Restaurants

Puerto Vallarta has no shortage of great places to eat, and a lot more than Mexican food. Be sure to check out the taco stands – they are everywhere. There are a bunch by Farmacia Guadalajara (just up the road from the gay bar strip). I have put down names and info about most of our favorite places. Also, check out the map I created here showing where they are located:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1PEw6QQsKs5hlkTK8nshxlCDBC4w&usp=sharing

Memo’s Tacos (taco stand)

A Puerto Vallarta institution – they have been in business since 1987 and almost all locals know it. Memo and his family make some fantastic tacos, my favorite by far in Vallarta! They are located on the corner of Basilio Badillo and Aguacate. If you walk down to the beach or the old town area, you will probably walk right past it. Tell them Mateo sent you.

Margarita Grill

Almost always our first stop and frequent hangout. Good margaritas (make Friends with the bartenders and they pour heavy) Will probably be busy. Get the Guacamole and Salsa (both made at the table in a molcajete. Solid food too. The Molcajete meal is one of my fav’s!

Pino Suárez 321, Emiliano Zapata, 48380

El Dorado (modern Mexican)

On the beach, one of our favorite restaurants. You will need reservations, and request a table on the beach in the sand. Order the Sexy Coffee for dessert – it’s a drink and a show.

Pulpito 102 Emiliano Zapata, +52 (322) 222-3570 eldoradopv.com

Bravos

Consistently rated one of the best restaurants in PV. Good food, but not much different than you can find in the US.

Francisco I. Madero 263, Emiliano Zapata, 48380 +52 322 222 0339 bravospv.com

Tacos Revolution

Great Tacos and salsas. Eat there!

Olas Altas 485, Zona romantica, 48380. www.facebook.com/tacosrevolucion

Los Muertos Brewing

Local craft brewer. Solid beers and Great Pizza! (and they deliver)

Lázaro Cárdenas 302, Emiliano Zapata +52 322 222 0308 losmuertosbrewing.com

Fredy’s Tucan

Popular breakfast spot. 8-2:30pm only! Cash only.

Basilio Badillo 245, Emiliano Zapata +52 322 223 0778 fredystucan.com

Fajita Republic

A bit pricey, but great food. Strong drinks.

Pino Suárez 321, Emiliano Zapata, 48380 +52 322 222 3131 fajitarepublic.mx

Derby City Burger

Great burgers if you are tired of Mexican.

Calle Rodolfo Gómez 131, Zona Romántica, Emiliano Zapata

https://www.facebook.com/Derby-City-Burgers-125282564250005/

Joe Jack’s Fish Shack

Good seafood and general Mexican food. Sit upstairs

Basilio Badillo No. 212, Emiliano Zapata +52 322 222 2099 joejacks-fishshack.com

Restaurant The Swedes

Go for happy hour! Good Swedish food for something different.

Púlpito 154, Emiliano Zapata, 48380 +52 322 223 2353 www.facebook.com/swedespv

Si Senor (dinner on the beach)

Next to La Palapa, good foor, cheaper than other places on the beach

Amapas 114-C, Hotel Emperador, Playa Los Muertos +52 322 222 0577

http://sisenorbeach.com/english/

La Vaca (farther out, but good steak)

Worth a taxi or uber ride out. Great steak and service. Love this place.

Bvld. Fco Medina Ascencio #2468, Col. Fluvial Vallarta, C.P. 48333 +52 322 224 0908

http://www.lavaca-argentina.com/lavaca.html

Salud Super Food healthy wraps, etc

Wanna be healthy, grab a wrap or smoothie here.

Olas Altas 534, Emiliano Zapata, 48380 +52 1 322 139 9398 saludpv.com

Tony’s Please Closed Sunday

Friendly, homey; great food, just down the hill from our place. We eat here every visit.

Lázaro Cárdenas 440, Emiliano Zapata

Soco’s Place

Fantastic local Mexican breakfast place. Chilliquiles are amazing. Very good prices. Cash only. Just down the hill to the right. An ‘undiscovered gem’ (limited English, but super friendly and will take care of you)

Rivera del Río 182, Zona Romántica, Emiliano Zapata, 48380 Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco

Los Lirios

Fantastic local Mexican place on the sidewalk in front of a home. Camarones Vallarta and the Marlin Burrito are our favorites. Very good prices. Cash only. Just down the hill. An ‘undiscovered gem’ (limited English, bi-lingual menu; super friendly; will take care of you)

Aguacate 395, Emiliano Zapata, 48380

Places we didn’t find that good.

Hacienda Carlotta Food was ok, better options out there
Pancho’s Takos (the line is always stupidly long. Tacos are good, but not worth the wait with all the other places nearby. If there is no line, go for it!)
El Palomar de los Gonzales (great view, meh food)
La Palapa – Many of our friends like it, food seems kinda generic to us, better options (El Dorado) for the price
Casa Cupola (Over priced, hard to get to, trying to get business on the ‘gay’ angle)
Tre Piatti – Overpriced and overhyped Italian food. Better options in town.

Higher End

Tintoque

Likely the best restaurant in Puerto Vallarta, one of the top in Mexico. The food is stunning. Try the tasting menu – it is pricey but it is a gastronomic experience that you won’t forget. A short walk down the hill and sitting on the river. Reservations suggested.

Aquiles Serdán 445, Zona Romántica, Emiliano Zapata, 48380

tintoque.com.mx +52 322 221 1460

The Iguana Restaurant & Tequila Bar
In the house previously owned by Liz Taylor. Supposed to be fantastic
Calle Zaragoza 445, Centro
http://casakimberly.com/the-iguana-restaurant-tequila-bar/

Café des Artistes
Very high end and fancy, world class chef. We really wanna go!
Guadalupe Sánchez 740, Centro, Puerto Vallarta.
https://www.cafedesartistes.com/en/spaces/

Places we didn’t find that good

• Hacienda Carlotta Food was ok, better options out there
• Pancho’s Takos (the line is always stupidly long. Tacos are good, but not worth the wait with all the other places nearby. If there is no line, go for it!)
• El Palomar de los Gonzales (great view, meh food)
• La Palapa – Many of our friends like it, food seems kinda generic to us, better options (El Dorado) for the price
• Casa Cupola (Over priced, hard to get to, trying to get business on the ‘gay’ angle)

• Tre Piatti - While many will recommend this, the food has dropped in quality the last few years. Also, the owner/chef is aggressive and abusive to customers in a way I have not seen before. Too many great places to go to instead.