Puerto Vallarta Restaurant Recommendations

Planeta Vegetariano (Vegetarian Planet in English) is a small restaurant up from the main square in downtown Puerto Vallarta up a few steps.  When you walk in you just seat yourself and no one that works there speaks English so you are not quite sure what to do.  After a short while we figured out it was buffet style - all you can eat. 

A complete review on the restaurant can be found on my blog here:

Location

Joe Jack's Fish Shack is a trendy restaurant in the Romantic Zone.  The restaurant has 2 levels and th

Location

After several recommendations we finally made it to Cafe Bohemio for dinner.  It is an outdoor cafe in the heart of the romantic zone.  The menu is extensive with choices from meatloaf to several fish options to steaks to mexican cuisine.  The food we had was tasty and well presented and the portions generous.  Each day there are two for one drink specials.

It is popular and busy - so you may have to wait or get there early before the sunset to be seated right away. 

Location

No Way Jose! is a unique comfortable restaurant just past the Isla Rio Cuale as you begin your journey into the Romantic Zone. We were expecting a traditional Mexican restaurant but it was anything but traditional. Cloth tablecloths, wine glasses on each table made for a much more elegant experience. And even though there are traditional mexican dishes on the menu such as enchiladas and Chiles en Nogada (stuffed peppers - a house specialty)- you can also find Duck, Ribeye, Chicken, Shrimp and I had - Chapultepec Tower - a portabello stacked creation that was marvelous!

Location

espresso ristorate was recommended to us by another restaurant owner in PV.  It was presented to us as a pizzaria but when we got there it was SO much more.  Wonderful italian smells oozed out of the walls and the energy of the staff and patrons made you feel like you were in a real italian restaurant.  We had the thin crust pizza and one of the amazing bruschetta appetizers.  Oh so yummy! 

It is located in the Romantic Zone and has two levels with the upstairs open to the fresh air and old town views. 

Location

Trio is fine dining at it's Finest!!  The food is fabulous and is impeccibly presented.  The atmosphere is elegant yet comfortable where you want to linger and enjoy the food and sip your wine.  They won the Best Overall & Best Service 2010 Award from Vallarta Lifestyles Readers Choice and I believe they have won these in previous years as well.  Trio was one of the first restaurants recommended to us in 2005 and is a favorite ever since.  This truly is a restaurant not to be missed the next time you are in PV.

Casa Blakes coins itself as a Sports Bar but its cleanliness and menu entree selections makes it feel more like an upscale restaurant that happens to have several large screens for sports watching.  They have the usual sports bar fare of wings, burgers and nachos but the real attraction is the seafood, pasta, and even filet mignon.  I was most happy to see the fresh salad options that are not always offered in a casual, sports bar setting. 

It was very clean and inviting and the staff and owners are very nice and friendly. 

Location

Barcelona Tapas is a quaint restaurant perched above downtown with views of the city and the ocean.  The house specialty is Sangria which is very fresh and very tasty.  There are a wide range of tapas to select from and they are amazingly delicious.  Each that we had were very flavorful and elegantly presented.  They recommend 2-3 per person and then share.  We had 4 for the 2 of us and was plenty to eat.  We had the Flan for dessert which was incredible!!  And they serve Basil flavored ice cream at the end of the meal which was surprisingly good.

Location

El Arrayán is an intimate little Mexican restaurant offering a variety of authentic yet unusual Mexican food dishes using only the best traditional recipes and highest quality ingredients. El Arrayán opened its doors in November 2003 and has since won Virtual Vallarta's Readers Choice Award for 'Best Mexican Restaurant' in 2005 thru 2009.