Central Pacific Coast
It doesn't look like much from the street, but this sweet little palapa restaurant, owned by a fisherman and his family, does seafood dishes at nearly…
Must-see restaurants in Central Pacific Coast
Mazatlán
With three branches dotted around the city and a crowd-pleasing menu of crepes, waffles, omelettes, burritos and salads, Rico's is the Zona Dorada's top…
Puerto Vallarta
Hailing from Mexico's barbacoa (lamb or mutton) capital Hidalgo, this family prepares delectable tacos on handmade tortillas with tender meat that's been…
San Patricio-Melaque
On a plant-covered, brightly hued patio, this place eschews the hottest part of the day but opens mornings for tasty smoothies, juices, coffee, sandwiches…
Barra de Navidad
On the highway near the turnoff to Barra de Navidad, this locally popular place does excellent seafood cocktails. Just next door, the owner's brother…
Central Pacific Coast
Watch whales over organic morning coffee, pecan pancakes, waffles, eggs cooked a myriad ways and other dishes to warm the soul at this seasonal rooftop…
Puerto Vallarta
In the shadow of Templo de Guadalupe, this casual-chic French bistro with chalkboard menus and checkerboard floors serves everything from quiche Lorraine…
Puerto Vallarta
A tiny taquería favored by locals for bacon-wrapped fish-and-shrimp tacos, though you can get them without bacon too. The pulpo al pastor (marinated…
Central Pacific Coast
The standout dish here is the pescado zarandeado (grilled whole fish), but the menu features an ample offering of favorites from the sea, including…
Sayulita
Mary's keeps things simple, affordable and traditional with menu items such as fish tacos or grilled shrimp on handmade tortillas. The popular curbside…
Mazatlán
Makes over three dozen flavors of paletas (popsicles), sherbets and Mexican-inspired gelato, including unconventional fruit flavors (lemon-rosemary,…
Manzanillo
On the ground floor of the Hotel Colonial in the old town, this restaurant opens onto a pleasant patio and has a menu of surf-and-turf fare, plus a full…
Ixtapa
Opposite the Park Royal hotel, this open-fronted restaurant has an extensive international menu, but is especially recommended for its delicious seafood…
Mazatlán
At this genteel eatery, enjoy chateaubriand béarnaise (steak with homemade béarnaise sauce) or poached fish blanca rosa (with shrimp, asparagus and…
Mazatlán
This brick-walled, high-ceilinged pizzeria draws an overflowing crowd of local youths nightly with its trademark salads and pizzas, including the house…
Mazatlán
This homey place offers well-prepared buffet-lunch fare including marlin, meatball soup, chiles rellenos (chilies stuffed with meat or cheese) and…
Central Pacific Coast
One of several palapas lining the beach, family-run Chicho’s is a great choice for meals thanks to gargantuan breakfast smoothies, pancakes, solid plates…
Puerto Vallarta
This friendly and highly recommended cafe doubles as a bookstore full of used books in English and social hangout, with good espresso drinks, delicious…
Zihuatanejo
This sweet little family-run place is all about straightforward seafood dishes and reasonably priced beer. Specialties include garlic shrimp, coconut…
Manzanillo
Manzanillo’s downtown market has a number of inexpensive food stalls to choose from. You'll find pretty good homestyle fare here, with chile relleno …
Sayulita
Down by the bridge, Ivan is still cranking out tasty tacos al pastor (spit-cooked marinated pork with chopped onion, cilantro and pineapple slices) long…
Central Pacific Coast
For four decades this little bakery has been cranking out some of the world’s best banana bread; with any luck, you’ll get a loaf hot from the oven. Juan…
Central Pacific Coast
For fish, shrimp and octopus cooked a dozen ways, hop on a boat to this family-run place on a small island just across from Mexcaltitán’s main dock…
Central Pacific Coast
This family-run restaurant does delicious Mexican and seafood dishes, including a fish-and-shrimp concoction called merequetengue. Seating is on the…
Barra de Navidad
This casual, friendly restaurant is justifiably popular for its excellent fish tacos, chiles rellenos (chilis stuffed with meat or cheese) and local and…
Central Pacific Coast
Come to this simple, family-run restaurant and let congenial Ricarda feed you Mexican standards for breakfast and catch-of-the-day and Pacific shrimp the…
Puerto Vallarta
This buffet-style place with only 10 tables eschews cheese for fresh, dairy-free dishes such as soy carnitas, yam lasagna (yes, that’s right) and a wide…
Central Pacific Coast
One of the best of the beachfront eateries. The ceviche is particularly fresh and tasty, and if you catch the staff cleaning fresh-caught tuna or dorado …
Central Pacific Coast
For fine home cooking, head several blocks inland to Cabaña de Vicky, where daily specials are accompanied by good salsa and fresh tortillas made with…
Manzanillo
This popular neighborhood taquería (taco stall) specializes in barbacoa (savory beef); eat it on the spot in tacos accompanied by heavenly salsas, or…
Central Pacific Coast
This cheerfully decorated restaurant serves tasty homestyle meals, including specialties such as lobster and camarones al coco (coconut shrimp with a…
Puerto Vallarta
A cheerful, often-crowded spot, good for wood-fired pizzas, pastas and people-watching. It's a local expat favorite. Request a table upstairs by the…
Puerto Vallarta
This gringo breakfast paradise serves waffles, omelets, Mexican dishes and almost anything else you could want. It's in an ample courtyard three blocks…
Manzanillo
This beachfront eatery has checked tablecloths, warm lighting, prime ocean views and a menu packed with pizza, pasta and Italian-influenced meat and fish…
Nieves de Garrafa de con Medrano
Mazatlán
A local tradition since 1938, this unpretentious family-run cart near Mazatlán’s Plaza Principal dishes out delicious homemade ice cream to devoted crowds.
Mazatlán
In a town swimming with sushi restaurants, locals consistently nominate Yoko as one of the best.
Puerto Vallarta
Grab a table on the pleasant outdoor patio and load up on sopes (tortillas with a layer of beans, cheese and salsa), tamales, chilaquiles, nopales,…
Central Pacific Coast
One of the humbler yet more popular of the beachfront palapas (thatch-covered restaurants) on Playa El Borrego. The pescado zarandeado (spiced, charcoal…
