Puerto Vallarta is blessed with more restaurants of all sorts than most cities of its size anywhere in Mexico! Many are concentrated into the several square blocks of the Colonia Emiliano Zapata, or the Zona Romantica as it is known locally. Visitors are often quite surprised not only with the numerous choices available, but also the high quality of the food and its presentation.
Our Vallarta wedding clients are often looking for great restaurants to recommend to their guests during their stay here. We suggest that the wedding couple try out as many as possible during their scouting trip(s) and develop a list of up to four or five top restaurants for their guests to try.
Here is a listing of several of our recommended restaurants, and don’t just take our word for it—all these have stellar ratings on Trip Advisor as well!
MODERATELY PRICED in ZONA ROMANTICA
Bravos ACT (Francisco Madero #263) Seafood, Italian, International. Small, elegant, indoor space with lovely but simple decorations. Menu features appetizers ranging from $85 to $140 pesos, soups and salads from $70 to $110, steaks and chops from $190 to $399, signature dishes like creamy chicken and braised lamb shank from $220 to$265, pastas from $170 to $245, and seafood from $245. Dinner only and reservations strongly encouraged.
116 Pulpito Gastro Bar (Pulpito #116) Mediterranean, Bar, Pizza. Tiny space that fills up quickly so reservations highly recommended. A few tables outside in front. Mostly tapas and small plates. Salads from $80 to $85; pizza $136 for three ingredients; tapas like fried calamari or tuna tartare from $65 to $95; slider from $89 to $98; and a daily special.
Kaiser Maximilian (part of Hotel Los Arcos) as its name suggests features Austrian and continental cuisine right on Olas Altas. Very down-to-earth style while focusing on supremely good tasting food. One of the best non-Mexican food options in the Zona Romantica. Desserts are spectacular! Salads around $125, soups around $105, mains from $300 to $480.
L’Angulo di Napoli/formerly Bella Napoli (Morelos #128) at the end of the Malecón just across the bridge from Zona Romantica. One of the best pizza places in all of Vallarta with outside seating. Nothing too fancy, but when you’re craving pizza, there’s no better! Pastas are also recommended. Starters $70-$130, pastas $120-$190, pizzas $130-$250.
Chenan2 (Lazaro Cardenas #520) almost at the end of the street away from the beach. Seafood and steaks in a charming and relatively small dining room. Ridiculously friendly service and good value with the prices, very gringo-friendly! Soup and salad are each $85, steaks $210-$325, seafood dishes $220-$625.
No Way José (5 de febrero #260) is an Americanized Mexican restaurant with lots of “add-ons” like guacamole and Caesar salad made at your table and roving mariachi musicians. A bit too much of a show for the tourists, but they keep coming back for the great food and good service.
River Café (Isla Rio Cuale #4) is located on the island in the middle of the Cuale River that separates the Zona Romantica from the downtown area of Vallarta. It’s a romantic and peaceful setting just by the river, near several tourist shops. The menu is varied but emphasizes seafood, with combinations of pastas, American and Mexican specialties. Appetizers $175-$245, salads $155-$165, pastas $275-$310, and mains $350-$550.
Martini en Fuego Grill Bar (Francisco Madero #260) is a tiny gem of a romantic restaurant in the heart of the Romantic Zone. Highly acclaimed from many repeat customers, there is a lot of attention to detail to be found here. Menu is mainly seafood with many lovely touches.
Tre Piatti (Lazaro Cardenas #292) is a very popular Italian restaurant with a huge repeat following (reservations strictly necessary) and it deserves its reputation. Innovative touches on traditional Italian dishes and fantastic desserts. Menu changes every two weeks! Appetizers $250-$260, pastas $300-$320, mains $320-$350.
Jorge’s Hideaway Shrimp Shack (Pilitas #206 just off Olas Altas) is, as its name suggests, rather small and out of the way, but it’s certainly worth finding! Mexican seafood is its specialty, especially shrimp, with good portions and good value.
Archie’s Wok (Francisca Rodriguez #130, on the way to the pier) is one of the only well-regarded Asian cuisine restaurants anywhere in Puerto Vallarta. It has been a neighborhood standout for many years, and just keeps on cooking! Pan-Asian dishes representing several countries are standouts. Reservations are recommended, but you can wait for a table outside in the newly-decorated pedestrian street. Appetizers $55-90, pastas $115-$150, mains $165-$225, veggies & rice $75-$145.
El Mole de Jovita (Basilio Badillo #220) is a traditional Mexican restaurant featuring mole, the outstanding rich and complex regional sauces from Oaxaca state. The menu is relatively simple, designed to feature these amazing sauces. It’s a rare opportunity to try authentic and traditional Mexican regional cuisine.
These restaurants on the map!
