca con huevo, a traditional specialty of Sinaloa featuring the region’s dried salted beef.
If you want to go local, Oaxacan ingredients and dishes also figure prominently on the menu at La Julia in the form of chapulines, chocolate and local cheeses.
There’s also enfrijoladas, entomatadas, pasta dishes and salads to round things out.
Make time to browse the art gallery, soak up the positive ions from the cascading waterfall pool and gawk at the imaginative creations that fill every corner of this oasis.
The cafe is named after the owners’ mother who is surely must be a creative tour de force.
La Julia is one of Puerto Escondido’s best places for brunch, fancy breakfast with a group or a romantic breakfast for two. Sometimes there’s even live music.
Fuel up here for a day at Playa Coral, one of Puerto Escondido’s best beaches.
Open 7:00 am to 8:00 pm. Closed Tuesday.
Pro Tip: There’s often VERY slow service so you need to be committed if you plan to breakfast here.
7. Elephant Garden – Hidden Oasis on Zicatela Beach
This oasis of greenery and healthy cuisine, is tucked away on the tiny street that flanks Surf Las Olas Hotel leading away from Zicatela Beach (Google Map).
You might never happen upon it if you aren’t looking for it (or hadn’t received a tip from a friend as I did), but it’s well worth seeking out.
Go through the shop to the rear of the building to discover the restaurant set beneath an canopy of trees and surrounded by swaying bamboo, tinkling wind chimes and natural stone walls.
It’s hard to imagine such a light and airy setting just steps from the beach.
Begin by browsing the selection of teas (both hot and iced), coffees and smoothies in delicious flavours such as banana, vanilla and strawberry with coconut milk.
Then, head down to the bagel section of the menu where there are nine varieties of open faced bagels to choose from. Without a doubt these are the best bagels in Puerto Escondido.
They’ve got a nice crispy exterior, a bit of satisfying, chewiness like a Montreal bagel and a soft pillowy interior
In fact, there are so many variations of bagel sandwiches — from smoked tuna to a spinach pate with walnuts — it’s tough to choose just one. They all come with sprouts, micro greens and veggies, which adds a splash of colour and a health boost.
A pair of smoothie bowls with kefir & yogurt, fruit and grains, plus eight breakfast options with everything from muesli to poached eggs round out the enticing menu options. Best of all, there are lots of options for vegan and vegetarian diners.
Find them at Elephant Garden on Facebook. Or visit them between 8:00 am and 3 pm Thursdays to Monday.
8. Café Mar Y Cielo – A Bountiful Garden in Brisas de Zicatela
Bring a big appetite if you’re headed for breakfast at Café Mar Y Cielo. Portions are huge but to be honest you’ll probably have worked up an appetite trying to find the entrance.
It really is that hidden.
Located just a block from the crashing waves of windswept Zicatela Beach and tucked among tropical foliage in a bend in the road within the Valhalla Hotel.(Google Map), it feels like a world of its own.
Mexican specialties such as chilaquiles, molletes and enmoladas figure strongly on the menu. But there are a few surprises such as savoury croissants and if you’re a late riser — a crispy fish platter — available from noon onwards.
What makes this breakfast spot stand out—beyond its relaxing vibe—are the generous portions.
I was momentarily daunted by the size of my pancakes. But fortunately I had a equally gigantic mug of rich Oaxacan hot chocolate to go with them. So I was up for the challenge.
Prices are quite reasonable and paired with the attentive, friendly service (and WiFi) this is the kind of place you could happily spend a good part of a morning.
Fact is if you order the Pancake Special you might need a full morning to just to finish it!
Pro Tip: You’re a 5-minute walk from Casa Joseph Zicatela, one of our favourite hotels in Puerto Escondido.
9. Las Margaritas – Traditional Fare in El Centro Near Benito Juarez Mercado
Feeling weary from a morning at the Benito Juárez market? This restaurant is truly an oasis from the bustling street scene along 8a Norte.
The pleasant shaded courtyard, breezy fans, friendly service and immaculate washrooms make it a place you’ll want to return to again and again.
On weekend mornings, there’s even live music that adds to the relaxing ambiance.
Las Margaritas offers one of the cheapest breakfasts in Puerto Escondido. But this doesn’t mean quality suffers.
For example, an order of huevos rancheros or divorciados costs just 85 pesos (under $4 USD) but comes with handmade tortillas de comal, creamy guacamole, a spicy red salsa, black beans and grilled nopal cactus and/or vegetables.
Daily specials are also exceptional value. Portions of brochettes of fish are so generous you can take some home for your next meal! Another top choice is grilled beef arranchera.
Look for Las Margaritas awning at the corner of Avenida Oaxaca and 8a Norte across from Benito Juárez Market.
Breakfast is over at 12 noon so no sleeping in if you want to eat it here!
10. Dan’s Café Deluxe – Surfer Fuel Stop at Zicatela Beach
You won’t find a better deal on pancakes, bacon and eggs than the Surfer breakfasts at Dan’s Cafe. The coffee is good and strong too, a rarity in town.
This breezy corner cafe and restaurant is a mecca for hungry surfers, local business folks and the ex-pat community.
If the crowd isn’t at Dan’s Cafe Deluxe for the hearty breakfast and good, strong coffee then they’re there for the fish tacos, served Baja-style with a trio of authentic salsas, on Fridays and Saturdays.
I eat them in the late morning and call it brunch. Good, free wifi is another bonus.
14 Calle Jacarandas Opens at 7:00 am
11. Pez Gallo at Bacocho Beach – Breakfast with Ocean View
With a winning combination of beautiful views, the sound of waves and quality cuisine, once you eat at Pez Gallo, you’ll wonder why you didn’t discover it sooner.
One of our fave breakfasts in Puerto Escondido for post-beach walk refreshment, it’s located at the Beach Club Villa Sol of Hotel Suites Villasol on Puerto Escondido’s Bacocho Beach.
Vegetarians will be pleased with the breakfast options here. There’s a zucchini squash omelet, fluffy waffles and fruit pancakes with apple chutney for breakfast.
Unless you want to combine a morning stroll with breakfast, you’ll most likely need to take a taxi.
But if you do decide to walk, it’s a steep road downhill at least one way. Open 8:00 am – 7:00 pm
12. El Cafecito at Zicatela Beach and Rinconada
Sooner or later, everyone ends up at El Cafecito. It serves up some of the most popular breakfasts in Puerto Escondido. Expect line-ups on weekends and during holiday periods.
This restaurant/coffee shop has two locations: One on the Rinconada and the other on the Zicatela strip, each with the same winning formula of great food, reasonable prices and fast service.
The breezy Zicatela location with its plentiful ceiling fans is a welcome break from the sun and is prime for people-watching.
Make your own breakfast salsa with this recipe for Salsa Verde (Green Tomatillo Salsa) by The Mexykan
A continuous parade of beach vendors offering wares such as masks, bobbly head crustaceans and jewellery will keep kids happily entertained. The Rinconada location is near the library so you can pick up a book at the same time.
Order the chilaquiles or if you’re just passing by, grab a loaf of satisfying whole-wheat bread or sticky cinnamon bun from the bakery counter to go. The good wifi signals at both restaurant locations makes Cafecito a prime spot for checking email while you sip your coffee.
The only challenge is that many other people also think el Cafecito is home to the best breakfast in Puerto Escondido as well, so expect crowds and long line-ups on the weekends.
Love coffee? Be sure to take a tour to Pluma Hidalgo to sample Oaxaca’s excellent shade-grown coffee direct from the source.
13. Danny’s Terrace – Beachfront on Playa Principal
Set among the almond trees overlooking the fishing boats on Playa Principal, Danny’s Terrace is a perennial favourite for breakfast or brunch in Puerto Escondido.
Danny’s Terrace is tucked inside the Hotel Rincón del Pacifico on Alfonso Pérez Gasga. You can find its entrance on Playa Principal or via a narrow walkway leading to the beach from the Adoquín.
There’s lots to choose from on the menu at Danny’s Terrace. Choose from traditional breakfast items such as hotcakes with fruit, waffles with caramelized fruit and fruit salad with granola and yogurt.
It’s one of the most popular places for Eggs Benedict in Puerto Escondido.
Or, go local with specialties such as eggs Oaxaqueñas or an omelette stuffed with mushrooms, squash blossoms and Oaxacan cheese, enmoladas (enchiladas stuffed with chicken, cheese or beef bathed in mole sauce), enfrijoladas or entomatadas, chilaquiles and more.
You’ll be amazed at the great value! Most mains are under 100 pesos ($5 USD) and come accompanied with refried beans, tortillas or French bread and house-made salsa. The juices are freshly squeezed.
Check out the menu and hours of operation at their Facebook page. Phone number: 954 582 0257
14. A Traditional Puerto Escondido Breakfast on Gina’s Walking Tour
Led by local expert Gina Machorro, this morning walking tour for foodies offers an introduction into typical Oaxacan breakfast ingredients such as nopal cactus, tortillas and beans.
On this morning tour, you’ll explore the culinary backstreets of Puerto Escondido. You’ll visit a traditional chocolate grinder, the homes of women making tamales and Benito Juarez Market.
There you’ll explore the indigenous stalls, learning how to identify epazote, pimiento gorda, sapote (mamey) and nance.
You’ll come away with a bag of culinary goodies and a whole new appreciation of Puerto Escondido.
The tour is usually held on Saturdays 7:45 am but check at Gina’s Information Booth on the Adoquin for times and reservations.
15. Glou Glou at Casa TO – Design-Driven Dining
A person might be tempted to book breakfast at Glou Glou just to catch a glimpse of Casa TO’s stunning, award-winning Brutalist design.
But that would be a mistake.
Once you get over rubbernecking at the striking concrete arches and serene water features at this top Puerto Escondido hotel, the menu will steal your attention.
It’s refreshingly different (and pricier!) than anything else in town. However, Glou Glou is as much a feast for the palate as it is for the eyes.
Where else could you find a ricotta omelt with salsa macha and arepitas? Or French toast with custard sauce and toasted pecans? Or a side of fava beans and naan?
No where else.
Glou Glou is as unique as its architecture. So if you’re looking to break out of a chilaquiles rut, this is the best place for an exciting breakfast in Puerto Escondido.
16. Mango Tree – A Wholesome Puerto Escondido Breakfast Spot
Start your morning fresh at Mango Tree, a relaxed breakfast spot in Brisas de Zicatela where health-conscious eats meet laid-back Caribbean vibes.
Tucked just off the main drag, it’s a peaceful escape from La Punta’s buzzing motos, making it the perfect place to ease into the day.
If you’re looking for huevos con chorizo or other indulgent (aka high fat/sodium) breakfast favourites (no judgment—we get it!), Mango Tree takes a different approach.
Here, it’s all about fresh, nourishing ingredients from natural juice blends to smoothie bowls.
Our fave — the Verde Smoothie Bowl — blends banana, kale, spinach, granola, seasonal fruit, and seeds. You can add optional boosts like spirulina or açai.
Craving something heartier? Go for the whole-grain pancakes—served with fresh fruit and topped with grated coconut—or indulge in their Croque Monsieur, a satisfying twist on the French classic.
Every breakfast package includes a mug of organic coffee and fresh fruit, making sure you start the day right.
Presentation is as artful as the menu itself.
With wicker sofas topped with floral cushions, garden setting and earthenware plates, Mango Tree feels like a tropical hideaway.
The reggae tunes and tropical colors transport you straight to the Caribbean, and on some mornings, live music adds an extra touch. Music doesn’t start until 10:00 AM, so there’s no need to set an early alarm.
For a wholesome, flavourful breakfast away from the chaos, Mango Tree is a spot worth savouring.
Opens at 9:00 am and you can get coffee to go.
17. Escondido Brunch and Seafood – A Real Hidden Gem
Although this hidden gem tucked inside the Ben Zaa Hotel (Location) is on our list of the best restaurants in Puerto Escondido due to its inspired and ever-evolving dinner menu, it’s also a prime place for brunch.
The catch is that Escondido Brunch and Seafood’s breakfast menus is only available Friday, Saturday & Sunday from 9:30 to 1:00 pm. So it’s the kind of place to plan for on a lazy weekend.
Specialties like French Toast stuffed with banana and nutella will soon become your new breakfast favourites.
Don’t miss the housemade salsa macha. You’ll want to slather it on everything. (Buy a jar of it to go if you can).
Owners Rodrigo and Ale always have something exciting planned — from music to food. So check for specials (and hours) on the Escondido Facebook Page.
18. Espadín Restaurant – Best Breakfast with a View
Well known for its breathtaking ocean views, Espadín at Villas Carrizalillo (Location) isn’t just a top spot for romantic dinners and sunset cocktails—it’s also one of the best places for breakfast with a view in Puerto Escondido.
The menu may feature classic Mexican staples like huevos rancheros, chilaquiles, and omelettes, but it’s the focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients that sets this morning meal apart.
Whether you’re sealing a deal over coffee or easing into the day with a seaside sunrise, Espadín delivers both flavour and scenery in equal measure.
Breakfast Served 8:00 a.m. to noon.
19. Café Azul – Airy Garden in Bacocho (Hwy 200)
I likely wouldn’t have come across this rustic, artsy hideaway set amid some foliage at the junction of Highway 200 and Gualetao (Location) on my own.
But thanks to a tip from one of our readers on the Puerto Escondido Travel Essentials Facebook page, we made our way to Cafe Azul one sweltering hot March morning and were amazed by the breezy, welcoming atmosphere.
Its walls are lined with striking local artwork, creating a laid-back yet artistic atmosphere that feels uniquely Puerto Escondido.
The menu is impressively extensive, catering to every craving—from hearty Mexican breakfasts to lighter options. Tortillas are hand-made on a comal – always a strong point in my books.
On our visit, we couldn’t resist the shrimp tostadas, topped with a light, mayo-based dressing reminiscent of ensalada rusa. It’s the kind of place that warrants a return trip.
Honorable Mentions and Final Thoughts
Do you have a favourite place for breakfast in Puerto Escondido? Let us know in the comments!
And that’s not the end of things to do in Puerto Escondido! Read our Essential Puerto Escondido Travel Guide for more tips.
This post was originally published in 2014 but has been updated annually. It was republished in 2025 after a major rewrite that included the addition of several new restaurants in La Punta and Bacocho, revised menus and original photos.
Other Popular Mexico Travel and Food Posts
Day Trip to Untouched Mexico: Roca Blanca Beach
Huauzontle: An Heirloom Vegetable Worth Trying
Epic Things to Do in Roma Norte, Mexico City
Save to Pinterest!
True Blue Bay Resort Grenada: A Sweet Stay on a Budget
esperanza
No sleeping in in Puerto Escondido with all those delicious breakfast choices!What a great way to start the day!