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    Balam Balam

    4.7 (31 reviews)
    ModerateSeafood
    Closed 11:00 am - 6:00 pm

    Balam Balam Photos

    BALAM BALAM ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Casual
    Good for kids
    Dogs allowed

    Recommended Reviews - Balam Balam

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    Margarita

    Stumbled upon this place on previous visit to paradise.... Quiet, by the cuale river - far end of romantic zone away from beach- totally walkable totally worth it!!! Margarita's are not in the menu but we ordered and they delivered! Snapper cooked daily , oysters, octopus, ceviche, cold beers, clean bathrooms!!! I love this spot!!!

    Elena L.

    We had an amazing experience at Balam Balam! Highly recommended. Very peaceful as you can hear the river...

    Fresh fish ceviche tostadas
    Linh T.

    Balam Balam is a hidden local gem located in a residential neighbourhood. The restaurant is open air and sits next to a fast moving river, very scenic and local vibes. I think I might have been the only tourist at the time when I went to eat, the rest of the tables were locals. The owner of the place was very friendly and funny. He recommended the grilled whole red snapper which did not disappoint, it was really delicious!! The octopus that we ordered was also very tender, probably the best octopus I had in PV. They also had fresh oysters that day but we didn't end up getting it since we already had so much food. If you're looking for a place with great local seafood, I highly recommend Balam Balam. You'll get delicious seafood and you'll be directly supporting local businesses.

    Garlic Butter Pulpa ( octopus) So TENDER and full of flavor
    Junelle F.

    Had a few dishes here and every dish was delicious! It's not a in a touristy area but it's near a river so there is a nice breeze and very Fresca! The service was great, owner touched the table and was talking to us and how he also lived in San Francisco. The seafood was fresh and full of flavor. The sashimi with the lemon soy sauce came with a bottomless basket of tostada chips, Octopus was sautéed with garlic and butter and was very tender. Both dishes came with Rice, veggies and plantains. The fried whole fish also hit home. This place will not disappoint. If you're in Puerto Vallarta and want a change from all the street taco stands, check this place out.

    Aguachiles
    Veronica T.

    This Mariscos place was AMAZING. We stayed in Romantica zone and it was a nice walk. We love whole crispy fish and this was a treat! You can get this 2 ways... fried or bbq and we got bbq. It takes 45 minutes to grill but we had Aguachiles and beer to pass the time, while we enjoyed the view of the river. Such a cute location and even better food! Don't sleep on this place just because it's off the beaten path!

    Huachinango grilled in mesquite open fire
    Ricky A.

    Great food, Red Snapper on the op n Mesquite fire was great. Lots of shade and very cold almost freezing beer.

    Elva D.

    This is a small little outdoor place along the river. Very clean and honestly our favorite place to eat when looking for fresh seafood/mariscos. We tried the fish tacos, shrimp tacos, shrimp tostada, shrimp ceviche and the aguachiles. You can't go wrong with any of them. However our go to was the aguachiles and we can't wait to try the pescado zarandeado. Friendly staff, service is good and quick. Definitely a must try place if you are visiting or passing by. Very inexpensive and fresh.

    Streetfood...the best way to eat!

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    4 months ago

    The food is was Fantastic. Antonio was an excellent host! Great atmosphere - highly recommend

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    4 years ago

    It was ok. The salsa was great. The fish ceviche was ok the ambiance was great the fish tacos decent the owner/cook could be friendlier

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    7 years ago

    The service was good but the cook uses too much salt. Heavy handed. The view of the Cuale river is outstanding.

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    7 years ago

    Wow this is the bomb the sea food is so fresh and customer service is amazing . The view of the local river makes it idea and relaxing .

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    Review Highlights - Balam Balam

    It takes 45 minutes to grill but we had Aguachiles and beer to pass the time, while we enjoyed the view of the river.

    Mentioned in 12 reviews

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    Tuna Azul - Shrimp Ceviche

    Tuna Azul

    4.7(431 reviews)
    1.1 km
    $$

    Tuna Azul is a casual but super friendly second floor spot in Zona Romantica for fresh Mexican…read moreseafood dishes. My favorite was the Classic Tuna Montadito, lightly marinated chunks of fresh tuna served over a bed of avocado--so fresh and flavorful! The Green Aguachile was made of raw shrimp marinated in a mildly spicy green sauce; and the Crab Enchiladas were four rolled tortillas stuffed with shredded crab meat and topped with a rich, creamy chipotle cream sauce and avocado slices. For our entrees, the Romantica Fillet was a rare seared tuna filet served over avocado salad and sweet potato puree; the Los Muertos Fillet was mahi mahi topped with shrimp in a creamy red sauce, served with rice and sautéed vegetables; and the Olas Altas Fillet was mahi mahi topped with a mushroom sautee. Each of these entrees was fresh, delicious, and came at reasonable prices. On top of the good food, the service was super friendly and attentive as well!

    Food was fresh and tasty, I got Alfredo pasta with shrimp and the size of the shrimps were really…read moregood and juicy, service was really good as our drinks and food arrived in a timely manner. However, as me and my friends (it was 4 of us) were leaving the restaurant, our waiter chased us down claiming we did not tip enough. Here's a note from my friend detailing more of what happened: "It was 150 pesos which is a little more than 10% of the total. In Mexico, 10% is completely customary, especially for tourist. Locals will give even less and typically leave only about 50 pesos. I don't know if he was expecting for us to give him more just because we're used to giving 15 or even 20% at a time but I always do at least 10. If it's one of the really nice restaurants where they take care of absolutely everything then I do get more than that but this was just a normal place And I did fold the bills because I clipped it into the checkbook, so there is a chance he thought it was just 50. But to flip out and say it's not enough that he deserves more or just to take it away is crazy in my opinion." We may return, but this really turned a perfect visit into a not so great one in the end. The 3/5 is for food and service, would've been 5/5 had we not been stopped as we were leaving for not "tipping enough".

    Photos
    Tuna Azul
    Tuna Azul - Marlin quesadilla

    Marlin quesadilla

    Tuna Azul - Fried shrimp tacos

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    Fried shrimp tacos

    Pal'mar - Octopus appetizer was very large and tasty!

    Pal'mar

    4.6(116 reviews)
    0.9 km

    Palmar Seafood is a hip, modern restaurant serving creative takes on Mexican seafood dishes. We…read morestarted with the Ten Ten Pie, which was guacamole topped with cranberries, parsley, sesame seeds, cheese, and pork cracklings, along with tortilla chips on the side for dipping. One of their most iconic dishes was El Kraken, a whole small octopus, grilled and served with potatoes and tzatziki. From the taco menu, the Tres con Todo were three "tuna al pastor" tacos made of cubes of tuna with pineapple, sprouts, radish, and creamy avocado on two fried tacos--creative, but nothing too outstanding flavorwise. We continued with the Pal'Mito salad, made of hearts of palm, sundried tomatoes, avocado, spinach, bacon, and seared tuna. The Churrasco de Salmon was a perfectly tender salmon filet topped with a cream sauce and served with plantain puree and grilled corn on the cob. Finally, the Pesca del Dia was a fillet of snapper topped with mussels in pesto sauce and served over plantain puree--super tasty, though the pesto definitely overwhelmed any other flavors in this dish. Overall, the food here was all delicious and beautifully plated. The flavors were bold, the prices reasonable, and the service was super friendly too!

    2nd time around on this trip. Last week Taquitos tropical w jicama tortillas - was novel and not…read moreoverfly fried filling. On my return 2nd trip a week or so later-,the Sirenitos has overpowering batter - ruined the pulpo tacos. Maybe Panko breading better suited to delicate pulpo. Also Ordered the Bananeros. Tacos. Both 2 sets of 3sums. The 2nd set was uninteresting. Brought back as a to go box. The " 3rd time around is never as good as the first time". First trip in March had the bone marrow and Sirenitos and it was delicate less battering and the bone marrow well cooked. The service is consistent - not obtrusive. The bartender eye candy.

    Photos
    Pal'mar
    Pal'mar - Rock shrimp!

    Rock shrimp!

    Pal'mar - Grilled peel and eat shrimp

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    Grilled peel and eat shrimp

    Balam Balam - seafood - Updated May 2026

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