On this Vallarta
Restaurant page:
116 Pulpito
| Archie's Woke | Bravos | Cafe Bohemio
| Cafe de Olla | Cafe des Artistes | Daiquiri Dick's | El Arrayan | El Mole
de Jovita
Fajita Republic | Joe Jack's Fish Shack | La Langosta Loca
| La Palapa
| La Piazzetta | Langostinos |
OK Jose!
| Planeta Vegetariano
Red Cabbage Cafe | Seasons PV | Siam Cocina
Thai | The Swedes Bar & Bistro | Tre Piatti | Vitea
Rentals &
Lodging Gay Vallarta Condos - El Dorado condos - Condominiums LP - 3 bedrooms MDA - One Beach Street - Playa Bonita condos - Condominiums PM Gay Vallarta Villas - Two bedrooms - 3 bedroom villas - Four bedrooms - 5 & 6 bedrooms - 7-12 bedroom villas more Vallarta Condos Gay
Travel Guide |
![]() The downtown malecon boardwalk area is not only the center of straight nightlife but also has many restaurants, with a number of them serving food and providing some musical entertainment such as La Bodeguita del Medio (Cuban music, salsa), La Chata and El Andariego (both with mariachi), La Dolce Vita (jazz), and rock 'n roll at Paradise Burger. PV as a great gay travel destination has become a major attraction for people who enjoy cuisine and fine dining, winning more gastronomic awards and praise than any place in the country other than Mexico City. Since Puerto Vallarta has some of the best gourmet restaurants in the country, you can be pretty confident that you'll not only have lots of great food while you're here but good service as well. Most of the major hotels also have their own specialty eating places serving their own tasty cuisines. 'Casual but elegant' or 'casually elegant dining' seems to be the phrase in common use these days to describe going out to dinner. For dessert or coffee after a good meal, check out the cafes & bakeries page. Puerto Vallarta Restaurants 116 Pulpito
Gastro Bar - Old Town - 116 Pulpito street. Tel: 322-113-0004
** Archie's Wok -
South Side / Zona Romantica - 130 Francisca Rodríguez. Tel:
322-222-0411 |
Barcelona Tapas - Downtown - 906 Matamoros at
31 de Octubre. Tel: 322-222-0510
Spanish restaurant and tapas bar with mixed seafood grill, charcoal
grilled lamb, duck and vegetarian dishes, paella, gazpacho soup, as well
a selection of cold and hot tapas galore. With owner Bill Carballo. Barcelona
Tapas showcases panoramic views of Banderas Bay and the town.
Sun-Thurs, 5pm-12am; Fri and Sat, 5pm-1am
Blue Chairs Beach & Hotel Rooftop Bar and
Restaurant - Los Muertos Beach - Calle Malecon y Almendro #4. Tel:
322-222-5040 **
There is the Blue Chairs restaurant on the gay beach itself, and another
on the rooftop at the Blue Chairs Resort, the later having a wading pool
and lovely views of Banderas Bay from the two open top levels. Menus include
Mexican, steaks, chicken dishes, pasta and seafood. Please call for details
on entertainment. The Blue Chairs on the beach is open daily, 8am-Sunset.
Blue Sunset rooftop bar and restaurant, Daily 3pm-11pm
Boccon di Vino Italian Trattoria - South Side
- 317-A Basilio Badillo. Phone: 322-102-8557
Italian restaurant Boccon di Vino comes well recommended from several
friends. With a newer larger outdoor dining area in the back and a new
wood burning pizza oven. Home-made pasta, seafood, lasagna. Good to excellent
reviews. Chef Gaetano Fernandez from Naples. Mon-Sat, 1pm-11pm
Bravos - Old Town/Romantic
Zone - 263 Francisco Madero. Tel: 322-222-0339 **
Opened in October 2013, with international food and an extensive wine
list, the menu includes shared starters like crispy calamari and grilled
Thai chicken skewers, soups and salads, steaks, seafood and chops. The
Bravos classic entrees range from braised lamb shank and Italian sausage
ravioli to baked cheese cappelletti. Owner Michael Boufford managed the River
Cafe, one of Vallarta's most well-known restaurants, for five years and
was general manager of a famed Toronto dining spot for 8 years as well, so
he knows his stuff. Reasonably priced; gay-owned and friendly with all welcome;
events and catering. Visit the website. Tues-Sun, 5pm-10:30pm
Cafe de Olla
- South Side/Romantic Zone - 168 Basilio Badillo. Tel: 322-223-1626
Very good restaurant for Mexican food with reasonable prices and friendly
service. The Mexican plate is probably the best in town and the ribs are
delicious. Cafe de Olla menu also includes chicken, beef, shrimp and traditional
national dishes. Quite popular, so be prepared to stand in line during the
winter months. Cafe de Olla has been one of my favorite places to
go out to eat for decades. Closed Sept 15-Oct 15 every year. Weds-Mon,
10am-11pm.
Cafe des Artistes
- el Centro/Downtown - 740 Guadalupe Sanchez. Tel: 322-222-3228
Cafe des Artistes blends provincial Mexican with classical French cuisine
under chef-owner Theirry Blouet. Live piano music, original works of art
and lush gardens enhance the tropical romantic effect. Restaurant menu includes
stuffed crab, roasted sea bass, marinated salmon and roasted duck. des Artistes
is one of most well-known and first-rate Puerto Vallarta restaurants, winner
of several awards for cooking and according to a local poll voted the overall
favorite in town, as well as for best service, most romantic, and best
atmosphere. The Gourmand Magazine 2011 Guide to restaurants and fine dining
named Chef Thierry Blouet as one of the ten most influential chefs in the
world and the Cafe des Artistes as the best restaurant in all of Mexico.
A connoisseur friend of mine says, "Best restaurant in Vallarta. We ate
on the high level terrace in Cocina de Autor Thierry Blouet. Very expensive
but great and memorable." Full info at cafedesartistes.com Daily,
6pm-11:30pm.
Casa Naranjo - Emiliano Zapata - 263 Naranjo at
Lazaro Cardenas. Tel: 322-222-3518
International cuisine with an accent on flavors of oranges. Ranked on
TripAdvisor as #23 of 683 Puerto Vallarta restaurants so it gets some pretty
good reviews, including by gay food-writer Gary Beck, though some gourmet
friends of mine did not enjoy the meal that night. Daily, 5pm-11pm
Coco's Kitchen - South Side / Zona Romantica - 122
Pulpito. Tel: 322-223-0373
Coco took over the old Barrio Sur restaurant years ago and now serves two meals
a day. Coco's is especially noted for a good
breakfast brunch in Old Town and for its romantic garden setting. Some
friends report "the best chile rellenos in Vallarta". Visit their website for more
photos and information about catering and events. Daily, 8am-3pm
Daiquiri Dick's
- South Side / Old Town - 314 Olas Altas. Tel: 322-222-0566
California cuisine blended with traditional Mexican flavors at this
fine Puerto Vallarta gourmet restaurant on Los Muertos beach. The Daiquiri
Dick menu includes filet of fish "Zarandeado", BBQ spareribs, butter fried
prawns and chicken in Oaxacan mole. Highly rated and one of the overall
favorite restaurants in town year after year according to local polls,
and noted for its fine service. Some of the best food in Puerto Vallarta.
Owners Peter and Tari Bowman of Puerto Vallarta's Daiquiri
Dick's (photo left) celebrated 40 years in November 2011 and have a
cookbook of their recipes out, Sand in Your Shoes. Weds-Mon,
9am-11pm.
Derby City Burgers - South Side - 130 Rodolfo Gomez,
interior. Tel: 322-223-3323 **
Hamburgers, salads, and hand cut french fries - reportedly some of the
best in town. Outdoor seating; take-out and delivery is available. Gay owned,
friendly service and popular, Derby
City is now ranked #86 of some 1027 restaurants in the city.
I've enjoyed the salads and the burgers there. Vegetarian friendly. Serves
lunch, dinner and drinks. Opened Nov 2011. Closed Weds. Thurs-Tues,
Noon-10:30pm
Di Vino Dante - Old Town - 269-A Basilio Badillo,
2nd floor upstairs. Tel: 322-223-3734
Wine tapas bar and restaurant. Very good reviews from friends. Di Vino Dante is
located above and overlooking the famed Galeria Dante art gallery on Basilio
Badillo street. Mon-Sat, 1pm-10pm
D'Z Route 66 Rock N Roll Diner - Marina Vallarta
- Paseo de la Marina 3, Locale #6. Tel: 322-209-0760
Diner in the Marina which is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner with
milkshakes, chicken fingers, salads, regular and monster burgers, baby back
ribs, fresh fish filet of the day, shrimp tacos, fajitas and of course french
fries. Based on '60s rock music, style, memories and colors. The D'Z Route 66
is operated by friendly owners Michelle and Armando Jimenez. Breakfast
served until 2pm. Daily, 8am-10pm
El Arrayan - Downtown/Centro
- 344 Allende. Tel: 322-222-7195, 322-178-1723 **
Locally voted "Best Mexican" in Puerto Vallarta
for 5 years in a row, El Arrayan restaurant offers old family traditional
recipes from different parts of Mexico. The restaurant (photo at left) has
a welcoming atmosphere with a courtyard and arrayan tree growing there and
plenty of Huichol art on display. Menu includes shrimp pozole, fish filet, ceviche,
empanadas, duck "camitas" and "Chiquis" chicken breast. Frommer's Mexico
2007 included El Arrayan in the chapter on the best of Mexico. Live music
with "Los Frijoleros" on Sat, 7pm-10pm. Gay-owned and operated by Carmen Porras,
with head chef Mariano Valdez. Casual ambiance since November 2003. Weds-Mon, 5:30pm-11pm
El Dorado - Los Muertos Beach/South Side - 102
Pulpito. Tel: 322-223-5568
Seafood, international and Mexican specialties in one of oldest restaurants
in Vallarta, since 1961. During the '60s and '70s when this part of Old
Town was mostly fields and woodlands, it was one of Elizabeth Taylor and
Richard Burton's hangouts for meeting friends and drinking. Nowadays El Dorado is a
favorite among locals and tourist gringos, especially for lunch. The El Dorado
restaurant, beach club and bar has been under new management since March
2010 and was completely remodeled-renovated in autumn 2010. Sculptor Ramiz
Barquet's bronze sculpture "Sharks in Spiral" graces the attractive little
square at Pulpito and Los Muertos beach between the El Dorado
and La Palapa restaurants. This has been one of my favored places to take
friends for lunch for over 25 years. Beach club operates 8:30am-4pm
Open daily, 8:30am-11:30pm
El Mole
de Jovita - South Side - 220 Basilio Badillo. Telefono: 322-223-3065
**
Enjoy dinner at this Puerto Vallarta gay-owned and operated restaurant.
"Offering a variety of ancient regional dishes with a gourmet touch that
your palate will definitely enjoy." Mexican dishes with the house specialty
of chicken mole. Good quality food at reasonable prices, and I'm hearing
good reviews and word of mouth. Inside or sidewalk seating. Menu includes sopes, tacos dorados con mole verde, the Mexican platter, chiles rellenos,
enmoladas and tasty fish dipped in mole Jovita or poblana sauce. #82 of some
990 restaurants in Vallarta at TripAdvisor in August 2021. Quite often with
live guitar music. Friendly service at Mole
de Jovita since 2009 with owners Sergio Mucino and Roberto Gomez..
Mon-Sun, 4pm-11pm
Fajita Republic -
South Side - 188 Basilio Badillo street. Tel: 322-222-3131 **
Beef, chicken, shrimp, combo and vegetarian fajitas are the specialty
of the house, with BBQ ribs and traditional Mexican plates as well. Moderate
portions and moderate prices make Fajita Republic popular for dining. Still one of my
favorites. Recently remodeled, and also with a new location in Nuevo Vallarta,
with phone 322-297-2277. Daily, 5pm-11pm
Figueroa's Burritos - Romantic
Zone - 300 Carranza at Constitucion street. Phone: 322-148-5450
**
A recently established gay-owned breakfast and brunch spot, Figueroa's
(photo left) is "just a fun little local hang out with fresh California
style Mexican food, good service and great prices." With burritos, chicken
mole, tacos dorados and many others. Vegetarian, take out and delivery available,
does a good business. Ranked #38 of 601 restaurants in Vallarta. Mon-Sat,
9am-7pm
Fredy's Tucan - South Side - 245 Basilio
Badillo. Tel: 322-223-0778
This restaurant and bar is popular with locals and tourists alike mainly
for its breakfast (no dinner) in the open interior patio and street-side
seating area. Waffles, french toast, crepes, omelettes, pancakes and some
Mexican specialty dishes. Lunch/brunch available from noon. Fredy's Tucan often wins Virtual Vallarta
on-line voting as the best breakfast in Puerto Vallarta. Since 1981 with
the family Garcia Acevedo. Daily, 8am-2:45pm
Gaby's - el Centro / Downtown - 252 Mina at Hidalgo street.
Tel: 322-222-0480, 322-223-1100
Lunch and dinner of traditional Mexican
food. Located two blocks from the Our Lady of Guadalupe church, this long-time
family-owned restaurant has been a favorite since
Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton lived nearby in Gringo Gulch. Known
for decades in Vallarta for the delicious food, affordable lunches and friendly
service.
Gaby's with chef Julio Castillon has
very good to excellent ratings. Sometimes showing traditional folklore
movies, video-clips and songs at dinner time on the theater-size screen.
Contact them for information on their Mexican cooking classes.
Daily, 1pm-11pm
Hacienda Alemana - South Side - 378 Basilio Badillo.
Tel: 322-172-7205, 322-222-2071
Good German and international food prepared by chef-owner Mike Pohl
from Bonn. Lunch and dinner, served in a beautiful outdoor garden restaurant
area. Menu includes several varieties of schnitzel and sausage, fish filet,
BBQ ribs, New York steak, sauerbraten and veal bratwurst. Beer lovers from
around the world can explore a wide range of craft beers exclusively found
only in their Biergarten. On Weds and Sat, 6pm-11pm, Hacienda
Alemana offers a German buffet with all you can eat including draft
beer; Friday it's all you can eat BBQ ribs. Mon-Sat, 12:30pm-11pm
India Gate - Downtown / el Centro - 124 Allende
street. Tel: 322-223-2424
Newer downtown eatery just a short walk up from the Malecon boardwalk
and La Bodeguita del Medio, India Gate Puerto Vallarta serves such dishes as butter
mango and curry chicken, lamb tikka and curry, plus some vegetarian fare
as well. Anna writes, "We loved it all! The food was delicious and the
service was excellent too. The owner, Andrea, was super patient explaining
the different options and accommodating our different requests (including
vegan food), you can tell she has great passion and expertise for Indian
cuisine." India Gate has good word of mouth from friends too. Tues-Sat,
5pm-10pm; Sun, 2pm-9pm
Kaiser Maximilian - South Side - 380-B Olas Altas.
Tel: 322-223-0760
Combination of old and new world cuisine with a specialty of traditional
Austrian and European dishes. Kaiser Maxilian serves delicious fare such as
braised baby lamb strips, mahi-mahi, sautéed squid and San Blas shrimp.
Inside dining with a/c or outside on Olas Altas street. The Maximilian Espresso
cafe, open 8am-Midnight, serves 20 different coffees as well as Austrian
pastries and ice cream. Restaurant open, Mon-Sat, 6pm-11pm
La Bodeguita del Medio - Downtown - 858 Paseo
Diaz Ordaz. Tel: 322-223-1585
Cuban cuisine in the upstairs and downstairs dining areas with pleasant
views of the malecon and Banderas Bay. La Bodeguita del Medio showcases
live traditional Cuban music, salsa, boleros and rumbas with the band Candela
from 9:30pm to midnight or later (see picture right). Popular for its unique
ambience. Cuban cigar store too. Also in Guadalajara, Mexico City, Monterrey
and Playa del Carmen. Daily, Noon-2am.
La Langosta
Loca - Playa Los Muertos Beach - Francisco Madero and the malecon.
Tel: 322-222-1200
One of my current favorite seafood places, on Los Muertos beach, is
the relatively new and rather popular Langosta Loca (the crazy lobster). The food, friendly
service and good mixed drinks are a bit above average. The views from the
upper level of the palapa-roofed restaurant take in the whole of Banderas
Bay and are wonderful. Inside seating or on the beach with salads, soups,
Mexican specialties, shrimp, lobster and seafood dishes of all sorts. Fairly
moderate prices, the good food and the location make The Crazy Lobster (instagram) popular with locals and
tourists alike. Daily, 12pm-9pm
La Palapa
- Los Muertos Beach - 105-3 Pulpito. Tel: 322-222-5225
One of loveliest and best beachfront restaurants
in Puerto Vallarta. Mexican and international cuisine with candlelight
beachfront fine dining. La Palapa (picture left) has had
a great romantic setting and been a tourist favorite since 1959. A gourmet
connoisseur friend of mine notes: "Hands down the best restaurant South
Side and one of the best city wide. The setting may be the best....Great
breakfast and good lunch and dinner". Casually elegant and rather expensive.
Acoustic guitar accompaniment or light Latin jazz music daily with Alberto
Perez or Raul Simetal, 8pm-11pm. Call for details or visit their website
for the La Palapa restaurant.
Daily, 8:30am-11:30pm
La Piazzetta - South
Side - 143 Rodolfo Gomez at Olas Altas. Tel: 322-222-0650
Over 25 kinds of delicious Southern Italian style pizza, as well as
pastas and traditional Italian plates by owner Mimmo. La Piazzetta has often been voted
the best pizza and best Italian restaurant in the city. Excellent service
and very popular year round. Since October 1995. Miguel writes, "Delicious
dinner. The service is always very good, costs are fair and the taste is
magnificent. I highly recommend it to dine at ease." You can visit their
La Piazzetta website. Mon-Sat, 4pm-11:30pm
Langostinos - Playa Los
Muertos Beach - 109 Manuel Dieguez. Tel: 322-222-0894 **
Breakfast, lunch and dinner in the same block as the Los Muertos pier.
Service, food, atmosphere and the views of oftentimes spectacular sunsets
are generally above average quality. Inside seating or on the beach with
salads, soups, steaks, seafood and Mexican specialties. Rib eye and seafood
pasta are popular choices. Reasonable prices and a great location make
this dining spot popular with locals and tourists alike; ex-pats have had
regular get-togethers here. With owner Collet and a friendly staff. Langostinos frequently has live music
for the evening happy hour starting around 5pm. Next door to Cuates y
Cuetes. Rating: B. Daily, 8am-11pm
Mariscos El Coleguita - Marina Vallarta
- Popa street at Condominiums Marina del Rey, Local 17. Tel: 322-108-9726
One of the most popular restaurants in the Vallarta Marina. Reasonably priced
seafood, shrimp, scallop, lobster, fish and Mexican dishes. Some two dozen
tables on the covered patio. Locations also in Ixtapa, Jalisco and La Cruz
de Huanaclaxte in Nayarit. Weds-Mon, 1pm-8pm
Nacho Daddy - South Side - 180 Basilio Badillo
street. Tel: 322-223-0838
An original concept in "Mex-Tex" cuisine with a large dining area, a
popular sports bar area with 42" TVs, billiards and all with a lively atmosphere
at night. Nacho Daddy is one of the newer addition to the growing
number of restaurants on Puerto Vallarta's famed Restaurant Row. Live music,
Thurs through Sat, featuring Joe King Carrasco or special guests. Also hosts
Charity Bingo through the season every other Tues at 6:30pm. Daily,
Noon to Midnight
Planeta Vegetariano
- Central - 270 Iturbide. Tel: 322-222-3073
A wonderful little place with an all-you-can-eat vegetarian lunch buffet
for only 85 pesos, including drink and dessert. A la carte menu for dinner,
7pm-10pm. Colorfully decorated with a tranquil atmosphere to compliment
the good food. Planeta Vegetariano receives most
excellent reviews. Closed Weds. Thurs-Tues, 8am-11:30am for breakfast,
and 11:30am-10pm for lunch and dinner
Porto Bello - Marina Vallarta - Marina Sol Local
#7. Tel: 322-221-1068, 322-221-0003
Canadian owners Mario Nunes and Maurizio Pelligrini have a fine Italian
restaurant here with pleasant views of marina Vallarta and the harbor where
Porto Bello's
large outdoor patio overlooks the sailboats and Sierra Madre mountains.
Inside seating with air conditioning. The fusilli Porto Bello with artichokes,
black olives and basil is their signature pasta dish; and for lovers of veal,
may I suggest the Vitello in a white cream sauce. Their restaurant menu
also includes cannelloni, homemade ravioli, sauteed fresh fish fillet, roasted
salmon, linguini with seafood, and tasty deserts. Popular since 1989. Also
with a location in Nuevo Vallarta. Daily, Noon-11pm.
Red Cabbage Cafe
- Colonia Benito Juarez - 204-A Rivera del Rio street. Tel: 322-223-0411 **
This charming out of the way place (photo left) along the Cuale River
in a typical Vallarta neighborhood is filled with movie photos and posters.
Regional Mexican food with specialties from all over the country including
divine chiles en nogada, chicken mole from Puebla, and hearty carne en su
jugo (steak in its juice). In addition, the vegetarian menu is diverse and
tasty. Lola Bravo's place has been reviewed and recommended by Bon Appetit,
Lonely Planet, the NY Times and the Toronto Star. Frommer's rated the Red Cabbage restaurant
as "exceptional traditional Mexican cuisine". Woman owned and operated. Closed
during summer July 1-Sept 30.
Mon-Sat, 4pm-10pm.
Salud Super Food - Old Town - 534-A Olas Altas.
Phone: 322-139-9398
A breakfast and brunch restaurant offering delicious healthy cuisine
focused on great tasting food using "superfoods" such as fresh fruits, vegetables,
nuts or low-fat yogurt as their core ingredients. A healthier choice for
a deliciously balanced diet. Options for vegetarians, vegans and omnivores
alike. Take out is available, with more info and photos at Salud Super
Food (facebook). Mon-Sat, 9am-5pm
Sapphire Ocean
Club - Los Muertos beach - #1 Calle Malecon. Tel: 322-223-3264
**
Located in front of the One Beach Street Vallarta condo resort on Los
Muertos Beach, the Sapphire
Ocean Club restaurant and bar has a menu that includes soup, burgers
and sandwiches, homemade pasta, salads, ceviche, and a variety of meat and
seafood dishes. This beachfront club offers chaise lounges and recliners
with sun shades, plus an open-air dining area for its gay-friendly clientele.
Stylish. A friend wrote some while back, "Great waiters. 80/20 gay/straight.
Older, wealthier crowd....No tortilla chips, no papas fritas. But the lounge
chairs, cute and super-friendly beach guys, and real wine glasses makes
it all worthwhile." Sapphire (facebook) has its own pool and is practically
adjacent to the traditional Blue and Green chairs of the gay beach. Since
Nov 2014. Mon and Weds, 9am-7pm; Tues, Thurs-Sun, 9am-11pm
Seasons PV - South Side
- 130 Ignacio Vallarta in Rivera Molino plaza. Tel: 322-178-2148
**
Canadian/American style with a a touch of Mexican, lead by Chef Laurie
who has over 30 years of experience. Casual friendly dining for breakfast,
lunch and dinner. The menu includes salads, sandwiches, burgers, burritos
and wraps, and for dinner fish, chicken, seafood and sirloin dishes. Gluten
free options. Seasons PV motto is a quote from the writer Virginia Woolf,
"One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well."
Gay staff, mixed clientele. Sun-Thurs, 9am-9pm; Fri-Sat, 9am-10pm
Serrano's Meat House - Olas Altas/Emiliano
Zapata - 155 Lazaro Cardenas. Tel: 322-209-0639
Relatively new and quite popular grill and bar across from the Lazaro Cardenas
Park. "Top quality steaks, good salsas, people
watching, open air, hard to complain." Menu also includes shrimp, grilled salmon, BBQ Mexican
ribs and some salads. In January 2022,
Serrano's ranked as
#144 of 1,009
dining spots in Vallarta on TripAdvisor. Rating: B+. Daily, 8am-11pm
Siam Cocina Thai
- South Side/Zona Romantica - 271 Francisco Madero. Tel: 322-223-4665
**
Serving Southeast Asian cuisine featuring traditional flavors and ingredients.
A gourmet friend writes, "Best Asian-inspired food in Vallarta, they finally
have the flavor “right", Michael Boufford's best restaurant". Menu includes
salads, soups, pad thai, curries, as well as delicious cashew chicken, vegetable,
beef broccoli and Thai chicken stir fries, Ranked as #29 of 1009 restaurants
in town in January 2022 on TripAdvisor. Gay-owned and operated Siam accepts
reservations and credit cards. Closed on Monday. Rated: A-. Tues-Sun,
5pm-10:30pm
The Pancake House - Old Town / South Side - 289
Basilio Badillo. Tel: 322-222-6272
Memo's breakfast place is popular, so you may have to wait in line.
Pancakes, omelets, waffles, French toast, low calorie plates, eggs and Mexican
dishes. Pleasant open interior patio garden setting. In June 2003 the Pancake House was rated "the best place
in the world to go for breakfast" by International Living. Memo's
is one of Vallarta’s landmark restaurants
and it has been the most famous breakfast place in town for more than
34 years. Daily, 8am-2pm
The River Cafe - River Cuale Island, local #4,
West Bridge. Tel: 322-223-0788
International cuisine such as diver scallops, rainbow shrimp, rack of
lamb, soups and salads. Seating on the terraces along the banks of the
Cuale River with a pleasant natural setting. "Casual but elegant dining".
River Cafe has
live music with Cheko Ruiz, Mon and Tues from 7:30-10:30pm and with
Invitro, Weds and Thurs, also from 7:30-10:30pm. Head chefs Benjamin Sanchez
and Karla Morales. Noted for its beautiful romantic atmosphere, excellent
food and quality staff. Reservations recommended. Call for details on music.
Daily, 8am-11:30pm
The
Swedes Bar & Bistro - South Side - 154 Pulpito at Olas Altas street.
Tel: 322-223-2353 **
The Swedes gay bar and bistro (photo left) serving food daily, 5pm-11pm.
Their bistro menu includes Swedish meatballs, pasta tagliatelle, filet
mignon, traditional Swedish hash and other North American and European cuisine.
The Crow's Nest Bar is on the 2nd floor of the bistro, with nice views and
serving drinks until late. Gay bar and restaurant with Rikard and Morgan.
Good reports and reviews of The Swedes Bistro & Bar which has
an eclectic food selection that is well-presented and prepared. Happy hour
5pm-6pm. Daily, 5pm-11pm
Tony's Please - Emiliano Zapata - 440 Lazaro Cardenas
near Jacarandas. Tel: 322-109-4644
Tony has had a restaurant at various spots on the South Side since the
1970s and has faithful local and tourist customers, a testament to the good
cooking and decent prices. Mexican, steaks, seafood, vegetarian friendly.
Mentioned by friends, Tony's Please is always rated very good to excellent.
Trip Advisor has it ranked in Nov 2021 as #86 of 999 restaurants in town.
Mon-Sat, 4:30pm-10:30pm
Tre Piatti - Emiliano
Zapata - 292 Lazaro Cardenas. Tel: 322-222-2773
Delightful Italian restaurant on the corner of Cardenas and Constitucion
streets in Old Town, just down the street from gay nightclub CC Slaughters,
so it's not hard to find. Specialties include house-made pasta and regional
Italian cuisine. Tre Piatti, currently one of the most popular upscale
dining spots in town, is owned by Israeli chef Chanan Kamen and his wife
Natalie, a pastry chef from Guadalajara, who acts as hostess and also makes
the house desserts. Full bar, decent wine selection, attractive staff. Many
excellent reviews, including from a gourmand friend who says, "Fine, perfectly
executed pastas. Accommodating staff. Kudos." Inside only, air-conditioned.
Weds-Mon, 5:30pm-10pm
Trio - Centro/Downtown - 264 Guerrero
street. Tel: 322-222-2196
"Casually elegant" featuring international gourmet food that combines
Mediterranean cuisine with the traditional flavors of Mexico. Stylish decor
with art work by local artists and a patio in the back that is open during
the winter season. Many reports indicate that Trio restaurant (facebook)
prepares one of the better meals in Puerto Vallarta though some have demurred
and clearly prefer the sister-restaurant Vitea 'hands down'. Upscale and
pricey. Since 1997. Further information for Trio at their website.
Dinner daily, 6pm-11:30pm
Vitea - Downtown/el Centro - 2 Libertad on
the New Malecon. Tel: 322-222-8703
Ocean-front bistro located along the stretch of the New Malecon extension
between Los Arcos Amphitheater and the pedestrian bridge over the Cuale
River. Vitea has a pleasing casual sidewalk
atmosphere, modern eclectic decor and an excellent selection of wines. Menu
includes quiche, salads, sandwiches, filet mignon and seafood. Voted best
moderate priced Vallarta restaurant in 2010. Operated by the owners/chefs
of Trio restaurant Bernhard Güth and Ulf Henriksson. Popular for the
food, service and views. As of August 2021, they are #116 of 1,264 places
to eat in town on TripAdvisor. Also see their website Vitea PV for more complete
info on their menu, events and catering. Rating: A. Daily, 8:30am-11:30pm
Briefly, here are a few other popular/well known Puerto Vallarta restaurants that may well be worth checking out:
Andale - South Side/Zona Romantica
- 425 Olas Altas. Tel: 322-222-1054
Andale's bar is on the first floor,
which can be quite crowded and loud during the winter months with music
and dancing. The sidewalk restaurant has seating as well upstairs on the
2nd and 3rd floors overlooking Olas Altas street, 8am-11pm. Daily,
8am until 2-3am
Cafe Roma - Downtown/Central -
287 Encino at Matamoros, upstairs 2nd floor. Tel: 322-222-7378,
322-111-8417
Italian restaurant/pizzeria and bar
near the municipal flea market and across from the Cuale River so some nice
views. Noted for its home-style environment and friendly service since 2006.
Karaoke nights on Mon, Weds and Fri, 6:30pm-9:30pm. Rated as #47 out of
some 683 restaurants in town at TripAdvisor. Visit their website at Cafe Roma. Mon-Sat,
11am-10pm
Chez Elena - Central - 520 Matamoros
at Galeana. Tel: 322-222-0161
Romantic garden restaurant known
for its diversity of Mexican dishes and international specialties (photo
left). The rooftop terrace bar El Nido has panoramic views of Puerto Vallarta
and Banderas Bay. The Chez
Elena menu includes grilled catch of the day, chicken mole, several
vegetarian choices and a savory Mayan pork dish. Opened in 1955 by the original
"Elena" and operated since 1980 by Gloria Whiting. Caters to small and large
groups and private dinner parties. Dinner, 6pm-11pm
Cuates y Cuetes - South Side -
101 Francisca Rodríguez, at pier Los Muertos. Tel: 322-223-2724
A restaurant bar on Los Muertos
beach that often has good live jazz, salsa, light rock or reggae music in
the evenings from around happy hour sunset time until approximately 9pm-10pm.
Specialty of seafood and Mexican specialties; food is reportedly so-so.
Cuates
and Cuetes is especially popular for Happy Hour, 6pm-8pm. Daily,
8am-11:30pm
El Brujo - South Side - 510 Venustiano
Carranza at Naranjo. Tel: 322-223-2036
Mexican, seafood and beef dishes. El Brujo became popular for its reasonable prices and
ample servings of good food. Promotes itself as a family-style restaurant
and was once ranked #80 of 776 restaurants in PV. Location
also in Bucerias, Nayarit on the Avenida Pacifico with Tel: 329-298-0406.
Tues-Sun, 1pm-10:30pm
El Coleguita - Marina Vallarta
- Popa s/n Local 27 at Condominio Marina del Rey. Tel: 333-111-5040,
322-108-9726
Well-liked seafood restaurant in Marina
Vallarta for over 6 years, and for over 19 years in its Ixtapa location
on the La Palmas highway. Generous portions of fish and shellfish selections
makes
El Coleguita popular in this area. Weds-Mon, 11am-8pm
El Colera - Emiliano Zapata -
542 Lazaro Cardenas. Tel: 322-223-0769
Popular mostly with the Mexican
locals for all kinds of fish, seafood coctels, ceviche, tostadas and empanadas. El Colera is noted by the locals for its good
food, attentive service and reasonable prices. Daily, 8am-8pm
Frankie's Spaghetti House - South Side
- 276 Venustiano Carranza. Tel: 322-223-2267
A typical old-style Italian restaurant
with the red table cloths. Frankie's has become a well-liked Italian restaurant
on the South Side. Mostly good reviews. The menu includes spaghetti,
seafood pasta, pizza, fried zucchini, rigatoni and the special linguini
with shrimp. Notable for its fresh food, reasonable prices, a quaint and
comfortable atmosphere, as well as professional and attentive service.
Mon-Sat, 5pm-11pm
Johnny's Diner - Old Town - 336 Basilio
Badillo. Tel: 322-193-9453
Stop by for some breakfast and lunch
at Johnny's Diner, with breakfast South Dakota style,
starting at 59 pesos. A variety of plates with sidewalk seating and seating
out back too in the patio. Thurs-Mon, 8am-2pm
La Chata - Centro / Downtown -
115 Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez at Paseo Diaz Ordaz, upstairs. Tel: 322-222-5530,
322-222-5529
Mexican restaurant on the malecon
serving seafood, chicken and beef dishes. One of the more moderately priced
downtown restaurants. Second level up, so good views of the boardwalk and
Banderas Bay from the balcony seating. Live music with Mariachi group Nuevo
Imperial every night, 9pm-10:30pm. Family owned business with locations also
in Guadalajara since 1942. Daily, 8am-11pm
La Dolce Vita - Central - 674 Paseo
Diaz Ordaz and on the South Side
- 206 Basilio Badillo. Tel: 322-222-2204, 322-688-7264
Serving good northern Italian food.
Located on the Malecon boardwalk with ocean views from upstairs (picture
of staff at left). I'd call La Dolce Vita the most popular restaurant in downtown
Puerto Vallarta. The downtown location sometimes has live light jazz
music in the evenings Weds and Fri, please call for details. Also with a
newer location on the South Side on Basilio Badillo street, and in Nuevo
Vallarta at #2 Ave Paseo de Las Palmas. All serving traditional
Italian cuisine: salad, pasta, meat, chicken or fish. Well-liked since 1992. Mon-Sat, 12pm-Midnight;
Sun, 4:30pm-Midnight
La Terraza di Roma - Marina Vallarta
- Condominium Puesta del Sol, Local 2. Tel: 322-221-0560
The pier of the Italian restaurant
La Terraza along the Marina walkway or boardwalk has a pleasant relaxed
atmosphere for dining or drinks, day or night. Daily, 8am-11pm
Makai - Old Town - 311 Lazaro Cardenas.
Tel: 322-354-9878 **
Mexican, Latin ,and some vegan options
at one of the South Side's newest upscale restaurants Makai.
"Loved it all. Food, music, decor,
cocktails, service, cleanliness. New restaurant with amazing chefs and brilliant
service." Some complaints of
a rather limited menu and a poor wine list, while others are more benevolent
and say "Fabulous five-course meal
with exceptional presentation. Definitely gourmet." Worth checking it from word of mouth and reviews.
Tues-Sun, 6pm-Midnight
Marisma Fish Taco - South Side - 320
Naranjo at V. Carranza street.
Reportedly the best fish tacos
in Puerto Vallarta, with hand made tortillas. Marisma
has locations also in the Marina at Popa and Quilla just behind Plaza
Neptune at the Condos Marina del Rey, and also in Fluvial Vallarta at
Carlos Barrios and Lake Michigan street. Menu includes tacos, guisados,
shrimp, smoked marlin or fish burritos, quesadillas and hamburgers. Since
1990. Tues-Sun, 10am-5pm.
Oscar's - Cuale River Island -
Local #1, West Bridge. Tel: 322-223-0789
Located at the west end of the
Cuale River island, Oscar's restaurant offers dining under a large thatched
palapa with views of the Cuale River as it enters Banderas Bay. Menu includes
lobster bisque and traditional Mexican, American and international dishes.
Daily, 10am-11pm.
Paradise Burger - Downtown - 740
Paseo Diaz Ordaz, upstairs. Tel: 322-223-2328
All American fare with some Mexican
specialties to spice things up, and a good location ocean-front in the
middle of the downtown Malecon boardwalk. They sometimes have live rock
and roll music in the evening; call for details. Daily, 10:30am-Midnight
Pipi's - Central - 807 Guadalupe
Sanchez at Pipila. Tel: 322-223-2767
Tex-Mex specialties include steak, chicken,
shrimp and fish fajitas. Often crowded with tourists; serving traditional
Mexican food since 1986. Pipi's is noted for its large drinks and plentiful
servings. Daily, 11am-11pm
Poblanos - Olas Altas - 179 Lazaro Cardenas. Tel: 322-365-1654 **
Mexican fare, colorful setting and a good location across from the
Lazaro Cardenas park. I enjoyed my mole poblano meal there. Menu includes
molletes mexicana, a variety of omelettes, taco and soups, beef burritos,
sopes, stuffed pepper with shrimp and cheese, grilled arrachera, fajitas, and a tasty
white fish with melted cheese and poblano chili sauce
with vegetables and rice. A gourmet friend notes, "Great potential
and location, but mediocre food". Gay-owned and operated Poblanos accepts
reservations and credit cards. Opened Dec 2019. Tues-Sun, 8am-10pm
The Blue Shrimp - Los Muertos Beach -
366 Olas Altas. Tel: 322-222-4246, 223-1840
Located on Los Muertos beach next door to Daiquiri
Dick's and under the giant palapa. Shrimp prepared a dozen different ways,
lobster, fish filet and rib-eye cuts. A good meal, great views and popular.
Often with live music by Graham Cook. Daily, 9am-12am
Puerto Vallarta restaurant reviews and ratings
The Puerto Vallarta
Restaurants & Dining Guide has a fairly comprehensive lists of restaurants,
cafes and bars in the city, ranging from budget selections and hamburger
stands to exquisitely delicious gourmet French food and popular Mediterranean
and Asian cuisine. Much more can be found online here at TripAdvisor where there currently 610
restaurants and over 27,000 reviews by travelers; or at Virtual Vallarta with paid listings, another
one of the best sources, by location, type and price; or at the All Vallarta Message Board. Gay guys might
also be interested in Gary Beck's Puerto Vallarta Restaurant Guide as his
book has updated reviews of over 375 eateries, and covers just about everything
from taco stands to upscale dining throughout Banderas Bay. And of course
there's JR's usual reliable round up and ratings of anything local, go here
for his Restaurant list by type of food, and for something authentically
unique and useful for those on a modest budget or who like to eat out and
around at the various tacos stands, there's his Street Food - Taco Stands webpage. Gary Beck, JR and
their friends certainly do get around.
Natural Foods Store
Don Fresco at Los Mercados - South
Side - 265 Aquiles Serdan. Tel: 322-222-0383
Los Mercados is a newly remodeled
market located in Zona Romantica which offers a variety of shops including
Don Fresco which offers fresh produce including locally grown heirloom tomatoes,
sweet white corn, a selection of lettuces and every sort of fruit and vegetable.
Located 1/2 block from the Gutierrez Rizo supermarket.
Special Notes
Puerto Vallarta Festival Gourmet
International - November 12-21, 2021
The annual Festival Gourmet
or Restaurant Week in November features the culinary talents of local chefs
of Puerto Vallarta and Nayarit state, as well as some guest chefs from internationally
acclaimed restaurants and hotels. Highlights of the Festival include cooking
classes, cheese seminars, Tequila Madness Night and the exceptional Gourmet
Brunch at Cafe des Artistes. Since 1995. Participants have included Blanca
Blue, Cafe des Artistes, Coco Tropical, de Santos, El Arrayan, Kaiser Maximilian,
La Palapa, Porto Bello Bistro, the River Cafe, Thierry's Prime Steak House,
Trio, Vista Grill and some 15-18 or so other restaurants and Puerto Vallarta
hotels including Andrea at Hotel Velas Vallarta, El Patio at Dreams Villamagna,
Gaviotas at Sheraton Buganvilias, Insu Sky Lounge at Marival Residences
and World Spa Nayarit, La Casona at Villa Las Estancia, Las Casitas at
CasaMagna Marriott, L'isola at Fiesta Americana Hotel, Luxury Resort in
Riviera Nayarit. Tel: 322-222-2247
Travel note: The information on this and other pages of the Puerto Vallarta Gay Travel Guide were deemed accurate when posted, but things can change without notice. You may wish to confirm dining details directly with the restaurants in question before planning your day or night out.
Friends; Oscar's on the Cuale River island;
upstairs at Blondies
Daiquiri Dick's fine dining (left)
and two photos of La Palapa restaurant Puerto Vallarta, both Los Muertos
beach
Verona seafood and bar April 2021; India
Gate for Indian food
Cafe de Olla on Restaurant Row;
La Piazzetta with los Bambinos; The River Cafe for dining by the Cuale River
The River Cafe gourmet restaurant; Le Bistro
Jazz Cafe; woman-owned Uncommon Grounds
the Red Cabbage Cafe for regional
Mexican cuisine; Puerto Vallarta fine dining; The Blue Shrimp on Los Muertos
beach
two photos of the old Le Bistro
cafe
the old Fajita Republic; Archie's
Wok asian restaurant; La Bodeguita del Medio on the Malecon
boardwalk
Joe Jack's Fish Shack for seafood
OK Jose! for Mexican cuisine 2021;
dining out at Langostinos with their seafood trio; La Langosta Loca on Los Muertos beach
Hacienda Alemana for German food;
staff at Nacho Daddy; Burros Bar on Los Muertos beach
Trio restaurant for fine Vallarta
dining
strolling minstrels Los Bambinos
- Lazzaro, Giorgio, Carlos and Immer Morales
(picture thanks to Becas Vallarta)
lots of Vallarta Restaurant Photos
"When hunger comes through the door,
love jumps out the window." - Mexican proverb
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