CAFÉ DES ARTISTES 
Our favorite and Puerto Vallarta's most famous gourmet restaurant! They now have three restaurants in one location.  We especially enjoyed the pumpkin and prawn soup as an appetizer and the duckling as a main course.  Desserts are great!  Beautiful presentation by French chef Thierry Blouet - almost like France. Reservations are important and we suggest you request seating in the garden.  Live dinner music with piano and flute.

THE RIVER CAFÉ
Located at the Rio Cuale Island below the lower bridge on Ignacio Vallarta.  The natural setting of the River Café has been made even lovelier through careful tending of the riverbank garden that continues in the restaurant patio.  You can have breakfast, lunch and dinner in a beautiful garden setting with Mexican and international menu items.  Great duckling!   River Café usually has live music and a very nice selection of art by local artists.

TRIO
The owner is the former chef of Café Maximilian's and has come up with a very creative menu and excellent food.  Open lunch and dinner.  Now air conditioned, but feels like an outside garden setting.  Trios features a rotating art collection by well know local artists.  Reservations recommended.

CILANTRO'S. 
Casual gourmet dining with a modern Mexican and West Coast influence.  Jazz is offered in the evenings. 
 
LA NUBE
Authentic Italian Cuisine and atmosphere.  Friendly service and great view.  Gourmet touch by Chef Thierry (of Café des Artistes).  Live music. 

 
CARLOS O'BRIENS
Right downtown on the Malecon. A Vallarta stand-by for many years.  The barbecue ribs are great and the drinks are good but be prepared for lots of noise.  Fine for people who like to listen to loud music, dance on the tables, and have a fun evening.  Frequently there is a wait to get in at night. 

LAS PALOMA  
This downtown restaurant is right on the Malecon and has been around for years.  It's a great spot to stop for breakfast or lunch when you are downtown shopping.  If you eat in the bar, you can order the little tacos, which makes a great light lunch, but they don't serve them in the dining room.  Good Mexican food and great avocado soup. 

LE BISTROL
Located on the Cuale River Island below the upper bridge on Insurgentes.  Very nice atmosphere.  Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, but we prefer it for lunch.  Live piano music.  Closed on Sundays. 
 
LA BODEQUITA DEL MEDIO
Traditional Cuban restaurant and bar.  Designed to copy the original La Bodequita del Medio in Cuba where Hemingway used to hang out.  Ask for a felt pen to autograph the wall. 
 
DE SANTOS
Mediterranean style cuisine in a dynamic architectural environment.  Best bet is the pizza.  One of the owners is from the famous Mexican group Mana, and music is very much part of the environment here.  A state-of-the-art sound system kicks into DJ style action after 10:30 pm.  A great place to see the beautiful people of Vallarta and Guadalajara.