Who doesn’t love Mexican food? So many delicious flavors and tons of fresh ingredients. You can find delicious food all over Mexico, and Puerto Vallarta certainly has its fair share of delicious restaurants and specialty dishes. Ready to discover the best places to eat? Keep reading for the best restaurants in Puerto Vallarta!
In this Puerto Vallarta restaurant guide for foodies you’ll find a wide range of delicious restaurants. This guide includes everything from $1 tacos to fine dining restaurants with panoramic views of the city and ocean. It also includes everything in between! No matter what type of restaurant you’re looking for, or what budget you have, you’ll find a wide variety of authentic and delicious options in this post!
The Best Restaurants in Puerto Vallarta
The Best Breakfast in Puerto Vallarta
Coffee
- Cafe la Ventana
- This is a great place to grab a coffee and get some work done. They have nice outdoor seating as well as indoor seating with air conditioning.
- Location: 5 de Diciembre
- This is a great place to grab a coffee and get some work done. They have nice outdoor seating as well as indoor seating with air conditioning.
- SaboresA PV
- This coffee shop is small but modern and has good, affordable coffee. SaboresA PV has air conditioning, which is an added bonus. There’s a few tables to sit at to enjoy your coffee and pastry, but since it’s a small cafe with limited seating, I don’t recommend it to digital nomads who are planning to work for multiple hours.
- Location: Centro
- This coffee shop is small but modern and has good, affordable coffee. SaboresA PV has air conditioning, which is an added bonus. There’s a few tables to sit at to enjoy your coffee and pastry, but since it’s a small cafe with limited seating, I don’t recommend it to digital nomads who are planning to work for multiple hours.
- Puerto Cafe
- This cozy coffee shop makes for a great place to take a break from exploring and enjoy a coffee. The staff are all very kind and friendly.
- Location: Centro
- This cozy coffee shop makes for a great place to take a break from exploring and enjoy a coffee. The staff are all very kind and friendly.
- Pulpa
- Pulpa is a grab and go coffee stand with great coffee and smoothies!
- Location: 5 de Diciembre
- Pulpa is a grab and go coffee stand with great coffee and smoothies!
- Litten Brod
- A great Dutch bakery to grab some pastries, read a book and get some work done! Litten Brod features a Scandinavian design, and has tons of indoor and outdoor seating. This bakery is a great option for digital nomads.
- Location: Zona Romantica
- A great Dutch bakery to grab some pastries, read a book and get some work done! Litten Brod features a Scandinavian design, and has tons of indoor and outdoor seating. This bakery is a great option for digital nomads.
- Café La Flor De Cordoba
- This is a chain – but I’m including it here because the coffee is good, they have air conditioning, and it is located right at the start of the Malecon! It’s a great place to grab a coffee to go before walking along the beautiful Malecon and admiring the views of the ocean.
- Location: 5 de Diciembre
- This is a chain – but I’m including it here because the coffee is good, they have air conditioning, and it is located right at the start of the Malecon! It’s a great place to grab a coffee to go before walking along the beautiful Malecon and admiring the views of the ocean.
Breakfast/Brunch/Lunch
- The Green Place
- The Green Place is one of my favorite restaurants in Puerto Vallarta! In addition to the adorable decor, the food is incredible and there are so many great options on their menu. The Green Place is entirely vegan – but even as a non-vegan I enjoyed everything. This is a great place to enjoy a meal with friends or bring your laptop to work remotely. They also sell handmade products from artisans around Mexico, so it’s a great place to grab some thoughtful souvenirs.
- Location: 5 de Diciembre
- Miscelanea Vallarta
- Miscelanea has multiple cafes in the area (also check them out in Sayulita and San Pancho), and they are all cute and relaxing spots. They feature a boho, minimalistic vibe, and all of the food is really good.
- Location: Versailles
- Miscelanea has multiple cafes in the area (also check them out in Sayulita and San Pancho), and they are all cute and relaxing spots. They feature a boho, minimalistic vibe, and all of the food is really good.
- Ono Smoothie Bowls
- If you’re looking for a delicious smoothie bowl or healthy breakfast, then this is the place for you! They offer both indoor and outdoor seating, and all of the food is fresh and delicious.
- Location: Zona Romantica
- Calmate Cafe
- A cute cafe serving up delicious healthy options, this is such a great place to have a delicious meal with friends or family. All of the staff members are so kind and helpful.
- Location: 5 de Diciembre
- A cute cafe serving up delicious healthy options, this is such a great place to have a delicious meal with friends or family. All of the staff members are so kind and helpful.
- A Page in the Sun
- This used bookstore/coffee shop/restaurant/art gallery is one of my favorite spots in Puerto Vallarta! I love book stores, and when they also feature local art and serve great food they are my ideal place to spend time. You can visit A Page in the Sun any time of day, and you’re sure to have a great meal (or coffee), while browsing the books and art.
- Location: Zona Romantica
- This used bookstore/coffee shop/restaurant/art gallery is one of my favorite spots in Puerto Vallarta! I love book stores, and when they also feature local art and serve great food they are my ideal place to spend time. You can visit A Page in the Sun any time of day, and you’re sure to have a great meal (or coffee), while browsing the books and art.
- La Cappella
- La Cappella is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful restaurants I’ve ever been to. From the restaurant, located on a large terrace, you have incredible views of Guadalupe Cathedral and downtown Puerto Vallarta. The food is delicious and this is definitely a great restaurant for a date or a celebration meal. The reason I’m recommending it for breakfast is because the dinner menu is quite expensive, whereas breakfast is extremely reasonable. This all being said, it’s a great place to check out any time of day!
- Check out my Instagram reel of breakfast at La Capella!
- Location: Centro
Lunch and Dinner
- El Campanario
- Run, don’t walk, to El Campanario! This is my favorite no-frills restaurant in Puerto Vallarta. Located right in el Centro neighborhood, this restaurant is homey and inviting and all of their dishes are absolutely delicious. Their menu is very affordable, especially for the amount of delicious food you’re getting. I came here at least once a week while I was living in Puerto Vallarta. El Campanario is cash only.
- Location: Centro
- Run, don’t walk, to El Campanario! This is my favorite no-frills restaurant in Puerto Vallarta. Located right in el Centro neighborhood, this restaurant is homey and inviting and all of their dishes are absolutely delicious. Their menu is very affordable, especially for the amount of delicious food you’re getting. I came here at least once a week while I was living in Puerto Vallarta. El Campanario is cash only.
- Los Muertos Brewing
- If you’re looking for a place to watch sports, enjoy a few beers and have some good food – Los Muertos Brewing is a great choice. This is a great place to choose if you’re in the mood for burgers, fries, wings, pizza, etc.
- Location: Zona Romantica
- If you’re looking for a place to watch sports, enjoy a few beers and have some good food – Los Muertos Brewing is a great choice. This is a great place to choose if you’re in the mood for burgers, fries, wings, pizza, etc.
- Barcelona Tapas
- Barcelona Tapas has one of the best rooftop views in Puerto Vallarta. This is a great place to choose for a special occasion dinner. Their rooftop is beautiful, the service is amazing, and the food and drinks great. Book a table at sunset to enjoy the best views of Puerto Vallarta and the ocean.
- Location: 5 de Diciembre
- Barcelona Tapas has one of the best rooftop views in Puerto Vallarta. This is a great place to choose for a special occasion dinner. Their rooftop is beautiful, the service is amazing, and the food and drinks great. Book a table at sunset to enjoy the best views of Puerto Vallarta and the ocean.
- Siam Cocina Thai
- Siam Cocina Thai is a great choice if you’re in the mood for Thai food. The restaurant is welcoming and the service is great, too. There is a wide variety of dishes to choose from and everything tasted very fresh!
- Location: Zona Romantica
- Siam Cocina Thai is a great choice if you’re in the mood for Thai food. The restaurant is welcoming and the service is great, too. There is a wide variety of dishes to choose from and everything tasted very fresh!
- Vegan Ramen Mei
- This restaurant is a gem! The ramen is so delicious, without a doubt some of the best ramen I’ve ever had. The prices are also very affordable, especially for the large portion size. Whether or not you’re vegan, I absolutely recommend this restaurant.
- Location: Centro
- This restaurant is a gem! The ramen is so delicious, without a doubt some of the best ramen I’ve ever had. The prices are also very affordable, especially for the large portion size. Whether or not you’re vegan, I absolutely recommend this restaurant.
Fine Dining in Puerto Vallarta
- La Cappella
- La Cappella is one of the most beautiful restaurants I’ve been to. Located on a terrace at the Bellview hotel overlooking Church of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe in the Centro neighborhood of PV, this restaurant is the perfect place to enjoy a fancy dinner. I recommend going at sunset for the best views.
- It’s important to note that La Cappella is very pricey when compared to other Puerto Vallarta restaurants, but the food, service and atmosphere are incredible. If you want to dine at La Cappella, but not spend a ton of money, I recommend going for breakfast. The food is very good and it’s a great way to start your day. Check out my Instagram reel of breakfast at La Capella!
- Location: Centro
- El Panorama
- El Panorama is a great restaurant for a special occasion. Located at the top of the Hotel Suites la Siesta, this old school restaurant is a full experience to visit. The restaurant opened in 1973, and when I stepped into the restaurant, I felt like I was transported back to 1970s – as not much has changed. The decor and atmosphere feel very 1970s, but in a fun way!
- The service at El Panorama was absolutely impeccable. While the food wasn’t the best I had in PV, it was still good, and very reasonably priced. Some of the dishes are also prepared tableside, which is a real treat to watch. While this restaurant isn’t a rooftop, they have floor to ceiling windows with incredible views. Going at sunset would 100% be my recommendation and you’ll want to make reservations in advance.
- Location: Centro
- Café des Artistes
- One of the most famous restaurants in Puerto Vallarta, Cafe des Artistes is a great choice for a special occasion. The ambiance is wonderful, and that paired with the delicious food and great service, makes Cafe des Artistes a truly special place. They’re known for their tasting menus, which are a great choice to sample many of their wonderful dishes.
- Location: Centro
- One of the most famous restaurants in Puerto Vallarta, Cafe des Artistes is a great choice for a special occasion. The ambiance is wonderful, and that paired with the delicious food and great service, makes Cafe des Artistes a truly special place. They’re known for their tasting menus, which are a great choice to sample many of their wonderful dishes.
- Mar y Vino
- This recommendation comes with a huge caveat – the food isn’t that good. However, Mar y Vino is somewhere I’d recommend simply for the unique experience. At Mar y Vino, guests can dine in a pool with views of the beach and ocean. I’ve never seen a restaurant that has its tables set up in a shallow pool, and the experience was definitely fun and unique. You’ll need to book a table in advance, and, of course, I recommend going for sunset.
- Note: the entrance to the restaurant is not well marked. To access the restaurant you need to enter through Playa Los Arcos Hotel. Put that into your maps instead of Mar Y Vino, or your GPS will send you to the wrong location. It took us a good 10 minutes to find the entrance and the restaurant didn’t pick up any of our phone calls.
- Check out my Instagram reel from dinner at Mar y Vino!
- Location: Zona Romantica
The Best Tacos in Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta is home to a plethora of taco spots, and while many are delicious, these cannot be missed!
- Sonorita Olas Atlas
- This is a place you’ll keep coming back to! The restaurant is casual and welcoming and everything on their menu is delicious (way more than just tacos!). They have great vegetarian options as well and I came at least once a week while I was living in PV. Sonorita Olas Altas is cash only.
- Location: Zona Romantica
- This is a place you’ll keep coming back to! The restaurant is casual and welcoming and everything on their menu is delicious (way more than just tacos!). They have great vegetarian options as well and I came at least once a week while I was living in PV. Sonorita Olas Altas is cash only.
- Tacos Revolucion
- This low-key spot in the Zona Romantica offers delicious tacos at affordable prices. They have good vegetarian options as well. Tacos Revolucion is cash only.
- Location: Zona Romantica
- This low-key spot in the Zona Romantica offers delicious tacos at affordable prices. They have good vegetarian options as well. Tacos Revolucion is cash only.
- Pancho’s Takos
- Pancho’s Takos is famous, and therefore this little Zona Romantica restaurant will almost always have a long line. Is the food good, yes. Is it worth the 45 minute wait, that’s up to you! There are other great taco places close by (Sonorita Olas Altas and Tacos Revolucion), but Pancho’s Takos is definitely worth trying as well.
- Location: Zona Romantica
- Pancho’s Takos is famous, and therefore this little Zona Romantica restaurant will almost always have a long line. Is the food good, yes. Is it worth the 45 minute wait, that’s up to you! There are other great taco places close by (Sonorita Olas Altas and Tacos Revolucion), but Pancho’s Takos is definitely worth trying as well.
- Pepe’s Tacos
- A popular and delicious taco restaurant in 5 de Diciembre, Pepe’s Tacos is loved by both locals and tourists. The menu is extensive and the prices are very affordable. Pepe’s Tacos is cash only.
- Location: 5 de Diciembre
- A popular and delicious taco restaurant in 5 de Diciembre, Pepe’s Tacos is loved by both locals and tourists. The menu is extensive and the prices are very affordable. Pepe’s Tacos is cash only.
- Te Quiero Verde
- If you’re vegan, or even if you’re not, Te Quiero Verde cannot be missed! This cute taco shop serves up classic, delicious tacos and other dishes that are all made with fresh, vegan ingredients. Everything on the menu is worth trying!
- Location: Zona Romantica
- If you’re vegan, or even if you’re not, Te Quiero Verde cannot be missed! This cute taco shop serves up classic, delicious tacos and other dishes that are all made with fresh, vegan ingredients. Everything on the menu is worth trying!
Quick Bites
- Che Vallarta
- If you’re in a time crunch and want a quick lunch, dinner or snack, Che Vallarta is the perfect place. They have a wide variety of delicious empanadas (veggie options, too!), and they’re the perfect snack to take on the go. I loved getting take out from Che Vallarta and eating on the beach, but they also have a few tables for dining in.
- Location: Centro
- If you’re in a time crunch and want a quick lunch, dinner or snack, Che Vallarta is the perfect place. They have a wide variety of delicious empanadas (veggie options, too!), and they’re the perfect snack to take on the go. I loved getting take out from Che Vallarta and eating on the beach, but they also have a few tables for dining in.
- Jerusalem Express Restaurant
- A great spot in Emiliano Zapata, a little outside of the touristy area of the Zona Romantica, to grab some delicious Middle Eastern take out. The falafel, pita and hummus were especially delicious, but you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu.
- Location: Zona Romantica/Emiliano Zapata
- A great spot in Emiliano Zapata, a little outside of the touristy area of the Zona Romantica, to grab some delicious Middle Eastern take out. The falafel, pita and hummus were especially delicious, but you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu.
Desserts and Sweet Treats
After all of the delicious meals you’ll have in PV, you’ll definitely want to have something sweet. Below are my top dessert recommendations around Puerto Vallarta.
- Paleteria Y Neveria La Michoacana
- This is best place to get popsicles in all of PV! The owner of the shop makes every single popsicle and ice cream bar by hand and he is so kind and welcoming. There are tons of flavors to choose from (my favorite is the hibiscus), and everything is around $1 USD – cash only. This is definitely a place you’ll keep coming back to!
- Location: Zona Romantica
- This is best place to get popsicles in all of PV! The owner of the shop makes every single popsicle and ice cream bar by hand and he is so kind and welcoming. There are tons of flavors to choose from (my favorite is the hibiscus), and everything is around $1 USD – cash only. This is definitely a place you’ll keep coming back to!
- Lix Homemade Ice Cream
- If you’re in the mood for delicious ice cream in a cup or waffle cone, this is your spot. This ice cream is homemade, which does make it a little pricey. It’s definitely worth it though, in my opinion, as the ice cream is the best I had in PV.
- Location: Zona Romantica
- If you’re in the mood for delicious ice cream in a cup or waffle cone, this is your spot. This ice cream is homemade, which does make it a little pricey. It’s definitely worth it though, in my opinion, as the ice cream is the best I had in PV.
- Dolphy Ice Cream
- Dolphy Ice Cream is a chain, think Baskin Robbins, that serves up reliable ice cream. On the menu they also have frappes and other ice cream treats.
- Location: Zona Romantica + Centro
- Dolphy Ice Cream is a chain, think Baskin Robbins, that serves up reliable ice cream. On the menu they also have frappes and other ice cream treats.
- Pie in the Sky
- Located in the Zona Romantica, Pie in the Sky specializes in delicious baked goods. On their menu you’ll find cupcakes, brownies, pie and other delicious treats.
- Location: Zona Romantica
- Located in the Zona Romantica, Pie in the Sky specializes in delicious baked goods. On their menu you’ll find cupcakes, brownies, pie and other delicious treats.
- A Page in the Sun
- This is one of my favorite places in PV – there’s just something so relaxing about a bookstore cafe. In addition to the books and good food, A Page in the Sun offers delicious baked goods. Any of their cakes or brownies are my top recommendations. They are cash only for both books and food items.
- Location: Zona Romantica
- This is one of my favorite places in PV – there’s just something so relaxing about a bookstore cafe. In addition to the books and good food, A Page in the Sun offers delicious baked goods. Any of their cakes or brownies are my top recommendations. They are cash only for both books and food items.
- Che Vallarta
- Che Vallarta is primarily known for their delicious empanadas, but don’t miss out on their alfajores. These Argentinian shortbread cookies filled with dulce de leche, and sometimes covered in chocolate, are absolutely delightful. I could eat them every day!
- Location: Centro
- Che Vallarta is primarily known for their delicious empanadas, but don’t miss out on their alfajores. These Argentinian shortbread cookies filled with dulce de leche, and sometimes covered in chocolate, are absolutely delightful. I could eat them every day!
Food Tours in PV
One of my favorite things to do when visiting a new city is to go on a food tour! Food tours are a great way to learn more about local cuisine and to find delicious local restaurants and food stalls. In Puerto Vallarta, there are tons of food tours to choose from. During my time living in PV, I went on a veggie taco tour and I went back to every single place on the tour multiple times afterwards.
Food Tours in PV
- Downtown Puerto Vallarta Food Tour
- Food and Mixology Tour: Tequila, Tacos, and Mexican Cocktails
- Signature Taco and Street Food Tour
- Tacos After Dark Food Walking Tour
- Breakfast Taco Tour with a Local Foodie
- Seafood Lover’s Tour
Cooking Classes in PV
While in PV I also took a cooking class, which was a ton of fun! If you enjoy cooking or baking, this is a great way to learn some new skills and recipes.
- Cooking Experience with Market Tour and Tastings
- Cook Authentic Mexican Food in Puerto Vallarta
- Chocolate and Truffles Workshop
- Make Your Own Mole Poblano
- Churro Making Class
Hungry yet? I hope you enjoyed this guide to the best restaurants in Puerto Vallarta! If you have any questions, or any restaurants to add to this post, let me know in the comments!
Other posts you might enjoy:
- 13 Fun and Unique Things to do in Puerto Vallarta
- What to Wear in Mexico – Vacation Lookbook and Outfit Inspiration
- Your Go To Mexico Packing Guide: FREE Printable Packing List for Mexico
- 10 Fun and Unique Things to do in Punta Mita, Mexico
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♡Kate
Note: This guide to the best restaurants in Puerto Vallarta includes affiliate links. Read our disclosure here.
So many great restaurants! I’d love to do one of the food tours, can’t beat a good Taco tour!
I’m a huge fan of Mexico and Mexican food. So greatly appreciate this Puerto Vallarta restaurant guide.
Thank you for that amazing tour!
Obsessed with these recommendations. Definitely keeping this handy for my next trip to Mexico. I love their cuisine!
The views at some of these restaurants are amazing. Mexican food is one of my favorite cuisines.
Dining posts are my fav! I only like to eat at places locals or experienced travelers recommend 🙂