Take note that I am notoriously a miser when it comes to giving 5 star reviews because I think 5…read morestars = perfection and there's almost always something that can be done to improve the experience. But. But, but, but... I would actually give La Madalena SIX stars. Service and ambiance were truly outstanding. Food was equally exceptional. From the moment we arrived, we were treated like honored guests. Servers were plentiful, professional, humorous and attentive. Our primary server was Alexis and his service was stellar - not only did he attend to our every request with a smile - he anticipated and was proactive. We also had a table side mixologist whose name escapes me (sorry!) but he was wonderful as well - making suggestions and creating specialty drinks on the fly. The staff made us feel like the only customers in the restaurant. Five of us succumbed to "eyes bigger than stomach" and ordered way too much food. We found the extensive menu both challenging (because *everything* sounded delicious) and exciting. Our favorites included (but were not limited to these because every dish we tried was outstanding): the Ceviche de Coliflor, Queso Fundido, Queso Quemado, Ensalada Verde con Vinagreta de Aguacate, and Beef Tenderloin for 2. Note that the presentation for the vast variety of steaks is quite impressive. All in all, they surpassed every single one of our expectations on this special night. I highly recommend you get yourself there and let the fine folks at La Madalena treat you right!

Amazing! Upon arriving, the mere walk into the front of the restaurant was so surreal. Arriving…read morearound the time of sunset in the summer was peak! Kudos to the builder. The restaurant sits directly on water and you're able to go out and enjoy the views before and/or after your meal. The staff was extremely pleasant. Inside the restaurant was very modern and chic, with a cool library theme. The restaurant itself is very upscale with a view of the kitchen as your meals are prepared. The food presentations were excellent and quality was nice but not my cup of tea for the entree (shrimp). I wish I could go back and reorder a steak or something different lol. It was just ok, but presentation made up for it! The bread was excellent and drinks were fun! I'd return but I highly recommend it for those wanting to get a change of pace from resort meals.

We did a little research on nearby restaurants and came across Santos Mariscos. We were craving for…read moresome fresh seafood. As soon as we arrived, I instantly liked the sheltered outdoor seating. The host, Leonardo, warmly welcomed us and told us we can sit anywhere. Then our server, Hugo, displayed their lavish premium seafood to us. It was super cool to listen to his brief presentation. We placed our orders and soon afterwards we were enjoying our dinner. The service was pretty good with them checking on us but when it came to time for the check, our server got really busy so we had to flag him down. All in all, the prices were fair, our food was fresh and staff were super friendly which made this restaurant a hidden gem that we discovered.

The mariscos here are amazing -- Super fresh, full of flavor, and prepared perfectly every time…read more The surf & turf burrito is another standout... it's packed, juicy, and honestly one of the best I've tried anywhere. The restaurant itself is very clean, comfortable, and welcoming, but what really made the experience even better was our server, Yair. He was incredibly attentive from the moment we sat down -- constantly checking in without being pushy, making sure we had everything we needed, and giving great recommendations. You can tell he genuinely cares about the customers and takes pride in his service. His energy and professionalism made the whole visit feel smooth and enjoyable. Definitely recommend this spot, especially if Yair is your server!

As you might expect, the Mexican restaurant inside an all inclusive resort in Mexico would be a…read moregreat experience, and Tamarindo was definitely that. Not only was the food excellent, but the decor was really nice, and the air conditioning worked well making it a nice respite from other areas of the resort where it either wasn't available at all, or wasn't very cold. I recomm nd the flank steak, and definitely the marinated tuna tostada. The tuna was one of the most excellent dishes I had on the whole trip. Perfect taste and texture.

I stayed at the Secrets resort and decided to check out Tamarindo, an onsite restaurant. Wow wow…read morewow! I should have taken more pictures of the restaurant because it was so well decorated and had a really cool/authentic Mexico vibe. An order of guacamole was placed and the waiter made the guac right on the spot! So fun I ordered the nopales (cactus) salad and it was amazing and fresh. Then I had the chicken mole with rice and tortillas. HIT THE SPOT for a hungry gal. Very flavorful and the mole sauce was fantastico! Ordered a piece of blueberry cheesecake and a slice of tres leches cake to go. They were just the right size to have as a late night snack. I cannot forget to mention we had a great and attentive waiter. Definitely check this place out when you're at Dreams and Secrets resort!

The food, service and ambiance were all great. Very friendly and welcoming. My kids loved the…read moreburger and fries. They were all homemade and tasted delicious . I had an octopus cocktail that was so good!!

Food is fresh and well seasoned. This place is a place to visit multiple times. Well doneread more

Food is delicious and fresh! Servicio es muy bueno! Me enchanta su plato de mahi mahi! Beachside…read moreambiance is quite romantic en las noches!!

In the entire resort (Dreams Vallarta Bay Resort), Castaways has the best food. This restaurant is…read morepart of the all inclusive hotel. So if you are not staying at the resort, you can't come into this restaurant to eat. The restaurant is partly open patio sitting. My favourite here is their piñata drink. This place makes it better than all other bars at the resort. I had their ribs and it was good but I do wish it was fall off the bones. I really like the scallop and shrimp cold appetizer. Their dinner steak is really good too. I recommend the tenderloin. Service is great here

A must-visit in Puerto Vallarta! Some people at the club we were at recommend Pepe's…read more A large group (bachelorette party x bachelor party combined) trekked over here at 3am and it was 1. cash-only and 2. very hot!! At first, we panicked, but we persisted. The tacos were delicious and the service was attentive. Bathrooms were not clean, but you don't go there for the bathroom. The al pastor were fresh, juicy, tender, and delicious. Great flavor and lots of spice.

There are places that simply serve food--and then there are places that become part of your story…read more Pepe's Tacos is exactly that for me. Having come here since I was 10 years old, this iconic taquería isn't just a local favorite--it's a timeless institution that continues to define what truly exceptional tacos should be. Since 1987, Pepe's has built a reputation that extends far beyond Puerto Vallarta, and one visit is all it takes to understand why. The star of the show--their legendary tacos al pastor--is nothing short of extraordinary. The pork is expertly marinated and cooked to perfection, resulting in meat that is incredibly juicy, tender, and bursting with deep, savory flavor. Each slice is carved with precision and layered onto warm tortillas, creating a perfect foundation for what comes next. What truly elevates these tacos is the balance of toppings. The sweetness of the pineapple and the sharpness of the fresh onions cut through the richness of the meat beautifully, enhancing every bite with contrast and complexity. It's a masterclass in simplicity done right--every ingredient playing its role to perfection. Beyond the food, the experience itself is just as memorable. The service is impressively fast and efficient, especially considering how popular this spot is, and there's an undeniable energy in the air that makes it feel alive at all hours. It's the kind of place you can count on for a late-night bite, where the atmosphere is casual, vibrant, and always welcoming. Pepe's Tacos isn't about reinvention or trend--it's about consistency, tradition, and delivering excellence time and time again. Decades later, it still holds its place as one of the best taco spots in Puerto Vallarta, and for good reason. Some things never change--and when they're this good, they absolutely shouldn't.

Tasty resort restaurant focused on seafood right by the main pool at Secrets Vallarta Bay. Best…read moreplace to eat with a view of the ocean. Fully open air, but the proximity to the water gives you a steady breeze to stay somewhat cool. Ceviche here is good and the catch of the day is always a good idea. They also serve sandwiches and burgers, plus it's a solid casual option. They'll let you in as long as you're not soaking wet from the pool.

12/29/24 My family…read moreand I came here for breakfast pretty much every day that we stayed at the resort. Everything tasted great for each morning that we were there. The staff were super courteous and very attentive to our needs. The restaurant sits just above the beach so it can get a little noisy closer to lunch time.

Barcelona Tapas was easily one of the highlights of my trip to Puerto Vallarta…read more I came for the rooftop views and sunset, but the entire experience exceeded my expectations. The food was fresh, beautifully presented, and full of flavor. Every dish I ordered felt thoughtfully prepared. The service was exceptional. The staff made me feel welcome from the moment I arrived, and to top it off they surprised me with a complimentary dessert. It was such a thoughtful gesture that made an already great evening even more memorable. During dinner, there was a live flamenco performance that completely elevated the atmosphere. Watching the dancers as the sun set over the bay created one of those travel moments I'll remember for a long time. If you're visiting Puerto Vallarta and want incredible food, attentive service, and one of the best rooftop dining experiences in the city, Barcelona Tapas is absolutely worth the visit. I'll be back the next time I'm in Puerto Vallarta.

I went to Barcelona Tapas each time I visit Puerto Vallarta. I made reservations for 6:30, so I…read morecould experience the sunset. It did not disappoint. It is outdoor seating. I was placed by the glass for the view. (It can be requested, but not expected.) The martinis were great. I got the fried goat cheese and the ham & chicken croquettes. My party of 3 went to just me, so that was enough. It would have been nice to try some other things, but it was my last night in PV and what I got was satisfying. Live music was playing throughout my evening. First, just a guitarist and then, 2 others joined him. Great vibe and wonderful food. Just right for my last night.

Delicious food. Fairly reasonably priced for beach front dining. Tomato and watermelon salad with…read morecilantro, pepitas, and a tiny amount of blue cheese crumble. ¡Delusiosa!

A standout of our experience. Such a great vibe. They had a reggae band when we came which was…read moreabsolutely fantastic. Service was good, and guacamole and drinks were also amazing. Will be thinking about this place when I'm home!!

Caper's is one of the two "formal" dining options that are part of the joined together Secrets and…read moreDreams resorts Vallarta Bay with this one being on the Dreams side (not adults only). I have made my scruples with the dress code known in other reviews, and I'll do it here. Long pants are a ridiculous requirement in a climate as hot and humid as this one. You will see my legs for approximately the time it takes me to walk from the host stand to the table, at which point they disappear from view. This is a silly requirement, and it should go away. That aside, this restaurant was not what I had hoped. While I didn't expect something ranking in my top Italian experiences ever list while in Mexico, I was hoping for something on par with the other really solid dining options at the resort. Neither the food, nor the service, lived up to our expectations. The meal took almost two hours, we didn't even see our appetizers for the first hour. It was not particularly busy in there. Unlike the french restaurant counterpart on the Secrets side, the service was not attentive here at all, and nothing was done to try and make up for the problems in the kitchen. When the food ultimately did arrive, it was okay. Sauces were too thin, not sticking to the noodles and ending up more like a broth at the bottom of the bowls. Proteins, which are a strength of the resort cooking in general, were tasty and juicy. Pasta didn't have the taste or appearance of being made in house, which for the upscale vibe they're presenting (and you are paying for) was disappointing to me. That would be a simple way to elevate the experience, though of course taking more prep. This particular restaurant fell short, but we were overall pleased with our dining options at Secrets.

The service was Soo lovely and friendly that I feel a bit bad to give them 2 stars. I didn't enjoy…read morethe food because I think I cook better without much effort. I got the catch of the day fish...Soo dry. My hubby said he liked the asparagus soup but I did not like it. The pastas tasted "healthy" if you know what I mean. Like bland and that wheat grainy texture. The lasagna was way too salty. The burrata was not bad while the Bruschetta was probably the best thing. Would I go back? No, I rather stick with the buffet or Mexican food.