Eat like a local in Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta is a beach destination that has it all for any kind of trip. When we’re travelling, anywhere we go, food always plays an important part of our experiences and memories of that place. And Puerto Vallarta is no exception; there is delicious food for any kind of palate all around town. This destination is known for its great culinary offer, and is considered the second gastronomic capital in Mexico. 

Mexican food is considered an intangible cultural heritage of humanity. What is one of the things that makes Mexican food so special? Not only is it considered special all over the world, but it is also loved by Mexicans, who enjoy and keep perfecting recipes every day. So, when visiting Puerto Vallarta, you can take a plunge into authentic local food and visit places where locals eat, and especially where they delight in typical Mexican food. The options are endless! 

Our tour starts at the iconic Malecon in downtown, where you can find food stands and vendors offering esquites, Mexican sorbets known as nieve de garrafa, fish on a stick, seasonal fruit like juicy mangoes with lime and chili, fresh ceviche, and local drinks like tejuino and agua de tuba, just to name a few. In the streets surrounding this area there are some hidden treasures where locals eat: traditional Mexican fondas, tacos and torta stands, local snacks and desserts, frozen treats like ice cream and ice pops made with exotic and delicious Mexican fruits.

In the Romantic Zone there are many trendy and traditional restaurants, bars and microbreweries where both locals and tourists eat and hang out. Most of the places in that area are great, and the prices vary, so you can find a venue for every type of budget. Basilio Badillo is one of the main streets in this area, and there you can find delicious local bakeries, chocolateries, and all kinds of eateries. If you walk along its streets, close to the Church of Santa Cruz, there are delicious stands offering ceviche, fish tacos, fresh coconut water, as well as fresh delights like cucumber, jicama, and watermelon for a sunny day.

If you’re staying at a hotel in the North Hotel Zone, you can visit the Versalles neighborhood, which is close by. This area has been expanding its culinary offer, and is becoming an excellent choice for both locals and tourists, as there are all kinds of great places. Versalles is a friendly and busy neighborhood, with easy access to local and flavorful restaurants, stands with amazing tacos al pastor, birria, gourmet hamburgers, sushi, Thai, Greek, Italian, steaks, trendy and intimate bars, among many other surprises. Check out our note on foodie areas in Puerto Vallarta to find out more. There are local tour operators that offer food tours, so you can relax, enjoy, and be sure to be at the best local eating spots in town.

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can explore the local culinary delights found in the Los Sauces neighborhood, which is only 15 minutes away by car from downtown. The area’s main avenue is busy during the day with shops, hardware shops, and convenience stores. By night street stands come to life with delicious tacos, burritos, crepes, churros, sweet bread, tamales, esquites, hotdogs, burgers and some coffee shops.

Nearby is the famous area known as El Pitillal. In this area, many people that live close by visit its main plaza in the evenings to delight with the local food stands offering authentic antojitos mexicanos. Something you definitely must try if you just love typical Mexican food. 

In front of the Maritime Terminal, there are two neighborhoods inhabited and visited by many locals, where you can enjoy delicious gastronomic options. One of them is Aramara, with a busy market during the day where you will find fresh fish and seafood to eat there or to go, and a couple of breakfast and lunch stands with traditional Mexican food. Facing the Aramara market, you will find La Aurora neighborhood, which bustles by day and night with stands selling fruit salads and juice in the morning, all kinds of delicious tacos, tortas and quesadillas, with an authentic local spirit.

As you can see, culinary delights in Puerto Vallarta can be found all around town, all of them welcoming you with a smile and offering amazing food to make your visit to this beach destination a memorable one.

See you soon!