Restaurants, Cafés and Taco Stands
Vallarta has come a long way in the quality of the restaurants and cafés. At one time the best you could hope for was lots of atmosphere. Now you can find places with excellent food too. There are hundreds of restaurants in this town, many very good, but we limit our list to those of general interest to the gay visitor. Many of these places are gay owned, especially gay friendly or just in the gay part of town.
A quick note about service: In Mexico a restaurant meal is an event, so the waiters would never think of rushing you on by delivering the check before you ask for it. Sometimes this isn't so obvious to our tourist friends who sit at their table wondering why they don't bring the bill! Please be sure to tip generously if the service is good, as all restaurant help gets paid only 4 dollars per day, and they all really depend on your gratuities. Typical gratuities are 15%.
Archie's Wok
For more than 25 years, Archie´s Wok has been serving up Vallarta´s diners with a tasteful array of Asain cuisine, consistently acquiring winning reviews.
Azafrán Restaurant Bar
Azafrán is a unique culinary journey with gracious European-style service.
Barcelona Tapas
Tapas, seafood and Spanish cuisine in a fine restaurant with a large terrace and ocean view.
Birrieria Isordia
A very loyal tradition, we receive you as the family is received. Birria tacos prepared with our family recipe, crispy, soft or medium, with a variety of garnish, without missing its hot broth to accompany your tacos, served only by family members and therefor offering you a pleasant atmosphere. So that you feel with that touch that you only find in your family.
Bombon Puerto Vallarta
Live a great experience in Puerto Vallarta!
100% Mexican establishment that seeks to enhance Mexico through its dishes, drinks and wines.
Open from Tuesday to Saturday from 4pm-12p.
Cafe Bohemio
Patio dining strung with tiny white lights, serving great home cooked food, Cafe Bohemio is widely regarded as one of Puerto Vallarta´s best International and Mexican casual dining experiences!
Casa Cupula
Weather for breakfast, lunch, snack bar or a special event; discerning dinners will appreciate their creative take on authentic Mexican Cuisine.
Casa Nicole
Casa Nicole Restaurant features traditional American fare with a Mexican twist, Enjoy a delicious breakfast on our outdoor garden or inside in the comfort of air conditioning,
Open from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Coco's Kitchen
Enjoy a relaxing and delicious breakfast or lunch in their outdoors garden. They serve Mexican and international food. Famous for the best breakfast in town. Coco will be waiting for you!
Daiquiri Dick's
Whether it’s a celebration dinner, business lunch or casual snack on the beach, Puerto Vallarta locals and savvy travelers rate Daiquiri Dick’s as their favorite restaurant. Open during quarantine following protocol or order to go. Delivery services available.
DeCantaro
Contemporary Mexican food with an international touch cooked to the perfection with firewood and ingredients
of the best quality.
Di Vino Dante
Wine & Tapas, bar located in the heart of Emiliano Zapata, in the Zona Romantica.
El Andariego
Restaurant with Traditional Mexican cuisine, seafood and fine cuts.
An iconic place of this destination and a favorite of the local people of Vallarta for over 30 years.
El Mole de Jovita
We specialize in artisan homemade mole dishes. Shrimp chiles rellenos bathed in mole, salmon, sopes, tamales, and mole enchiladas among others.
Summer hours, 3pm to 10pm. Closed Sundays.
El Oasis del Holi
Just a 15 - 20 min. cab ride north of Zona Romantica, enjoy the in & out door restaurant on the beach between the Grand Venetian & Plaza Peninsula.
El Rio BBQ Bar
Looking for a place located outside of all the hustle and bustle of the tourist zones? Just a few minutes taxi ride, located in Paso Ancho along the Rio Cuale, sits El Rio BBQ.
Fajita Republic
The speciality, of course, as their name states is fajitas, with many different varieties to choose from at this tropical grill.
Frida's Kitchen
Frida´s kitchen, located on the second level of Frida´s bar, has become a great known gay spot for evening drinks and dining.
Gaby's Restaurant
Located in the heart of Vallarta, Gaby's Restaurant will surprise with an atmosphere where you will enjoy from the authenticity and exquisiteness of the Mexican food. During this quarantine, we have delivery service available.
Hacienda Alemana
Hacienda Alemana´s Restaurant on Puerto Vallarta, is the Fusion of two Cultures. Their Great Team is dedicated to offer the most Traditional German Taste through a variety of Dishes served with the Warmth Attention and Love of México. ˇWe appreciate your Visit and your Preference!
Hotel Mercurio
Hotel Mercurio’s poolside restaurant is open to the public, offering breakfast from 8:00 to 11:00 AM; and extensive light-fare menu until 10:30PM daily.
Joe Jack's Fish Shack
The home of seafood frescado! Serious cocktails and rooftop terrace. Now offering Valet service Thursday - Sunday from 5 - 10pm
La Piazzetta
Fifteen years ago la Piazzetta was founded, and at that time, only offered 7 varieties of pizza and 2 salads. Today they have grown into a 200 seating Italian eatery and opened a 2nd location.
Mariscos Polo's
Mariscos Polo's has twenty one years in to the business.
Delighting people national and international. If you come to Mexico and your paradise destination is Puerto Vallarta... ˇDon't forget visit Mariscos Polo's!
Mikey's Deli
Located inside the los Mercados market place, this full service deli has many things you would see at home. Breads, condiments, deli items, sandwiches, specialty meets, and much more.
Nacho Daddy
Mex-Tex Restaurant & Bar in the heart of Zona Romantica. Enjoy great live music every night of the week in an intimate and lively venue.
No Se Nada Bar & Restaurant
A new bar and restaurant in downtown PV with fine drinks, great Food, and an amazing view. “A minute walk from the Malecon, but a world apart.”
No Way José!
No Way José!, named "Best Overall Restaurant" and “Best Moderate Restaurant” in Banderas Bay and runner-up for "Best Service," is Tu Casa en Puerto Vallarta. Quite an accomplishment for the winner of PV's “Best New Restaurant," just the year before.
QuePasa Bar & Grill
"Que?Pasa is a bar of our own. It is Vallarta's locals bar and restaurant. The friendliest people in Vallarta meet here for great "gringo" food, beverages, and local entertainment. It's a place where the tourists get to mingle with the locals - get some advice, make friends or simply hang out and have a great time. Something "special" is always happening at Que?Pasa."
Red Cabbage
The Red Cabbage is a magical place, off the beaten track. The cuisine, classic Mexican. The decor, nostalgic, with the walls & tables covered with collages and photos of actors, artists, and musicians. When you step into the colorful collage of it's decor, you know that you are somewhere different.
River Cafe
"Our sophisticated cuisine delights the most demanding palates; furthermore, you can enjoy the best Mexican and international wines and a plenty of cocktails."
Salud Super Food
Vegetarian and vegan friendly, international offerings, casual, sidewalk patio seating and smoke-free. Summer Hours: Mon.-Frid. 9am-5pm Sat. 9am-2pm
Delivery fee 30-50 pesos.
Trattoria di Nuovo
Italian cuisine lovingly prepared and presented in an intimate setting. Located in the heart of restaurant row. New hours of operations, 3-11pm.
Tuna Azul
Tuna Azul Restaurant is a new fresh concept specializing in seafood with a fusion from Baja Sinalóa and Jalisco. Where all their meals are prepared fresh and at order, service provided by the owners the Lopez brothers.
Vallarta Factory
A Restaurant, Chocolate Factory, Cigar Factory and coffe Factory. Your local one stop shop. Business hours from 8am to 11pm, Sundays open from 9am to 5pm.
116 Pulpito Gastro Bar
A small bistro with outside sitting. Small place with a huge taste in flavor.
Agrodolce
Italian cuisine with the intensity and flavors that you will only find at Agrodolce. They have created a new experience for all your senses.
Blue Shrimp
The Blue Shrimp restaurant, situated right on the Los Muertos beach, and long established, is the best seafood restaurant in the area.
Café San Angel
Eating a Burger doesn’t have to be a simple and flat experience. In The Hamburger Grill at San Angel Café (pronounced: San An-Hell) and 17 years of flipping the best, they have added to the simple American sandwich, sophisticated elements that make eating one something special.
Casa Tradicional
History and tradition on one side of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Picturesque floral windows and a Mexican colonial atmosphere, its culinary history is trapped in Casa Tradicional Restaurant. You will know all the seasoning from its different regions.
Derby City Burgers
The tastiest burgers in Mexico! Along with Hand cut French Fries and Sweet Potato Fries!
Johnny's Diner
Home-cooking traditional diner food is offered for breakfast and lunch in Old Town Puerto Vallarta.
La Cigale French Bistro
Vive la France in Downtown Puerto Vallarta! Whether you have memories of Paris or not, La Cigale will get you "In the Mood."
Monzón Brewing Co.
Experience Puerto Vallarta's newest craft brewery. Located in the heart of Zona Romántica, just half a block from Parque Lazaro Cardenas.
Oscar´s
Located in the heart of Puerto Vallarta on the Rio Cuale Island in front of Banderas Bay, on the arms of the beautiful Cuale river.
The Swedes
Open air restaurant on Olas Altas with a Swedish touch run by a pair of authentic gay Swedes!
Verona Seafood & Bar
Seafood, ceviches, poke bowl, salads and desserts, mezcal, craft cocktails, craft beer and wines.
Beach Clubs
These beach clubs on Playa Los Muertos are gay owned or cater to the gay audience.
Blue Chairs Beach Club
"The Beach Club" is a very popular beach club, where people from all over the world meet to meet new friends and enjoy delicious meals at a reasonable cost, with excellent Mexican food, fresh seafood, meats and snacks. Open to the public from 7am to 8pm.
Ritmos Beach Cafe
Also known as "Green Chairs" is a friendly beachfront restaurant on the famous "Los Muertos Beach" with palapas, food, music, and Dj.
Sapphire Ocean Club
Featuring the finest amenities including a swimming pool, comfortable lounge chairs and cabańas, towel service, national and international drinks, and fabulous breakfast and lunch menus from an internationally experienced chef.
Babel Bar
Not a beach club bud a river hidden gem alongside the river Cuale, Babel Bar is a relaxing Rest. & Bar where you can enjoy a relaxing time on their hammocks.
Schools and Classes
Cooking Class with Barcelona Tapas
Chef's William Carballo &/or Juan Pablo Valencia open the kitchen to Barcelona Tapas to teach you a few of their recipes.
Cooking Class with El Arrayan
Claudia Victoria R. & Carmen Porras E. co-owners of EL ARRAYÁN Mexican Restaurant are pleased to announce another amazing season of Traditional Mexican Cooking Classes this winter. Carmen Porras and Chef Diego Sánchez will be teaching a broad spectrum of classical Mexican dishes. They will utilize a collection of over 50 delectable recipes from diverse regions of Mexico throughout the season. Just as when these cooking classes commenced more than 13 years ago, EL ARRAYÁN will continue to include traditional dishes such as ceviches, moles, tamales, fresh salsas, and desserts.
Gaby's Rest. Mexican Cooking Classes
Live the experience of the cooking classes with chef Julio Cesar Castillon Perez.
Reservations require!
Coffee Shops
Caffe del Mar Vallarta
Newly remodeled Coffee shop on Basilio Badillo 1/2 a block from Los Muertos Beach. Great place for people watching while enjoying a delicious cup of coffee, Frappuccino’s and /or a light breakfast like paninis and sandwiches.
Coffee Cup
Delicious coffees, teas, smoothies, sodas, breakfast and sandwiches one block from the beach! Voted "Best Coffee" - 2009 Virtual Vallarta Reader's Choice y certificado de excelencia en trip adviser 2016 / 2017! 100% Mexican Coffee.
Coffee Factory
"Is proud to present the new selection of high altitude gourmet mixes, grown in the shade with organic certification, of Arabica beans and selected by hand from the highlands of Veracruz, Oaxaca and Chiapas."
An antity of Vallarta Factory.
