Puerto Vallarta is known for taking eating and drinking very seriously. Yes, we’re probably more known for our beaches, but no trip to Puerto Vallarta would be complete without trying our regional dishes and drinks. Everything from expensive fine dining experiences, to local taco stands or beachfront cuisine, there is something for everyone. But no matter your budget, your tastebuds are going to love this trip!
Below we’ll cover all our favorite regional dishes & drinks that you NEED to try during your trip! Also, make sure to check out the best Puerto Vallarta food tours to discover some new dishes you probably wouldn’t have tried and to find some authentic restaurants off the beaten path.
Traditional Food to try in Puerto Vallarta
Here are some of the regional dishes you need to seek out while visiting in Puerto Vallarta.
Pescado Zarandeado
Pescado Zarandeado is a 500-year-old method for grilling fish that originated in Nayarit. The fish is split in half from head to tail, smothered in a chile/achiote paste (everyone has their own recipe for the marinade), and then grilled over hot coals on a wood-fired oven. In some cases, you may find the method of cooking and marinating applied to other proteins such as shrimp or octopus.
Birria
This is another Puerto Vallarta dish that needs to be on your “must try” list. Birria is a sweet, sour, slightly spicy, and savory breakfast stew that’s slow-cooked until the meat is tender and fall-apart juicy. This regional food is traditionally made from goat meat but now it is more commonly found made with beef.
Preparation techniques vary, but the meat is marinated in an adobo made of vinegar, dried chiles, herbs, and spices before being cooked in a broth. It is then served with corn tortillas, onion, cilantro, and lime. You can order it in tacos, crispy tacos with cheese, or just as a stew. If you only order tacos, make sure to ask for a small portion of the birria broth… it’s always free, and you get to dip your tacos into it before each bite!
Note that birria is served only for breakfast or “brunch”, so if you want to try it, make sure to find some before 1 or 2 pm. You can find birrierias all over town, but some of the best birria that I’ve had in the Puerto Vallarta area have been in Bucerias, at Los Dorados de Villa.
Ceviche
While not a traditional dish of the region, Ceviche is one of those dishes that definitely needs to be tried anywhere they have great seafood. Raw fish, shrimp, or octopus is mixed with herbs and citrus juice and served with tostadas. This is a staple at basically any great restaurant that serves fresh seafood in the region.
Tortas Ahogadas
These “drowned sandwiches” known as Tortas Ahogadas have been adopted as local cuisine in Puerto Vallarta, but they are really from Guadalajara. The special bread is stuffed with pork meat and smothered in salsa. Make sure to specify how spicy you want it! The best ones in town are at Tortalajara.
Puerto Vallarta Drinks & Regional Liquors
No meal is complete without washing it down with one of our local drinks:
Tuba Drink
Tuba is my personal favorite. It’s the perfect combination of sweet & sour and it is one of the most traditional drinks in the state of Jalisco. Tuba is a refreshing drink that will quench your thirst even on the hottest summer day. “Tuberos” climb the coconut palms, cut off the part where the coconuts are hanging from, and then place a container to collect the palm’s extract in a special container. It is then combined with water, apple cider vinegar, walnuts, and chunks of apple.
Coffee
Yes, Puerto Vallarta may be a beach city, making coffee growing conditions far from ideal… BUT we have the Sierra Madre mountain range right behind us! Less than 1 hour away from Puerto Vallarta you can find tons of coffee plantations and tours. Here you can find all my favorite coffee shops in Puerto Vallarta.
Raicilla
Yes, tequila may be the most famous liquor from Jalisco, but make sure to try Raicilla. While tequila can only be made out of blue agave, Raicilla is made from a different agave species. San Sebastian del Oeste, a town up in the mountains near Puerto Vallarta, is known for making this regional drink.
Pacifico Beer
Made in the neighboring state of Sinaloa, it is certainly the most popular beer to enjoy here on the beach. Mexico’s craft beer scene has also been booming over the past few years, and we even have some excellent local craft breweries such as Los Muertos Brewing, Monzon, or Cervecería Buclas in Bucerias.
Tejuino
The non-alcoholic beverage of Tejuino is popular throughout the Jalisco region. It is a cold beverage made from fermented corn, the same kind used for tortillas and tamales. The masa is mixed with water and piloncillo (raw form of pure cane sugar) and boiled until it thickens. Serve on ice and enjoy!
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