Address: Paseo de los Cocoteros 53, Zona Hotelera, 63735 Nuevo Vallarta, Nay.
Hours: Monday – Sunday, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. ; 2:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Reservations: +52 322 226 9765
Taormina is a restaurant that celebrates traditional Italian recipes and Mediterranean flavors in every dish. From breakfast to dinner, the menu offers sweet and savory options designed to delight even the most discerning palates. The experience is elevated with a thoughtfully curated wine selection and an exclusive collection of Habanos.
Its welcoming atmosphere invites guests to feel at home: a spacious and elegant indoor dining room perfect for long conversations, and a charming outdoor terrace to enjoy Nuevo Vallarta’s beautiful weather. Open daily, Taormina offers an authentic culinary journey created dalla nostra famiglia alla vostra from our family to yours.
Born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, this talented chef discovered his passion for cooking inspired by his grandparents and their family restaurant “Rincón del Río” in La Barca. He studied at La Liaison College in Toronto, Canada, and at UVM Campus Sur in Guadalajara. His professional journey includes renowned kitchens in Italy, France, and Spain, most notably at Hacienda Benazuza El Bullí, working under Rafael Zafra, Jesús Escalera, and Emiliano Vignoni at the two-Michelin-starred Alquería. He also worked at Minibar by José Andrés in Washington D.C., awarded with two Michelin stars.
In 2014, he took charge of Benazuza México, developing a culinary vision that embraces the richness and diversity of Mexican cuisine. With his team, he has achieved distinctions such as #4 worldwide in Fine Dining at the Travellers’ Choice Awards, as well as #1 in Cancún and #1 in Mexico, along with honors at the World Luxury Restaurant Awards.
In 2024, together with his partner Luis Miguel Centeno, he opened Hafu in Cancún, a restaurant that merges Japanese and Mexican cultures. He currently serves as President of Les Toques Blanches Continent of the Americas.
Juan Carlos Reyes Vela’s story is a tribute to the sea, tradition, and a deep-rooted passion for Italian cuisine. Raised among fishing nets, his connection to the ocean and its flavors began at the age of six, during days filled with work, curiosity, and the instinct to share what is harvested with hands and heart. His culinary journey took him through top destinations like Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and Mexico City, where he explored contemporary Mexican cuisine—until, at age 20, he discovered his true calling: la cucina italiana.
He gained experience in renowned restaurants such as Cennacolo, D’Italia, and Mia Casa, learning from international chefs like Franco Maddalozzo and Jonatán Gómez Luna. With a self-taught approach and a deep respect for Italian culture, Juan Carlos mastered not only culinary techniques but also the art of storytelling through food.
In 2023, he opened Taormina | Dal Mediterraneo al Mondo, his most personal project to date, where he leads a vibrant, honest, and familial kitchen alongside a young team that shares his vision.
Every dish at Taormina echoes Juan Carlos’s journey: from a young fisherman to a passionate chef preserving and honoring the Italian tradition—one plate at a time.
Set against the breathtaking backdrops of Puerto Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit, and Tepic, with perfect weather and spectacular views, the Gourmet Festival is more than an event: it is a celebration of culture, flavor, and community since 1995.
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