These restaurants all sound lovely, but what if you are dining alone and, unfortunately, are also an "older" woman. Are these restaurants still good recommendations or are there others more suitable.

Well I am 'of a certain age' and most often solo in PV & always have a nice dinner out somewhere each night. I usually pick the more casual places because that's more comfortable for me, than the ones mentioned above on this thread.

baglady--- what part of town will you be staying in? i can make some specific recommendations if you tell me a bit more what you are looking for.

Thanks, suze, for responding. This will be my first trip to PV, though I've travelled to other places in Mexico and Europe. I will be staying at the Playa Los Arcos the first week in Nov. I enjoy restaurants with a fun atmosphere as opposed to romantic. I've heard good things about Mariscos so thought I'd try there. Any recommendations would be appreciated.

Perfect location! In my opinion, as I love that part of Puerto Vallarta best.

Right near your hotel is a street called Basilo Badillo also dubbed "restaurant row". You can easily stroll this street and find lots of places that will suit you. Cafe de Olla is very popular and just a couple blocks from your hotel. There's a lady who sells excellent fresh squeezed fruit juice in front of it.

La Pizelle (or something like that) is a popular Italian place with a patio (I believe facing Olas Altas).

Fonda !Chiles! Calle Pulpito #122 is a terrific place to stop for lunch on the way home from the beach. Run by two Canadian guys it's casual and extremely inexpensive. They do roast chicken, hamburgers, like that.

There's Cafe Angel and Page in the Sun (both on Olas Altas) which are nice morning coffee spots. For a full breakfast I like Fredys El Tucan (corner of Vallarta and B Badillo) at Posada de Roger hotel, try for a table on the patio and have an omelette or pancakes.

For a special dinner go to The Red Cabbage. You can walk (~15 mins out Lazaro Cardenas then right when you see the bridge, go past Los Arbolitos restaurants and its two blocks and on the right) or take a taxi to Calle Rivera del Rio 204A. Excellent Mexican food in fun atsmosphere. Very comfortable for a single, but go early i the evening when they first open ~5:00 or make a reservation.

The places on the beach are nice too. For instance eating single I would find Daquari Dicks too formal, but would pick one of the others. They're all in a line right on the beach, I just take a walk and choose one where I like the look of the place, the waiters, the menu. Some have tables right down on the sand, lit by torches, etc.

As you can probably tell I love PV very much and have spent many many happy vacations there. I haven't been in a couple years though, so hopefully my information is current.

Suze - We also are going to PV, the first week of Oct., and renting a villa by Los Arcos, but are taking (well-behaved) older children (10,13)...any suggestions for fun restaurants around there? There is a staff for cooking meals, so we will eat most of them in, but will have dinner out a couple nights. Any help you can provide would be great! Thanks!

*KID FRIENDLY PV RESTAURANTS*

Cafe de Olla is quite popular so there's a line up at dinner time (which I avoid) but rather go in for lunch or mid-afternoon. It's got a BBQ on the sidewalk and decor that's what you think of as 'Mexican restaurant'. Excellent quesedillas, etc.

Chili's is a very casual, sand on the floor, patio kind of place. It has kid-friendly food choices like burgers and chicken. It's on a side street (Pulpito) between Olas Altas and the beach so makes a perfect stop for lunch on your way home from a morning at the beach. I don't think they're open in the evenings.

On Basilo Badillo (walking inland it's on the left just after you cross Vallarta the main street) is the fabulous Memo's Casa de Hotcakes which has all kinds of pancake flavors and again a cheery family friendly atmosphere. It's popular with Mexican families on weekends as well as the tourists. One person gave is a bad review here recently but I've always had fine food there over the years.

Il Torrito's on Vallarta is an extremely touristy sports bar which I am fond of (for whatever reason). They have great ribs platters, fried shrimp baskets and the like. Eat upstairs in the open air dining room with a dozen or so TV's going.

Oh yes, and don't miss the ice cream! Dolphy's and Bings are both local stores popular with families.

AND Pie in the Sky bakery. It's located out in Bucerias, but they have a shop on Vallarta just before you go over the bridge into downtown & their products are available in a frig case at G. Rizo supermercado also nearby.

As with my disclaimer above I haven't been down in a couple years and things change fast in PV, but I'm pretty sure these places are all current.

^^^

Thanks so much, suze. I have printed out your recommendations and can hardly wait to try them. I'll definitely go to Fonda! Chiles! since I'm a Canuck.

no problem. my only warning it that Puerto Vallarta can be addicting... you may start planning your next trip during this one. each year i look around at other hotels, new restaurants, etc. because i know i'll be back before too long!

This is a great thread. Thanks.

suze,

We will be in PV for one night in February after spending 5 at Majahuitas. We are currently staying at the Villa Premiere. We will have one dinner in PV. Regardless of price, and location (ocean vs. city view) where would eat? It will be our last night of vacation, so I'd like it to be special. I was originally thinking of La Palapa, but with all the other suggestions on this thread and others, I am beginning to rethink that. What do YOU think? Thanks for all the information you have provided for this and countless other threads that I have browsed.

-Bill

hi Bill, thanks for the kind words. that's a tough one (to pick only one restaurant for dinner)!

one of the restaurants on Playa Los Muertos around sunset is always wonderful. with the strolling mariachi bands and when they light torches after the sun goes down. i have not been to La Palapa but it gets good reviews and has a great setting.

for me personally i'd probably to go The Red Cabbage which is kind of funky and hidden up in a neighborhood but it's not a high-end place by any means. interesting Mexican recipes.

for something more upscale and 'foodie' Trio in downtown gets good talk. again I am a bit out of my element because I never eat anywhere too expensive in PV.

the rooftop bar at Chez Elena/Cuatro Vientos hotel is an exceptional place for a drink and to see the city view but the restaurant is hit or miss over the years.

i have had great steak at a couple of the Argentinian grills around town.

So back to your predicament, honestly with only one night I'd probably choose to eat at the beach, and suggest you stick with your original idea of La Palapa.

Cafe de Artistes? I thought the food was fabulous -- didn't know if I should eat it or photograph it. Expensive, of course. The River Cafe bar is quite nice for a drink and some jazz -- great ambience; didn't think the restaurant was all that great though. Don't know if this place still exists -- Le Cliff-- okay the food is good, not great but the views are unbelievable. Have fun.