10 Top Restaurants in Puerto Vallarta Mexico (2024)

Follow this guide to the best restaurants in Puerto Vallarta to discover the best local and international cuisine in this popular Mexico beach destination.

I’ve been to Puerto Vallarta nearly every year for the past decade. I’ve tried a ton of the restaurants and know what’s worth your time and what to skip.

This guide includes a list of the best restaurants for dinner and for drinks. The locations where I recommend grabbing a drink have a unique and fun atmosphere, but lack in the food department.

The restaurants I recommend for dinner are where to find the best food in Puerto Vallarta, downtown and in the Marina area.

Keep reading to learn where to eat in Puerto Vallarta, and try to not get too hungry!

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Where to Eat in Marina Vallarta

Marina Vallarta is an upscale area of Puerto Vallarta near the airport and downtown. The majority of restaurants surround the water in a safe, car-free loop. The Marina offers a wide variety of cuisine at a range of price points. The below restaurants are some of my favorite in the area.

1. La Terrazza di Roma

It is unexpected to see an Italian restaurant at the top of a Mexican restaurant list. However, La Terrazza di Roma is a restaurant we consistently go back to multiple times each trip.

The cute atmosphere, consistently delicious food and great service make this a great restaurant option.

Atmosphere

This restaurant is located at the entrance to the Marina, making it a quick walk from any of the hotels in Marina Vallarta.

The restaurant is split into three portions: indoor, patio and overwater bungalow. For the best experience, be sure to request the overwater portion.

The overwater bungalow is on stilts that protrudes into the marina. There are 360-degree views of the luxury yachts and water.

Tip: For the best seat in the restaurant, request one of the corner tables.

Food

Italian food must be one of my favorite cuisines of all time. The delicious pizzas and pastas at La Terrazza di Roma live up to my high bar for Italian cuisine.

My favorite menu items include: Hawaiana Pizza, 4 Formaggi Pizza, Penne All’Arrabiata and Fettuccine Gamberi e Limone. The fresh ingredients and attention to detail make these dishes and the rest of the menu unforgettable.

2. Las Palomas Doradas

The oldest restaurant in the Marina, Las Palomas Doradas has been doing French-Mexican food right for years. This unique mix of cuisines is both fun and refreshing.

Atmosphere

Las Palomas Doradas is in the middle of Marina Vallarta. The restaurant is perched on a patio with greenery hanging from the ceiling and bistro-style tables.

The atmosphere of this restaurant reminds me of a small-town bistro in France. It makes a great stop for a romantic dinner or date night.

Food

There are two food options here: Mexican or French. While the cuisines play together, there are two separate menu portions. On the French side, I recommend the escargot and the baked fish.

The fish is flaky, moist, and covered in a delicious sauce. On the Mexican side, I recommend any of the shrimp dishes. If you are a fan of spicy, the shrimp diablo is perfect.

Tip: Order a bottle of wine for the table, they offer great wines at very reasonable prices.

3. Fajita Banana

The most casual on this list, Fajita Banana is one of the best restaurants in Puerto Vallarta. It is a great place to catch a sports game and dinner without having to get dressed up.

Atmosphere

As mentioned above, this restaurant is very casual. Picture a sports bar in a jungle. There are tv screens throughout and faux foliage décor.

Though casual, the atmosphere is comfortable and great for laid-back family time.

Food

As you may suspect based on the name, Fajita Banana specializes in Fajitas. In Mexico, I eat all the shrimp I can because the quality and preparation is always amazing.

Naturally, I got the shrimp fajitas, and they were delicious. The steak fajitas are also great as well as the combo plates.

4. Sonora Grill Prime

Unfortunately, I have not yet dined at Sonora Prime. One of the most upscale and expensive restaurants in Marina Vallarta, it comes highly recommended.

This would be a great spot if you are celebrating a birthday or anniversary on the trip. Personally, I would order the filet mignon and share a variety of sides for the table, but you cannot go wrong with a steak dinner.

Where to Eat in Downtown Puerto Vallarta

Downtown Puerto Vallarta is the center of activity for the town. There is the old town, Malecon, beach front and romantic zone which are all full of amazing restaurants. The below list is some of the best restaurants in Puerto Vallarta that I have tried in this area.

5. Joe Jacks Fish Shack

Another fusion between cultures, Joe Jacks highlights the best of British and Mexican cuisines. This always-packed restaurant delivers on cocktails, food, and ambiance.

Atmosphere

Joe Jacks is a two-level restaurant on a busy street in downtown. The first floor features a beautiful bar and cozy bar seating.

The second floor has an open-air patio and is covered by colored string lights. The first floor is ideal for a quick drink, but the second floor has the best atmosphere.

Food

Based on the name, you can likely guess that Joe Jacks Fish Shack has delicious seafood. The cuisine is a mix of British fare (think fish and chips) and Mexican (think spices and peppers).

The fish and chips, shrimp bucket and fish of the day are always delicious choices. The restaurant is also known for their mojitos and the fruit-flavored ones are to die for.

6. Makal

This is the top restaurant in Puerto Vallarta for a fine dining experience. Michelin star chef, Chef Graham Campbell, is heavily involved in the menu planning at Makal, leading to a very high-end dining experience.

Atmosphere

Even though this restaurant has a fine-dining experience, the atmosphere is not stuffy. I recommend dressing up a bit, but resort-wear is still appropriate.

The service at this restaurant is incredible, and makes the entire meal feel like an experience or a show.

Food

You can select a 7 course or 10 course tasting menu for your meal. The menu is constantly changing based on what’s in season in the area.

No matter what they’re serving when you visit, you’re going to have a great meal.

7. Cuates Y Cuetes

This beachfront restaurant features the best that Puerto Vallarta has to offer with both the location and food. Cuates Y Cuetes is a must-visit restaurant in Puerto Vallarta.

Atmosphere

Situated on the sand with a view of the iconic Puerto Vallarta pier, the location of this restaurant cannot be beat. Enjoying dinner with your toes in the sand is the absolute epitome of vacation.

Cuates Y Cuetes also has a stage featuring local artists which provide fun music throughout your meal.

Food

Cuates Y Cuetes serves classic Mexican food done right. Your night here is the perfect opportunity to order your favorite Mexican dish such as tacos, a burrito, enchiladas, or fajitas.

I opted for the coconut shrimp which were huge, juicy and perfectly fried.

8. Sonorita Olas Altas

This downtown Puerto Vallarta restaurant is near the zona romantica area. It’s a great place for traditional Mexican cuisine and has a unique atmosphere.

Atmosphere

The best part of Sonorita Olas Altas is the inner courtyard with string lights overhead and a faux tree behind the bar. The atmosphere is laid back and casual, but these design elements give it a nice ambiance.

Food

As I mentioned, this is a great place to get traditional Mexican food in downtown Puerto Vallarta.

Some of the most popular items on the menu are the pastor tacos or the Sonorita special. They serve traditional tacos, tacos alambre, and steak.

Great Bars in Puerto Vallarta

The below spots are super fun and have great drinks! The food is just ok so stop by for an pre or post dinner drink at either of these places for a great time.

9. Victors Place Café Tacuba

Victor’s is ranked number one on yelp for restaurants in Marina Vallarta. The reviews rave about the fun staff and memories made. You are guaranteed to leave with a smile on your face and a plan to go back.

The drinks at Victor’s are delicious. Their lime margarita was the best I had on the trip. For a dessert drink, be sure to try the Mexican coffee or a white Russian.

As an added treat, you will be offered complimentary mescal shots at least once. While I am not a tequila person, I appreciate the gesture and it’s a fun way to celebrate with your table.

10. Burro Bar

Burro Bar is a dive bar on the beach of downtown Puerto Vallarta. The advantage of this place is the prime location in the sand, along the water. The plastic tables are directly on the beach and the sounds of crashing waves are unobstructed.

While the drinks here are simple, the are inexpensive and tasty. There are constant 2-for-1 deals that can be split among the group. Burro bar is a great place to hit before or after Cuates Y Cuetes mentioned above.

The Best Food Tours in Puerto Vallarta

One of the best ways to experience the local cuisine is through a food tour. They’ll show you the hidden gems, share about the local culture, and allow you to taste small bites of a lot of foods.

The below Puerto Vallarta food tour is the one I highly recommend:

Checklist of the Top Restaurants in Puerto Vallarta

TLDR – Here’s a list of where to get the best food in Puerto Vallarta

Best Restaurants Marina Vallarta

• La Terrazza di Roma
• Las Palomas Doradas
• Fajita Banana
• Sonora Grill Prime
• Victors Place Café Tacuba

Best Restaurants Downtown

• Joe Jacks Fish Shack
• Makal
• Cuates Y Cuetes
• Sonorita Olas Altas
• Burro Bar

Map of the Best Restaurants in Puerto Vallarta

Summary of the Best Restaurants in Puerto Vallarta

This list of restaurants in Puerto Vallarta is sure to set you up for a great food journey on your Puerto Vallarta vacation.

Take advantage of all the delicious Mexican and international cuisines to try new things, explore the culture and maybe gain a few pounds (it is vacation after all).

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