Culi’s Restaurant & Bar, Bucerias

Honestly, I am not a fan of Mexico, but I find myself there occasionally as it is a short flight and the weather is great. The eating options in Bucerias are pretty good, once one leaves the sunshine and kitty litter textured beach! Of any places I have tried - Culi’s is the best dining experience by far. Located at #32, 5 de Mayo, it is just a short walk from the craziness of ’downtown’ Bucerias. (use google to easily locate it, as well as check out the menu) It has a charming and homey atmosphere. Apparently, the place was once a private home owned by Culi’s family and has been brilliantly renovated into a multi level and well planned restaurant. Even when it is full, as when we visited, the placement of the tables and the decor ensure each table is a private space and the noise level is not bad. Culi and his staff welcomed us and all throughout the evening the service was great. More like visiting a friend’s place than a restaurant. Waiters were always around, but never hovered over us. The menu was amazing and it was difficult for me to make a choice. My friends, who were veterans of this place (as well as friends of Culi) had no problem deciding on Sesame crusted Tuna and Shrimp Fettucine. I finally chose the Tomahawk Porkchop since I had heard great things about it. The menu is extensive and not at all expensive. Culi is very particular about the quality of the food he serves and the suppliers he procures it from. When my entre arrived - I was amazed! I have never seen a pork chop of that size and thickness. Although it was several inches thick, it was cooked perfectly and completely, with a unique and delicious glaze. The presentation of each of our dinners was magnificent and the servings were huge. Each was accompanied by a variety of perfectly cooked vegetables. As I said, the menu is extensive and includes salads, wonderful appetizers, seafood, chicken, beef, pasta... as well brilliant and unique desserts. Culi has obviously put years into developing and perfecting this place and has maintained high standards all the way. I look forward to returning to try more items from the menu. Hopefully I will be able to save room for dessert, but that will be a challenge! A word of advice - make a reservation. This place seems to be well known to those who spend time in Bucerias. It was pretty full when we were there, and I gather that it often is. They do cater for special events and groups. Friends have celebrated a birthday there and were given the upstairs space for their gathering. They are also open on Christmas Eve and New Years - But... Reserve ahead! In summary - it’s worth the walk up the hill from the beach to this quiet residential neighborhood to have a dining experience that is equal to anything in Europe, Canada, the U.S. or anywhere! But - if you go for dinner - you best skip lunch. Also - Culi’s wife has opened a small coffee shop and breakfast place next door - I was not able to get there on this trip but look forward to checking it out.

I was personally welcomed back by Culi and his head waiter, lovely experience. The food and service for our entire group was magnificent. Great to be back to Culi's.

Chili’s is on the other side of the expressway - a charming restaurant worth the extra time to get there. We started with Mexican-spiced mussels and couldn’t get enough of the sauce!! I had a fish filet that was wrapped in octopus. YES - WRAPPED IN OCTOPUS! It was to die for!!! My spouse had rack of lamb and the meat was so tender it nearly fell off the bone. We finished with a key lime pie that was almost too beautiful to eat! Culi’s had so many things on the menu we wanted to try. This is high-end, delicious food! There was a party on the upper floors so we ate outside on the deck and it was beautiful.

There are many good restaurants in Bucerias but Culi’s is a step up from good. Everything was delicious and different. The octopus carpaccio was something I’d never tasted and was a blend of so many flavors I highly recommend it. Service was impeccable and prices were reasonable. Portions were also substantial. Give it a try, you won’t be disappointed.

We’ve been there twice in the last week. At first I was pleasantly surprised by the quality and reasonable prices. My second visit was for my birthday and we reserved a spot on the top level deck. My wife had the coconut shrimp and bacon wrapped shrimp. I had the pork tenderloin. We will be back before this trip is over.

We came to Culi’s tonight because we love their bartender Pancho. And as usual, he made some great drinks. But the food was absolutely amazing! I had the Tomahawk Pork Chop and my wife had the seafood fusilli. Both were excellent! The appetizer was a seared tuna that tasted like it was plucked out of the ocean a couple of hours ago. To top it off, we got to listen to live jazz with a wonderful saxophone player all evening in the bar. I would highly recommend a trip to Culi’s on you’re next visit to the Bucerias area. We can’t wait to get back! Thanks Pancho and staff for a wonderful evening!

Just a 15 minute taxi ride from our Condo in Nuevo Vallarta. This is the best restaurant we have been to in the past 5 years. The food is incredible... even better than our Las Vegas favorites. I had the salmon in a dill cream sauce and my wife had the Mark and Gigi shrimp. The cocktails were amazing too... a fruity margarita concoction that had Don Julio Anejo in it. We also got a beautiful bottle of Napa Valley Chardonnay. Service is incredible as well... I think we had 4 wait staff for us. They always showed up when we needed them, and weren’t bothering us when we didn’t need them. Prices are very reasonable too. What a great find!

Have been to Culi’s several times, this time 3 visits during our month stay. A great menu, very creative. The 3 entree’s we shared, the Pork chop, so big, Mark & Gigi/shrimp, and Rollo del mar/family speciality...you gotta like bacon on this one though, all excellent, had a few of their desserts, chocolate mousse the best. Their drink menu has some unique creations, try some of their margarita concoctions, sangria is really good too. First time we ate inside, still felt pretty Covid safe, other times we reserved for outside, limited tables though....Table 10 our favourite, good for 2 people. Our waiter Ezeikel was awesome. I really liked the location, very residential street, lots of local flavour, perhaps too much for some, but hey that’s why we love Mexico and the people, give this place a go, you won’t be disappointed!

From the complimentary appetizer to the must have “key lime pie”, this off the beaten path restaurant served 5 star food and drinks! My Ahi Tuna was a masterpiece! My husband had the Rollo Del Mar (Roll of the Sea). A fresh fish rolled up and stuffed with seafood then wrapped in bacon. The presentation of everything was meticulous. The service was spot on! The prices are a third or less of what we would pay for 1/2 the quality in any big city! So impressed!