Cities around the world have embraced a new kind of holiday to delight tourists and locals alike. Restaurant Week has been growing in popularity in lots of exotic destinations, inviting you to try the local restaurants at a reduced rate.
Puerto Vallarta started hosting their Restaurant Week in 2005. A week is usually seven days, but for foodies and just about anybody who likes to eat, that’s not long enough to visit all the restaurants you’re dying to experience. This year marks the 12th annual Restaurant Week, and will be held May 15-31, 2016.
Zona Romantica – Puerto Vallarta
This year 41 restaurants will participate, including 7 restaurants participating for the first time, making this the largest selection of restaurants and cuisine for Restaurant Week. All 41 restaurants offer a number of delicious appetizers and salads, main courses, and desserts for one reduced price. The prices range from $229 to $349 pesos (approximately $13.00 – $20.00 USD). The participating restaurants invite you to sample their menus at up to half the price.
“Following the trend of other influential fine dining destinations around the world, Vallarta Lifestyles Publishing Group established Restaurant Week in 2005 through a two-week festival that takes place every year from May 15 – 31,” says Vallarta Lifestyles Publishing Group.
Malecon Puerto Vallarta
A Truly Mexican City That Tourists Love
Puerto Vallarta was not always a tourist destination. Way before they started hosting their own Restaurant Week, Puerto Vallarta was a little Mexican village, with nothing to attract tourists except sunshine and the ocean. Once a handful of celebrities discovered the place, tourists started to make their way to Vallarta, or “PV” as the tourists say. Now, this little Mexican town attracts guests from all over the world. And you know what international tourists bring with them — an appetite for international cuisine.
Restaurant Week is Puerto Vallarta’s chance to show off its incredible restaurants with international dishes you’re sure to enjoy. The 41 participating restaurants are located all over the surrounding area, so be sure to consult the Menu Guide to find out where your favorite restaurants are located and what they’re offering for Restaurant Week. Plus, you’ll get some ideas of places you want to try.
For some tips to make your Restaurant Week memorable, check out Virtual Vallarta’s blog.
Listed below is one restaurant in each region. But don’t stop with just these suggestions — you’re encouraged to try them all!
Punta de Mita
This region is the peninsula that forms the most northern tip of Bandaras Bay. It takes about an hour to drive there from Puerto Vallarta.
Tuna Blanca is serving up Guacachile Tuna Tiridito with arugula salad for an appetizer. For the main course, try their Birria-style Short Ribs with mushrooms and green tomato puree. And finish off your meal with a Super Mocha Cup with coffee ice cream and chocolate crumble.
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Bucerias
The town of Bucerias is located north of Nuevo Vallarta, right on the coast.
Sonora a la Parrilla offers a bean soup and Homemade Guacamole for appetizers. For the main course, you’ll have to choose between the Argentine-style Vacio Steak or the Arrachera Steak. The dessert is a fresh lime and strawberry pie.
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Nuevo Vallarta
This region is north of the international airport, just north of the marina, in Riviera Nayarit.
Nicksan is a Japanese restaurant, combining the flavors and ingredients of Mexico. The Special Cucumber Salad with wakame seaweed and kanikama will start your meal off right. The Salmon Toreado with rice and truffle essence or the traditional Grilled Chicken Teriyaki are your main course choices. And the third course will give you the pleasure of experiencing Ginger or Wasabi Gelato.
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Marina Vallarta
The marina is right next to the international airport, just north of downtown Puerto Vallarta.
Benitto’s Paninoteca is serving up some Crostini Variado (4), bite-sized toast topped with tomato, eggplant, caramelized onions, zucchini, and anchovies. The entrees are Parmesan-Garlic-crusted Salmon or Selva Negra Eggs Benedict. The desserts are Caramelized Pears in red-wine sauce or a lovely Apple Strudel.
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Hotel Zone
Aptly named because so many hotels are located here, the Hotel Zone is located just south of the marina, not far from downtown.
The Barrio Bistro is offering some Goat Cheese and Corn Wontons for appetizers. The Amaranth-crusted Red Snapper with sweet potato puree and vegetables in cranberry-pecan sauce highlights their main courses. Top off your meal with some Jackfruit Flamed with Orange Liqueur or some Cinnamon Churros.
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El Centro
This region is the heart of Puerto Vallarta, the downtown area of this magnificent city.
Cafe des Artistes will start you off with a classic French soup with leek and potato — Vichyssoise. Following the first course is your choice: Sonoran Beef Filet au Red Wine or a Roasted Half Rock Cornish hen with quinoa, dried fruit and mole. For dessert, their chefs have prepared a Pavlova, with strawberries and passion fruit, and a Reconstructed Lemon Tart with meringue and guava sorbet.
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5 de Diciembre
This colonia or neighborhood is situated just north of Emiliano Zapata, south of downtown.
Layla’s is offering Creamy Cheese Polenta and Shrimp and Corn Chowder for appetizers. You’ll be hard pressed to choose a main course. There’s Pan-Seared Salmon with coconut-serrano chili cream sauce and black-bean platain puree. Or there’s the Pork Shank in Adobo Sauce with rice, salsa, and tortillas. Top off your meal with some Crepes Flamed with Kahlua and Brandy with vanilla ice cream.
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Emiliano Zapata
This colonia or neighborhood is between Amapas and 5 de Diciembre, south of downtown.
Kaiser Maximilian is serving up some Fennel Ravioli and Onion Soup au Gratin for appetizers. Zwiebelrostbraten might be hard to say, but delights the senses. It is a flat-pounded beef loin, with Austrian onion rings and sautéed potatoes. The desserts will satisfy your sweet tooth: Strawberry Royal with frozen yogurt, fresh strawberries and whipped cream, or Creme Brûlée, vanilla cream topped with a caramelized sugar crust.
Where to Stay
Club Regina Puerto Vallarta is located between the Sierra Madre Mountains and Banderas Bay. It is within walking distance of the marina.
Villa Vera Puerto Vallarta is located in Marina Vallarta. All units in the Mediterranean style resort offer pool views and some offer marina views as well.
Raintree Traveler 