Restaurants in Puerto Vallarta
-
A
Joe Jack’s Fish Shack
Seafood aficionados flock to this joint for fish and chips, garlic shrimp, whole red snapper and great slabs of mahi mahi. Large groups are graciously accommodated on the pleasant rooftop terrace. The service is jovial and quick, and the music classic rock.
reviewed
-
B
Café de Olla
This well-loved traditional Mexican restaurant nurtures a lively atmosphere with its sidewalk grill and open kitchen.
reviewed
-
C
Café des Artistes
Many consider this to be Vallarta’s finest restaurant. Whether or not you’re prone to superlatives, you’re sure to enjoy its romantic ambience and exquisite French cuisine. The service is formal but unobtrusive, and reservations are recommended.
reviewed
-
D
Casa de Pancho
It couldn't be more simple: a few plastic tables set up in a mostly-bare room. But the economical pozole, enchiladas and other basic dishes are simply splendid. Carlos, the genial waiter/cook/owner, loves to spread the gospel of salsa.
reviewed
-
E
Fredy’s Tucan
This gringo breakfast paradise serves waffles, omelets and almost anything else you could want in an ample courtyard three blocks from the beach.
reviewed
-
F
El Arrayán Cocina Tradicional
Owner Carmen Porras takes special pleasure in rescuing old family recipes from obscurity and finding new converts for real traditional Mexican cuisine. Her restaurant, with its open kitchen and romantic courtyard, emphasizes local ingredients: the delicious panela cheese comes straight from the small dairy south of Puerto Vallarta, and the corn used for the tortillas is locally produced and comes directly from the mill. House specialties include crispy duck carnitas with orange sauce – scrumptious! – and rib-eye steak marinated in Mexican spices and tequila. Raise a toast to a truly memorable meal with a shot of fiery raicilla, a rare agave distillate produced in Jali…
reviewed
-
G
Mama Rosa
Grab a table on Mama Rosa’s pleasant outdoor patio and load up on sopes (tortillas with a layer of beans, cheese and salsa), tamales, chilaquiles, nopales, chorizo, eggs and delicious salsas from the scrumptious breakfast buffet. Supplement it all with bottomless cups of café de olla (Mexican coffee spiced with cinnamon) or chilled glasses of the homemade basil-lemon drink, and don’t forget to save room for the tantalizing desserts, including rice pudding, honeyed bananas and cheesecake.
reviewed
-
H
Chez Elena
Back in the martini era this small, atmospheric restaurant was a meeting place for the likes of Liz Taylor, Richard Burton, Peter O’Toole and other well-known appetites. Without having ever let down its culinary standards, it’s still imbued with gracious allure. Try the savory Maya pork dish called cochinita pibil with achiote chili sauce. And by all means, take in the view from the rooftop lounge.
reviewed
-
I
Red Cabbage Café
Though the atmosphere is casual, with fabulous eclectic and bohemian artwork, the food is serious and features old recipes and uncommon indigenous sauces. The soups – including a cream of peanut and a piquant tortilla soup – are to die for. It’s a pleasant 10-minute walk from the Zona Romántica; from Cárdenas turn right on Rivero del Río, just before the Río Cuale bridge. No credit cards.
reviewed
-
J
Mariscos Tino’s
Calling itself the catedral de los mariscos (seafood cathedral), this family-run Vallarta favorite opened a new branch on the malecón in summer 2009. Feast in the upstairs dining room on dishes like pescado zarandeado and sopa siete mares (a savory stew of fish, shrimp, octopus, mussels and more). And parents, rejoice – there’s even a kids’ play area!
reviewed
Advertisement
-
K
Uncommon Grounds Chill Out Lounge
This welcoming restaurant-café is an agreeable place to spend an evening. Beautifully presented dishes with amiable names (anyone for a ‘Planet Utopia Salad’?) are trotted out from the kitchen with panache by hosts Lydia and Anne. Vegetarians are well taken care of, as are those in need of a cocktail. You can also get a chair massage and shop in the small boutique.
reviewed
-
L
Planeta Vegetariano
This gem of a place with only 10 tables eschews cheese for fresh, dairy-free dishes like soy enchiladas, banana lasagna (yes, that’s right) and a wide range of creatively conceived salads. The economical buffet and homey atmosphere cause many Vallarta visitors to forget about all that culinary din and return again and again.
reviewed
-
M
Spaggia
Overlooking Playa Camarones, this cosmopolitan beach restaurant knows how to make an impression. Even in the heat of the afternoon the feeling is breezy and contemporary. Dine on rack of lamb, seafood pozole, tuna sashimi, baked oysters, or pan-fried duck - but be sure to wait at least 20 minutes before taking a dip.
reviewed
-
N
Los Xitomates
This innovative restaurants targets younger diners with its hybrid alta cocina Mexicana (gourmet Mexican) cuisine, which takes pre-Hispanic and Mexican recipes and rounds them out with Mediterranean, Asian or Caribbean influences. It can be noisy when busy, but the service is always top notch.
reviewed
-
O
La Hormiga Feliz
Madero has several open-late taco stands, and every one of them brags about their freshly-made salsa. The salsa here is so good that Miguel - who's been chopping it up and mashing it down since 1998 - just lets it speak for itself. Slather it on an adobado (marinated pork) taco and then do it again.
reviewed
-
P
Época
A civilized option overlooking Playa Olas Altas, Época has quickly taken its place among Vallarta’s top tier of beach restaurants. Dine on chipotle crab cakes, mixed citrus salad or mahi mahi in tequila-lime sauce with roasted nopales (cactus), rice and vegetables.
reviewed
-
Q
Esquina de los Caprichos
This tiny little place has only six tables and a lot of class. Most of the dishes you would expect to find at a tapas bar in Barcelona – delicious gazpacho, fried calamari, garlic shrimp and paella (Saturday only) – are served here on charming handmade plates.
reviewed
-
R
Marisma Fish Taco
Shrimp and smoked marlin rule the roost at this streetside taquería. Pull up a stool and watch as the women behind the counter press fresh tortillas and grill up tasty treats from a simple menu weighted heavily toward seafood tacos and quesadillas.
reviewed
-
S
Archie’s Wok
This elegant, urbane restaurant has long showed Puerto Vallarta a thing or two about good eating. The menu changes, but it’s always Asian fusion, with savory fish in rich tropical sauces the highlight. Vegetarians will also find plenty of options here.
reviewed
-
T
La Hacienda
Locals escape the noise and bustle of the Zona Romántica at this gracious courtyard eatery. Good breakfasts and bottomless cups of Mexican coffee with cinnamon and sugar are served on a sunny brick patio surrounded by flowering plants and trees.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
U
Los Chilaquiles
This tourist-oriented hideaway above the Plaza Principal merits a visit just for the ocean view from its 4th-floor terrace. The trademark chilaquiles, served in countless variations, are delicious, as are the oakwood grilled steaks.
reviewed
-
V
El Mole de Jovita
Its tables glowing with colorful Mexican oilcloths in classic fruit and flower designs, this little family-run restaurant specializes in chicken with mole, but also serves good breakfasts and reasonably priced Mexican standards.
reviewed
-
W
Las Tres Huastecas
This is the place for delicious Mexican favorites in a friendly atmosphere, at local prices. The charming owner, a poet who calls himself 'El Querreque', recites verse as readily as he recites the house specialties.
reviewed
-
X
La Dolce Vita
A cheerful, often-crowded spot for wood-fired pizzas, well-priced pastas, and people-watching. There’s often live jazz music. Request a table upstairs by the window for great views .
reviewed
-
Y
Cenaduría Doña Raquel
You can smell the richness of the traditional Mexican basics served here from a block away. Friendly atmosphere and friendly prices.
reviewed
