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    La Palapa

    4.3 (1.1k reviews)
    Ultra High-EndMexican
    Closed 8:30 am - 11:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    La Palapa Photos

    LA PALAPA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Romantic
    Good for groups
    Dogs allowed

    Recommended Reviews - La Palapa

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    Reviews With Photos

    Chocolate Heart with Vanilla Ice Cream
    Adam O.

    My husband and I went to La Palapa in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Make sure to have a reservation prior to arrival. I'll recommend after booking your flight - then go online and reserve for this restaurant. Best ocean view for dinner and make sure to time it right for the best sunset view experience . We were there for Valentines Day as they featured a special menu. Food was delicious - I ordered a yummy salmon and my husband had a chicken. I'll recommended to order a bottle of wine as it's the better deal than single glasses. No complaints at all and this place truly gives a romantic experience and for those travelling in friend groups - gives the best memories as well. Def recommend.

    Bailey's cheesecake
    Shivani T.

    Service -10/10 Ambience - 10/10 Food - 9/10 Lovely sunset, tikis around the table, ocean waves!! It was perfect!! Service - great servers, very welcoming and patient with our speed of ordering food Food- we ordered - 3 appetisers 4 main course 2 desserts to share 4 drinks All of the food was good but I am not giving 10 because I don't crave for anything again. I have had food which is 10/10 and you want to go and eat again and again!!

    Menu
    Rob M.

    Oceanfront dining right on the beach! An amazing atmosphere with friendly servers. Be prepared to be approached 50 times by vendors (including multiple times by the same kids on a Friday night), but please be polite! They are. The food was also delicious. We ordered the seabass and the local fish. Great experience.

    Ambiance
    Alyson W.

    Absolutely beautiful restaurant - so romantic. We came for Valentine's Day and were disappointed that there was only a limited menu, although the waiter explained they had something crazy like 500 reservations that day so they had to condense the menu. Service was a bit rushed - we had to ask for bread, and waited a while for our entrees. Still, I think it was because they were so busy. They also had a great live band. Food was just ok and with a small portion considering the price. Coconut shrimp was the standout!

    Brandy G.

    When on a recent vacation in Puerto Vallarta, La Palapa was hands down everyone in my group's favorite restaurant that we dined on during the entire trip. Everything about the dining experience was perfection. From the chic ambience to the beachside views and guitarist softly playing songs in the background to the delicious food - I can't rave about the experience enough. There's a reason it's been a Puerto Vallarta staple for decades. Highlights from the menu we tried: - pork belly (so tender and flavorful) - Al Pastor Pork Potstickers : These were a unique and crunchy dish. Not as good as the pork belly but definitely worth a try. - Pork Roulade (stuffed with chorizo, sweet potato, pecan, mulato pepper sauce, and goat cheese this was such a unique dish that I didnt leave a single bite of) - lychee martini : a speciatly cocktail of the night, it had a perfectly sweet yet tart flavor - opera cake : the perfect sweet ending to a delicious dining experience La Palapa will definitely be somewhere I return next time I'm in town.

    Fish tacos
    Cynthia B.

    We tried La Papalapa on recommendation from our resort local host. We are SO glad we tried it! We had lunch here twice. They made me the best skinny cucumber margarita and the food is amazing. My husband loved the ahi tuna stack! We also dined on the red snapper, fish tacos, guacamole and chips. We loved the food and our server, Hose was absolutely fabulous. Great service! He was so nice and made some great suggestions to us. He is a wonderful server. Beautiful location!

    James G.

    Food: 5/5 (came for drinks only) Service: 5/5 Ambiance: 5/5 What a perfect spot to have a drink, catch the sunset and people watch all at the same time. They also had a live singer performing with added to the relaxing vibe of this beachfront restaurant. Where else can you dig your feet in the sand while you enjoy your margarita in the PV. I definitely recommend sitting in one of the outdoor tables closest to the restaurant since those tables have fans to keep you cool while taking in the views. The tables closer to the beach do not have fans so sit there only if it's cool. The service was wonderfully attentive, flexible, and always with a smile.

    Arthur L.

    So we walked along the beach from our hotel and arrived at La Palapa, and right away it sets the tone. The entire front portion of the restaurant sits directly in the sand, so that's where we chose to have breakfast--under the iconic palapa roof, feet in the sand, overlooking the ocean. From our table you can watch the fishing boats and excursion boats heading out for the day, which gives the whole experience a relaxed, resort-like rhythm without feeling touristy or rushed. Service was excellent from the start--attentive, warm, and genuinely welcoming. They brought out a selection of pastries you can add if you want, like banana bread and cinnamon rolls, which felt like a thoughtful touch rather than an upsell. The coffee was very good, with plenty of options ranging from cappuccinos and café lattes to classic American coffee, all well prepared. For food, I ordered the scrambled eggs with Mexican chorizo, refried beans, and hash browns. It came with a basket of warm corn tortillas and several house salsas, letting you customize each bite. Everything was flavorful, comforting, and clearly made with care. We also ordered the shrimp eggs Benedict with spinach, which was beautifully done--rich, balanced, and fresh, with the shrimp cooked just right. One thing that really stands out is the ambiance. Being right on the beach, hearing the waves, feeling the breeze, and being encouraged (without being told) to slow down and take your time makes the meal feel like part of the vacation itself, not just fuel for the day. They also offer freshly squeezed juices, which pair perfectly with breakfast by the ocean. The menu is extensive, almost overwhelming in a good way--there are so many appealing options that it's genuinely hard to decide. That said, what we ordered was absolutely delicious and satisfying, and it left us wanting to come back and try more. Overall, La Palapa delivers on every level: location, atmosphere, food, and service. It's the kind of place where breakfast turns into a memory, not just a meal.

    Inside looking out
    Peter M.

    When you come to a beach town like Puerto Vallarta, for the first time, you have to conduct extensive homework. One of the top restaurants on my list, was La Palapa. After arriving mid afternoon, I made reservations to head there for dinner. The location did not disappoint. There were elegant dining tables inside, in an open air setting. But it was those numerous tables outside on the sand, that were captivating. I precisely planned my arrival about 45 minutes before sunset and you would not believe what I saw. I was paralyzed with all the hues, colors and light at the horizon. The setting sun was making love to the ocean. A stunning place for pictures and to make you feel alive. So how was the food? Whenever I dine at seaside locations it has to be seafood and hopefully local preparations and catch. So on the menu, I started with the lobster and shrimp taquito. It came out with two taquitos that were soft on the outside so much more like a crêpe like consistency, but wow, what flavor outside even in the filling and taste. Really amazing. For the main, they had a zearandiado type fish fillet. It came with vegetables and a garlic rice (which was horrible). They immediately replaced it for mashed potato at my request. Service was nothing short of exceptional, and I couldn't get enough of the progressive sunset. Took numerous pictures which I have posted. Wow.

    Sunset
    Toni C.

    What's not to love about this restaurant. Atmosphere is 5 Star. Spectacular view especially at sunset. Tables available on the sand or inside the restaurant, all with a view. Our waiter was very attentive and friendly with professional service as well as the service staff. The bread basket is an unexpected surprise....the bread!!! SO DELICIOUS as well as the creamy butter. Be sure and order the Tortilla Soup. It's nothing like you've ever had before...it was the best. I would definitely recommend this restaurant if you're looking for fine dining in the Malecón area of Puerto Vallarta.

    The view from our table with the ocean and boats
    Donnelly N.

    We went here on our first night in Puerto Vallarta. So cool! We got a table right on the beach so I took off my shoes and dug my toes in the sand. Such a unique and romantic setting! The food was really good. We both got fish. I had the seabass that was more of a coconut curry type sauce and my husband got the local fish that he loved. We split the salad which was great too! The servers were really nice, friendly and attentive. The dining room/bar area had live music playing that was all fun mellow 80s/90s music and the perfect decibel level from the beach. Since you are on the beach there are a bunch of kids that come by asking you to buy things. They were all weird light up headbands and things I would never buy so I felt kind of bad. Next time I would bring some candy with me to give to the kids.

    Dan S.

    First off the location cannot be beat. We went on a Friday night for sunset and it was such a vibe. Service was good though a second drink that we ordered didn't get delivered until we asked again and dinner was nearly done. As to the food, it was very good but there were still bits that weee frustrating. Beef was ordered medium rare; it came out well done. The potstickers had a sauce that was overly sweet. But the coconut shrimp was delish as was the beet salad. I enjoyed the red snapper too. A good portion. And the margaritas were delish. Prices are expensive for PV but reasonable compared to the States. And watching the sunset is pretty epic while sitting in the sand.

    Ceviche
    Guillermo R.

    Been coming here over the years and sitting on the beach for a casual lunch brings back good memories. The restaurant and beach club are definitely fun spots. Only had the ceviche on this trip and it's a must order. I wouldn't share it : ) super fresh lots of avocado and it's a dry style vs the more traditional soupy or wet style I am used to. Lots more on the menu to taste. Lunch has its own menu, dinner is more classic.

    The molten lava chocolate cake dessert

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    Overpriced with waiters with their hand out. Good for drinks but mostly a tourist trap with a great view

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    Page 1 of 28

    La Palapa Reviews in Other Languages

    Pancho's Takos - Al pastor This plate is sooo loaded we had to quickly plan our strategy to tackle it!

    Pancho's Takos

    4.6(1.3k reviews)
    0.3 km
    $

    Simple and Delicious Tacos Be prepared to wait, line forms…read moreto the right and moves quickly. Study the menu before you are seated- it's long with many choices. Taco Al Pastor is the favorite and worth the hype Seating is tight, servers want to move tables quickly Order less than you think you can eat, always the option to order more, but Take Away is NOT permitted Prices are fair for the quality of food.

    Charcoal fired al pastor tacos are my new obsession, and Pancho's delivers the most overstuffed…read morestreet sized tacos I have ever seen. These things are too big to eat straight. You have to pluck a third of the meat with your fingers just to get the tortilla to structurally hold. There is always a line. On a random Tuesday it stretched down the street long before the door opened. I waited twenty five minutes at four in the afternoon for a seat inside. No to go orders, no doggy bags. You eat what you order and leave behind your self respect. The dining room is packed tighter than a turtle's pecker. A dozen staff members move around each other like bees tending the hive, the rhythm wild and relentless. The tacos themselves are intimidatingly large, the vibe unlike anything I have ever seen. Come for the al pastor, and come hungry. If you cannot finish, no option exists but to weep over the abandoned morsels.

    Photos
    Pancho's Takos - View from my little table

    View from my little table

    Pancho's Takos - Al Pastor - the star of the show! Beware! It is very loaded! I can usually eat 6-8 tacos, and I can only eat 4 of these!

    Al Pastor - the star of the show! Beware! It is very loaded! I can usually eat 6-8 tacos, and I can only eat 4 of these!

    Pancho's Takos - Al pastor

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    Al pastor

    Sonorita

    Sonorita

    4.6(274 reviews)
    0.5 km

    Our new favorite taco joint. We went there, were seated right away. Service was good and fast…read more We ordered the casa fundido with Al Pastor on top. It's thicker, more cheesy than what I've ever had before and very delicious. We paired that with the prime rib tacos, it was a plate stacked with meat and 4 tortillas under it, more than we could eat. The seasoning was great, it was diced so small that it was easy to eat. I got a virgin strawberry margarita, the wife got a coke. It was very affordable.

    Here's a stronger, balanced version that includes those details while keeping the review credible:…read more I was honestly surprised to see this place rated so highly because our experience was pretty disappointing. We ordered the ribeye, al pastor, and chorizo tacos. The ribeye had so much fat that we had to pick through it just to eat it. The al pastor was very average - I've had much better at plenty of other taco spots. The biggest disappointment was the chorizo. It wasn't traditional chorizo at all; it looked and tasted more like chopped-up hot dogs. We barely touched it because it wasn't what we ordered expecting, and it just wasn't good. The presentation also wasn't appealing. The meat was simply piled on top of two tortillas, making everything messy and difficult to eat. They were also pretty stingy with the grilled jalapeños. The salsas didn't do the food any favors either. None of them really stood out, and the green guacamole salsa actually tasted like it had gone bad, so we stopped eating it. Service was attentive, but almost too attentive. Staff kept coming by every few minutes to ask if we were finished or if we needed anything. While I appreciate good service, it made us feel like we were being rushed through our meal instead of being able to enjoy it at our own pace. Overall, I don't understand the high ratings based on our experience. With so many amazing taco spots in Puerto Vallarta, this one didn't come close to meeting the hype. Unfortunately, we won't be coming back.

    Photos
    Sonorita - Cool atmosphere

    Cool atmosphere

    Sonorita
    Sonorita - Virgin Margarita

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    Virgin Margarita

    Tintoque - Appetizer three of three

    Tintoque

    4.7(243 reviews)
    0.9 km
    $$$$

    On par with any Michelin star restaurant. Hands down my favorite restaurant I have ever been to…read more Their tasting menu is out of this world. Pair it with the wine, however be careful. They have an ever changing tasting menu that caters to the season in which it is in. None of the items are bad. A restaurant like this would be several hundreds of dollars if you visited in the states. The service is beyond kind and understanding with the language barrier. If the weather is nice I highly recommend sitting outside along the river. It's incredibly romantic. Please visit this restaurant if you are reading this. You won't regret it!

    Food: 5/5 Service: 5/5…read moreAmbiance: 5/5 What a wonderful way to end our PV vacation. After spending 6 glorious days relaxing and eating our way through the city, we decided to have a special meal for our last night. And what an impeccable meal it was. We decided to do the tasting menu with the standard wine pairing and we are so happy we did. We were taken through a journey of amazing flavors, textures, food stories, and visuals. Each dish and glass of wine was described by our server with such detail I could not wait to dive right in. The wonderful reviews for Tintoque are absolutely validated and we highly recommend this fantastic restaurant.

    Photos
    Tintoque - Seating

    Seating

    Tintoque - @endoedibles on Instagram 10/6/24
 
 Snapper tostada, queso fresco

    @endoedibles on Instagram 10/6/24 Snapper tostada, queso fresco

    Tintoque - @endoedibles on Instagram 10/6/24
 
 Snapper tostada, queso fresco

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    @endoedibles on Instagram 10/6/24 Snapper tostada, queso fresco

    La Palapa - mexican - Updated July 2026

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