Puerta Vallarta
 

I am going to PV in November and would like some suggestions for authentic local food/restuarants.

Thank you.

I like the restaurants along Basilo Badillo (restaurant row) on the south-side of the river in Old Town including:

Cafe de Olla, Joe Jacks Fish Shack, and Fajita Republic for lunch or dinner. For breakfast, Memo's Casa de Hotcakes and Fredy's El Tucan are both excellent.

Also:
The Red Cabbage in Remance
Mariscos Tino's in Pitilal

Don't miss the most authentic local food - the various street and sidewalk taco stands!

Also roast chicken stand. You get chicken, whole or cut-up in pieces to-go, usually along with tortillas, red sauce, and a couple potatoes.

Ditto Suze, but I wonder why you never mention my favorite PiPi's. PiPi's 4 blocks up from the Malecon is very lively, you meet other people and its fun as well as very tasty food & margaritas at a reasonable price.
Add Margaritas on Basilio Badilla for breakfast, as well as Karpathos (off Olas Altas. Los Arcos has a decent breakfast buffet and its right on the beach in old town.

Two plates of ribs for the price of one is a good deal at El Torito in Old town. Bruja, also for dinner.

because i've never been to Pipi's
:-)

Pipi's is a must. Try it, you'll like it! I'll even meet you there in November.

Pipi's is for tourists, none of us locals go there.
Not authentic by any stretch of the imagination.

Since I have an FM3 document, I doubt I am considered a tourist and I love PiPi's. The food is good, the staff is great and it is fun to meet so many interesting people there from all over the world. Red Cabbage is my favorite as well as several others in this post, but I still would not pass up PiPi's!

no offense meant. my comment was not a slight to Pipi's, truly I've just never been. can't even recall noticing it walking by. it's not on my radar since I pretty much always eat south-of-the-river somewhere.

Suze, I believe she was referring to Carbon's just a bit elitist comment. Just because a café caters to lots of tourist does not make it bad. IE The Red Cabbage is a great example of a real Mexican café that has hordes of gringos. Even the owner Ms. Lola Bravo while of Mexican heritage was actually born & raised in Colorado.

SI

Thanks everyone.

Blondlady, are you there the week of Nov. 17th, I will be there with 3 girlfriends (husbands are staying home)

Might be fun to meet at Pipis.

Again, thanks everyone for the great suggestions.

Yes I'll be there, sounds like a good idea. what time and what date?

As we arrive Friday, Nov. 17/06,why don't we aim for early in the week. Is that good for you or what would you suggest?

We all live in the Toronto area and are staying in the old part of PV.

Have you ever heard of a small hotel called Casa Isabel?

HOlA, yes Isabel is on high ground so you have a fabulous view. I am closer to the beach, actually on the beach off Olas Altas. How about Monday the 20th, about 6:00 pm. that beats the crowd. I will wear a pinkish/fusha colored BOW in my short hair and will look rediculous so you'll recognize me. I don't know the ship schedules for November this year. When the ships are in the tours and great restaurants fill up early. Cafe La Dulce Vita on the Malecon, PiPi's and Cafe de Olla all have BIG waiting lines after 6:00 pm. Shall I leave my husband to fend for himself or more the merrier? Either way Nov 20th, I'll be at PiPi's. Cheers,

Blondlady:

This is fun.

We will move heaven and earth to be there. Please bring husband as I am certain he is brave and by that time on the 20th various bodies may accompany us. You know how as the day progresses people join in.

Monday, November 20th, 6 p.m. at Pipis.

Looking forward to meeting you and seeing the beautiful bow!!!!!!!!

blondlady

Hope you are ok. You were not a Pipis,we were there at 6 and stayed until about 10. Sorry you were not able to make it but Pipis was GREAT!!!!

We pretty much enjoyed everything in PV. We stayed at Casa Isabel which possibly has the most beautiful view on could ever wish for and only a 5 minute walk to the beach. Plan to return to Casa Isabel many times.

Thanks again.

HOLA - ALAS I was there at PiPi's at 6:00 pm until 6:20 pm. WITH a ridiculous fusha bow in my hair. How could we miss. I waited outside sitting on the curb. I told the restaurant people I was trying to meet someone. So Sorry we missed. We had eaten there a couple days before so went on to Agave Grill a few blocks away. Glad you enjoyed PiPi's though. Maybe see you next time.

Oh no, guess it wasn't meant to be.

We had such a great time an even larger group of "girls" will be returning next year, hope to see you then.

We loved Casa Isabel, what fun!!!

If you are ever in the area tell the owners at Casa Isabel, you were the lady with the fushia bow who was to meet "the older girls" who were there in November.

Everyone was involved in the story.

Happy 2007