Great Food, Coffee, Desserts and Bars in Zona Romantica
Dash & Lifestyle Properties Team
Great Food, Coffee, Desserts and Bars in Zona Romantica
Great Food
Healthy and delicious meals for breakfast and lunch. Bowls, sandwiches, vegetarian burgers and smoothies are some of the most popular items. Balance the tacos you had last night with a healthy meal here!
81 locals raden deze aan
Salud Super Food
534-A Olas AltasHealthy and delicious meals for breakfast and lunch. Bowls, sandwiches, vegetarian burgers and smoothies are some of the most popular items. Balance the tacos you had last night with a healthy meal here!
Mainly recommended for breakfast but great for lunch too. Healthy and guilty options, large place, cool ambiance.
157 locals raden deze aan
Coco's Kitchen
Mainly recommended for breakfast but great for lunch too. Healthy and guilty options, large place, cool ambiance.
The best "Al Pastor" tacos, quesadillas and volcanes in town. "Al Pastor" refers to a way of preparing pork that is seasoned and marinated with chiles (not spicy by itself), roasted on a vertical spit, then thinly sliced and accompanied with a slice of pineapple. It's the perfect blend of savory and sweet, crispy and tender. Volcanes are tostadas with cheese and meat, they are delicious and definitely worth a try. Don't leave Vallarta without eating tacos "Al Pastor"!
158 locals raden deze aan
Pancho's Takos
162 Basilio BadilloThe best "Al Pastor" tacos, quesadillas and volcanes in town. "Al Pastor" refers to a way of preparing pork that is seasoned and marinated with chiles (not spicy by itself), roasted on a vertical spit, then thinly sliced and accompanied with a slice of pineapple. It's the perfect blend of savory and sweet, crispy and tender. Volcanes are tostadas with cheese and meat, they are delicious and definitely worth a try. Don't leave Vallarta without eating tacos "Al Pastor"!
Healthy option and most popular for its salads that you build ingredient per ingredient ala Subway or Chipotle style. Also has great smoothies, good sandwiches and soups. If you're choosing between Super Food Salud and Barra Light for a healthy meal, I would recommend Super Food. But if you've already been there then give Barra Light a try and you won't be disappointed.
25 locals raden deze aan
Barra Light
134 C. Rodolfo GómezHealthy option and most popular for its salads that you build ingredient per ingredient ala Subway or Chipotle style. Also has great smoothies, good sandwiches and soups. If you're choosing between Super Food Salud and Barra Light for a healthy meal, I would recommend Super Food. But if you've already been there then give Barra Light a try and you won't be disappointed.
Excellent all-around restaurant. Quality food, thoughtful dishes, attentive service at reasonable (not cheap) prices. This is a white table cloth restaurant so you'll want to dress up a little but it's far from pretentious. The owner Michael is usually there and will make sure your experience is top notch. Great for a special occasion. Also make sure to check out Michael's newer offering next door Siam Cocina Thai for excellent Thai food.
74 locals raden deze aan
Bravos Restaurant Bar
263 C. Fco. I. MaderoExcellent all-around restaurant. Quality food, thoughtful dishes, attentive service at reasonable (not cheap) prices. This is a white table cloth restaurant so you'll want to dress up a little but it's far from pretentious. The owner Michael is usually there and will make sure your experience is top notch. Great for a special occasion. Also make sure to check out Michael's newer offering next door Siam Cocina Thai for excellent Thai food.
Best Thai and frankly best Asian food restaurant in Zona Romantica - open only for dinner. Operated by the owner Michael, who also runs the excellent Bravos restaurant next door, this restaurant is a must visit if you're looking for international fare. All the thai classics are great here such as panang curry, spring rolls, hot and sour soup. Most dishes come with a kick by default, so if you aren't into spicy food make sure to let them know upon ordering.
39 locals raden deze aan
Siam Cocina Thai
271 C. Fco. I. MaderoBest Thai and frankly best Asian food restaurant in Zona Romantica - open only for dinner. Operated by the owner Michael, who also runs the excellent Bravos restaurant next door, this restaurant is a must visit if you're looking for international fare. All the thai classics are great here such as panang curry, spring rolls, hot and sour soup. Most dishes come with a kick by default, so if you aren't into spicy food make sure to let them know upon ordering.
Excellent seafood at reasonable prices. My favorites are the ahi tuna plates, octopus/shrimp/lobster tacos, smoked marlin ceviche and the ultimate guilty option is the smoked marlin fries! Nice ambiance, sit on the balcony if you can and overlook the street below and enjoy the view of Los Muertos pier.
17 locals raden deze aan
Tuna Azul
Excellent seafood at reasonable prices. My favorites are the ahi tuna plates, octopus/shrimp/lobster tacos, smoked marlin ceviche and the ultimate guilty option is the smoked marlin fries! Nice ambiance, sit on the balcony if you can and overlook the street below and enjoy the view of Los Muertos pier.
A seafood place most frequented by locals. Family owned and operated, this place is run with love but may appear a little rough around the edges. It's my favorite place to get fish or shrimp ceviche in the Zona Romantica area - especially the shrimp mango habanero ceviche. Also great fish, shrimp, octopus tacos and seafood soup. Go here to eat great seafood, practice your Spanish and get great value for your money.
9 locals raden deze aan
Mariscos Cisneros
271 AguacateA seafood place most frequented by locals. Family owned and operated, this place is run with love but may appear a little rough around the edges. It's my favorite place to get fish or shrimp ceviche in the Zona Romantica area - especially the shrimp mango habanero ceviche. Also great fish, shrimp, octopus tacos and seafood soup. Go here to eat great seafood, practice your Spanish and get great value for your money.
Excellent all around restaurant with excellent views of downtown Puerto Vallarta and the Bay of Banderas. Spanish tapa style cuisine, I'm not going to list the individual dishes because they are all good! Try as many as you can, make a reservation at sunset and enjoy a bottle of wine with dinner. One of the best places to celebrate a special occasion in all of PV. Not cheap but not overpriced.
171 locals raden deze aan
Barcelona Tapas
906 C. MatamorosExcellent all around restaurant with excellent views of downtown Puerto Vallarta and the Bay of Banderas. Spanish tapa style cuisine, I'm not going to list the individual dishes because they are all good! Try as many as you can, make a reservation at sunset and enjoy a bottle of wine with dinner. One of the best places to celebrate a special occasion in all of PV. Not cheap but not overpriced.
Vegetarian (and perhaps Vegan? not sure but can definitely make vegan dishes on request if it's not already vegan) Italian restaurant. Located on the northern end of the Malecon (10 min walk from Zona Romantica) this is a must visit. Everything is made with fresh, high quality ingredients and served with love and care. You won't believe how delicious veggie and gluten free food can be. The Chef Marco is also the owner and his children serve and even play music that adds to the ambiance. Go here and then go again!
26 locals raden deze aan
Veggitalia
172 CoronaVegetarian (and perhaps Vegan? not sure but can definitely make vegan dishes on request if it's not already vegan) Italian restaurant. Located on the northern end of the Malecon (10 min walk from Zona Romantica) this is a must visit. Everything is made with fresh, high quality ingredients and served with love and care. You won't believe how delicious veggie and gluten free food can be. The Chef Marco is also the owner and his children serve and even play music that adds to the ambiance. Go here and then go again!
Dine with the most stunning views in PV. Le Kliff is true to its name, you will dine on the edge of a cliff overlooking the crashing waves in the Bay of Banderas. This is a high class gourmet restaurant. Dishes will be smaller and pricey but the experience is great. Go here for a special occasion or stop by only for a cocktail to experience the views...maybe on your way back from a day trip to Boca de Tomatlan.
82 locals raden deze aan
Le Kliff
Dine with the most stunning views in PV. Le Kliff is true to its name, you will dine on the edge of a cliff overlooking the crashing waves in the Bay of Banderas. This is a high class gourmet restaurant. Dishes will be smaller and pricey but the experience is great. Go here for a special occasion or stop by only for a cocktail to experience the views...maybe on your way back from a day trip to Boca de Tomatlan.
Fredy's restaurant is the top rated breakfast restaurant on TripAdvisor for a reason, it consistently delivers excellent breakfast experiences. Traditional Mexican and American breakfasts are on offer and neither will let you down. There's not a ton that stands out about Fredy's to me personally but it's likely super close to where you are staying and you can count on it to time and time again to leave you happy and fueled for the day ahead.
355 locals raden deze aan
Restaurante Fredy's Tucan
245 Basilio BadilloFredy's restaurant is the top rated breakfast restaurant on TripAdvisor for a reason, it consistently delivers excellent breakfast experiences. Traditional Mexican and American breakfasts are on offer and neither will let you down. There's not a ton that stands out about Fredy's to me personally but it's likely super close to where you are staying and you can count on it to time and time again to leave you happy and fueled for the day ahead.
Healthier option (not everything is super healthy) for dinner. Pizzas, tapas, lots of great fare here. Smaller plates so you get to try multiple things and really affordable prices. This is the favorite of many of our guests, cocktails are great too!
28 locals raden deze aan
116 Pulpito
116 PúlpitoHealthier option (not everything is super healthy) for dinner. Pizzas, tapas, lots of great fare here. Smaller plates so you get to try multiple things and really affordable prices. This is the favorite of many of our guests, cocktails are great too!
Excellent, nicer restaurant. A little more to be desired in terms of ambiance but it's hard to beat the food. Go if you're looking for a good steak or fish filet.
12 locals raden deze aan
Chenan2
520b Lázaro CárdenasExcellent, nicer restaurant. A little more to be desired in terms of ambiance but it's hard to beat the food. Go if you're looking for a good steak or fish filet.
Great fajitas, margaritas, and ambiance. Located on a busy corner of Basilio Badillo in the heart of the romantic zone, this open-air location is a pleasure to hang out at. There's often live music in the evenings.
72 locals raden deze aan
Margarita Grill
321 Pino SuárezGreat fajitas, margaritas, and ambiance. Located on a busy corner of Basilio Badillo in the heart of the romantic zone, this open-air location is a pleasure to hang out at. There's often live music in the evenings.
Excellent, homemade Italian food prepared by the owners - a husband and wife. One of the few (maybe the only?) Italian restaurant in PV that makes their pasta fresh by hand. Must visit if you love Italian food!
40 locals raden deze aan
Tre Piatti
292 Lázaro CárdenasExcellent, homemade Italian food prepared by the owners - a husband and wife. One of the few (maybe the only?) Italian restaurant in PV that makes their pasta fresh by hand. Must visit if you love Italian food!
Archie's Wok
130 Francisca RodríguezGreat Thai food if you're looking for an oriental fix!
One of the longest standing beachfront restaurants in PV. Higher-end, delicious food and drinks. Great for romantic evenings and special events.
474 locals raden deze aan
La Palapa Restaurant
105-3 PúlpitoOne of the longest standing beachfront restaurants in PV. Higher-end, delicious food and drinks. Great for romantic evenings and special events.
Large "Tex Mex" plates and huge margaritas, this place is a riot. Often accompanied by loud mariachi music, this a great place to go with a group or with your friends when you want to have a good time and good food.
42 locals raden deze aan
Pipis
804 Calle Gpe. SánchezLarge "Tex Mex" plates and huge margaritas, this place is a riot. Often accompanied by loud mariachi music, this a great place to go with a group or with your friends when you want to have a good time and good food.
El Carboncito
127 C. HondurasThe best street tacos in PV (in my opinion)
Wonderful fine dining restaurant. Great for romantic and special occasions.
43 locals raden deze aan
Hacienda San Angel
336 C. MiramarWonderful fine dining restaurant. Great for romantic and special occasions.
Super creative cocktails and plates with a relaxed vibe. You can tell the owners put a lot of thought into each offering, you must go!
10 locals raden deze aan
Mezcal & sal
235 Calle Fco. I. MaderoSuper creative cocktails and plates with a relaxed vibe. You can tell the owners put a lot of thought into each offering, you must go!
NOT in Zona Romantica but close enough to make the list. El Barracuda has the best ambiance, you can dine and drink with your feet in the sand and catch the most stunning sunsets. The food is good, not great but the setting and the cocktails make it well worth a visit. All the cocktails are great but "El Barracuda" is my favorite. Must visit!
167 locals raden deze aan
El Barracuda
1290 ParaguayNOT in Zona Romantica but close enough to make the list. El Barracuda has the best ambiance, you can dine and drink with your feet in the sand and catch the most stunning sunsets. The food is good, not great but the setting and the cocktails make it well worth a visit. All the cocktails are great but "El Barracuda" is my favorite. Must visit!
Coffee
Delicious and strong coffee made with organic coffee from Chiapas, one of Mexico's coffee regions. All coffee drinks are good here but my favorite is the iced latte. Not much of a place to hang out at but great spot to get caffeinated.
Café Catedral
313 Basilio BadilloDelicious and strong coffee made with organic coffee from Chiapas, one of Mexico's coffee regions. All coffee drinks are good here but my favorite is the iced latte. Not much of a place to hang out at but great spot to get caffeinated.
Great coffee drinks and desserts. You'll be happy with whatever you order here. Not much room to hang out but great place to caffeinate!
Petricor
170 Basilio BadilloGreat coffee drinks and desserts. You'll be happy with whatever you order here. Not much room to hang out but great place to caffeinate!
Local cafe operated by the owner with love. All drinks are good here and there is room to hang out and map out your plans for the day. The chairs and couch look a little tired but the caffeine won't disappoint.
7 locals raden deze aan
El Sofa Cafe
306 Venustiano CarranzaLocal cafe operated by the owner with love. All drinks are good here and there is room to hang out and map out your plans for the day. The chairs and couch look a little tired but the caffeine won't disappoint.
Great coffee, tons of books on lend and a nice place to hang out or get work done.
28 locals raden deze aan
A Page In The Sun
169 Lázaro CárdenasGreat coffee, tons of books on lend and a nice place to hang out or get work done.
Neighborhoods
The "Malecón" pronounced ma-lay-cone is the boardwalk that runs the entire coast of Puerto Vallarta's downtown area. Best times of day to walk the Malecón are in the mornings and evenings. Mornings are best to get some exercise in, take in the views and soak in the serenity of the calm water. The Malecón comes to life in the evenings with performers, food vendors and music from the night clubs. If you ever don't know what to do, go to the Malecón and you'll be sure to stumble into something. Great spot for photos especially at golden hour.
120 locals raden deze aan
Malecon
MaleconThe "Malecón" pronounced ma-lay-cone is the boardwalk that runs the entire coast of Puerto Vallarta's downtown area. Best times of day to walk the Malecón are in the mornings and evenings. Mornings are best to get some exercise in, take in the views and soak in the serenity of the calm water. The Malecón comes to life in the evenings with performers, food vendors and music from the night clubs. If you ever don't know what to do, go to the Malecón and you'll be sure to stumble into something. Great spot for photos especially at golden hour.
Dessert
Go here for ice cream, gelato, frozen bananas and especially anything dipped in Belgian chocolate which is supplied by the neighboring dessert shop Xocodiva. Note: you may want to here later in your trip because you might end up going back every night!
8 locals raden deze aan
Lix Homemade Ice Cream
168C Basilio BadilloGo here for ice cream, gelato, frozen bananas and especially anything dipped in Belgian chocolate which is supplied by the neighboring dessert shop Xocodiva. Note: you may want to here later in your trip because you might end up going back every night!
Specialty desserts including dark chocolate and truffles, Xocodiva is a must stop for dessert aficionados. If you can't decide between chocolate or ice cream, go next door to Lix and get a combination of both!
Xocodiva Artisan Chocolate
369 Aquiles SerdánSpecialty desserts including dark chocolate and truffles, Xocodiva is a must stop for dessert aficionados. If you can't decide between chocolate or ice cream, go next door to Lix and get a combination of both!
Churros and boozy milkshakes make La Romantica the ultimate place to treat yoself! Choose from a variety of toppings and dips to go with fresh-made gourmet churros or opt for a milkshake, with or without alcohol. My favorites are the White Russian and Mezcalteada, a cholcate milkshake with mezcal. Sounds crazy but you have to try it!
10 locals raden deze aan
La Romántica churros & café bar
106 C. Rodolfo GómezChurros and boozy milkshakes make La Romantica the ultimate place to treat yoself! Choose from a variety of toppings and dips to go with fresh-made gourmet churros or opt for a milkshake, with or without alcohol. My favorites are the White Russian and Mezcalteada, a cholcate milkshake with mezcal. Sounds crazy but you have to try it!
Bar Scene
Great craft micro brews brewed in-house by the brewmaster Reid himself. Monzon celebrated their 2nd anniversary in 2019, marking a dream come true for Reid and his wife Miranda who runs the operation. Cool space to hang out at, drink the best beer in PV and make new friends. If you're hungry they also have small bites and an upstairs section with TVs to catch sporting events.
21 locals raden deze aan
Monzón Brewing Co
239 Venustiano CarranzaGreat craft micro brews brewed in-house by the brewmaster Reid himself. Monzon celebrated their 2nd anniversary in 2019, marking a dream come true for Reid and his wife Miranda who runs the operation. Cool space to hang out at, drink the best beer in PV and make new friends. If you're hungry they also have small bites and an upstairs section with TVs to catch sporting events.
Cool multi-floor venue with a 2nd floor terrace. Great spot to hang out and meet new people, play pool and kick back some "tragos" aka shots.
11 locals raden deze aan
El Sonador
229 Ignacio L. VallartaCool multi-floor venue with a 2nd floor terrace. Great spot to hang out and meet new people, play pool and kick back some "tragos" aka shots.
LBGT friendly bar next door to the Pink Flamingo with a cool rooftop. Parties hard and late.
67 locals raden deze aan
Bar La Noche
267D Lázaro CárdenasLBGT friendly bar next door to the Pink Flamingo with a cool rooftop. Parties hard and late.
More of a restaurant than a bar but I'm including it in the bar list because of its local craft beers on tap. The beers are good, not as good as Monzon in my opinion and the pizza, burgers and other American fare are good too but [also just my opinion] not great. Go here to watch NFL or NHL games and consume decent food and beverages at reasonable prices.
200 locals raden deze aan
Los Muertos Brewing
302 Lázaro CárdenasMore of a restaurant than a bar but I'm including it in the bar list because of its local craft beers on tap. The beers are good, not as good as Monzon in my opinion and the pizza, burgers and other American fare are good too but [also just my opinion] not great. Go here to watch NFL or NHL games and consume decent food and beverages at reasonable prices.
A favorite at happy hour, Bar La Playa has great cocktails and a fun ambiance. It's a small place where you sit outside on the sidewalk that is great for people watching and making new friends.
31 locals raden deze aan
Bar Paisas
179 Lázaro CárdenasA favorite at happy hour, Bar La Playa has great cocktails and a fun ambiance. It's a small place where you sit outside on the sidewalk that is great for people watching and making new friends.
LGBT friendly bar on a busy corner in Zona Romantica. Great place to kick off a high energy night out and great to come back to later as it's usually open late and parties hard.
67 locals raden deze aan
Mr. Flamingo
247 Lázaro CárdenasLGBT friendly bar on a busy corner in Zona Romantica. Great place to kick off a high energy night out and great to come back to later as it's usually open late and parties hard.
Super creative cocktails and plates with a relaxed vibe. You can tell the owners put a lot of thought into each offering, you must go!
10 locals raden deze aan
Mezcal & sal
235 Calle Fco. I. MaderoSuper creative cocktails and plates with a relaxed vibe. You can tell the owners put a lot of thought into each offering, you must go!
NOT in Zona Romantica but close enough to include. El Solar is a laid-back bar on the beach in the 5 de Diciembre neighborhood. It's a popular hangout for locals and visitors alike where you can chill out and enjoy drinks to the tunes of rock and reggae.
79 locals raden deze aan
El Solar
1294 ParaguayNOT in Zona Romantica but close enough to include. El Solar is a laid-back bar on the beach in the 5 de Diciembre neighborhood. It's a popular hangout for locals and visitors alike where you can chill out and enjoy drinks to the tunes of rock and reggae.
Grocery Store
Same Costco you know and love but way less busy! (except for Sundays)
156 locals raden deze aan
Costco Wholesale
134 Av Fluvial VallartaSame Costco you know and love but way less busy! (except for Sundays)
Walmart
2900 Boulevard Francisco Medina AscencioWalmart Superstore
Vallarta's newest grocery store. This store is the higher-end version of Comercial Mexicana and has more options for organic, gluten-free and imported foods. Costco is right next door so you can visit both in one fell swoop.
65 locals raden deze aan
La Comer Fluvial
63 Av Fluvial VallartaVallarta's newest grocery store. This store is the higher-end version of Comercial Mexicana and has more options for organic, gluten-free and imported foods. Costco is right next door so you can visit both in one fell swoop.