Savor the Flavors of Puerto Vallarta
Is traveling to Mexico in your future? I encourage you to add stunning Puerto Vallarta to your list. The city is a tourist-friendly destination that appeals to both first-time and returning visitors to Mexico's beautiful western seaside. Puerto Vallarta is alive with vibrant culture.
In addition to the miles of walkable pristine beaches and rocky snorkeling area of Los Arcos, Puerto Vallarta offers breath-taking whale watching, glowing golden sunsets almost every night, Mariachi music, and even jazz. All this amidst a backdrop of people visiting from around the world.
Dining choices include out-of-the-way, small neighborhood restaurants and bustling hot spots welcoming both locals and tourists to enjoy.
Smoky mezcal and tequila are produced in Tequila, Mexico, by tediously harvesting the agave plant and sipping either is high on my list of simple pleasures. The tequila I enjoyed in Puerto Vallarta transformed cocktail hour into a luxe sensory experience.
Diverse culinary styles provide choices for even the most extensive gourmet! Food is considered a love language. Here I share some of my favorites for unique regional flavors, from sidewalk taco stands to white-tablecloth dining. You can find most of the spots I highlight in the Old Town-Zona Romantica section of Puerto Vallarta.
Typically, ocean fish are on menus, including mahi-mahi, tuna, red snapper, and calamari caught the same day from small fishing vessels off the horseshoe-shaped sparkling waters of Banderas Bay.
Fish can be prepared sashimi-style, grilled, or covered in a flavorful chili sauce. You can also find shrimp-on-a-stick from vendors walking the beach or request fresh lake whitefish in a restaurant.
Birria, a meat stew, is traditionally made from goat or lamb and served taco-style.
Tacos are made fresh daily for local restaurants or sold directly to the general public.
The order I purchased to take home cost just over 25 pesos, or $1.25.
Street stands use them to make and sell their own distinctive filled tacos day and night.
The freshest seasonal vegetables and fruits come from farms and neighborhood produce stalls. These include melons, squash, oranges, limes, chayote (a vegetable pear), jicama, and jackfruit.
I love going to the market early in the day to catch up with merchants like the butcher, waiting to be of service. Weekend open-air plazas offer specialty foods like paella and fresh-squeezed carrot juice.
When bringing out the natural characteristics of Mexican food, kitchens always have a molcajete on hand. The basalt mortar and pestle are used to grind and mix the many varieties of chiles that create traditional mole sauces for meats, fish, and tamales. A molcajete is also the perfect "masher" for avocados when making guacamole served with fresh pico de gallo.
I made a fragrant mole in the Oaxaca-inspired cooking class taught in the Amapas neighborhood by chef Miriam from Miriam’s Mexican Kitchen.
Here is one of the best margarita recipes that uses Jose Cuervo's TRADICIONAL Tequila Plata.
When I combine equal parts of this 100% agave tequila, fresh-squeezed lime juice, and simple orange syrup, shake over ice, and pour into a salt-rimmed glass, I know I'm drinking like a local - cheers!
Where to eat in puerto vallarta?
There are over 1,000 restaurants to choose from in Puerto Vallarta. I’ll be highlighting a first installment of my recommendations and favorites. Besides eating, Puerto Vallarta offers visitors passionate, energetic culture alongside quiet, relaxing nature. Because of that diversity, it is my happy place for extended visits. It is impossible to be bored with so many experiences to be had right outside my door!
Still hungry? There’s more in my new blog post!
Discover the Culinary Scene in Puerto Vallarta
Connect with me if you would like to know more regarding this or any of my blogs. I'm happy to answer questions.
