Must-see restaurants in Puerto Vallarta

  • Café des Artistes

    Puerto Vallarta

    At one of Vallarta’s finest restaurants, everything impresses, from the candlelit garden with water feature and psychedelic Huichol yarn art in the subtly…

  • Icú

    Puerto Vallarta

    A discrete side door leads you into a subtly lit dining room for one of Vallarta's best meals, signature cocktail in hand. Chefs Mauricio Leal and Josué…

  • Metate Cafe

    Puerto Vallarta

    This wonderful thimble-sized cafe gives you the chance to try hot chocolate with chili, the way the Aztecs used to drink it, as well as other traditional…

  • Taquería El Moreno

    Puerto Vallarta

    Maybe you've never tasted tripe before, or maybe you didn't like it until you've rocked up at this taquería and they presented you with a taco de tripa,…

  • Tintoque

    Puerto Vallarta

    If you only dine out in one fine establishment in Vallarta, make it Tintoque. Chef Joel Ornelas dazzles when it comes to creative, beautiful reimaginings…

  • El Carboncito

    Puerto Vallarta

    It's nighttime and the chefs are doing a brisk business at this unmarked taco stand, deftly slicing chunks of red-tinted, spit-grilled and marinated pork…

  • El Mole de Jovita

    Puerto Vallarta

    This family-run restaurant specializes in chicken with mole (a complex, long-simmered sauce that includes chocolate and spices) from a jealously guarded…

  • La Leche

    Puerto Vallarta

    The restaurant owners have opted for a milk theme and have run with it a few miles. The interior is suitably Instagram-worthy, the milk gags appear…

  • Tacos Revolución

    Puerto Vallarta

    Excellent carne asada (grilled beef), al pastor (marinated pork), chicharrón (pork crackling), fish and vegetarian tacos are prepared on handmade…

  • El Arrayán

    Puerto Vallarta

    Owner Carmen Porras takes special pleasure in rescuing old family recipes from obscurity, with an emphasis on fresh local ingredients. Specialties include…

  • Barrio Bistro

    Puerto Vallarta

    Once you've been seated, chef Memo visits your table with a detailed explanation of each dish featured on a chalkboard menu that changes weekly. It may…

  • Red Cabbage Café

    Puerto Vallarta

    Though the atmosphere is casual, with eclectic and bohemian artwork, the food is serious, featuring old recipes and uncommon indigenous sauces. It’s a…

  • El Banquito

    Puerto Vallarta

    For one of Jalisco's most emblematic snacks, head to this tiny taco joint named after the sole stool (banquito) parked on the sidewalk. Watch the chefs…

  • Gaby’s

    Puerto Vallarta

    Since 1989, this brightly tiled family-run place with upstairs terrace seating and a tree-shaded back patio has specialized in stuffed poblano peppers,…

  • El Barracuda

    Puerto Vallarta

    This breezy open shack on the beach makes a top venue for a seafood lunch with ocean views. Grilled-shrimp tacos are famous; the tuna sashimi is more a…

  • Coco's Kitchen

    Puerto Vallarta

    At this popular brunch spot south of the river, tables are sprinkled on a ceramic-tiled patio beneath a stilted terracotta roof in a shady bar-side garden…

  • Tacos de Birria Chanfay

    Puerto Vallarta

    This humble taco stand has been serving just four things since 1972: tacos, either blanditos (soft) or dorados (crunchy), and filled with birria (goat),…

  • Bravos

    Puerto Vallarta

    In the heart of the Zona Romántica, this low-lit bistro has a growing fan base for its refined and delicious preparations that draw on both Italy and…

  • Layla's Restaurante

    Puerto Vallarta

    Just off the strip, but unnoticed by passers-by, this place is highly recommended for quality, well-presented cooking without a hint of pretension. Sip a…

  • Archie’s Wok

    Puerto Vallarta

    The menu may change, but Asian fusion is always served at this elegant, urbane restaurant. Savory fish roasted in a banana leaf is a worthy option; the…

  • La Palapa

    Puerto Vallarta

    Elegant beach dining at its best. Tables are positioned to take full advantage of the sea views, making it a particularly marvelous spot for breakfast or…

  • Joe Jack's Fish Shack

    Puerto Vallarta

    With an extended happy hour running from noon to 7pm, you can keep the mojitos coming until day blurs into night. The Shack's refreshing muddled-mint…

  • Chenando's

    Puerto Vallarta

    This delightful family-run restaurant has a simple but attractive interior with small square tables that get very busy come sundown. It excels in the…

  • La Ronda

    Puerto Vallarta

    It may look like a standard sidewalk hole-in-the-wall eatery, but the two brothers here produce surprisingly sophisticated fare, including whole baked…

  • Carnitas Lalo

    Puerto Vallarta

    Turn up early at the this taco stand, because it closes as soon as they sell out, and they sell out of pork cheek (mejilla de cerdo) first of all. If you…

  • Pancho’s Takos

    Puerto Vallarta

    Drawing a regular nighttime crowd, this humble taquería near the beach is a solid contender for the best tacos al pastor (spit-cooked pork with diced…

  • Marisma Fish Taco

    Puerto Vallarta

    Delicious tacos with shrimp, smoked marlin or fried fish are served at this super-popular streetside taquería. Pull up a stool and watch as the cooks…

  • Benitto's

    Puerto Vallarta

    A gourmet deli in the marina area with big, bold modern art on the walls. It's popular among upmarket locals for creative panini, mixed carpaccios and…

  • La Hacienda de Carlota

    Puerto Vallarta

    Locals escape the noise and bustle of the Zona Romántica at this gracious courtyard eatery. Good breakfasts – the specialty here – and bottomless cups of…

  • El Taquito Hidalguense

    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…

  • La Cigale

    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…

  • Garlapago

    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…

  • A Page in the Sun

    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…

  • Planeta Vegetariano

    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…

  • La Dolce Vita

    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…

  • Fredy’s Tucan

    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…

  • Mama Rosa

    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,…

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