Found this little beachfront bar and decided to give it a try. We travel to Puerto Vallarta at least once (and usually twice) per year and wanted to mix things up. El Solar is no-frills, but it's great if you aren't high maintenance and want a place where you can drink and dine steps away from the ocean.
If you come here, stick to the drinks. They were tasty and strong, with creative combinations. The food, on the other hand, was a massive miss.
We ordered the garlic shrimp pan for $180 pesos and were disappointed. The shrimp was seasoned well, but the portion size was really small. The bread it was served with was stale and gross. We enjoyed the complimentary bowl of chips and salsas more than the appetizer.
Next up we got shrimp tacos in pastor and baja styles (3 small tacos per order, $230 pesos each). The tacos fared a little better, but we didn't enjoy them as much as everyday street tacos that you can get from carts around town. My tacos had an off-putting, super bright, neon orange color to them (see photos) that admittedly freaked me out. I ate them, but I still wonder what made them that color! The shrimp was grilled with chunks of pineapple, red onion, and cilantro. The baja style shrimp tacos were traditional and battered and fried, with lettuce and sauce. The food wasn't bad, but I would not eat here again.
The drinks were the real deal. Creative cocktails, including the incredibly tasty watermelon margarita, were home runs. Note that the drinks are VERY small, so you will want to order at least two per person (okay, maybe three). They also aren't as cheap as you can get drinks at other, more local bars around town, however.
The setting is nice, including a large outdoor patio and seats directly in the sand on the beach. This is a public beach, so don't expect resort quality amenities. We didn't notice vendors coming up to anyone though, which is rare in Mexico. If you look like a tourist, they will bug you. The beach isn't glamorous, but it's a nice place to sit out and listen to the ocean breeze.
Note that this place is near an open dumpster so if it's super hot or windy, you WILL get a wiff of nasty garbage.
Note that this place is strictly CASH ONLY, or at least that's what they told us on the day we visited. Is this true all the time? I'm not sure. But bring pesos or US dollars just in case. read more