Barefoot Ocean-To-Table Dining: Tasting Mexico’s Pacific Coast at Cala de Mar Ixtapa

There’s something magical about eating with the ocean as your backdrop. At Cala de Mar Resort & Spa Ixtapa, perched dramatically where the Sierra Madre mountains plunge into the Pacific, every meal feels like a holiday for your senses. The surf provides the soundtrack whilst every plate tells a story of the sea.

Here, the daily catch dictates the menu and the drama of cliffs meeting ocean sets the stage for meals that become memories. It’s dining that connects you with the rhythms of the coast.

Eating with the Ocean

At The Seafood Market, the concept is beautifully simple: ocean-to-table dining where the day’s catch determines what’s on offer. A chalkboard menu features the morning’s haul – perhaps red snapper, dorado or octopus – all sourced from local waters.

The freedom here is intoxicating: you choose your fish, pick your cooking method and select the accompanying sauce, then watch as it’s grilled to order over open flames. The open-air setting amplifies the experience, with candlelight flickering across artisan tableware whilst the Pacific stretches endlessly beyond the cliffs.

It’s this connection to place that makes each meal special – the immediacy of the catch, the drama of the setting and the freedom to craft your own culinary experience. Ixtapa’s Pacific coast cuisine traditionally celebrates ingredients like snapper, shrimp, crab and mussels, often prepared with authentic Mexican seasonings that enhance rather than mask the fresh flavours.

A Mares: Regional Memories, Elevated

When the tropical heat becomes overwhelming, A Mares Restaurant offers a climate-controlled sanctuary that’s perfect for leisurely, upscale dinners. This is one of the few air-conditioned dining venues in Ixtapa, but the panoramic ocean views ensure you never lose sight of the sea.

The rotating menu takes you on a journey across Mexico’s diverse culinary regions, with seasonal ingredients and thoughtful wine pairings from Mexico and beyond elevating each course. There’s a sense of discovery here – dishes that transport you through flavour, letting you explore the country’s rich culinary heritage without leaving your table.

The careful curation means each meal becomes a guided tour of Mexican gastronomy, from coastal specialities to inland treasures. Much like restaurants that create theatrical dining experiences, A Mares understands that great meals engage all your senses.

Las Rocas: Barefoot Days by the Pool

Some meals are meant to be casual, and Las Rocas delivers exactly that kind of barefoot luxury. Located poolside, this all-day dining spot captures the essence of relaxed coastal living.

Start your day with the ‘Cala de Mar Breakfast’, then transition to fresh ceviche tostadas, fish tacos and zesty salads crafted from local produce. The comfort lies in the authenticity – these aren’t just poolside snacks but genuine expressions of regional cuisine.

With your toes in the water and sunshine overhead, every bite connects you to the laid-back spirit of Mexico’s coastal communities, where fresh seafood has shaped the local culinary heritage for centuries.

Sipping and Sunset Rituals

As the day winds down, the three-tiered A Mares Terrace Bar becomes the heart of the resort’s social scene. Sunset meets sophistication here, with tapas, sushi and cocktails creating the perfect backdrop for the evening’s golden hour spectacle.

The Tequila Room adds serious credibility to the drinking experience – a temperature-controlled lounge housing more than 65 premium 100% agave tequilas and mezcals. Guided tastings reveal the nuances of different expressions, whilst the opportunity to mix your own signature margaritas adds a playful element to the evening.

This combination of education and entertainment turns a simple drink into a cultural experience. The kind of oceanside dining atmosphere that makes you forget about everything except the moment you’re in.

Guerrero’s Spirits: Mezcal Masterclasses

The resort’s Mezcal Class offers a deep dive into Guerrero’s liquid heritage, set on an open-air terrace where mountain breezes carry the scent of agave. This hands-on experience showcases Guerrero’s distinctive mezcal traditions, featuring locally grown agave varieties like Cupreata, which thrives in the region’s mountainous terrain and requires 12 to 15 years to mature.

The class includes a curated tasting of different agave varietals, each revealing unique characteristics shaped by Guerrero’s diverse microclimates. You’ll blend custom salts using traditional molcajetes, learning how these accompaniments enhance the spirit’s robust, earthy flavours.

The experience culminates with creating a traditional Cantarito cocktail, where the complex notes of Guerrero’s artisanal mezcals shine through the citrus and spice.

Private Moments at the Edge of the World

For those seeking something truly special, Cala de Mar’s private dining experiences create meals that transcend the ordinary. Cliffside romantic dinners and beach picnics at secluded coves offer the ultimate in personalised luxury, each curated by a dedicated assistant who ensures every detail reflects your preferences.

The resort’s chefs craft bespoke menus for these occasions, turning dinner into a deeply personal memory rather than just a meal. Whether you’re celebrating an anniversary on the clifftops or enjoying a sunrise breakfast on a hidden beach, these experiences recognise that the most meaningful meals are often the most intimate ones.

Why It’s Worth Savouring

Cala de Mar weaves together all the elements that make coastal dining memorable. The ocean views, the fresh catches, the regional traditions – they all combine to create experiences that feel both exotic and authentic.

Each restaurant and bar serves a different purpose in this culinary journey, from the theatrical drama of The Seafood Market to the intimate discovery of A Mares. The resort’s approach recognises that great meals aren’t just about the food – they’re about the stories, the settings and the connections that turn dining into an experience worth remembering.

As Ixtapa’s dining scene continues to evolve, Cala de Mar offers something increasingly rare: the chance to truly taste a place, not just eat in it.