10 Places to Eat in Puerto Vallarta - Zona Romantica
Top 10 Places to Eat in the Zona Romantica, Puerto Vallarta
1. Panchos Takos — The Best Tacos al Carbon in Puerto Vallarta!
Panchos Takos was the only place our cab driver mentioned when we asked where to eat on the day we arrived and he was not wrong. Panchos opens in the evening and specializes in tacos al pastor. There is usually a line along the sidewalk waiting to be seated in their indoor/outdoor seating area. While you wait, grab a Corona or Pacifico and take a peek at the menu and mark your selections. We suggest 80% of your picks include Al Pastor ;) and don’t forget the guac!
2. Taqueria El Cunado — Local Tacos
Taquieria El Cunado is a family run taco stand just one block from Playa Los Muertos Pier. The quaint outdoor taco stand has served the community for over for 30 years and is staple for locals and is quickly becoming a hotspot for tourists in the Zona Romantica. Make sure to try all of their homemade salsas!
3. Mariscos Cisneros — Ceviche & Seafood
This restaurant specializes in seafood dishes, while operating a taco stand out front during the daytime. Not far from the old part of Puerto Vallarta, Mariscos Cisneros is easy to find and offers a delicious array of ceviche, seafood appetizers, tacos and Mexican specialties. We had the Jalapeño Relleno Taco, and it was absolutely incredible. The pepper was stuffed with octopus, shrimp, sea snails, and marlin, then battered and deep fried. Wrap that in a warm tortilla and you're good to go!
4. El Pechugon — Puerto Vallarta’s Famous Rotisserie Chicken
El Pechugon is an incredible spot if you are in the mood for some amazing meat and potato goodness. They spin that chicken and let the drippings fall onto the potatoes below to capture all that flavor and satisfaction. You can literally smell that goody-good from blocks away. Let your nose guide you to their counter! YUM!
5. Mariscos El Guero — Seafood & Cevicheria
The owner of Marriscos El Guero spends his mornings at the local fish markets to pick out the freshest ingredients for the day. We tried the shrimp ceviche tostada and were not disappointed! We also got to try smoked marlin which they served with tortilla chips, both were a must try! The ceviche is made from the freshest catches of the day, marinating the seafood in tangy lime juice, spicy chiles, and crisp onion.
6. Taqueria El Moreno — Street Tacos
This is a go-to spot for a good, quick and cheap meal. Located on Calle Francisco, Taqueria El Moreno load up on ingredients, and everything they serve packs a punch of spice and flavor. If you’re wandering deep into Zona Romantica, this is one of the best stops for quick eats! Try their horchata, and get some Tacos de Birria!
7. Archie’s Wok — Asian
Not in the mood for Mexican food? Archie’s Wok is one of the best restaurants in town to try. Garnering the freshest of local seafood, meats and vegetables daily, the small staff transforms the ingredients via wok and grill into delectable Asian-inspired dishes. Archie’s Wok is a favorite of locals and visitors alike. This place is extremely popular, so be sure to call ahead and make a reservation!
8. Birria Robles — Authentic Mexican Birria
Birria is a classic Mexican dish from the state of Jalisco. Birria is usually made with goat’s meat, with lamb or even a combination of several types of meat. The use of a combination of meats is common in restaurants or local Birria eateries known as “Birrierías”. The marination and cooking of the meat leaves behind a wonderfully fragrant beef/lamb and onion broth that the corn tortilla is soaked in, before being deep fried again. Once the birria is assembled, the final product is again dipped in the same broth before being consumed. By far, this was one of our favorite dishes to try in Puerto Vallarta, and Birria Robles is a true favorite admired by locals.
9. Taco Birria Chanfay — Birria Street Tacos
This humble taco stand has been serving birria since 1972. Cheap street food where you will find plenty of locals. Make sure you ask for a side of "consume", which is a cup of the juices the meat is cooked in. Add lemon and onions and you won’t regret it!
10. Fredy’s Tucan — Restaurant and Bar
With more than seventy different dishes, Fredy’s Tucan is a favorite place for locals and foreigners alike. Fredy’s Tucan offers a casual atmosphere with an inside garden, where personal attention is synonymous of their total commitment to offer excellent service. Among the most popular dishes, you can find “El Campesino” (the country plate), which is an “Arrachera”, a tender marinated beef cut accompanied by delicious “Chilaquiles” (corn tortilla with sauce) and refried beans, for a very Mexican breakfast. They also serve spectacular chocolate flavored “Black Forest Pancakes” bathed with strawberries, whipped cream and pecans.
