16 Best Restaurants in Puerto Vallarta; Zona Romantica

Puerto Vallarta has long been known as a bucket-list destination for sun-worshipping foodies. From street food vendors to Michelin-starred chefs, the food vibe is real! In this post, you will find the best Restaurants in Puerto Vallarta Zona Romantica (aka Romantic Zone). This is our personal list of restaurants that we patronize frequently and recommend to our friends who visit Puerto Vallarta. No one paid us to recommend these places.

The most common request I receive is for a list of restaurant recommendations. It makes sense. We have been vacationing in Puerto Vallarta for over 15 years, we’re obsessed with food, and now we live there! To narrow down a list of favorites is no small feat, as there are literally hundreds of restaurants in Puerto Vallarta (I’ve heard everything from 250 to 500… if you have a reliable number, please add it in the comments).

In the interest of brevity, the focus of this list is on one of our favorite neighborhoods in Puerto Vallarta, Zona Romantica (Romantic Zone). If you are staying in this barrio, these restaurants are all walkable. So… here they are, in no particular order:

Best Restaurants in Puerto Vallarta Zona Romantica

Marlow’s Dining Room

Marlow’s is a recent and exceptional addition to the Romantic Zone restaurant scene. Each meal starts with delicious, freshly made focaccia and chimichurri and ends with amazing gourmet chocolates made by Xocodiva. Everything in between is amazing, including the service (Hi, Brandon!). The dining room is small with maybe 6 or 8 tables, so be sure to make a reservation for this popular spot. (Photo Credit: Marlow’s Dining Room)

Location: Basilio Badillo 277, Zona Romántica, Emiliano Zapata, 48380 Puerto Vallarta, Jal.

Favorites: Steak, pork chop, sea bass (seasonal)

Dog Friendly: No

Vibe: upscale casual

Air Conditioning: Yes

Accepts Credit Cards: Yes

Martini en Fuego 

Martini en Fuego is in our top 3 favorite restaurants in all of Puerto Vallarta. I shook my head the first time we walked in the door, wondering why it was consistently rated so well. The place is cozy and has a unique charm, but definitely not impressive looking. After my first bite, I understood why people rave about Martini en Fuego! Chef Roberto and his team do an amazing job. If you are lucky, Armando will be playing his guitar right by the front door. Let me tell you, that guy has a VOICE!

During high season, you need a reservation. The last time we went, it was WAY too crowded. I recommend going there for an early dinner. I think they open around 3 or 4:00. I bet if you stop in before 6:00 you won’t need a reservation. Closed Thursdays.

Location: C. Fco. I. Madero 260-Int. A, Zona Romántica, Emiliano Zapata, 48380 Puerto Vallarta, Jal.

Favorites: Tuna Sashimi, mushroom appetizer, seafood platter

Dog Friendly: Yes

Vibe: casual, cozy, like you’re at your abuelita’s house

Air Conditioning: Yes

Accepts Credit Cards: No

El Dorado 

El Dorado is right on the beach and is lovely in every way. We don’t typically eat full meals here, but it is often our first stop when we get to Puerto Vallarta. Why don’t we eat full meals here? Candidly, there are just so many other restaurants with great food at a better price. All the same, it’s our first stop because as soon as we sit down our shoulders drop a couple of inches and we know we’re home. We usually get an appetizer and a cocktail.

Location: Púlpito 102, Zona Romántica, Emiliano Zapata, 48380 Puerto Vallarta, Jal.

Favorites: ceviche and margarita fresa (ask for Don Julio Blanco tequila, and Tajin around the rim).

Dog Friendly: Yes

Vibe: upscale casual, beachside, relaxing

Air Conditioning: No

Accepts Credit Cards: Yes

Panchos Takos 

Panchos is famous for their tacos al pastor, as evidenced by the long line down the sidewalk. Tacos al pastor is my absolute favorite food of all time. I have dedicated MANY hours (and calories) trying to find the best one in town. Panchos is not my favorite al pastor taco in Puerto Vallarta, but it is second place! Side note: my favorite is Pepe’s Taco in the 5 de Diciembre neighborhood.

Location: Basilio Badillo 162, Zona Romántica, Emiliano Zapata, 48380 Puerto Vallarta, Jal.

Favorites: tacos al pastor

Dog Friendly: Yes

Vibe: super casual, taqueria/dive

Air Conditioning: No

Accepts Credit Cards: No

Joe Jack’s Fish Shack

Joe Jack’s is one of my favorite restaurants in Puerto Vallarta. Seriously, when they had fried chicken, I ate there at least once a week. The food is great, but I think the main draw is the vibe. As soon as you sit down, you are given a cold wash cloth for your hands. This is a nice touch, especially in August and September when you feel like you are melting! Servers are attentive. Ask for Jay. He is the BEST!

Location: Basilio Badillo 212, Zona Romántica, Emiliano Zapata, 48380 Puerto Vallarta, Jal.

Favorites: Fish & Chips, Whole Snapper (they will debone it at your table), burgers, guacamole.

Dog Friendly: Yes

Vibe: Casual. Hip. Fun.

Air Conditioning: Yes, on the first floor. The second floor is an open-air rooftop.

Accepts Credit Cards: Yes

Tuna Azul

Tuna Azul is upstairs, just above Cafe San Angel. We have lunch here all the time. So good!

Location: Calle Francisca Rodriguez 155, Altos. Esq. Olas Altas, Emiliano Zapata, 48380 Puerto Vallarta, Jal.

Favorites: Romantica Filet, Tuna Burger

Dog Friendly: Yes

Vibe: Casual

Air Conditioning: No

Accepts Credit Cards: No

De Cantaro 

Good service. Good food. Nice ambiance. Steaks are good, but not mind blowing. To be fair, we grew up in cattle country, so we are spoiled! All the same, this is a great restaurant that I do not hesitate to recommend.

Location: Basilio Badillo 219, Zona Romántica, Emiliano Zapata, 48380 Puerto Vallarta, Jal.

Favorites: Mussel appetizer, burgers, steak

Dog Friendly: Yes (they are SO nice to Teddy!)

Vibe: upscale casual

Air Conditioning: Yes, there is an area that is air conditioned.

Accepts Credit Cards: Yes

Los Muertos Brewing 

Los Muertos is a quick and easy place to have pizza & craft beers. They open for lunch earlier than a lot of places. They also have the BEST french fries in PV.

Location: Lázaro Cárdenas 302, Zona Romántica, Emiliano Zapata, 48380 Puerto Vallarta, Jal.

Favorites: Pepperoni pizza, fries, Rubia beer

Dog Friendly: Yes (in specific areas of the restaurant)

Vibe: casual

Air Conditioning: No

Accepts Credit Cards: Yes

Margarita Grill

Confession: the food here is good, but I really just come for the cocktails. I said what I said, now let’s move on! One of my favorite memories in PV involves sitting at the bar at Margarita Grill when a rain storm came out of nowhere. Rather than run for cover, everyone started literally dancing in the rain. That’s magic, folks!

Location: Pino Suárez 321, Zona Romántica, Emiliano Zapata, 48380 Puerto Vallarta, Jal.

Favorites: mojitos

Dog Friendly: Yes

Vibe: party

Air Conditioning: No

Accepts Credit Cards: Yes

Lix 

Ice cream shop on Basilio Badillo Street. I am borderline addicted to their Salted Carmel with Pecans ice cream in a waffle cone. They make everything from scratch and it is SO, so good!

Location: Basilio Badillo 168C, Zona Romántica, Emiliano Zapata, 48380 Puerto Vallarta, Jal.

Favorites: Salted Carmel with Pecans in a waffle cone

Dog Friendly: Yes (there is nowhere to sit inside, but they have some chairs outside where it is dog friendly)

Vibe: Sweet

Air Conditioning: Yes, but there is no seating inside.

Accepts Credit Cards: Yes

Coco’s Kitchen

I love this place for breakfast and mimosas. They also have good lunch fare. Charming indoor/outdoor restaurant.

Location: Púlpito Olas Altas 122, 48399 Puerto Vallarta, Jal.

Favorites: Vallarta Omelette, Churro Pancake, mimosas

Dog Friendly: Yes

Vibe: casual, outdoor

Air Conditioning: No

Accepts Credit Cards: Yes

The Swedes

Food is always fresh and reliable. The place is charming. We have friends who eat there two or three times every week!

Location: Púlpito numero 154, Zona Romántica, Emiliano Zapata, 48380 Puerto Vallarta, Jal.

Favorites: lobster bisque

Dog Friendly: Yes

Vibe: upscale casual

Air Conditioning: Yes

Accepts Credit Cards: Yes

Bravos 

Upscale Italian food. Pretty little restaurant with attentive servers.

Location: C. Fco. I. Madero 263, Zona Romántica, Emiliano Zapata, 48380 Puerto Vallarta, Jal.

Favorites: French onion soup, lasagna

Dog Friendly: No

Vibe: upscale casual

Air Conditioning: Yes

Accepts Credit Cards: Yes

Salud Super Food

This is more of a breakfast/lunch place focused on healthy food. Lots of smoothies, salads, sandwiches, etc. I come here for smoothies when I need a detox from all my gastronomic indiscretions.

Location: Mercado Municipal, Local #13, Zona Romántica, Emiliano Zapata, 48380 Puerto Vallarta, Jal.

Favorites: Supersonico Smoothie

Dog Friendly: Yes

Vibe: casual

Air Conditioning: Yes

Accepts Credit Cards: No

La Romantica 

Excellent churros. Lovely, but small space. Perfect for dessert.

Location: C. Rodolfo Gómez 106, Zona Romántica, Emiliano Zapata, 48380 Puerto Vallarta, Jal.

Favorites: Churro Split (think banana split made with churros)

Dog Friendly: Maybe

Vibe: casual, coffee shop

Air Conditioning: Yes

Accepts Credit Cards: Yes

Dee’s Coffee Company

Dee’s is a cute little coffee shop by the pier. Grab a cup of coffee and a pastry, then walk along the beach. No better way to start the day!

Location: Francisca Rodríguez 111-117, Zona Romántica, Emiliano Zapata, 48380 Puerto Vallarta, Jal.

Favorites: Blueberry Coffee Cake

Dog Friendly: Yes

Vibe: casual, mom & pop coffee shop

Air Conditioning: Yes

Accepts Credit Cards: Yes

That’s a wrap on the 16 Best Restaurants in Puerto Vallarta; Zona Romantica. Buen Provecho!