Mamma Mia Ristorante Italiano

Mamma Mia Ristorante Italiano, located in the heart of Sayulita, first opened its doors in July of 2014, and already this top-notch Italian restaurant has made its mark. A few months back, they were voted “Best of Sayulita 2014” in the “Best Pasta” category in an online viewers’ poll on SayulitaLife.com. The owner, Marco Pimpinelli, is originally from Milan, Italy, but moved to Sayulita three years ago."My family and I were living in Puerto Vallarta and we came to Sayulita for a vacation weekend. I liked the town and thought that it was a better place for my daughter to live, so I looked for a business,"  Marco shared.

Mamma Mia is an intimate, family oriented restaurant, where pictures of Italian actors line the walls. The tables are covered in linen tablecloths and are situated both indoors and outdoors. The menus, which are eco-friendly, are handmade by Marco’s wife, Samara, and are constructed from jute.  

Serving up authentic Italian food made to perfection is a priority for Marco and his chef, Cesar Reyes. “Our menu has items on it that are created by us, and every weekend, we make special dishes that are also created by us,” said Marco. “All of the pastas are handmade and all of the menu items are made with premium Italian ingredients,” he added. 

The selection of pasta includes tagliatelle, penne, spaghetti, and gnocchi. The fettuccine is even made to order, and guests can watch it being made. The stuffed ravioli is a big hit and they generally serve up four to six types, such as pears and nuts with a goat cheese sauce, and shrimp in a tomato wine sauce. “All of the pastas are very popular,” said Marco. 

Aside from pasta, the menu also has a nice selection of salads, such as caprese, and ceasar, and a variety of appetizers. "The Italian handmade cold cuts and cheese, which is made locally in Puerto Vallarta, is also popular,” he added. Other main entrees include grilled steak in a red wine reduction, mahi mahi in a tomato sauce with black olives and capers, and chicken parmesan. One doesn’t want to miss dessert, which includes tiramisu and a panna cotta topped with homemade strawberry jam. 

All of the wine is Italian and pairs nicely with the food options. There is a wide selection, with bottle price ranging from 280 pesos to 2500 pesos per bottle. 

"Mamma Mia isn't a big place. It's a family place, the service is good, and we only use authentic Italian ingredients,” said Marco.