Foodies Guide to Puerto Vallarta’s South Shore Restaurants

Find out why foodies need to spend more time on Puerto Vallarta’s South Shore.

So many visitors and expats living in Banderas Bay dine in downtown Puerto Vallarta where great food is happening, but if only they knew that once you leave the cobblestone streets and venture even further towards Mismaloya you will find many South Shore restaurants that offer magical culinary experiences for foodies and spectacular views, charm and history.

So, where can you eat on Puerto Vallarta’s South Shore?

(South Shore Restaurants listed from closest to furthest)

Bistro Teresa

Bistro Teresa is located only two minutes south of the gas station leaving Puerto Vallarta’s downtown on the Highway to Barra de Navidad, and is a favorite for foodie snowbirds. Tiny and chic (reservation recommended), enjoy a lovely view overlooking the romantic zone. Attended by its owners, you are sure to feel at home at Puerto Vallarta’s South Shore Bistro Teresa.

Lindomar

A Sunday (and sometimes Saturday) favorite for Puerto Vallarta locals is La Playita´s brunch at Hotel Lindomar. Located overlooking Conchas Chinas Beach on the South Shore, prepare for crowds on the weekends or try to enjoy other days of the week with a breakfast. Bring your towel and enjoy a dip in the gorgeous Banderas Bay ocean that lays below.

Costa Sur

At Hotel Costa Sur Puerto Vallarta you can enjoy a lovely oceanside restaurant, La Cascada, which offers daily breakfast, lunch and dinner menus, although a favorite is their Sunday brunches and Prime Rib Night. Their brunch offers a classic American selection as well as delicious Mexican dishes like tamales and shredded beef with fresh salsas and unlimited mimosas!

Garza Blanca Preserve

Residents and visitors to Puerto Vallarta can enjoy the various gourmet options at Garza Blanca Preserve Resort & Spa. The most recent fine dining experience on offer is the resort’s Japanese fusion restaurant, Hiroshi at Hotel Mousai, which flamboyantly blends ingredients, textures and techniques found in Asian cuisine. Another favorite is its modern steakhouse, BocaDosSTK, with the finest cuts and most spectacular views on the bay, or why not try the sophisticated Blanca Blue Restaurant with its creative gourmet a la carte menu and award-winning wine cellar. Breakfast and lunch are a treat at Garza Blanca on Puerto Vallarta’s South Shore.

Mismaloya Beach!

Many have forgotten the jade colored sea at Mismaloya Beach, where the Night of the Iguana was filmed. The set is still there, and after a fresh meal of perhaps a whole red snapper, ceviche or quesadillas with rice and fresh salsa, don’t hesitate to take a stroll and see where it all began in Puerto Vallarta. There are many uber casual restaurant offerings, so prepare to be bombarded by hosts trying to recruit you to their South Shore restaurants. I recommend walking as far south as possible to try the calmer restaurants where you will find fewer people, daybeds and even a massage on the beach while you enjoy a fresh shrimp ceviche.

Le Kliff

Featuring in the Guinness Book of Records for the largest palapa roof in 1984 and 1985, Le Kliff South Shore restaurant perches on the edge of a stunning cliff. Both restaurant and bar, this venue is famous for its weddings, which take place as though floating out to see on the cliff’s edge. However, lunch and dinner are available for visitors and residents, although it is always worth making a reservation to ensure there is not a wedding taking place when you wish to go.

Boca de Tomatlán

Boca de Tomatlán is a hub of activity where many small boats depart to Las Animas, Quimixto, Yelapa and other boutique hotels that have no road access. At Boca de Tomatlán, enjoy getting back to basics with fish grilled on open coals and a humble environment that makes you feel like you are experiencing the “real” Mexico, while you savor the happenings of this local fishing village where river meets the sea. Don’t forget to try the margaritas! Taxis or local buses are always waiting to take you back home or to your hotel from this South Shore fishing village.

Vallarta Botanical Gardens

For those wanting something special and to venture farther south, enjoy the Vallarta Botanical Gardens Restaurant in the most beautiful of surroundings on Puerto Vallarta’s South Shore. Besides a lovely breakfast or lunch, hundreds of native tropical plants can be enjoyed. There is a small entry fee to the gardens which goes straight to the conservation of this non profit garden and the menu is a la carte.

Las Animas Beach

To reach Las Animas, you will need to take a water taxi from Boca de Tomatlán or Los Muertos Pier which can be a wonderful adventure including beautiful sights to be seen along the way. At Las Animas, there are many beach restaurants to choose from serving typical seafood, but you can always find chicken fajitas or vegetarian delights. Don´t hesitate to try the pie that is sold from the ladies who walk with baskets of sweet happiness on their heads.

El Tuito

An hour or so south of downtown Vallarta, you will come across a most enchanting typical Mexican town: El Tuito. Around the main adorable plaza where you might find kids rehearsing folkloric ballet, you will find some humble but DELICIOUS food offerings that serve Mexican pozole, tacos, tostadas and more. If you want a more fine dining experience, restaurant El Divisadero (tough to find but part of the adventure) is located 10 minutes from El Tuito on the highway to Yelapa, which offers unique wild fruit margaritas and grilled meats and traditional pastor style birria, and freshly made tortillas. Enjoying a gorgeous hacienda setting, they have their own raicilla distillery, so be sure to grab a bottle to take home!

Puerto Vallarta’s South shore is simply brimming with restaurants to choose from that will tempt foodies from all over the world.