Puerto Vallarta is a stunning beach city on Mexico’s Pacific coast. Located in Mexico’s state of Jalisco, Puerto Vallarta is well-known for its food and drink. Travelers here can expect incredible blue waters, clear skies, sunny weather, and countless exciting activities to enjoy. However, the true highlight of Puerto Vallarta is the city’s vast selection of restaurants and street food carts boasting some of the best tacos in the country.
These are the 10 best spots to try a mouthwatering taco in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
10 Pancho’s Takos
Pancho’s Takos is a popular spot for al pastor (marinated pork) tacos and there’s always a long lineup for a table in this quaint restaurant. Tables spill out from the venue onto the sidewalk, creating a lively atmosphere for devouring delicious tacos and sizeable margaritas on a warm Friday evening.
While the traditional al pastor tacos are arguably the best in town, a must-try on the menu is the volcanoes. This signature dish is a delightful version of an al pastor with some additional cheesy goodness.
9 Tacos El Cunado
Tacos El Cunado is a family-run taco stand in the heart of Zona Romantica. It’s the oldest taco spot in Puerto Vallarta and is a common stop on all food tours of the city. The street-side seating offers an opportunity to take in the bustling activity of Puerto Vallarta over a plate of al pastor, chorizo, or carne asada (grilled beef) tacos.
Customers can order the tacos they want and then top their meal with a selection of hot sauces ranging from mild to extremely spicy. Their quesadilla is another notable menu item that’s worth trying at least once during your visit.
8 Tacqueria La Hormiga
This street food cart is located a bit further into the city from the beach and Malécon but it’s well worth the walk. They serve a juicy and flavorful al pastor taco for a low price which means you can eat exceptionally well here on a budget. Taqueria La Hormiga can be found among a lineup of several taco stalls on Lázaro Cárdenas.
Wash down their delicious tacos with a refreshing cup of horchata. This sweet and cold plant-based beverage is the perfect contrast to a spicy salsa or jalapenos.
7 Maria Baja
Take a break from pork tacos for some delicious seafood at a local restaurant. Maria Baja is a colorfully decorated indoor-outdoor diner with vibrant blue wooden tables and an extensive menu.
Maria Baja is located on Carr. Costera a Barra de Navidad, is approximately a 10-minute walk from the main area of Los Muertos beach. The menu features a Baja shrimp taco and a Baja fish taco, but the al pastor fish is the highlight. Anyone looking to branch out from tacos will love the variety of tostadas available here, especially the octopus.
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6 It’s Taco Time
A tiny taco stand called “It’s Taco Time” right off the Malécon is unassuming but should not be overlooked. This small food cart has a few picnic tables in front of it and a bar seating area at the window where you can order your food. The menu is simple, with the marlin tacos and camarónes tacos being some of the customer favorites. The marlin melts in your mouth and the sauce on the camarónes is incredibly flavorful.
There is a large selection of toppings to add to the tacos and customers looking for other food options can order burritos and crepes here as well.
5 Tacos de Birria Chanfay
Perhaps the most famous birria taco spot in all of Puerto Vallarta, Tacos de Birria Chanfay is another notable stop on any local food tour. The stand has been operating since 1972. These are no-frills, authentic birria tacos served in the heart of beautiful Zona Romantica.
Birria tacos contain goat meat and are dipped in a stew as you eat them for additional flavor. Traditionally, they are a breakfast taco and are a local dish from the state of Jalisco, where Puerto Vallarta is located.
4 Santo Tacote
Santo Tacote is located in a different district of Puerto Vallarta than many of the other popular taco stands and restaurants. While the majority on this list are in the picturesque Zona Romantica, Santo Tacote is in 5 de Diciembre, making it the perfect dinner spot for anyone staying in a hotel in this region.
The restaurant offers casual indoor dining and has been in business for more than ten years. They have all the classic taco options like al pastor, asada (grilled beef), chorizo, and chicken. They also have some specialty tacos including octopus, shrimp, and shaken chicken for the adventurous foodie.
3 Tacos De Cabeza El Chulo
Another small taco stand with a big reputation, Tacos De Cabeza El Chulo has made a name for itself by serving its specialty, the Cabeza taco. Cabeza is the meat from the head of an animal, roasted and then served as the filling in the taco.
The stand is set up later in the evening, making it a fantastic spot to stop for a quick bite on the way out to some of the bars and nightclubs in Puerto Vallarta. It’s also a good place to stop for a midnight snack after a night of fun.
2 Tacos Revolucion
Tacos Revolucion is another trendy spot to visit in Zona Romantica that offers a selection of corn and flour tortillas that won’t disappoint. This is a sit-down restaurant so prices are slightly higher than at some of the taco stands in the area, but it’s the perfect place to relax with a delicious cocktail and refuel in the summer heat.
Their most popular tacos are the carne asada, al pastor, and chicharrón (crackling pork). Each is served on a handmade fresh tortilla either inside in the charming dining room or outside on the street-side patio in one of Puerto Vallarta’s most beautiful neighborhoods.
1 Birrieria Robles
Birrieria Robles is another great spot to stop for a bite when looking for Jalisco’s authentic birria tacos. Here customers can choose from beef or goat for their tacos. The tacos are hard shells since they are fried after being assembled for a delightful crunch with every bite.
The tacos are served with their hearty stew for dipping and receive rave reviews from visitors online.