At Vallarta Food Tours, we guide you to the best authentic Mexican food and street tacos in town. And in this post, we’re sharing with you the 39 best restaurants in Puerto Vallarta, for fine dining, with brilliant and creative chefs, who represent the very best of international gourmet cuisine in Puerto Vallarta.
We have chosen the best restaurants in Puerto Vallarta and organized them by neighborhoods: Downtown, Old Town, Hotel Zone, Versalles, Marina Vallarta, North Shore and South Shore. Buen Provecho!
Best Restaurants – Downtown
Oyster Grill de La Docena
Beachfront on the Malecon is where you’ll find Oyster Grill, with some of the best people-watching and views in town. A romantic fine dining atmosphere, with low lighting, and a cozy casual interior, it’s perfect for date night or dinner with friends and family. Not just a great place for raw oysters, their entire menu is packed with seafood delights you’ll want to try. Open daily 12 to midnight. Located at Paseo Díaz Ordaz 610 in Puerto Vallarta Centro Tel: 322 223 0929. Find them on Facebook here.
Cafe des Artistes
Chef and owner, Thierry Blouet, has brought french gourmet to Vallarta for over 29 years. Wildly creative, haute cuisine, in a charming garden setting, with an impressive wine list, and just a couple blocks off the Malecon in el Centro. An exceptional dining experience in every way. We recommend the lobster tail in coconut and lemon emulsion. Open Daily. Guadalupe Sanchez, 740, El Centro, Tel: 322 226 7200. Here is their website
La Iguana Restaurant
The restaurant is situated in Casa Kimberly, a small boutique hotel and the former home of Hollywood actress Elizabeth Taylor. The house and grounds are lovely. The room is open-air and elegant with stunning views of jungle hillsides and coastline. Mariachis play while you dine.
Chef Jesus Suastegui’s menu blends traditional Mexican dishes with modern culinary influences. We recommend the short rib, slow-cooked and glazed with hibiscus and jalepeño sauce, served over sweet potato puree. Open every night. Calle Zaragosa #445, El Centro. 322 222 1336. Here is their website
La Cappella
Perched on the hill behind Our Lady of Guadalupe church, the restaurant has an amazing view of the church and bay. A trio of violinists play, while you dine and the sunsets take your breath away. The Italian cuisine is perfection. We recommend the herb-crusted Chilean Sea Bass. Open every night. Calle Miramar #363, El Centro. 322 688 6269 Here is their website
Hacienda San Angel
World-class dining with impeccable service. The roof-top setting is perched over the red-tiled roofs of downtown Vallarta with commanding views of the Church and the Bay of Banderas. Mariachis play every night except Saturdays.
The cuisine is International and Mexican. The ambiance is perfection. The grounds are exquisite and you feel like you have stepped into old colonial Mexico. We recommend the chile poblano stuffed with shrimp in a chipotle tomato sauce. Open every night. Calle Miramar #336 El Centro. 322 222 2692 Here is their website
Trio
European Chef-owners Bernhard Guth and Ulf Henriksson offer fabulous Mediterranean flavors blended with Mexican spices, in a gorgeous setting, just one block north of the River Cuale.
The room is elegant and artful. The menu is eclectic and you want to order everything. We recommend the grilled rack of lamb, on eggplant and peppers, and zucchini-mint sauce. Open every night. Calle Guerrero #264, El Centro 322 222 2196 Here is their website
Gaby’s Restaurant
Gaby’s is famous in Puerto Vallarta for its traditional Mexican cuisine. The family converted their home into a restaurant, thirty-one years ago, where three generations of Gaby’s family are still running the restaurant. With tables throughout the house and a charming garden patio upstairs, Gaby’s is an intimate, friendly, and inviting space. The upstairs garden patio overlooks the streets, Malecon, and Bay.
Chef Julio Castillon Perez, stays true to the traditional flavors and recipes, so perfectly prepared. We recommend the chile en nogada, a mild sweet poblano chile, stuffed with meat, vegetables, nuts, and pomegranates, bathed in a delicate walnut sauce and their mole. Open daily. Calle Mina # 252, El Centro, 322 222-0480. You can also have a tasting of their mole in our original downtown food tour. For more info click here.
A Mar y Sierra
Chef Fabiola Meraz lives in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, where she was Executive Chef and Co-Owner of Los Toneles Restaurant, she is Founder of the ËLLAS SE JUNTAN Initiative where her objective is to achieve greater recognition for Women Chefs, Mixologists and Sommeliers of Puerto Vallarta. A Mar y Sierra has a cozy but elegant feel with charming service and a spectacular list of cocktails. We recommend the octopus, parrot fish and margaritas. Closed on Mondays. Hamburgo 146 Colonia Versalles, 48310 Puerto Valla Entre Liverpool y Berlin, Puerto Vallarta 48310 Mexico.
Here is their website.
Barcelona Tapas
Roof-top dining, open-air, with a great metropolitan view of the city and the church above Hidalgo Park, just four blocks up from the Malecon. Chef William Carballo opened Barcelona Tapas in Puerto Vallarta sixteen years ago and has a loyal following here in Puerto Vallarta. Spanish cuisine, tapas-style, and they do cooking classes too. We recommend the paella and octopus. Open daily, Calle Matamoros #906 El Centro 322 222 0510 Here is their website
Best Restaurants – Old Town
De Cantaro
This contemporary Mexican grill is the place to go for an excellent steak, cocktail, and people watching too. Explore the art of drinking mezcal here, the smokiness is a perfect complement to the lively open-air ambiance in the heart of Old Town. Open daily 10am-midnight. Find them at Basilio Badillo 219, Zona Romántica, Emiliano Zapata, Tel: 322 688 2159 Follow them on Facebook here
Mezcal y Sal
A great place for mezcal-based cocktails and has a laid-back atmosphere. Creative drinks (popcorn, cotton candy, fire!) and an interesting food menu with vegan options. Try the Mexican poutine, made with vegan cheese. Plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, and just a short walk from the beach. Proudly women-owned and operated. Closed Wednesdays. Open all other days, 5pm-11pm. C. Fco. I. Madero 235, Zona Romántica, Emiliano Zapata, Tel: 322 146 0748 Follow them on Facebook here
Tuna Azul
Look up to spot this hidden gem, just a block from Los Muertos pier on Olas Altas. A small, open-air space with friendly staff and great cocktails. The menu features the freshest seafood prepared in a variety of tasty and traditional ways. It’s a great tacos, tostadas, guacamole, and cold beer hangout after some beach time. Closed Wednesdays. Open all other days 8am-10:30pm Located at Calle Francisco Rodriguez 155, Altos. Esq. Olas Altas, Tel: 322 178 0657 Follow them on Facebook here
Maria Baja
Quite possibly the best place for fish tacos in Zona Romantica, this family-run establishment is cash only and offers several different fresh-made salsas each day, to complement their incredible array of tacos, tostadas, and other seafood delicacies.
Open Tuesday-Sunday, 10:30am-6:00pm. Find them at Carr. Costera a Barra de Navidad #496, Tel: 322 294 2400 Follow them on Facebook here
La Palapa
A historic and elegant restaurant on Los Muertos Beach. The room is a gorgeous open-air palapa for indoor seating, with several tables out on the sand beach. This was the first restaurant to open on Los Muertos Beach in the late 1950s. The founder’s family still has the restaurant.
Serving Mexican Tropical Cuisine, combining Mexican, French, and Asian elements to present an unforgettable culinary experience. Recommended dish: Coconut Shrimp with mango puree and potato cilantro puree. Open Every Night. Calle Pulpito-105-3, Col. Emiliano Zapata. 322-222-5225. Here is their website
El Dorado
Next door to the Palapa Restaurant, is the sister restaurant, El Dorado. A big open-air palapa, comfortable seating, and also with tables out on the sand beach. Elegant dining on the beach.
We recommend the shrimp tamal, with salsa verde, jalepeño cream, fresh cheese, and pumpkin seeds. Open every night. Calle Pulpito #102, Col. Emiliano Zapata 322 223 5568. Here is their website
Decantero
A familial establishment with a welcoming ambiance. The family and “Grupo Aurea” has successfully managed to merge the delicious seasoning of authentic Mexican / international cuisine, creating what is best know as “Cocina de Fuego”or “Live Fire Cooking”!!!
Basilio Badillo 219, Zona Romántica, Emiliano Zapata, 48380 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico
Learn more on their website.
ICU
Chefs Josue Jimenez and Mauricio Leal, are award-winning chefs, producing some of the most interesting and creative gourmet dishes in Puerto Vallarta. They had a high-end private catering business in Vallarta for nine years. They took their industrial space and converted it into a restaurant. With just 10 tables, the service is superb, and the food is unforgettable.
Travel and Food Magazine awarded them Best New Restaurant in all of Mexico 2019. We recommend any and all of the seafood dishes. The menu changes daily. Closed Wednesdays and Sundays. Venustiano Carranza 210 in Old Town 322 221 2743 Here is their website
Tre Piatti
Tre Piatti offers two dining rooms. The front room is contemporary, chic, and filled with artwork. The patio dining is a charming courtyard setting around two huge mango trees. Chef Chanan and his partner, Pastry Chef Natalie, have the best real Italian restaurant in Puerto Vallarta.
The pasta is handmade in-house. We recommend the Mushroom Tortelloni. Closed on Tuesdays. Lazaro Cardenas # 292, Emiliano Zapata 322 222 2773 Here is their website
River Cafe
An inviting open-air room, in a garden setting, on the Island River Cuale. The River Cafe offers international cuisine with dining along the river’s edge. Acoustic jazz and a fine selection of wines add to the enchantment.
We recommend the roasted mahi-mahi, with lemon butter, and gremolata sauce over spinach and broccoli. Open daily. Isla Rio Cuale, Emiliano Zapata 322 223 0788 Here is their website
Tintoque
Local award-winning chef Joel Ornelas offers a unique international culinary experience, which includes contrasting textures, with acidic and spicy elements, beautifully presented. The room is contemporary, metro, and inviting. The menu changes daily. We recommend the 5-course tastings. Closed on Mondays. Aquiles Serdan #445. Phone number is 322 221 1460. Here is their website.
Joe Jacks
Joe Jacks has a nice open-air terrace for dining upstairs. The seafood at Joe Jacks is so fresh and artfully prepared, it never disappoints. This year, Joe Jacks celebrates their tenth year in Vallarta.
We recommend the red snapper seasoned with Sichuan pepper, fennel seed, cumin, and coriander. Calle Basilio Badillo # 212 Emiliano Zapata, 322 222 2099 Open Daily 322 222 2099 Here is their website
Note: We visit Joe Jacks on our mex-ology tour where we sample their craft cocktails.
D’Cortes
Chef Polo Cortes has created a unique dining experience that everyone is raving about. After twenty years of cooking in gourmet restaurants in France, Germany, Spain, Costa Rica, and Mexico, Chef Cortes, opened his own place here in Puerto Vallarta, in the Caloso neighborhood (just behind Old Town).
The room is warm, artful, and beautifully designed. The menu is ambitious, and the cuisine is fusion-a masterful blending of elements of European Cuisine with the flavors and recipes of Latin America. The food is simply amazing. Chef Polo Cortes has created a culinary sensation!
We recommend the grilled fish filet. Located at Calle Via Lactia #222, Col. Caloso. Open from 4 pm till 11 pm, closed on Mondays. 322 244 1144. Here is their website.
La Fina Cocina de Barrio
Another culinary gem has opened in the Caloso neighborhood. The venue is a small outdoor patio with just five tables. The menu changes daily and is presented on a chalkboard. It’s a family-run restaurant with the chef’s delightful mom often serving the meals.
Co-owners and chefs Emiliano and Laura, blend Mexican Cuisine with European and Asian influences. The food dazzles with a complexity and balance of flavors. We recommend the short rib, in a port sauce, with sweet potato puree and corn.
Note: Don’t leave without ordering a dessert. Open 7 pm-11 pm Closed on Mondays. Calle Atmosfera #151, Col. Caloso. 322 136 7662
Best Restaurants – Hotel Zone & Versalles
Abulón
An open-air seafood restaurant featuring high-quality and creative options at reasonable prices. Family-friendly with a trampoline and swing set for kids. Pet-friendly too. Fantastic margaritas. The staff is as nice as they are attentive. Try the chimichanga! Closed Mondays, open all other days 12-7pm. Located at Hamburgo # 137 esquina con Palm Springs in Versailles. Tel: 322 293 3941 Follow them on Facebook here
Florio’s
Miguel Valenzuela and the whole Florio’s family welcome you to their Argentinian restaurant on the Ruta Gastronomica in Versailles. Incredible pizzas, creative pastas, and steaks to write home about, all served up with their mouth-watering homemade chimichurri. Great wine, cocktails, staff, and ambiance. Eat here just once, and you’re part of the family too. Closed Mondays. Find them at Hamburgo 167 in Versalles Tel: 322 365 3849 Follow them on Facebook here
Barrio Bistro
Chef Memo Wulff has created a dining hot spot in the Versailles neighborhood. His creative and imaginative dishes, with fresh regional ingredients, are served in a room full of art, flowers, and soft music.
The garden patio is also an enchanting space to dine. The menu changes. We recommend the fish filet al pastor. Closed on Sundays. Calle España #305, Colonia Versailles, Hotel Zone. 322 306 0530 Here is their website.
We visit the Barrio Bistro on our Discover Versailles Tour.
La Leche
An all-white contemporary spacious room, and a changing menu, that blends French and Mexican flavors. Chef Alfonso Cadena offers imaginative dishes, artfully prepared and presented, and the service is impeccable.
We recommend the mahi-mahi en a bed of risotto. Open daily. Ave. Francisco Medina Ascensio, # km 2.5, Hotel Zone 322 293 0900. Here is their website
Cha
Puerto Vallarta’s Versalles (Versailles) neighborhood is fastly becoming the Brooklyn of PV. All the young talented chefs are opening up because of more freedom and lower rents. Therefore it is now the hotspot of PV. Among them is Cha Cocina, the perfect place for brunch. The chef, Mario Borja, owner/chef uses local products to create inventive delicious dishes with a twist of seasonal ingridents.
We recommend the duck tacos, red velvet pancakes and huilacoche salad. Open Tuesay – Sunday. Hamburgo 153, Versalles, Hotel Zone 322 115 6647. Here is their website
ICU
Chefs Josue Jimenez and Mauricio Leal, are award-winning chefs, producing some of the most interesting and creative gourmet dishes in Puerto Vallarta. They had a high-end private catering business in Vallarta for nine years. They took their industrial space and converted it into a restaurant. With just 10 tables, the service is superb, and the food is unforgettable.
Travel and Food Magazine awarded them Best New Restaurant in all of Mexico 2019. We recommend any and all of the seafood dishes. The menu changes daily. Closed Wednesdays and Sundays. Venustiano Carranza 210 in Old Town 322 221 2743 Here is their website
Bonito Kitchen
On a casual cozy patio, Chef Francine brings a masterful blending of Asian flavors to the menu. With elements of Japanese, Korean and Vietnamese cuisine, the menu changes daily. Recently just opened a second location in the Romantic Zone by the Rio Cuale.
Vietnamese soup Pho on Thursdays, Ramen on Saturdays. We recommend the Dim Sum, on Sundays. Closed on Mondays. Calle de Los Tules #325, Col. Jardines de las Gaviotas, 322 225 8632 Here is their website
Oregano
Creative Caribbean cuisine in the middle of Puerto Vallarta. With a relaxing ambiance and menu created by owner-chef Chela, expect premium quality food, prepared perfectly and presented beautifully. Closed Tuesdays. Find them at Aldanaca 130 in Versalles Tel: 755 131 1505 Check out their website here
Best Restaurants – Marina Vallarta
Sonora Grill Prime
This is the best steak in town. Specialty cuts, cooked to perfection. The room is comfy, the atmosphere is fun and lively with 80’s music and good energy. We recommend the porterhouse steak. Open daily. Paseo de Marina #126 , Marina Vallarta. 322 221 3124 Here is their website
Best Restaurants – North Shore
La Negra Cerveceria
With a wide-ranging menu of options from tacos and taquitos to burgers, sashimi, and even clam chowder, there’s something for everyone at this friendly neighborhood bar. The staff are attentive, the location is great (particularly if you like the Art Walk in Bucerias), and don’t forget about the amazing beer!
Open daily at 6pm. Located at Abasolo 11 in Bucerias Tel: 311 275 3070 Check out their website and menu here and you can follow them on Facebook here
La Tienda Grande
If you’re looking for a great new place for brunch, La Tienda Grande in Ixtapa is it! Wonderful service and staff, with creative drinks and menu. This is casual dining, yet upscale at the same time. The dishes and flavors are like nothing you’ll find in the area, tucked inside a local neighborhood in a place you wouldn’t expect. Try the guava-raicilla cocktail and Mexican-style pork belly crepe! Closed Monday and Tuesday. Located at: Entre Calle Hidalgo y calle Juarez, int 172 A in Ixtapa. Tel: 322 291 7717 Follow them on Facebook here
La Rustica Sayulita
Nothing says rustic comfort food like a wood oven, and no one does it better than La Rustica. It’s hard to choose a favorite among the many options like pizza, pasta, seafood, and tacos. Wonderful, friendly staff and great cocktails too. One of the best in Sayulita! Open daily. Located at Av. Revolución 40C, Centro, in Sayulita. Tel: 322 100 7379 Visit their website here and follow them on Facebook here
Hector’s Kitchen
With talented chefs and an exciting menu, Hector’s Kitchen is the place to go in Punta de Mita. While not a beachfront location, the classy dining room atmosphere more than makes up for it with an outstanding culinary experience you won’t soon forget. Sit at the chef’s counter, enjoy one (or two) of their fantastic craft cocktails, and if available, try the tasting menu for a sense of all the things this team can do. Closed Sundays. Located at Av. El Anclote 202-Local 7, Punta de Mita 63734 Tel: 329 688 1579 Check out their website here and follow them on Facebook here
El Barracuda Punta de Mita
Off the beaten path is where you’ll find El Barracuda in Punta de Mita, on a local beach with the best view anywhere… be sure to catch the sunset! The menu features fresh seafood, tacos, ceviche, quesadillas, and an array of fun and creative cocktails. Look forward to the friendly staff and outstanding service at this hidden gem. Cash only. Open daily at 1pm. Located at Privada Careyeros 11, Punta Mita. Tel: 329 298 4400 Follow them on Facebook here
Best Restaurants – South Shore
Le Kliff
Perched on a high bank cliff, overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Le Kliff offers stunning views of the Bay with award-winning French cuisine. The room is an open-air palapa. The ambiance is elegant.
We recommend the Catch of the Day, with pistachio crust and mango puree (served with smoked mashed potatoes and roasted asparagus). Open daily. 10 miles south of the city, Carretera Barra de Navidad, km 17.5, Boca de Tomatlan, 322 228 0300 Here is their website
Ocean Grill
On an isolated bay, south of Boca de Tomatlan, is the small restaurant with tables on a deck overlooking the bay and Playa Colomitos. You must take a boat or hike in to get there. You make reservations by phone and they come, by boat, to the beach in Boca de Tomatlan to bring you to the restaurant.
Not recommended for folks with limited mobility. However, for the fleet-footed, we recommend the shrimp agua chile. The setting is dramatic, the vibe is jungle chic, and just getting out there is an adventure in itself. Open daily for lunch only. 322 111 0157 Here is their website