Find it! Worth the search. Make a reservation. Thus far the best Mexican food we've had to -- interpreted of course, excellent ingredients, charming service, and moderate in price when compared to the more visible upscale tourist restaurants toward the center. The quality shows. P read more

Mediocre place, not bad, not great. Most important is how an experience starts off and ours was disturbed by the moody hostess. The waitress I asked in Spanish if we could sit next to the window and her and the hostess walked us to the back. I heard the nice waitress telling her we had asked for a window seat but the moody hostess went on to the worst table right next to the bathrooms...I asked her in Spanish again if we could sit next to the window and we got the table we wanted but her demeanor was less then unfriendly. After that everything was pleasant. Our waiter was very friendly and the food was good. My rating could have been higher but to me bad customer service is unacceptable. Don't make us feel bad when we ask very nicely and plenty of seating is available. Chicken soup was good after a bit added salt. Wedding cookies very good. The main courses ok. Not good enough wanting to return. read more

Very lovely authentic Mexican food. The first night we went, I had their duck, which was very good. The second time we went, we had duck pate and I had the lamb stew. Magnificent! My husband had the pulled pork, which he also loved. And I am going back again for the lamb stew, before we need to head back to the US. Regina is an amazing server and she will give you great suggestions. read more

Excellent choice for Mexican/Oaxacan food in PVR. We chatted with the owner a bit in Spanish, had some tasty, flavorful drinks and even tastier, flavorful foods! Highly recommend--it's a bit out of the way (I mean, it's a 4 minute walk from the Malecon...) but definitely definitely worth finding!! read more

Many years ago, we were stumbling our way up to a restaurant that has since gone out of business but, at the time, was a tourist mecca. Our taxi driver and the hotel concierge had recommended it so we thought we were in for the best dinner ever. While drinking margaritas out front, waiting over 30 minutes for a table, I wandered across the street to pet some dogs that were walking by with their seemingly American owners. The owners asked why were waiting so long to eat at such a terrible place, and then they recommended El Arrayan. I barely remembered the name a couple of nights later, but we managed to find this hidden gem and, every time we're in Puerto Vallarta, we send up silent thanks to the Americans who recommended it. El Arrayan has a beautiful indoor/outdoor patio feel that feels romantic yet homey. The owners are delightful, and the service is always spot on. The food is a little more adventurous than you might typically expect, but it never fails to deliver. My favorite is the Cochnita Pibil, but you can't go wrong with anything on the menu. Go here. You won't regret it. read more

I must review El Arrayan. We went there on our recent trip to Mexico looking for good vegetarian Mexican food. Outside the restaurant, 8 year old nephew said, "they have plastic tablecloths!" "You don't have to eat the tablecloth", I told him. And I was sure glad we are there. It looks much like most restaurants in PV, a small space around a green courtyard. We took our seats and my toddler started screaming for milk. Our server immediately brought us milk IN A SIPPY CUP. When my sister complained of mosquitoes, they brought us a eucalyptus spray. Service- 5 star. Then came the food. We ordered everything vegetarian, from coconut sopes to hibiscus quesadillas, a DIVINE poblanos in Creme sauce to excellent enchiladas. Oh, the plantain empanadas. The food was incredible. The toddler ate everything and loudly exclaimed to anyone who would hear, "yummmmeee!" We all agreed. read more

This place is great. Yeah, it's touristy and somewhat price for Mexico standards ($100 for 3 people: drinks, appetizers and dinner). However it's well worth it. The food is fantastic, the venue is clean and service fast. Even my frugal sister was happy. I recommend the duck, pork and beef dishes. The crickets aren't bad either :) read more

A must-visit because--- The dishes are creative but still very Mex-centric--- NOT European The flavor is superb & unique. Culinary technique is exceptional. The patio is so lovely, day or night. The cocktails are awesome. The servers are knowledgable and good communicators. You can repeat visit without any boredom. Prices are fair. The kitchen looks very hygienic. My only regret is that the chairs weren't more comfy--- the straight-back style is authentic & charming but not conducive to lingering... Did they plan it that way? you'll have to walk to the nearby mezcal bar for post meal chatting. You'll benefit from the walk anyway. read more

A friend and I went to a cooking class and enjoyed it so much we went back for dinner with a group. The cooking class was really fun, and we learned things we'll definitely want to and be able to make at home. It was hands-on, which I prefer rather than a demonstration class. (They also showed us how to modify for a vegetarian diet). Dinner with our group was fantastic too - everyone enjoyed the food, and the ambiance. The staff was very welcoming, service was great. All good! read more

Every time I visit Puerto Vallarta I make sure to eat dinner at El Arrayan. Healthy portions, love the three complementary sauces, beautiful courtyard setting, colorful artwork and live music on Saturday night. read more

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Clearly the best meal I experienced in Puerto Vallarta this trip (week). I'm glad we tried El Arrayan after reading that it had been named "Readers Choice" for the past 3 years for the best Mexican Food. It is! Arrayan is a native tree with a small fruit, like a guava and El Arrayan uses then throughout the menu. Without a doubt, they had the best Margaritas in town, made with high quality tequila and fresh juice. For appetizers we tried the plantain Empanadas with beans and cheese and the duck tostadas - both were exceptional. For the entrée the enchiladas with Mole and the Cochinita Pibil were amazingly well done, presented well and served promptly. Our waitress was a jewel and the owner/chef checked on us frequently. The restaurant is located in a house with a courtyard. It is so comfortable with the trees and plants and original works of art on every wall. Not only does El Arrayan serve great food, it is served in a relaxed peaceful setting. If you are a "foodie" - Go here. Yes, it is off the beaten tourist trail, and up the hill a few blocks from the Malecon, but worth every step is worth it for the authentic traditional Mexican food, that is served with only the freshest natural ingredients. read more

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El Arrayan is a bit off the beaten path, in a good way. Escape from the tourist-laden Malécon and find yourself in a beautiful, open-roofed courtyard with charming decor and incredibly friendly staff. The food here builds upon traditional Mexican cuisine with a touch of added flair. The three salsas and multiple Tortilla preparations are irresistably delicious. The traditional ceviche was a slight disappointment, and though I'm no expert, the fish felt smothered in an overpowering, tomato-based sauce, missing the fresh acidity I was hoping for. The duck confit on the other hand was delicious, paired with a delicious orange sauce and simple fried potatoes. The food is more expensive than average here, perhaps undeservedly so, but I would absolutely recommend El Arrayan for the warm atmosphere and adventurous flavors. Note that it does cater to tourists, but in a way that still delivers an authentic Mexican dining experience. read more

The flavors of our meal were excellent. Very authentic and affordable. The service was great. The desert was delicious. Away from crowds, cozy. read more

Over the top creative Mexican cuisine! A must. Do not leave Puerto Vallarta without eating here. Service is wonderful. My favorite in all of Puerto Vallarta. read more

This restaurant is the best restaurant we've been to while in PV and this is our second trip here! The place is gorgeous- very open, clean, and well decorated! The wait staff was all very informative and friendly. And now the food: AMAZING!! I eat very healthy- no gluten, grains, soy, processed foods...and this place exceeded my expectations! Almost the entire menu is gluten free and everything is made with fresh, local ingredients. The salsa negra that they bring out is unbelievable(I just wish it wasn't made with vegetable oil! Olive or avocado oil would be MUCH better and healthier)- and they served mine with cucumber instead of chips! I ended up buying two jars of this salsa to take home. My husband had a mojito too which was so refreshing! You can tell everything here is made with love and time! The menu items are seasonal and unique- not too fancy or overpriced. We're going to make another trip back here tomorrow hopefully before we leave for home! I cannot recommend this place enough! Best restaurant in PV!! read more

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Great food, fun atmosphere! If you're looking for authentic Mexican food and tasty margaritas with fresh squeezed limes, make this a must for dinner. The ladies who run this place are welcoming and provide excellent service. I had the pulled pork which was delicious and my wife had the garden salad with mint herb dressing. We were traveling with two other friends who ate the duck (yum) and the Pozole soup. We were here on a Thursday (Thanksgiving actually) but this could be a fun place for a Wednesday night if you want to to attend the PV Art Walk. Our waitress was nice enough to call a taxi for us and even ran after us when she realized we left our credit card behind - whoops. We will be back, for sure! read more

We loved coming here for dinner! We are still salivating over the delicious plantain empanadas and the barbacoa that melts in your mouth! The drinks are light and freshly made; loved the el arrayon margarita. Everything is made with love with such an attentive staff. Thank you so much for the delicious and authentic food. We read about this restaurant before coming to Puerto vallarta and it has exceeded our expectations. It doesn't get better than this! The flavor profiles are so well thought out for each dish Thanks agaun! read more

We found El Arrayan on open table and based on reviews there, on trip advisor and here on yelp we decided to try something new. The food was amazing and the service was great. Very quaint traditional Mexican restaurant. We will be going back for sure. read more

El Arrayan - Indoor courtyard where you can see the chefs preparing your food. - Mexican Near Me - Puerto vallarta, JAL

The cooking goes to 11. Open roof. Been to many restaurants in town, but few as food as this one.

5 star food in a 1 star atmosphere. I asked for a quiet table and was seated directly in front of a guitarist blasting music at 88 db. That's literally loud enough to cause hearing loss. Staff is pretty aloof and seems like they don't want to be there, even the owner. I might go back for the food, but not on a night with live music. read more

Amazing restaurant! We had such a great experience here and would return for every meal in Puerto Vallarta if we could. The cocktails are fabulous (try the El Arrayan margarita!!). The duck carnitas and scallop ceviche were our favorites. read more

El Arrayan - Mexican Near Me - Puerto vallarta, JAL

Great food. Favorite is ours each year we go here. Cochinita Pibal excellent along w the sauces. read more

El Arrayan - Mexican Near Me - Puerto vallarta, JAL

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Excellent food and they were happy to accommodate my vegan request and my friend's vegetarian needs. We both got the enchiladas (that weren't on the menu) at the suggestion of the server and they were some of the best enchiladas I've had... AND they were vegan! The service was fast and excellent and the place had a warm charm. I will go back next time I'm in PV. read more

A very enjoyable meal and gracious service was experienced here. The decor is delightful and would have been better appreciated if there had been a decent amount of alcohol in our cocktails. Nonetheless, our apps and entrees were delicious. The ceviche was fresh and flavorful and the plantain/bean empanadas quite tasty. We enjoyed the pork chop and the duck carnitas. Portions were generous (can you say doggie bag?) Passed on dessert; nothing was tempting and we were quite full Definitely worth a return!! read more

A beautiful restaurant and an amazing experience. Attentive staff and some of the best food I have ever eaten in my life. Well worth the price to eat Mexican food with a history. read more

Take reviews from people who think this is an exotic international vacation... You know, the guys in Hawaiian shirts and cargo pants who come here to ball on a budget. After realizing the "hot spots" in this tourist trap (hacienda San Angel, trio) are here to dupe the naive, we were skeptical of this place. This was solid... If this existed in my home town i would eat here all the time. All the dishes we had were an A, the fish was my least favorite but still good (missing the oomph of the amazing empanada, the oddly light and refreshing duck concoction, and biting fish carpaccio). The roasted pepper salsa paste was unique and stellar. This town needs more of this place, but I understand not putting forth the effort these guys have to satisfy unknowing clientle who can't tell the difference anyway. Shame. read more

We had dinner for the second time here. So, I thought we should write a review of this #1, in our book, authentic Mexican restaurant in Old Town Puerto Vallarta. We started dinner with the Fresca dinner salad which we split and it was excellent. For the main course I had shrimp with peanut sauce which is to die for. Megan had the smoked fish tortillas which was an appetizer but was more than enough for her for dinner. Let's not forget dessert; they have a homemade ice cream platter with four kinds of ice cream that is just awesome. read more

From my first visit to El Arrayan it was become one of my favorite places to eat in Puerto Vallarta. The food is delicious, the ambience is welcoming, and the staff is friendly. Last spring my company, Zen Casa, hosted a gay men's retreat in P.V. One of our excursions was a private cooking class at El Arrayan. The group of guys had a wonderful experience. The class was a hands on experience making fresh, traditional Mexican food such as tamales, ceviches, and mole. We had some dietary restrictions and the staff easily accommodated our needs. We look forward to returning this Spring for our next retreat and returning to El Arrayan! read more

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This place is very nice all around, but the food was not all that I expected , it lack more flavor. We went there because my daughter is vegan and saw on Yelp that they had vegan options but the nogada chilies were with meat. The staff was ok, not to friendly or helpful. It felt like they were forced to be there. Maybe because the restaurant was basically empty. Not busy like the rest we saw along the way. read more

The best meal we had in Puerto Vallarta! Everything was so flavorful and the items on the menu were so original. We ended up buying one of the 3 salsas they served with our tortilla at the beginning of our meal (jarred for purchase to take home). So yummy and we will be coming back again and again. Our server Regina was so attentive and answered a lot of our questions. read more

This place is weirdly over-hyped. First of all, EVERYBODY in the place is an American tourist. No Spanish was spoken while we were there. The place has tourist pricing, to be sure, but is in a so-so, out-of-the-way neighborhood off the beaten path. Aside from some curiosities like crickets, the food (on the quite limited menu) is also pretty so-so. The service, as others have remarked, is quite chilly, very unlike the usual warm Mexican welcome, even in tourist locations. There is also so-so art work on the walls which is all for sale. We were taken in by so many positive reviews, and brought our friends. A distinct mistake, although everyone was polite about it. It was a tedious dinner. Trying to get water out of the distant waiters and waitresses is difficult, and bread or tortillas are also hard to get. Servings are not large. The duck is the most over-hyped item - a fairly plain piece of roasted bird which comes with some sauces. Utterly forgettable. Limited dessert menu. But then the entire menu is limited... Something is not right about these reviews. Why should a rather expensive place, which has an entirely tourist crowd, serving a small menu with not a whole lot to offer, in a plain setting (in a town with seemingly endless views, seashore, etc.), get so many great reviews? It's pretentious, but just not that good. read more

Everything here. From the green salad with the oregano mustard dressing, to the plantain flour empanadas, to the molé anything, to the cocktails and digestives. The staff is wonderful, the vibe is welcoming, and the slightly off the beaten path vibe is charming. Love coming here. read more

This quaint off the main drag restaurant was a delightful find in PV. Owned by women and run by women who know what they are doing, serve up interesting dishes from around Mexico. The sauces they serve are most interesting and prepared with love. All of the dishes our party ordered were tasty. Our waitress was very helpful in explaining each dish and their sauces. I especially enjoyed the cricket tacos ... yes I said crickets! They were absolutely delicious.... a nice toasted crunchy texture with a great sauce. The pork ribs were not smoky enough but that was the only downside to the menu items we tried. The lamb was sensational as was the fish. Very friendly and super attentive wait staff added to a delightful evening. I highly recommend this restaurant. The name comes from the name of the tree growing in the middle of the place.....a small specimen of a tree native to Chile that grows in stands between Chile and Argentina (Chilean Myrtle). read more

Excellent service, wonderful Mexican and Central American decor. But best of all wonderful authentic, delicious food.

Warning! This place cannot handle a large group. Our concierge recommended and called them for a party of 30. We arrived and were seated immediately at three tables. The restaurant was beautiful. They approached us three separate times advising they were out of steak, fish and chicken. The ceviche appetizer was amazing, shrimp dinner was good, but remaining choices of duck and lamb was mediocre at best. Then we had to deal with complications with their credit card machine not working. read more

My boyfriend and I came here for our last dinner in PV...it was excellent! We had the baby scallop ceviche, duck carnitas (which came with some roasted potatoes and veg), and shrimp in peanut mole. The entrees were served with extra sauce, which was great since the sauces were sooo good! They also gave us some tortillas and suggested making tacos out of the entrees...yum! I was going to order a coconut margarita, but the server recommended the arrayan margarita since I didn't want anything too sweet. It was really tasty and not something I would have tried on my own. We also liked the intimate, yet still casual, atmosphere of the restaurant, and found the prices to be reasonable. If we were in PV for longer, we would definitely go back since there were lots of unique dishes we hadn't seen anywhere else. If you're looking for some delicious, creative, truly Mexican flavors and a charming setting, I recommend El Arrayan! read more

Eclectic, creative beautifully crafted and presented authentic Mexican fare. A bit off the beaten path but worth the walk or taxi. The host and servers remembered my husband from a year ago. Very attentive, courteous staff. Don't miss this one unless you like gobs of greasy junk food. read more

This is a nice cozy Mexican restaurant with great service that is a lot more tourist friendly than a lot of other less reviewed nice cozy Mexican restaurants with great service that are 50%+ less expensive. I'm glad I came and enjoyed the visit, but nothing was particularly memorable about the meal aside from their sauces and mole which came out with the chips which were soooo delicious. We ordered Oaxacan cricket tacos, duck carnitas and pork loin, all of which were good. For what we paid, we could have eaten multiple Mexican meals of comparable quality or better around town or spent the same amount of money eating at a comparable Mexican restaurant in the USA. This place is very clean and is a good spot if you're concerned about hygiene or how your gut will react eating street food or simply want a relaxing, unrushed more upscale meal with good company. Overall, 3.5 stars. If the price came down a bit to be more in line with comparable food at other area restaurants, I'd give it 4. A-ok. read more

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This is our go-to restaurant in PV every time we visit. It's Authentic Mexican at its best. The cocktails really shine especially the Mezcal with lime and cucumber. Service is caring and everyone works as a team. Lovely but be sure to reserve! read more

I ask my friend to take me to an authentic Mexican resultant and he came across El Arrayan with great ratings. It was a Thursday night at 9pm and there was 1 other couple there just having drinks. The place is completely empty. I cannot understand why? Being in the food industry and all I was so disappointed in everything we order the the duck and chickens dishes we had the same molletes sauce and it was just awful and the recommendation for there traditional taco was good but but not worth 2500 pesos for 3 dishes and 2 drinks. No wonder why it's dead and empty! I will never go back... read more