Picture this: you’re sitting on the beach eating ceviche made with fresh-caught mahi mahi and enjoying a margarita composed of the best tequila and fresh-squeezed lime juice. The sparkling Pacific Ocean is visible in one direction and the peaks of the Sierra Madre mountains are in the other. This is Puerto Vallarta, a vibrant city on the coast of Mexico’s Banderas Bay in the western state of Jalisco. Long known for its stunning beaches, bustling nightlife and water sports scene, Puerto Vallarta has begun to emerge as one of Mexico’s culinary hotspots in the 21st century, growing its restaurant scene and developing a year-round lineup of unique food festivals. If you’re heading south in search of a culinary experience, Puerto Vallarta deserves a visit.
Where to eat
The restaurant scene in Puerto Vallarta is as varied as you’d find in any major city, with Italian trattorias, Indian eateries and burger joints on offer. Its local cuisine, though, is the true draw. Thanks to Puerto Vallarta’s coastal location, fresh fish, shrimp and octopus are available around every corner. It’s no surprise that the city is notorious for all kinds of ceviche, which is considered a local specialty. Be sure to try aguachile, a seafood dish made with fresh shrimp or scallops that are marinated in lime juice and chilies. Like with ceviche, the acid in lime juice “cooks” the shrimp.
Located in the city’s trendy Zona Romántica, the charming Tuna Azul is known for its lineup of seafood tacos made with freshly-caught marlin, stingray and other delicacies. You can also try El Patron de Vallarta, a casual eatery just steps from the Malecon renowned for its octopus dishes; including tostadas, ceviches and burritos.
Gourmet restaurants, like the highly-lauded chef-owned Café des Artistes, are representative of Puerto Vallarta’s exciting fine dining scene. At Café des Artistes, chef Thierry Blouet serves a sophisticated and ever-changing menu of French-Mexican fusion. Avant garde dishes, like Roasted Sea Bass with Beurre Blanc and Chipotle and Habanero Chili with Passionfruit Mousse, can be enjoyed in the beautifully-decorated restaurant. Elevated Latin-Mexican fusion dishes can be found at Tintoque, where local chef Joel Ornelas, who trained in restaurants throughout Europe before returning home to open his restaurant in 2016, serves up his signature cuisine in an elegant space with a beautiful terrace. The Michelin Guide has recently arrived in Mexico, and we feel Café des Artistes and Tintoque are both deserving of a Star.
The best foodie festivals
Festival Gourmet International
For the past 29 years, The Festival Gourmet International has been Puerto Vallarta’s premiere food festival. Co-founded by chef Thierry Blouet of Café des Artistes, the 10 day-long festival brings together chefs from Mexico and the rest of the world to cook at local restaurants in a series of exclusive food tours and dinners. Wine tastings and a chef’s discussion panel are always on the lineup, as is the extravagant evening gala at the end of the festival.
festivalgourmet.com.mx
Vallarta Nayarit Gastronomica
A constellation of the most innovative chefs and mixologists in Mexico, Latin America and Europe come together annually at Vallarta Nayarit Gastronómica. Now in its 16th year, this week-long festival features more than 50 food and wine events, including exclusive dinners at beautiful locations in Puerto Vallarta and Banderas Bay, wine tastings by the best sommeliers in Mexico and gourmet workshops led by up-and-coming visiting chefs as well as Michelin Star chefs, 50 Best and Top Chefs.
vallartanayaritgastronomica.com
Restaurant Week
For three weeks in May and June, restaurants in Puerto Vallarta participate in this festival by offering innovative three-course menus (there are also three options available for each course) to encourage locals and visitors alike to have a gourmet culinary experience at a reduced price. Visitors to the city can pick up a copy of the printed Restaurant Week Menu Guide, which provides instructions for a self-guided food tour of the participating eateries. It’s a great way to discover local hotspots.
restaurantweekpv.com
Vinoma
This is a newly-created festival dedicated exclusively to promoting wine culture in Mexico. It is a gastronomic, social and educational event that takes place during a weekend in March at wineries and gourmet restaurants in Puerto Vallarta. Not to be missed is the grand closing event, La Fiesta del Vino – an authentic celebration of Mexican wines with live music, tastings and pairings at exceptional locations in Puerto Vallarta.
vinomafest.com
For more information, go to visitpuertovallarta.com.
