New Puerto Vallarta Food and Drink Hotspots

By Paco Ojeda

When it comes to culinary diversity, Puerto Vallarta is as good and diverse as a destination as any in all of Mexico. From gourmet restaurants featuring exotic food from faraway places to traditional family-style eateries, the popular gay destination features just about everything you may want to savor, for every meal of the day and every budget. As you begin planning your next (or perhaps your first) trip to Puerto Vallarta, you may want to keep the following spots in mind. Some of them are located in Colonia Emiliano Zapata—Puerto Vallarta’s gay-friendly neighborhood—and some are elsewhere in the city. So we leave it up to you to befriend some locals and have them help you find your way to these awesome eateries!

A Page in the Sun

Lázaro Cárdenas 169, Colonia Emiliano Zapata

www.apageinthesun.com

Cuisine: Sandwiches, pastries, great coffee

Neighborhood: Emiliano Zapata

Why: No, it’s not new. But the venerable bookstore/cafe just relocated next door. The owners joined forces with sculptor/gallery owner Jim Demetro, (responsible for several of the sculptures you will find in the city’s scenic boardwalk), so it’s a great spot for morning or afternoon coffee across from Lázaro Cárdenas Park.

Abbraccio Cucina Italiana

Ave. Francisco Median Ascencio 2590, Hotel Zone

www.abbraccio.mx

Cuisine: Italian

Neighborhood: Hotel Zone

Why: You’ll enjoy quality Italian cuisine in a comfortable, yet affordable setting. The folks behind this new restaurant are the same that opened the very successful gourmet restaurant Tintoque in Marina Vallarta a few years ago.

Los Otros Blondies

Basilio Badillo 258, Colonia Emiliano Zapata

www.blondiespv.com

Cuisine: Casual/party

Neighborhood: Emiliano Zapata

Why: If you’ve walked to or from the gay beach, you’ve likely stopped at the original Blondies for a cocktail or a quick nosh. Their new location on Basilio Badillo is a new concept featuring fashionable cocktails and a whole line of clothing and merchandise produced by this unique establishment. Great place to see or be seen!

Macareno

Hamburgo 148, Colonia Versalles

www.facebook.com/macarenovallarta

Cuisine: Evolutive Mexican

Neighborhood: Versalles

Why: Think of all those tacos, quesadillas and other traditional Mexican food you know and love. Now take them up a notch, garnishing them with sesame and sunflower seeds, and serving them in a small, yet delightful little restaurant. You will gain a new appreciation for traditional Mexican food!

Nine Ninety 9

Ave. Francisco Medina Ascencio 999, Hotel Zone

www.facebook.com/nineninety9.vallarta

Cuisine: International/Sports Bar

Neighborhood: Hotel Zone

Why: If you are a sports bar, you will love their ginormous flat screen, allegedly the largest in Latin America. Even if you don’t enjoy sports, consider this: You probably know Tequila and Racilla. Well, these are two of six agave-based spirits produced in Mexico with an official Protected Designation of Origin label (PDO). The other four are Bacanora, Sotol, Charanda and Mezcal. This is pretty much the only place in town where you can try them all in one seating while munching on roasted grasshoppers, a Mexican delicacy.