Take time to enjoy the fantastic variety of Puerto Vallarta restaurants that are mainly distributed along the sea walk and downtown streets. Dining in Puerto Vallarta is a real pleasure, since this beautiful port is ranked as one of the best gastronomic destinations in the world. Here you will find more than traditional Mexican cuisine, you can discover sophisticated and avant-garde dishes as well.
Puerto Vallarta hosts an International Gourmet Festival each year, where acclaimed local and international chefs take part, and it also plays an important role as exchange forum giving Vallarta cuisine a very special character.
Ambiences are just as varied in Vallarta, from the breezy beach restaurant ''De Rigeur'' under a thatched roof, to restored colonial buildings framed by picturesque narrow cobblestone streets, or sophisticated restaurants inside the many the resort hotels.
We highly recommend you take the time to savor some of the many intriguing dishes on offer in Vallarta, especially some of the local cuisine. These are just some of the main Puerto Vallarta restaurants.
Adriatico
Chef Eduardo de Berardinis has created an avant-garde seafood menu in the fine dining restaurant Adriatico, a new addition to the gastronomy in Bucerias. Through its creative dishes such as the antipasti Crostini Di Mare (shrimp ceviche, tuna tartar and baby octopus bruschetta), Fettuccine Con Sugo D'aragosta (fettuccine pasta in a lobster tomato sauce) and delicacies such as Gamberoni Ai Ferri (herb encrusted grilled jumbo shrimps from Mazatlan), Chef de Berardinis has been able to express the essence of coastal Italian food in Mexico. The restaurant also features an exclusive variety of red and white wines from Italy, Mexico, Chile, Argentina, France and California.
Cafe des Artistes
Dining in Puerto Vallarta is always a luxurious experience if you eat at Cafe des Artistes; the finest Mexican cuisine restaurant with very avant-garde decor and excellent service. It has a well assorted wine cellar and such a creative cuisine that you can even become involved in the cooking of your dish! Always a delicious entertaining dining experience.
Chef Roger
Serving haute cuisine with a strong European influence, this delightful restaurant is a favorite with locals and repeat visitors who appreciate the attention and devotion to detail. Fine Californian, Chilean, Italian, German, Mexican and Spanish wines are complemented by fresh dates and terrine.
Chez Elena
This romantic garden restaurant on the hillside overlooking the bay is the ideal venue for a special evening. The rich regional diversity of Mexican dishes is prominently featured and expertly prepared. Every day a new dish is featured from a different Mexican State.
Cafe Maximilian
Even though cakes, ice cream and coffee are the highlights you should also definitely sample the Austrian dishes that include Mexican ingredients for a surprise effect. The European ambience is complemented by a romantic terrace overlooking the street.
La Laguna Tino's
Located in Nuevo Vallarta, this restaurant offers its already known prestigious cuisine as the ''Cathedral of Seafood''. It is well known for its excellent service and magnificent location in front of a beautiful lagoon.
It is a place where comfort, the coolness of a huge palapa, and the surrounding nature, create a fantastic setting where you can enjoy an appetizing seafood cocktail served with seasonal shrimp, octopus, snail, scallops and oysters. If you want something more filling from the region, Camarones a la Diabla (Fire Shrimp) can bring anyone back to life.
La Palapa Restaurant
Beach and palm trees are the idyllic scenery from this thatched roof restaurant where great service and good food complement a casual yet elegant ambience. This is one of the most popular and exquisite restaurants in Vallarta.
Le Kliff
Perched on the edge of a cliff, surrounded by lush tropical vegetation is the spectacular Le Kliff Restaurant, one of the most famous in Puerto Vallarta, renowned for its excellent service and world-class cuisine.
Under a giant ''palapa'', you can enjoy a magnificent ocean view and exciting tropical gourmet cuisine with Asian influences; all exclusive creations by the chef Everardo Robles. Le Kliff has been recognized as ''The most beautiful restaurant in Mexico'' by Mexicana Airlines and is a Puerto Vallarta Gourmet Festival member.
It also appeared in The Guinness Book of World Records as the world's largest handmade palapa.
Mariscos Tino's-Pitillal
Excellent seafood, service, as well as a casual family atmosphere, Mariscos Tino's-Pitillal is the cathedral of seafood in picturesque Puerto Vallarta Bay. A tradition since 1990 in Vallarta, this restaurant offers its customers exquisite and original seafood recipes daily.
Begin your gastronomical voyage with succulent Marlin Tacos, continue with Green Shell Mussels Meuniere and finish off this lovely meal with one of the great house specialties, Zarandeado Fish, prepared with snapper of the season. Or try the tempting Gran Parrillada Tino's, a platter which offers a great variety of seafood.
Due to its tremendous popularity and its exquisite dishes, Mariscos Tino's opened a second restaurant in Punta Mita. Throughout the years the restaurant has been awarded several culinary and service awards, such as the prestigious ''Royal Crown to Excellence'' presented by the famous brand Crown Royal and by the League of the United Latin American Citizens.
Vista Grill
This beautiful terrace is becoming one of the preferred places for both Puerto Vallarta locals and visitors looking for an extraordinary culinary experience. The chef takes cuisine to new heights offering creative dishes in honor of the beautiful view.
La Petite France
Renowned gourmet Nacho Cadena takes meticulous care of every detail that makes any dinner a happening for the senses. The menu changes regularly, always in search of classic French haute cuisine. In the evening music gives the restaurant a sophisticated twist for a wonderful dining experience.
Outback Steakhouse
Australian style is one of a kind when it comes to steaks and high quality ingredients, and it has satisfied many stomachs around the world. Come and enjoy incredibly delicious entrees, steaks, hamburgers and ribs.
Spiaggia
Spiaggia is a contemporary beachside restaurant with an amazing 45 foot tall palapa. This restaurant blends 3 concepts into one, a beach club, a restaurant and a lounge bar.
During the day, you can try a delicious dish from the menu while enjoying the beauty of the Pacific Ocean from your comfortable lounger. Enjoy gourmet dining from 6 pm, when they offer appetizing dishes from the brick wood fired oven or the charcoal grill, as well as an extensive list of wines. To wrap this experience up, listen to the gentle lapping of the waves as our resident DJs play an excellent selection of music.
Suzie Wong's
A favorite with locals and visitors, this restaurant was awarded as ''the best Chinese restaurant in Vallarta'' in 2004 for its ambience and cuisine, always loyal to Feng Shui principles they only offer the highest quality for a taste sensation.
Tikul
Tikul is the latest creation by restaurateur Alberto Perez, designer and owner of La Palapa and Vista Grill. In the tradition of great taste and fine dining, Tikul offers elegance and class, with soft tropical tones and a theme which reflects their culinary version of Pacific cuisine. A well stocked wine cellar, live acoustic music, a marina view and the fine dining experience are the perfect reasons to try Tikul.