The 7 Best Casual Restaurants in Puerto Vallarta
Are you looking for some casual restaurants in Puerto Vallarta where you don’t need to get all dressed up? Well, you are in luck, there are so many great restaurants in Puerto Vallarta!!
…and the good news, many of them don’t have a formal dress code. Although, there are definitely some very fancy restaurants and some that have dress codes. If laid back casual, no tie and heels needed is your thing, I’ve got you covered!
These are the 7 best casual restaurants in Puerto Vallarta. No need to get all fancied up to dine in, you can just go, enjoy, eat, and drink- casually!
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1. Taco Revolucion
Of course, tacos! Do you like hand-made tortillas? I know I do, if you do too- you have found your restaurant! They actually they have 4 different types of hand-made tortillas here!
They make both flour and corn tortillas. The tortillas for the quesadillas come in 3 different flavour tortillas-
- avocado- this is a bright green tortilla made from avocado
- pumkpin flower or squash blossom tortillas
- yellow corn tortillas
If you know me, I had to try something new and interesting, so I went for the avocado tortilla for my chicken quesadilla. Lots of cheese and nice fresh soft tortillas!
I ordered a fresh hibiscus drink called an “agua fresca de jamaica’ in Spanish. Very nice, kinda like a cranberry juice, but I think it’s better.
I also tried the famous Taco Revolucion taco, mine is a bit different here, but they can be made with beef, pork, chorizo, or crunchy pork rinds, and – of course salsa and all the toppings- onion, cilantro…- on top.
Also, they offer some vegetarian and vegan tacos like grilled mushrooms and soy chorizo.
They also make their own fresh salsas that have different spice levels, so I had to try each one. I really liked them, but I only tried a little taste of the very spicy one.
They bring a serving platter to your table with salsas that are mild🌶️, medium 🌶️🌶️, and hot🌶️🌶️🌶️ , so you can pick your salsa and how much you put on too!
Spice freedom! 🤣
This is one of the things that I really like about Taco Revolucion, you go up to the table with all the toppings and put it on how you like, as much or little as you want.
Flavour freedom! 😉
Taco Revolucion is located so close to the beach, so it’s very convenient after a day at the beach. It is in the Zona Romantica at Olas Altas 485.
You can follow their Facebook page here: Taco Revolucion
2. Natureza
This is where I go when I want something simple or light- meaning not spicy or greasy.
They actually have 2 locations in Puerto Vallarta one in Versailles, and this newer one in the Marina.
If you go to the location at the marina, check out 8 FREE things to do in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Both are very casual and laid-back places. The location in Versailles has a co-work for those digital nomads that are reading.
They have freshly made sauces, jalapenos, and salsas that you get with all of your meals.
They have an awesome variety of smoothies, milk shakes, green juices, and bagel and panini sandwiches.
I am not much of a coffee drinker, but many people have told me that their coffee is awesome.
The view from the front patio is so peaceful and beautiful, especially when the sun is setting and the lights from the boats are reflecting on the water.
👉 One little side note- be careful when walking around the marina, don’t walk too close to the edge of the water. There are crocodiles 🐊 sometimes in the water at the corners of the marina. They have signs in Spanish and yellow caution tape to warn people, but I wanted to give you the heads up here too.
Anyways, it is beautiful, to enjoy the view and some nice food you can go to the marina and saunter around for.
There are a lot of little niceties here like toothpicks in the bathroom, a foot pedal to turn on the bathroom sink, metal reusable straws, and of course the peaceful ambience.
They accept debit cards here for payment which is great.
The address in the marina is this: C. Popa s/n-Local 1, Marina Vallarta, but really just get to the marina in Nuevo Vallarta and you will find it very easily.
You can follow their Facebook page here: Natureza Marina
3. Taquitos Acapulco
Can you say Al Pastor!! This is the place for Al Pastor tacos, actually any type of taco!! 🌮🌮🌮
Al Pastor has grilled pork and pineapple that is roasted on a skewer and toasted by flame!
Because of that, make sure you get a table that is away from the flame! 🔥
It is a simple place that is a little bit rustic. It’s very close to the board walk, so convenient with great prices. This place is authentically Mexican! 🇲🇽
There are always lots of locals here and, it’s extremely casual.
My fave is their Queso Fundido! You can never go wrong with melty cheese! 🧀
You can get this goodness with chorizo, mushrooms, or plain.
When you order food they bring you a platter with salsa, limes, and chopped onion.
You can also order grilled nopales. Nopales is cactus, it looks similar to green pepper, but the texture and taste are very different.
If you have never tried it, go for it!
This restaurant is a block away from the boardwalk. I recommend having dinner there then going to the boardwalk. I have an Ultimate Guide to Puerto Vallarta Boardwalk!
Taquitos Acapulco is located at: Morelos 892 Col. Centro.
What is nice is that they accept cards for payments.
They don’t have social media that I could find or a website, their focus is their food. You will find a lot of locals eating here, and it is often busy.
You can check out these reviews online for details. Taquitos Acapulco Vallarta
Here is a map where you can see where some of these places are.
You can also check out some hotels in the area and book your hotel in advance.
I really recommend booking in advance for Puerto Vallarta, I speak from experience, all the good hotels book up fast!
4. Margarita Grill
Home of the margaritas 🍹 with the live band every night! 🎶
This place is fun! Very casual with a great upbeat energy! People come here to party and eat great food with great music!
They are most famous for their fun vibe, molcajates, and margaritas!
I got the strawberry and basil margarita – the flavour mixture is awesome!🍹
Margarita Grill has been rocking for 15 years now! They try to always bring the fun and friendly Mexican hospitality to everyone who goes there.
This place is so close to the malecon (boardwalk in Spanish), that a lot of people end up here as they leave the beach. The music and vibe draws them in.
It is all open-concept so it is hard not to get pulled into the fun! The atmosphere is just very enticing!
Of course, they have hand-made tortilla -corn and flour! You can request both too, my husband and I did!
The molcajate is great for sharing. If you have never tried a molcajate, they are full of so much food and flavour! You can order different types of meat and seafood in your molcajate. They are served in the bowl seen above this text. There is a mild salsa, cheese, meat, a nopal (cactus) and more!
You always get a tasty free salsa with roasted tomatoes, onion, cheese etc. when you order food. They make it for you right beside your table. So, you can tell them if you want it spicy or not.
Here is their famous salsa! They make it table-side right in front of you!
Here is the salsa that I got to enjoy!
You get tortilla chips with it too, but in Mexico they call tortilla chips-‘totopos’. Their totopos are freshly made and have a nice crunch.
They also make table-side guacamole if you order it. You can pick your spice level too!
And you can pay with a card.
Margarita Grill is opened every day until 1am. The Margarita Grill band plays every day from 5- 9pm. They have been playing there for years! Check out a video of them below.
They are located at Pino Suárez 321 and Basilio Badillo.
You can follow them on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/margaritagrill.vallarta/
5. Frankie's Spaghetti House
This is a truly authentic Italian vibe here. It is a family restaurant, actually Frankie was there when I was eating.
Frankie’s restaurant has been open for 8 years now.
The vibe is classy but casual, they have a nice authentic looking restaurant with wines etc., but it is not formal and no dress code is required to eat there. They were playing nice Italian music when I was there too!
You get a starter of these toasted bread cubes and pesto. Of course, all made freshly in the restaurant… to die for!! The pesto is one of the very best pestos I have ever had! Decadent flavours!!
So good that you want more, but you don’t want to ruin your appetite for your actual dinner, but it’s that good!
I ordered a pizza because they offer many different kinds of pizzas, and I love pizza! 🍕 YUM!!!
They have a nice light crust that is not too crunchy and not too thick, it’s just right! It is easy to cut, if you are the kind of person who likes to cut your pizza. Also, it’s easy to pick up and eat without all the ingredients sliding off if that is your style.
They have all the Italian classics- pizza, caprese salad, chicken parm, lasagna, wines, ravioli, salmon, calzones, bruschetta…
They have a whole page full of pasta dishes!
They also have a nice and light tiramisu and a couple other desserts.
I tried an Italian white wine, but they have some Italian and from a few other countries. If wine is not your thing, they have a full bar with different types of tequilas, beers, and other alcohols.
Frankie’s has all the Italian classics:
- pizzas
- pastas- so many types
- calzones
- caprese salad
- lasagna
- seafood
- antipasto
- calamari
- bruschetta
- etc!!
The ambiance and food is a feeling of Italian authenticity and flavour!
Frankie himself in his restaurant.
One think to know, cash only here.
Frankie’s Spaghetti House is located at Calle Venustiano Carranza 276, in Emiliano Zapata.
You can follow them on Facebook at: Frankies Spaghetti House
6. De Cantaro Mezcal Bar & Grill
De Cantaro has such a nice atmosphere, they have a classy laid-back vibe.
They specialize in ‘live-fire cooking’. They have burgers, steaks, seafood and typical Mexican dishes.
They serve these light crispy fries with toasted fresh parmesan on top with a chipotle dip. So tasty!
A laid-back but classy place that treats you well.
They have so many pretty and fancy looking drinks, so maybe try a few if you drink. 🍹🍸
They have a really cool looking tiki bar to hag out in. You can also eat outside, or there is also an inside area to eat too!
They are opened 7 days a week until 12am.
They are neighbours to the Margarita Grill, so you could stop by both places if you want.
De Cantaro is located at Basilio Badillo #219 in the Zona Romantica.
You can follow them at: De Cantaro Puerto Vallarta
7. Pipi's
Pipi’s is fun! So much fun! I go there for a fun and casual place with upbeat energy! There are mariachis at different times in the evenings. This is an upbeat high-energy place!
You can request mariachi songs as they mingle throughout the restaurant. If you’re not too sure about the names of mariachi songs, I have made a guide with Mariachi Songs To Request. It even tells you how to request songs in Spanish!
They come to your table and make guacamole right in front of you. You can pick how spicy you want to make it too!
It does not have a price, but tips are regular for the person who makes your guacamole. Actually this man has been making guacamole for over 14 years here!
Pipi’s has been there since 1986!!
They are famous for their margaritas!!
You can see in the picture that they have so many flavours and they all come in a really nice margarita glass.
Their slogan is: Don’t drink the water, drink the margaritas! 😆
They have lots of Mexican dishes on their menu. They do offer some vegetarian and vegan options too.
I recommend their fajitas! They come out on a sizzling skillet!
…and of course the guacamole!
Here is the guacamole expert at Pipi’s making me frest guacamole! It was delish!
I highly recommend it!
Did I mention how fun it is?!!
Every time is a bit different, this video can give you a feeling of the energy at Pipis!
When I am looking for a super fun and upbeat energy at a restaurant Pipis is the place to go!
Pipi’s is just a short walk from the boardwalk. It is located at Guadalupe Sanchez #804.
You can follow Pipi’s on Instagram at: Pipispv
…or on Facebook- which is actually a lot of fun at: Facebook-Pipis
Which restaurant will be your favourite?
- Have you been to any of these restaurants?
- What did you think?
- Or is there one that you really want to visit?
- Let me know in the comments below.
I am looking forward to reading your comments!
Happy Eating- Casually! 😌
If you are in Puerto Vallarta, be sure to check out my blog the Ultimate Guide to Puerto Vallarta Boardwalk.
If you really enjoy mariachis, you can read my Complete Guide to Enjoy Mariachis in Puerto Vallarta!
If you’re looking for a Beachfront Hotel in Puerto Vallarta that is close to most of these restaurants, check out this blog!
Need a hotel in Puerto Vallarta?
If you’re coming to Puerto Vallarta, I recommend booking your hotel in advance as they tend to sell out in Puerto Vallarta!
You can book your hotel here!
Looking for activities or tours in Puerto Vallarta?
Looking for some tour and activities to do in Puerto Vallarta?
You can check out 8 FREE things to do in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
You can check out more activities and tours here! You can also book your tickets here too!
Besides writing travel blogs, I am also an internationally certified English teacher. Check out my Shop, English courses, and services at the links below. Thanks!
The Comments
Everything you need to know about being a vegetarian in Mexico | Open Doors With Words
[…] If you’re wondering where to try a green tortilla, you can check it out at The 7 Best Casual Restaurants in Puerto Vallarta. […]
Hayley Palmer
Awesome!!!!
Where to begin…
Lorraine Black
> Hayley PalmerThanks Hayley! What was your favourite place in Puerto Vallarta? Do you remember?