We had to many great meals and casa traditional was our favorite. It was so vibrant! Colorful and…read morepretty and amazing service! They came by and made table side salsa to order which was fantastic. We ordered the queso fundido which was gooey deliciousness! My husband got the cheese enchiladas which were great and I had the octopus which was cooked perfectly and so tender. I also got the tamarind margarita which was different but good. They had mariachis as well which was fun. Two men playing guitars so it was the perfect sound level and not too loud. I had to request Rancho grande! This s a must do when in Puerto Vallarta for traditional delicious Mexican food.

This colorful restaurant is right up the street from Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Zona…read moreRomantica. The Food was absolutely delicious from the table side salsa, the Queso Fundido, the cheese enchiladas with beans and rice, and Octopus. The service was equally outstanding. A nice touch was the in and out 2 man Mariachi band who sung personal requests. For delicious Mexican food, this place is amazing. I wish it was in Arizona. Definitely going back.

There are places that simply serve food--and then there are places that become part of your story…read more Pepe's Tacos is exactly that for me. Having come here since I was 10 years old, this iconic taquería isn't just a local favorite--it's a timeless institution that continues to define what truly exceptional tacos should be. Since 1987, Pepe's has built a reputation that extends far beyond Puerto Vallarta, and one visit is all it takes to understand why. The star of the show--their legendary tacos al pastor--is nothing short of extraordinary. The pork is expertly marinated and cooked to perfection, resulting in meat that is incredibly juicy, tender, and bursting with deep, savory flavor. Each slice is carved with precision and layered onto warm tortillas, creating a perfect foundation for what comes next. What truly elevates these tacos is the balance of toppings. The sweetness of the pineapple and the sharpness of the fresh onions cut through the richness of the meat beautifully, enhancing every bite with contrast and complexity. It's a masterclass in simplicity done right--every ingredient playing its role to perfection. Beyond the food, the experience itself is just as memorable. The service is impressively fast and efficient, especially considering how popular this spot is, and there's an undeniable energy in the air that makes it feel alive at all hours. It's the kind of place you can count on for a late-night bite, where the atmosphere is casual, vibrant, and always welcoming. Pepe's Tacos isn't about reinvention or trend--it's about consistency, tradition, and delivering excellence time and time again. Decades later, it still holds its place as one of the best taco spots in Puerto Vallarta, and for good reason. Some things never change--and when they're this good, they absolutely shouldn't.

Thirty five years in the game and Pepe's runs like a well oiled machine. The dining room is its own…read moreecosystem, a natural choreography of service where everything flows without friction. Out front, the trompo spins over charcoal fire, hand turned, on display to the street. The man at the blade is a performer, part craftsman, part showman. He hones his knife between razor thin shavings of al pastor, then in a reflexive flourish nips the pineapple crowning the meat, sending a sliver flying only to catch it with a tortilla. It is theater, but it is also instinct. Inside, the crowd looks like the United Nations. A tour group from India next to a Dutch family with half a dozen kids in tow, the Canadians eye the Americans with deserved suspicion, and a few locals whose plates are piled high while tourists settle for modest portions. It is the natural order of things, and nobody complains. The charcoal scent in the meat makes clear this is al pastor's intended preparation. I have never had the pleasure of eating from a coal fired trompo before, and it is instantly apparent that this is the way it was meant to be. Someday, somehow, I will rig one of these up, because I need this in my life. Pepe's is not just a taco shop. It is a master class in tradition, theater, and flavor, with a dining room that feels like the world gathered around one spit.

Charcoal fired al pastor tacos are my new obsession, and Pancho's delivers the most overstuffed…read morestreet sized tacos I have ever seen. These things are too big to eat straight. You have to pluck a third of the meat with your fingers just to get the tortilla to structurally hold. There is always a line. On a random Tuesday it stretched down the street long before the door opened. I waited twenty five minutes at four in the afternoon for a seat inside. No to go orders, no doggy bags. You eat what you order and leave behind your self respect. The dining room is packed tighter than a turtle's pecker. A dozen staff members move around each other like bees tending the hive, the rhythm wild and relentless. The tacos themselves are intimidatingly large, the vibe unlike anything I have ever seen. Come for the al pastor, and come hungry. If you cannot finish, no option exists but to weep over the abandoned morsels.

Tried Pancho's Tacos in Puerto Vallarta and really enjoyed it. The tacos were good and the salsas…read morewere delicious. The vibe was fun and lively, which made the experience even better. Ordering was a bit confusing since they give you paper forms to fill out. It's tricky to order for different people in your party, and they tend to rush you, which can be stressful. Despite that, the food is so good that I'll definitely be back.

5/5 Our favorite…read moreplace to eat in Puerto Vallarta. The food is delicious, the service is perfect, and you're right on the ocean. Come for the dinner and stay for that gorgeous sunset view.

So we walked along the beach from our hotel and arrived at La Palapa, and right away it sets the…read moretone. The entire front portion of the restaurant sits directly in the sand, so that's where we chose to have breakfast--under the iconic palapa roof, feet in the sand, overlooking the ocean. From our table you can watch the fishing boats and excursion boats heading out for the day, which gives the whole experience a relaxed, resort-like rhythm without feeling touristy or rushed. Service was excellent from the start--attentive, warm, and genuinely welcoming. They brought out a selection of pastries you can add if you want, like banana bread and cinnamon rolls, which felt like a thoughtful touch rather than an upsell. The coffee was very good, with plenty of options ranging from cappuccinos and café lattes to classic American coffee, all well prepared. For food, I ordered the scrambled eggs with Mexican chorizo, refried beans, and hash browns. It came with a basket of warm corn tortillas and several house salsas, letting you customize each bite. Everything was flavorful, comforting, and clearly made with care. We also ordered the shrimp eggs Benedict with spinach, which was beautifully done--rich, balanced, and fresh, with the shrimp cooked just right. One thing that really stands out is the ambiance. Being right on the beach, hearing the waves, feeling the breeze, and being encouraged (without being told) to slow down and take your time makes the meal feel like part of the vacation itself, not just fuel for the day. They also offer freshly squeezed juices, which pair perfectly with breakfast by the ocean. The menu is extensive, almost overwhelming in a good way--there are so many appealing options that it's genuinely hard to decide. That said, what we ordered was absolutely delicious and satisfying, and it left us wanting to come back and try more. Overall, La Palapa delivers on every level: location, atmosphere, food, and service. It's the kind of place where breakfast turns into a memory, not just a meal.

We're from LA so I feel like traveling for food is always hard - we come from some of the best…read moreplaces. I can not stop talking about La Madalena! The property is beautiful, the service is truly unmatched, and the food was incredible. I will come back to PV just to eat here again. Highly recommend!

La Madalena is a beautiful, high-class steakhouse located in the Central Hotel Zone in Puerto…read moreVallarta. The space is absolutely beautiful and the service is even better. I came in alone on a Thursday night at around 8 pm with no reservation and was lucky to be able to be seated at a high top table for two adjacent to the bar. I would definitely suggest getting a reservation as I quickly saw the dining room fill-up. The waitstaff was incredibly attentive and kind. Upon sitting, I was greeted by my server, a tableside bartender, and a manager who explained everything. I was given the wine and cocktail lists and quickly made a selection based on the bartenders recommendation. He prepared my drink right in front of me and had a whole beautiful cart set-up. I got a tequila cocktail that was sweet and tart at the same time. It was really tasty. Next, I was given the food menu and my waiter came by to see if I had any question. I also received complimentary chips and salsa service. The chips were fresh and different than most I've tried. I think they may have been baked instead of fried. They also give you three different salsas that range from mild, medium, and hot. The medium was a creamy garlic sauce that was very tasty and unlike anything I've ever seen at a Mexican restaurant. My waiter also came by to present some of their seafood specials and to tell me about their beef. Again, a beautiful presentation and if I was with others, or more hungry, I would have gotten the large shrimp dish. The seafood and meat looked very fresh. Unfortunately, I was not feeling well, which only progressed throughout the meal. I ended up just getting the tuna tartare app to start, but I couldn't finish it and decided to end my meal earlier than expected. The tartare was tasty. It had a habanero-mango salsa that was kind of spicy to me. It also had watermelon and mango pieces, which really balanced everything. The best part about the service is that the waitstaff is never too far away if you need anything, but they aren't a bother. When I needed to go, my waiter gathered the remainder of my meal and gave me some fresh tortillas. My bill was $50, which wasn't too bad for a cocktail, sparkling water bottle, and honestly an entree sized app of tuna tartare. I'm sad I was unable to enjoy more, but would def recommend this place to anyone visiting PVR.

I went on a little self-led tour de tacos in Puerto Vallarta last night and made a few stops with…read moreEl Carboncito being one of them. Upon walking in, I immediately had a sense of Deja vu and knew I had been there before, which should have been my first warning since I usually have a good memory for places I've been and enjoyed. It's open (only) late and has both indoor and outdoor seating. The woman working was reasonably nice but nothing to write home about. Unfortunately they didn't have any Al pastor when I went but I ordered a chorizo and an arrechera, both $25 pesos a pop. The chorizo was more like a chopped up hot dog and I found the arrechera to be very dry. Neither taco had a lot of meat. The tortilla was unexciting and under-grilled. The salsa was excellent however. I wouldn't go back - there are so many excellent tacos in the area at or around the same price.

The best al pastor tacos, so yummy! Seating is limited, so go early. I would order a few, there…read morewill be a line. What are al pastor tacos? Al pastor are a beloved Mexican street food featuring thinly sliced, marinated pork. The pork is carved off the spit directly into corn tortillas and topped with fresh pineapple, onions, and cilantro. Definitely going back for more! @norivedanaturals

Our new favorite taco joint. We went there, were seated right away. Service was good and fast…read more We ordered the casa fundido with Al Pastor on top. It's thicker, more cheesy than what I've ever had before and very delicious. We paired that with the prime rib tacos, it was a plate stacked with meat and 4 tortillas under it, more than we could eat. The seasoning was great, it was diced so small that it was easy to eat. I got a virgin strawberry margarita, the wife got a coke. It was very affordable.

Having researched a few traditional spots that serve authentic tacos in Zona Romantica, this place…read moreconsistently came up with good reviews and this place did not disappoint. Vegans are easy please. Give them clear marked options, even if there is one option, we are pleased. This place had a few clearly marked options plus the staff was fully aware and can provide suggestions. The only downside it is a cash only place. Guacamole and chips - fantastic. The guacamole freshly prepared and chips fresh fried. Amazing. The 3 types of vegan tacos we got were vegan chorizo, mushrooms and cactus (trying for the fist time). The vegan chorizo was the best, slightly spicy but not overly. The poblano peppers were predictable but very good. The onions with it were a good addition. Nicely seasoned and prepared. The cactus was good, we found that it was less seasoned. Just stir fried cactus. The star of all the three types tacos was the fresh blue corn tacos. We could have those everyday. The other superb tasting was the salsas and fresh toppings. 4 types of salsas, white onions and cilantro. The salsa were of varying different levels of heat and even the mildest salsa was the best. The virgin margarita and virgin mojito were great. Margarita being slightly better even though we love mint. Good atmosphere, clean surrounding and great service and vegan food - what more can one ask?

Came here very hungry and not disappointed! Service was great- we were served by the owner, who was…read moreso sweet. They made me shrimp fajitas that had plenty of shrimp and were so yummy. We also had a nice table that overlooked the street. Chill and relaxed vibe away from the hustle and bustle.

Delicious food and wonderful respite from craziness elsewhere in area. Very relaxed and small…read morebusiness vibe where the are proud of their food and . Great for lunch. We were really glad we found this place!

WOW! We LOVE pipi's!!…read more First off, id recommend making a reservation- it's pretty busy in here! We had a group of around 8, and called ahead, only having around an hour of so of a wait (but we waited to head there so it was great). This is an experience for every person joining- singing and dancing and all! If you do anything, I beg you to try their guacamole!! They make it right infront of you, and it is AMAZING!

We were told we had to go here... and it was great. Verde Aguachile and gobernador were the bomb…read more Of course, margaritas! Chips and salsa also on point. Service was good and the mariachi respected our decline. :) Oh, and table side guacamole!

Staff is very friendly. We are English speakers with a bit of Spanish language so we figured things…read moreout pretty quickly. No alcohol, ordered two bottled waters. No chips and salsa. Beef birria or goat birria. We ordered one beef quesadilla and one goat quesadilla. Both were delicious. The consume' was so good we ordered a second cup. It tasted like the most intense bone broth you've ever tasted. The ambiance was outdoor seating with a breeze. We would return there.

We came in at 12pm and were seated right away. Our server spoke perfect English. My group of 7 had…read morejust ate at a near by restaurant and so we told this to our server to let them know we weren't that hungry but wanted to try goat birrira. We initially told the server we will order just 1 large bowl to share. So I heard him say he will bring out 3 bowls so we could share. Here I'm thinking he's so kind to offer to split the large bowl into 3 smaller bowls but no, instead he charged us for 3 large bowls. Very sneaky. We couldn't finish it and had it to go. The staffs were nice but I didn't like their intentions. The goat wasn't gamey and it tastes just like beef.