Top 10 Restaurants in Puerto Vallarta – The Best Places to Eat

We are headed to Puerto Vallarta soon! We have only been to the Riviera Nayarit in that area of Mexico before, and did not get a chance to explore the city much. So I started gathering a bucket list of all the yummy restaurants there. Of course, it’s doubtful we’ll make to all of them, especially given that most of these are on the fine-dining side of things, but a girl can hope right? And all the more reason to go back to Puerta Vallarta as soon as possible!

Café des Artistes
This was our best friend’s top pick. A fine-dining restaurant offering French-Mexican fusion cuisine, featuring an elegant and romantic atmosphere with a stunning view of Banderas Bay. The creative spirit and unique style of Thierry Blouet, Chef and Founder, have made Café des Artistes one of the most famous restaurants in the area.

La Palapa
A beachfront restaurant serving fresh seafood, traditional Mexican dishes, and a variety of cocktails and beverages, accompanied by traditional live music and a lively atmosphere. The cuisine of La Palapa is greatly influenced by fresh and delicious local ingredients from within the region.

Barcelona Tapas
Located four blocks from the boardwalk, you can enjoy the best view of the bay of Puerto Vallarta. Barcelona Tapas looks for the freshness and quality of their ingredients. The offer a wide variety of tapas, and my fave: paella. They even offer classes (!) on how to make that pan of deliciousness.

Tintoque
A contemporary restaurant offering innovative Mexican cuisine with a focus on seafood and locally-sourced ingredients, presented in an elegant and sophisticated setting. Tintoque says they seek to be a cultural link that expresses the culinary journey of the passage of time in the bay, finding flavors and elements that mark each stage in the history of Puerto Vallarta. With a name like Tintoque, I would hope they are also experts at wine.

Barrio Bistro
This charming cozy restaurant in the heart of Puerto Vallarta offers a menu of inventive and flavorful dishes that blend Mexican and global cuisine from chef Memo Wulff. This place seems a bit more casual than they others but the reviews look wonderful. Lots of high praise for the staff explaining their dishes!

La Leche
With its bright white modern design and creative dishes, this restaurant is known for its unique culinary experience that combines molecular gastronomy with Mexican ingredients. I will note that this is a restaurant that some gang members (not tourists) were kidnapped from, but also – it was in 2016. Just gotta keeping it real here, though. I still think it looks fantastic and want to try it.

River Café
A restaurant located in a lush garden setting along the Cuale River, serving a range of international cuisine with a focus on organic and sustainable ingredients, accompanied by live music and a tranquil atmosphere. I am getting the feeling that Puerto Vallarta is very tropical, no? 😉

La Cappella
Housed in a beautiful old church (which is also now the BellView Hotel), this Italian restaurant features a romantic ambiance and an elegant menu of homemade pasta plus more casual tacos during lunch time. Every evening, guests enjoy breathtaking sunsets, plus live instrumental music.

Makal
The modern and cheeky atmosphere of Makal offers a unique culinary experience with its fusion of Mexican and Mediterranean cuisine, using fresh local ingredients. Along with its excellent service and extensive wine list, make it a must-visit destination for foodies in Puerto Vallarta.

Mar Y Vino
An ideal place to enjoy delicious dishes and experience the most impressive sunsets in Puerto Vallarta – because your table is actually *in* a pool! Relax on the terrace and savor a delicious fresh seafood meal accompanied by incredible artisan cocktails.

See our other posts from trips to Mexico!