Guidebook for Puerto Vallarta
Food Scene
Café de Olla
168 Basilio Badillobest breakfast around
Really amazing molé and fresh homemade corn tortillas to go with it. This place has a wonderful ambiance, cozy atmosphere and friendly attentive service.
20 locals recommend
Red Cabbage Café
204A Rivera del RíoReally amazing molé and fresh homemade corn tortillas to go with it. This place has a wonderful ambiance, cozy atmosphere and friendly attentive service.
Really good Italian food with excellent service on restaurant row.
37 locals recommend
La Dolce Vita Zona Romantica
206 Basilio BadilloReally good Italian food with excellent service on restaurant row.
Restaurante Fredy's Tucan
245 Basilio BadilloGood breakfast joint
You won't mind waiting in line for these tacos. Al Pastor is the specialty that you see cooking out front and they are worth it. Don't forget to ask for everything - Pineapple, Onions and Cilantro. They'll serve you a cold drink while you're waiting in line. There are many options for tacos in town and if you don't want to wait walk past Insurgentes street and you'll find the taco stands next to the Farmacia Guadalajara
158 locals recommend
Pancho's Takos
162 Basilio BadilloYou won't mind waiting in line for these tacos. Al Pastor is the specialty that you see cooking out front and they are worth it. Don't forget to ask for everything - Pineapple, Onions and Cilantro. They'll serve you a cold drink while you're waiting in line. There are many options for tacos in town and if you don't want to wait walk past Insurgentes street and you'll find the taco stands next to the Farmacia Guadalajara
Really great place off the beaten path. Good prices and always good food. The homemade tortillas are exceptional. The fish fillet is always the best but I hear everything else is good too. They provide excellent and friendly service.
34 locals recommend
El Brujo Vallarta
510 Venustiano CarranzaReally great place off the beaten path. Good prices and always good food. The homemade tortillas are exceptional. The fish fillet is always the best but I hear everything else is good too. They provide excellent and friendly service.
Mariscos el Guero
291 C. Fco. I. MaderoReally good seafood specialties. Try the Marlin tacos. yummy!
Good options catering to the English speaking crowd but tasty in any language. Tasty = Sabroso
Eat At Davids
155 NaranjoGood options catering to the English speaking crowd but tasty in any language. Tasty = Sabroso
This restaurant is rated in the top 100 in Mexico. Make sure to make a reservation for seating on the patio. The food is creative and outstanding. The menu changes often so it's hard for me to make suggestions. Everything I've tried is exceptional and the service is attentive and quick. The restaurant itself is small and the patio overlooks the Rio Cuale. It's an experience not to missed when you are staying in the Romantic Zone.
44 locals recommend
Tintoque
445 Aquiles SerdánThis restaurant is rated in the top 100 in Mexico. Make sure to make a reservation for seating on the patio. The food is creative and outstanding. The menu changes often so it's hard for me to make suggestions. Everything I've tried is exceptional and the service is attentive and quick. The restaurant itself is small and the patio overlooks the Rio Cuale. It's an experience not to missed when you are staying in the Romantic Zone.
Essentials
Mercado Emiliano Zapata
Fresh seasonal Fruits and Vegetables at great prices.
this market has everything and is spread out along the river and toward the center of town. There are restaurants on the upper level near the river where you can get excellent food and it is very economical. There are several dining options side by side and they're all good.
94 locals recommend
Mercado Municipal
s/n Agustín Rodríguezthis market has everything and is spread out along the river and toward the center of town. There are restaurants on the upper level near the river where you can get excellent food and it is very economical. There are several dining options side by side and they're all good.
Drinks & Nightlife
Los Amigos - Cantina Style Gay Bar
S/N Venustiano CarranzaFriendliest Gay Bar in Vallarta
Everything Else
Los Muertos Beach
fun in the sun, lots of activities and excursions available.
Neighborhoods
This is a friendly quiet neighborhood once you get past the bustle of the malecon and bars.
11 locals recommend
Emiliano Zapata
This is a friendly quiet neighborhood once you get past the bustle of the malecon and bars.
5 de Diciembre
Conchas Chinas
City advice
Getting around
Buses
There are buses for 10 pesos that take you anywhere in the city. the best advice is to determine where you want to go and then watch the signs in the window to see if that bus goes there. it can be a bit tricky at first and google maps can help but the route numbers they show don't match what is on the bus.
Useful phrases
Buenos Dias - Good Morning
Con Permiso - Excuse Me
Buenas Tardes - Good Afternoon
Buenas Noches - Good Night
Donde esta el Baño - Where is the bathroom (the ñ is pronounced like "nyo" ergo Banyo
Ways to save
Excellent Food at better prices
There are really some amazing and inexpensive restaurants in the Zona Romantica. You'll save money and have an amazing meal by walking about 10 minutes from the beach. See restaurant recommendations to find where the expats and locals eat in the neighborhood.