Puerto Vallarta Popular Restaurants. Puerto Vallarta’s culinary scene is incredibly diverse, offering everything from world-class fine dining with stunning bay views to humble street stalls serving some of the best tacos in Mexico. The city is particularly famous for its fresh seafood, traditional Jalisco-style birria, and the creative gastronomy emerging in neighborhoods like Versalles and the Romantic Zone.
Fine Dining & Stunning Views
Café des Artistes
Star rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars
Price range:
MX$1,000+
MX$1,000 or more
Category:🍽️ Restaurant
Closed · Opens Monday 4:00 PM
http://www.cafedesartistes.com/
“Beautiful evening out of the resort. So happy we chose LaCasa! Our waiters Gerry and Aiain were very attentive and paced our food very nicely. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal on their patio. We chose the tasting menu with wine pairing and every dish was delicious. Beautiful presentation and full of flavour. Definitely recommend!”
Café des ArtistesClick to open side panel for more information is a legendary fine dining institution in Puerto Vallarta, frequently cited as one of the best restaurants in Mexico for its innovative fusion of French techniques and Mexican ingredients.
Features a lush, tiered garden terrace that provides a magical, romantic atmosphere.
Offers gourmet tasting menus with signature dishes like cream of prawn and pumpkin soup.
Often hosts live musicians, such as violinists or pianists, to accompany the meal.
The Iguana Restaurant & Tequila Bar
Star rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars
Category:🍽️ Restaurant
Closed · Opens Monday 5:00 PM
http://casakimberly.com/the-iguana-restaurant-tequila-bar/
“What a phenomenal experience. The service was absolutely amazing. The staff were always ready to help with any request we had. Our glasses were always full of water. They accommodated our table of 12 with no problem. Very friendly people, and delicious food. They had a large menu with lots of various options and an even bigger drink menu. Food and drinks were slightly higher than other establishments but the service and quality of food here was what you were paying for, worth every dollar. Photos include: the duck, the fillet, the fish fillet of the day, the pork loin, the lobster, the mussels, beet salad, squash blossoms, and the salmon.”
Robby Lopez
The Iguana Restaurant & Tequila BarClick to open side panel for more information is located within the historic Casa Kimberly—the former home of Elizabeth Taylor—offering an elegant atmosphere and breathtaking views of the city and Banderas Bay.
Known for its sophisticated take on traditional Mexican cuisine and an extensive tequila bar.
The open-air dining room provides a perfect vantage point for sunset dinners.
A 12-person professional mariachi band often serenades guests during the evening.
La Cappella Restaurante
Star rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars
Category:🍽️ Restaurant
Closed · Opens Monday 5:00 PM
https://www.bellviewhotelboutique.com/
“This is a definite must in puerto Vallarta. The best spot to watch the sunset. This place is busy and you need to make reservations far in advanced. Great spot for any celebration. Food and drinks are superb. Service is some of the best. The ambiance is out of this world. World class violinist playing while you enjoy your meal and the views. The views are insane. Tucked away up on the hill behind the famous church of Guadalupe. The bells will ring.”
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Allison Pellegrini
La Cappella RestauranteClick to open side panel for more information is a top choice for those seeking a dramatic, open-air setting with a direct view of the iconic Crown of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church and the ocean.
Specializes in upscale Italian classics like homemade pastas and premium seafood.
Renowned for its “Golden Hour” views, making it a premier spot for special occasions.
The atmosphere is enhanced by live violin music and a sophisticated, airy design.
Seafood & Beachside Favorites
El Barracuda
Star rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars
Category:🦞 Seafood restaurant
Closed · Opens Monday 1:00 PM
http://www.elbarracuda.com/index.html
“Great seafood restaurant right on the beach!
The flavors and quality of the food is amazing and with really good prices, the location is beautiful right in front of the beach.
The aguachile is real, spicy and flavorful, the tacos are amazing as well with blue tortillas, we tried the guacamole and French fries and they were really good but the star was my Ojo Rojo which was just perfect.
They are CASH ONLY which is very important, normally you need to wait for a table, usually on weekends, but the waiting time is not really much depending on the size of your group, the service from the waiters is amazing but the hostess really could make a better job welcoming and accommodating the customers.
Definitely 100% recommended, we will be back.”
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Jesús Armando Farías
El Barracuda offers a classic Puerto Vallarta experience where you can enjoy fresh seafood with your toes in the sand at its 5 de Diciembre location.
Popular for its relaxed, unpretentious beach vibe and direct sunset views.
The menu features local favorites like ceviche, grilled octopus, and shrimp tacos.
It is well-regarded for its creative cocktails and lively, casual atmosphere.
Tuna Azul Zona Romantica
Star rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars
Category:🦞 Seafood restaurant
Closed · Opens Monday 11:00 AM
https://tunaazulzonaromantica.shop/
“We went to Tuna Azul on a Monday evening. This restaurant is on the second floor [there is also a different restaurant on the bottom , street level] a block from the beach. There was a short wait. No big deal whatsoever. We ordered and shared tacos and the grilled Mahi Mahi . The tacos were a little soaked and soggy. The Mahi Mahi with garlic sauce was fabulous. So mixed results on the food. Service was kind and attentive. The decor and ambiance lacked quite a bit. I would consider giving this place another try but there was some good and not so good things about Tuna Azul.”
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K M
Tuna Azul is a vibrant spot in the Romantic Zone that locals and visitors love for its fresh, creative seafood dishes and elevated street-view seating.
Highly recommended for its signature Montaditos de Atún (raw tuna and avocado on crispy tortillas).
Offers a fun, colorful ambiance with great people-watching opportunities from the second-floor balcony.
Serves generous portions of seafood tacos and refreshing margaritas at reasonable prices.
LAMARA
Star rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars
Price range:
MX$200–300
MX$200 to MX$300
Category:🦞 Seafood restaurant
Closed · Opens Monday 12:00 PM
http://lamara.restaurantwebexperts.com/
“Absolultly delicious ceviche, aguachile, and tostadas with fresh ingredients and awesome flavors. The portions were huge and great value. Four of us ate 3 large orders and we couldn’t finish all of it. We thought it was the best meal we had in a week in Puerto Vallarta.”
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Brenton Nichols
LAMARAC is a favorite in the trendy Versalles neighborhood, celebrated for serving some of the most fresh and inventive ceviche and aguachile in the city.
Known for massive portions and a wide variety of unique flavor combinations.
Attracts a mix of locals and tourists looking for a healthy, high-quality lunch.
The menu includes several creative vegetarian and vegan seafood alternatives.
Casual & Local Classics
Pancho’s Takos
Star rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Price range:
MX$100–200
MX$100 to MX$200
Category:📍 Taco restaurant
Closed · Opens Monday 4:00 PM
Click to open side panel for more information
Pancho’s TakosClick to open side panel for more information is arguably the most famous taco spot in Puerto Vallarta, known for the long lines that form every evening in the Romantic Zone.
Famous for its Al Pastor tacos, sliced fresh from a massive vertical spit.
Despite its popularity, it maintains a down-to-earth, lively street-side atmosphere.
Reviewers suggest arriving at least 30 minutes before opening to minimize the wait.
Gaby’s Restaurant Bar
Star rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Category:🍽️ Mexican restaurant
Closed · Opens Monday 1:30 PM
http://www.gabysrestaurant.com/
“Delicious food! We enjoyed a dinner with friends and it was a great little spot. Just a couple of blocks off of the beach. We didn’t have a reservation but were able to get a table for 4. It was full so I would recommend calling ahead. Very friendly and helpful staff. The meals were delicious. I had the pasta Burro, my husband had the seafood pasta, we also had the enchiladas and coconut shrimp 🦐🍤 mmmm mmmm good! The Ceasar salad 🥗 is made at the table with a fresh made house recipe dressing. VERY GOOD! Would definitely recommend this place. Prices were good and a good selection of cocktails and some beers.”
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Gaby’s Restaurant BarClick to open side panel for more information is a family-run establishment in Centro that has been serving authentic, traditional Mexican recipes since 1989.
Renowned for its different varieties of mole, including a highly-praised black mole and pumpkin seed green mole.
Features a charming multi-level layout with a rooftop terrace perfect for watching the sunset.
Also offers popular Mexican cooking classes for those who want to learn the secrets behind the dishes.
El Puerco de oro
Star rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars
Price range:
MX$100–200
MX$100 to MX$200
Category:🌮 Taco restaurant
Open · Closes 3:00 PM
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=M%C3%A9rida+128%2C+Versalles%2C+48310+Puerto+Vallarta%2C+Jal.
“Puerto Vallarta #2: El Puerco de Oro was one of the reasons I was so excited for this PV trip…and it delivered!
This was our first (and last) lunch during our one-week PV trip. The first time we each ordered a pancita taco and a pancita en salsa verde taco ($39/pz; $43 chela).
The pancita in sasa verde was exceptional. Beyond that, they have one of the best salsas bars I have encountered in Mexico (or anywhere?) as there were three different habanero options. Their handmade, blue-corn tortillas are also great.
Our second visit, I wanted to make sure to try each of their specials: tacos dorados $120* (uno y uno) and the guacamaya $130* (salsa a lado).
They were both excellent, and it’s so hard to compare them to each other or to our first visit. I think the tacos dorados are awesome because of the texture the tacos dorados provide. This special also offers more surface area to add…more salsas from the salsa bar to!
One of our favorite restaurants of the trip, and every item we ordered from here was 5/5! Service and ambiance were also 5/5 IMO.
Tristan (intristang)
El Puerco de oroClick to open side panel for more information has gained a cult following in the Versalles neighborhood for specializing in one thing and doing it perfectly: pork belly.
Must-try items include the pork belly tacos and quesadillas, which are known for their crispy skin and tender meat.
It is a casual, “hidden gem” style eatery that is very popular for a quick and flavorful lunch.
The restaurant has a laid-back, local feel that highlights the growing culinary reputation of the Versalles area.
Puerto Vallarta is not about perfection, it is about connection. At PromovisionPV.com, our goal is to help travelers avoid generic experiences and discover the city as it truly exists.
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