RESTAURANTS
-WITHIN 2 MINUTES WALK:
Note, however, if you really want a unique dining experience, visit the 'foodie' Versalles neighbourhood - see below. The local restaurants are okay, but don't compare with what you'll find in Versalles.
HECTOR'S - Lunch, Coffee Cafe - can recommend the grilled cheese and the spinach/mushroom omellete. On Fridays 5-8pm there's live music in English, French and Spanish by Chales Diaz, a resident of PortoSanto - very entertaining.
Website: Hector's
Located near the entrance to the Chedraui supermarket.
TACOS CANDORA - Tacos - unpretentious, inexpensive breakfast and lunch
Website: Tacos Candora
Las Garzas across from Portosanto
JARDIN DEL SOL - basic middle of the road Mexican
Website: Jardin del Sol
Las Garzas just to north of PortoSanto in the IV Resorts Hotel
-WITHIN 5 MINUTES WALK:
ABBRACCIO - Italian - huge restaurant - outstanding inexpensive pizza and wine
Website: Abbraccio
Blvd. Francisco Medina Ascencio, where it intersects with road from Krystal Grand Hotel
OUTBACK - Burgers and Steak
Website: OutBack
Blvd. Francisco Medina Ascencio, next door to Abbraccio
MALPASO - Mexican seafood grill
Website: Malpaso
Blvd. Francisco Medina Ascencio, where it intersects with road from Krystal Grand Hotel Cross to the east side and proceed past the Mercedes dealership
ZEFERINO'S – Pizza – un-pretentious entrance that leads into a nice open-air courtyard. Really good pizzas. Recommend the Venecia.
Website: Zeferinos
Blvd. Francisco Medina Ascencio, just north of the Outback parking lot.
PORFIRIO'S - Mexican
Website: Porfirio's
Blvd. Francisco Medina Ascencio, at Peninsula Centre
-WITHIN 15 MINUTES WALK:
FOOD PARK - various ethnic food trucks - outdoor tables - relaxed atmosphere
Website: FoodPark
Blvd. Francisco Medina Ascencio, just south of La Isla Shopping Centre, on east side
CAFE POR FAVOR - Breakfast, Lunch, Coffee - open 8am-3pm. Located inside the Puerto de Luna Condo/Hotel complex. Lovely, relaxing indoor/outdoor airy space.
Website: Cafe Por Favor
2500 Blvd. Francisco Medina Ascencio, just south of FoodPark.
LA VACA ARGENTINA - Argentinian grilled meats, pizzas and pastas - highend - Reservations recommended.
Website: La Vaca Argentina
Blvd. Francisco Medina Ascencio, opposite La Isla Shopping Centre.
LA DOLCE - Italian - specializing in pizza and pasta. Pleasantly surprised by really good pizza, excellent service and very resonable pricing - especially their wines by the glass.. Can recommend the Orto pizza.
Website: La Dolce
Blvd. Francisco Medina Ascencio, behind La Vaca Argentina.
CAMPOMAR - Nayarit style seafood - highend - Reservations recommended.
Website: Campomar
Blvd. Francisco Medina Ascencio, opposite La Isla Shopping Centre, next door to La Vaca Argentina.
-RESTAURANTS IN VERSALLES
(a nearby residential area that is home to several very cool restaurants and cafes – a 30 minute walk, 10 peso bus ride, or 80 peso cab ride)
TRATTORIA CIENTO ONCE - Spacious courtyard yard setting that could be in Italy. Authentic, classical Italian cuisine. IMO, possibly the best restaurant in Versalles. I can recommend the Bruschetta, the Linguini Pesto, and the unbelievable seared, encrusted tuna "Tonno in Crosta". Closed Sundays. Call 322 365 5615 for a reservation.
Facebook: Trattoria Ciento Once
Menu: Menu
Calle Havre 111
OPA BISTRO – Greek – small - authentic – recommend their Saganaki, Calamari, Prawns.
Website: Opa Bistro
Calle Francia No. 199
LAMARA – Seafood – open until 7pm – incredibly well-reviewed – recommend their Aguachile Fresa and Ceviche Tostadas.
Website: Lamara
Calle Hamburgo No. 108
MISCELANEA – Café – cool vibes - closes at 3pm – superb waffles and superb shakshuka. Closed Wednesdays.
Website: Miscelanea
Calle Milan No. 255
HOLA AREPAS – Venezuelan – open for lunch, except Saturdays when it is closed – recommend the Arepa (a gluten-free, white corn pocket bread), filled with ground beef, black beans, Manchego cheese, topped with creamy garlic sauce. Delicious.
Calle Espana No 282
LA BODEGA and CHIANTI'S SPAGHETTERIA - Spanish Tapas and Pasta - their tapas are simply excellent, especially the Camarones, Pinchos and Bruschetta. Try the Passion Fruit Margarita - it is a thing of beauty. Also recommend the Tortellini Panna E Funghi. We enjoy the outdoor seating, attention to detail and superb service. Recommended without a doubt.
Website: La Bodega
Corner Hamburgo and Espana
OREGANO - Caribbean - superb oxtail stew, curries and rice bowls - one of my favourites.
Cash only. Reservations required - call +52 755 131 1505
Aldenaca 130
OLIVE – Greek – on 2 levels overlooking a pool – highly recommended. Probably a good idea to make a reservation. Call 322 146 8783
Website: Olive
Corner of Calle Havre and Calle Yugoslavia
ABULON ANTOJERIA - Seafood. Nice covered outdoor seating. Basic, middle-of-the-road food and pricing. My Grilled Octopus was tender and tasty.
Website: Abulon
Calle Hamburgo 137, near Calle Palm Springs.
SONORITA - Tacos - specializing in tacos "Al Pastor" - very similar to shawarma, except the meat is pork. Huge selection, that also includes beef options. Casual, open until 2:00am. Very popular.
Website: Sonorita
Calle Espana 325, near Calle Hamburgo.
ZENIZAS - Bar and Grill - specializing in ribs, steaks, chops, sausage and burgers. The fries are simply fantastic, twice fried. Has an extensive bar, and some outdoor seating. The half-rack of ribs was pretty good. The restaurant is a bit too big for my liking, but was well-frequented for a mid-week.
Website: Zenizas
Calle Espana 302
FLORIOS - Argentinian/Italian - steaks and pasta. For a high-end culinary experience. Brilliant food, beautifully presented and served. A reservation is a must - use Whatsapp +52 322 222 1765. Can recommend the Filet Mignon, which is accompanied by a medley of superbly grilled vegetables.
Website: Florios
Calle Hamburgo 167
LA CIGALE - Classic French. Lovely courtyard, excellent service and great food. The perfect combination. For reservations use Whatsapp +52 322 470 6500 or eMail
Website: La Cigale
Corner of Calle Espana and Calle Roma
LA TOSCA TRATTORIA - Italian - absolutely worth visiting - a reservation is a good idea - phone 322 365 1509. I can recommend Risotto di Mare, which was superb, and really excellent value at 260 pesos. Also the Veal Piccata.
Website: La Tosca
Calle Espana 323, near Calle Hamburgo.
JUAN TIBURON - Seafood - Very well-reviewed and justifiably so. Good variety of ceviches, (can recommend the Ceviche de Camaron) - as well as grilled octopus, prawns and tuna.
Website: Juan Tiburon
Calle Viena 131
ROSTICERIA EL PECHUGON - Rotisserie chicken at its best. Takeout. Cash only. Located in the Caracol Shopping Centre, facing the parking lot. About 50m past the BBVA Bank.
Corner of Blvd. Francisco Medina Ascencio and Avenida Los Tules
BARBACOW - "Tacos with Style" is their tag-line. And it is well-deserved. The quesadilla chicharron is out of this world. Friendly service in a covered but airy space. Open until 1:30am. Says cash-only on their website, but this is not correct - they do take credit cards ('tarjecta' in Spanish).
Website: Barbacow
Calle Viena at Aldenaca
-RESTAURANTS IN THE MALECON ZONE:
VEGGITALIA - Italian - small, intimate - authentic
Website: Veggitalia
Calle Corona 172
BARCELONA TAPAS - Spanish - for a special night out
Website: Barcelona Tapas
Calle Matamoros 906
VALLARTA FOOD TOURS - see WALKS above.
-RESTAURANTS IN OLD TOWN:
EL DORADO - seafood - literally on the beach in a magical setting - special occasion dining. Be ready to pay C$50 per person!
Website: El Dorado
On the beach. Calle Pulpito No. 102
JOE JACK'S FISH SHACK - Grilled red snapper at a buzzing bar with a rooftop patio. Reasonable pricing.
Website: Joe Jack's
Menu: Menu
Zona Romantica, Basilio Badillo 212
JERUSALEM EXPRESS - Middle Eastern, especially falafel - vegan - closes at 8pm
Website: Jerusalem Express
Calle Manuel M. Dieguez 362
-RESTAURANTS IN THE MARINA:
PEZLIMON - Seafood - limited menu - great prawns, spicy octopus and grilled mahi mahi
Website: Pezlimon
Marina boardwalk
LA TERRAZZA DI ROMA - Italian - classic Italian with white tablecloths
Website: La Terrazza
Marina boardwalk
RINCON DE BUENOS AIRES - Argentinian - cool interior, good service - great steaks - prices similar to what you would pay in Canada for a good steak.
Website: Rincon De Buenos Aires
Marina boardwalk
SONORA GRILL - Steak - high end, full service - extensive menu.
Website: Sonora Grill
At entrance to the Marina at Ave. Paseo de la Marina 121
GROCERIES
CHEDRAUI SUPERMARKET and HYPERMARKET - located right next door to Portosanto. When exiting Portosanto, make a sharp U-Turn into the Chedraui Loading Dock, and proceed along the pathway to the front of the store.
MERCADO PALMAR DE ARAMARA - a 20 minute walk. Open 7am - 5pm, all week. An authentic local market that offers Groceries, Fruits and Vegetables, a Butchery, a Creamery, a Flower Shop, a Juice Bar, Bread, Tortillas, Fish, Poultry and Food Vendors.
Website: Mercado Palmar
Av. Prisciliano Sánchez 2000b, Palmar de Aramara
OLAS ALTAS FARMERS' MARKET Not to be missed - the market is absolutely outstanding. There are substantial number of food stalls, as well as handicrafts, artwork and live music. Saturday only. 9am - 2pm.
Catch the bus - 10 pesos - down to the market and taxi back - 120 pesos. Our favourite purchases are: empanadas, spanokopita, paella, vegetarian spring rolls, guava-orange juice, artisan wholewheat bread, salted cashews.
Credit cards not accepted by most vendors, so don't forget to bring cash, and several shopping bags.
Website: Olas Altas Market
Lazaro Cardenas Park, Zona Romantico, 9am - 2pm Saturdays. Definitely worth a visit.
LA COMER SUPERMARKET and HYPERMARKET - located on the edge of Versalles - an 80 peso taxi ride. Higher-end than Chedraui. In fact, one of the best of its kind that I have visited. Extensive gourmet grocery and gluten-free sections. In particular, I like their marinated chicken.
Av. Fluvial Vallarta, No.63 - next door to Costco
COSTCO - located on the edge of Versalles - an 80 peso taxi ride. They accept Canadian Costco Membership Cards.
Av. Fluvial Vallarta, No.134 - next door to La Comer
ALEX SAUSAGES PV - has an extensive range of pork, beef, turkey, chicken and vegan sauasages. See website below. Delivery to your door. Cash only. Can personally recommend the South African Boerewors (beef) - have ordered this several times.
Order via Whatsapp 322 120 1841.
Website: Alex Sausages