Enjoy traditional dishes in the best restaurants of Puerto Vallarta
Gastronomy 10/06/2025
Puerto Vallarta not only dazzles with its coastal landscapes and warm atmosphere, it's also a gastronomic paradise that conquers palates. If you're planning your trip and wondering where to eat in Puerto Vallarta, here's what you need to know.
This city, located in the heart of the Jalisco coast, boasts a cuisine that blends tradition, sea, and creativity. Whether you're looking for fresh seafood, reinterpretations of classic dishes, or gourmet experiences overlooking the Pacific, Puerto Vallarta's restaurants offer an experience that goes beyond the simple act of eating.
Tuna Azul is one of those places that quickly earns a place on everyone's list of favorites. Its menu revolves around fresh seafood and a modern presentation without losing the local essence. Located next to the Playa Los Muertos Pier, it offers both a culinary experience and excellent cocktails accompanied by a musical atmosphere.
Located on Playa Los Muertos, La Palapa, with decades of history, is synonymous with tradition and elegance. It offers tropical fusion cuisine, where local ingredients combine with Asian and French influences. Here, romance and flavors are masterfully intertwined.
A cozy spot that transports you to the Caribbean. At Oregano, you'll find creative cuisine with vibrant flavors, intense spices, and a menu with a Vallarta flair. Its inviting tables and personalized service ensure a calm and colorful atmosphere.
A relaxed classic and very popular with locals and tourists, El Barracuda is perfect for an al fresco meal, right on the waterfront. Specializing in market-style seafood, but with a wide variety of options, the freshness of the seafood takes center stage in every dish, from the market-style tacos, fresh ceviches and aguachiles to its original recipes.
Small, with a relaxed atmosphere and a fresh cuisine, María Baja stands out for its focus on local ingredients and homemade recipes. Its tacos and tostadas win you over from the first bite.
Makal takes the dining experience to another level. This signature restaurant fuses the best of contemporary Mexican cuisine with traditional ingredients from the region. A great option that changes with seasonal produce, accompanied by national spirits and wines. Ideal for those who appreciate detail and flavor.
Vallarta cuisine is rich in history and flavor. Many of its dishes are inherited from the typical cuisine of Jalisco, featuring fresh seafood ingredients and techniques passed down from generation to generation.
One of the most iconic dishes of the Pacific coast, zarandeado fish is prepared over charcoal and often marinated with dried chilies, lemon, and spices. In Puerto Vallarta, you'll find it in traditional versions or with contemporary twists, always preserving its coastal essence.
Although it originates in Jalisco, birria also features in Puerto Vallarta's culinary offerings. This slow-cooked, marinated meat delicacy is ideal for breakfast or as a powerful remedy after a late night. Whether in tacos, consommé, or quesabirria, it's a guaranteed flavorful dish.
Unlike other versions of Mexican ceviche, Puerto Vallarta's ceviche stands out for its use of tomato, cilantro, red onion, and lemon juice, combined with fresh shrimp or fish. A burst of freshness, ideal for hot days.
Although originally from Guadalajara, tortas ahogadas are an iconic dish of Jalisco that has taken over the streets of Vallarta. These tortas, filled with carnitas and smothered in chili sauce, are a guilty pleasure you can't pass up and are available at various points in the port.
Gastronomy isn't complete without the drinks that accompany it. Puerto Vallarta also boasts a variety of traditional drinks that refresh and surprise.
Made from the sap of the coconut palm, the tuba, naturally fermented and served with chopped apple and peanuts. Its flavor is sweet, slightly acidic, and extremely refreshing, making it ideal for those hot days.
Tejuino is an ancient fermented corn drink, typical of western Mexico. It has a sweet and sour flavor and is served cold, with a touch of lemon and salt, and sometimes with a lemon slushy on top. Refreshing and steeped in history.
Known as the "wild cousin of tequila," Raicilla is an artisanal distillate produced in the mountains near Puerto Vallarta with centuries of tradition. Its smoky, powerful flavor makes it a unique experience. Don't leave without trying a shot accompanied by worm salt and an orange slice.
Facing Banderas Bay and just 15 minutes from the Malecón, the Grand Park Royal Puerto Vallarta Hotel is an excellent all-inclusive option by the sea. Its prime location on Playa Gemelas makes it the ideal spot for a sun-filled vacation.
This resort offers ocean-view rooms, outdoor pools, a spa, restaurants, bars, and activities for the whole family. Plus, its All-Inclusive plan guarantees comfort, great food, and unique experiences like seasonal whale watching.
A perfect option for relaxing and enjoying the best of Puerto Vallarta.
This city, located in the heart of the Jalisco coast, boasts a cuisine that blends tradition, sea, and creativity. Whether you're looking for fresh seafood, reinterpretations of classic dishes, or gourmet experiences overlooking the Pacific, Puerto Vallarta's restaurants offer an experience that goes beyond the simple act of eating.
Best Restaurants
Tuna Azul
Tuna Azul is one of those places that quickly earns a place on everyone's list of favorites. Its menu revolves around fresh seafood and a modern presentation without losing the local essence. Located next to the Playa Los Muertos Pier, it offers both a culinary experience and excellent cocktails accompanied by a musical atmosphere.
La Palapa
Located on Playa Los Muertos, La Palapa, with decades of history, is synonymous with tradition and elegance. It offers tropical fusion cuisine, where local ingredients combine with Asian and French influences. Here, romance and flavors are masterfully intertwined.
Oregano Restaurant and Bar
A cozy spot that transports you to the Caribbean. At Oregano, you'll find creative cuisine with vibrant flavors, intense spices, and a menu with a Vallarta flair. Its inviting tables and personalized service ensure a calm and colorful atmosphere.
El Barracuda
A relaxed classic and very popular with locals and tourists, El Barracuda is perfect for an al fresco meal, right on the waterfront. Specializing in market-style seafood, but with a wide variety of options, the freshness of the seafood takes center stage in every dish, from the market-style tacos, fresh ceviches and aguachiles to its original recipes.
Maria Baja
Small, with a relaxed atmosphere and a fresh cuisine, María Baja stands out for its focus on local ingredients and homemade recipes. Its tacos and tostadas win you over from the first bite.
Makal
Makal takes the dining experience to another level. This signature restaurant fuses the best of contemporary Mexican cuisine with traditional ingredients from the region. A great option that changes with seasonal produce, accompanied by national spirits and wines. Ideal for those who appreciate detail and flavor.
Immerse yourself in the typical cuisine of Puerto Vallarta
Vallarta cuisine is rich in history and flavor. Many of its dishes are inherited from the typical cuisine of Jalisco, featuring fresh seafood ingredients and techniques passed down from generation to generation.
Zarandeado Fish
One of the most iconic dishes of the Pacific coast, zarandeado fish is prepared over charcoal and often marinated with dried chilies, lemon, and spices. In Puerto Vallarta, you'll find it in traditional versions or with contemporary twists, always preserving its coastal essence.
Birria
Although it originates in Jalisco, birria also features in Puerto Vallarta's culinary offerings. This slow-cooked, marinated meat delicacy is ideal for breakfast or as a powerful remedy after a late night. Whether in tacos, consommé, or quesabirria, it's a guaranteed flavorful dish.
Ceviche Vallarta
Unlike other versions of Mexican ceviche, Puerto Vallarta's ceviche stands out for its use of tomato, cilantro, red onion, and lemon juice, combined with fresh shrimp or fish. A burst of freshness, ideal for hot days.
Tortas ahogadas
Although originally from Guadalajara, tortas ahogadas are an iconic dish of Jalisco that has taken over the streets of Vallarta. These tortas, filled with carnitas and smothered in chili sauce, are a guilty pleasure you can't pass up and are available at various points in the port.
Traditional Drinks of Puerto Vallarta: Refresh your experience with local flavors
Gastronomy isn't complete without the drinks that accompany it. Puerto Vallarta also boasts a variety of traditional drinks that refresh and surprise.
Tuba Drink
Made from the sap of the coconut palm, the tuba, naturally fermented and served with chopped apple and peanuts. Its flavor is sweet, slightly acidic, and extremely refreshing, making it ideal for those hot days.
Tejuino
Tejuino is an ancient fermented corn drink, typical of western Mexico. It has a sweet and sour flavor and is served cold, with a touch of lemon and salt, and sometimes with a lemon slushy on top. Refreshing and steeped in history.
Raicilla
Known as the "wild cousin of tequila," Raicilla is an artisanal distillate produced in the mountains near Puerto Vallarta with centuries of tradition. Its smoky, powerful flavor makes it a unique experience. Don't leave without trying a shot accompanied by worm salt and an orange slice.
Grand Park Royal Puerto Vallarta Hotel
Facing Banderas Bay and just 15 minutes from the Malecón, the Grand Park Royal Puerto Vallarta Hotel is an excellent all-inclusive option by the sea. Its prime location on Playa Gemelas makes it the ideal spot for a sun-filled vacation.
This resort offers ocean-view rooms, outdoor pools, a spa, restaurants, bars, and activities for the whole family. Plus, its All-Inclusive plan guarantees comfort, great food, and unique experiences like seasonal whale watching.
A perfect option for relaxing and enjoying the best of Puerto Vallarta.
