The ceviche at Puerto Escondido's beachfront stands is some of the best on the Mexican Pacific coast. The tostadas de mariscos — seafood piled onto a crisp fried tortilla — are a local staple: shrimp, fish, octopus, and sometimes crab in a citrus marinade with onion, chile, and fresh herbs. The freshness of the catch makes the difference, and at the best stands you can watch the seafood being prepared in front of you.
The fish market and the stands near Playa Principal (the main town beach) are reliable for quick, cheap seafood. Look for the stalls that have locals eating there at lunch — the tourist-facing restaurants on the beachfront can be overpriced and mediocre, while the simple plastic-table stalls nearby serve the real thing.