The Best Tacos in Puerto Vallarta: Where to Eat Like a Local
To truly experience Puerto Vallarta culinary culture, you must venture beyond tourist restaurants and discover where locals eat tacos. This guide reveals authentic taquerías, local markets, and street stands outside the tourist circuit that serve the most delicious tacos in the city.
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Understanding Taco Culture in Puerto Vallarta
Tacos in Puerto Vallarta range from simple street stands to established taquerias with multiple locations. Prices typically vary from 15-50 MXN ($0.75-$2.50 USD) per taco, making them an incredibly affordable meal. The most popular taco variety is al pastor, followed by birria, seafood, and carne asada. Most taquerías also serve other dishes like quesadillas, tortas, and aguas frescas.
Best Al Pastor Tacos
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Tacos Sonorita
Specializing in expertly prepared tacos al pastor, ribs, and fundidos with melted cheese, Tacos Sonorita has become so popular they now have multiple locations throughout Puerto Vallarta. Their tacos al pastor are what they are most famous for, but their rib tacos are the real standout. The original and most popular location is on Olas Altas in the Zona Romántica. All restaurants offer comfortable seating with a welcoming atmosphere. Complement your meal with margaritas, beer, micheladas, or agua de horchata. Their famous cheesecakes make for an excellent dessert. Note they only accept cash and are open only in the evenings and at night.
Locations: Pino Suárez 232 (Zona Romántica), Blvd. Nuevo Vallarta 62, Valle de los Olivos 100, Hamburgo 155 (Versalles)
Tacos Huichos
Located in Aralias, a local neighborhood not frequented by tourists, Tacos Huichos offers authentic pastor tacos that have become a local favorite due to their perfectly marinated meat. They also offer carne asada, arrachera, and alambres (grilled meat with bacon, bell peppers, onions, and cheese). All accompanied by delicious salsas. The horchata agua fresca is a must-try. The place offers both indoor seating with AC and outdoor seating. Portions tend to be on the smaller side, but they are an excellent option for late-night tacos as they close at 2 a.m. Only cash accepted, open evenings only.
Location: Av. Las Torres 410, Aralias II, Fovissste 96 | Hours: 7:00pm to 2:00am
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El Carboncito
El Carboncito in el Centro is the place everyone recommends for al pastor tacos in Puerto Vallarta. Always busy, you can eat in the little plastic chairs outside and watch the guys cook or sit at a table where a server will wait on you. It is BYOB but they sell beers there too. The al pastor tacos are the clear winner, but you must also try the volcanes de pastor, which use a crispy, toasted tortilla with melted cheese in addition to your al pastor meat. During Día de los Muertos, this place remains a local favorite despite the abundance of other street food options.
Location: Calle Honduras, el Centro
Best Breakfast Tacos
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El Taquito Hidalguense
For the best breakfast tacos in Puerto Vallarta, visit this small joint in el Centro serving exquisite lamb barbacoa tacos and quesadillas. These tacos have been local favorites for decades. The handmade corn tortillas are perfect, and the barbacoa birria tacos with consomé (broth) are to die for. Hands down the best birria tacos in town. The place may not look like much, but trust me - you want to eat here. After being in the same spot for years, they recently moved a couple of blocks up. Only cash accepted, open only for breakfast and lunch.
Location: Calle Brasil 1179 Colonia 5 de Diciembre | Hours: 8:00am to 3:00pm
El Puerco de Oro
A true gem located in Colonia Versalles, an up-and-coming neighborhood. Their menu is simple, focusing solely on pork in two delicious presentations: pork belly and pork belly in green sauce. You can also enjoy a beans and panela cheese taco, all served on flavorful blue corn tortillas. Try all of them - they are absolutely fantastic. To drink, choose from agua fresca, coffee, or sodas. This tiny place with a small menu has everything you need for an unforgettable meal. Online reviews are consistently raving.
Location: C. España 325 D, Versalles | Hours: 9am to 3pm
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Carnitas el Sabor Natural Michoacano
Located within Mercado Palmar Aramara, as local as it gets. These authentic Mexican tacos deliver tender, simmered pork nestled in soft, warm corn tortillas. While the surroundings may lack aesthetic charm, these tacos offer an authentic taste experience. The menu boasts multiple meat options, but ask for tacos surtidos for a variety. They also offer home delivery service. Only cash accepted.
Location: Mercado Palmar Aramara, Océana Pacífico, Local 24 | Hours: 7:30am to 7pm
Best Seafood Tacos
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Marisma Fish Tacos
Marisma Fish Tacos on Calle Naranja in the Romantic Zone serves some of the best fried fish tacos in Puerto Vallarta. They get a lot of hype for good reason and have a second brick-and-mortar location at Marina Vallarta. Unlike some other fish tacos, they do one long piece of fried fish, making it much easier to eat. The condiments are unbelievable, including a chipotle mayo-style sauce, guac-style salsa, and pico de gallo. Some taco places also give you toasted chili oil to put on seafood - very addictive but very spicy. Marisma also has shrimp and other menu items, but their fish tacos are what you should order.
Locations: Calle Naranja (Zona Romántica), Marina Vallarta
Mariscos Cisneros
Located on Aguacate a few blocks from Marisma, Mariscos Cisneros serves different types of fried seafood tacos. They serve something that sounds ridiculous: a deep-fried, seafood-stuffed jalapeño taco. It is good, but stick to the fried shrimp and fish tacos. Some seafood places do better shrimp tacos because the shrimp here are plump, sweet, and fresh before adding toppings. You can eat outside at this place.
Location: Aguacate, Zona Romántica
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El Camarón Express
El Camarón Express has two locations in Vallarta - the original in la Zona Hotelera and another in Fluvial known as Camaron Select. This is a go-to spot for shrimp lovers, offering various shrimp preparations in taco form and other dishes.
Birria Tacos
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Tacos de Birria Chanfay
Birria is a spicy, meaty stew (usually goat, but sometimes beef or pork) from Jalisco. It is served in tacos dorados, meaning crispy fried tortillas instead of soft ones. Juicy and meaty surrounded by a crunchy shell, these tacos dorados break all over your hand on the first bite but are SO good. Tacos de birria tend to be a breakfast or lunch thing, so go out early to find them. Located on Venustiano Carranza in the Romantic Zone, ask for a little cup of the consommé there.
Location: Venustiano Carranza, Zona Romántica
Tacos de Birria Alex
A super tiny, family-run spot with a couple of tables on Calle Matamoros in el Centro. This place offers authentic birria tacos that locals love.
Location: Calle Matamoros, el Centro
Local Markets
Mercado Emiliano Zapata
The Mercado Municipal Emiliano Zapata in Old Town Vallarta is a haven for authentic street food. Scattered throughout the market are numerous food stalls. In a narrow corridor, you will find Mom and Pop restaurants serving hot bowls of delicious birria de res (beef stew soup), huevos rancheros, and chile relleno plates. Straight down the market street right across from the restaurant Orange is a favorite taco stand, open in the evening but not on Fridays. Next to Orange is Restaurant Celia which specializes in pozole, very popular with locals and closed Monday and Tuesday. Across from the church are great churros in the evening and on Sunday day. This is a great safe neighborhood to enjoy authentic local food.
Location: Lázaro Cárdenas SN-C, Col. Emiliano Zapata | Hours: 6:00am to 3:00pm (Mon-Sat)
Mercado Palmar Aramara
This traditional market in La Aramara is as local as it gets. While surroundings may lack aesthetic charm, the food stalls deliver authentic taste experiences. Carnitas el Sabor Natural Michoacano is located here, serving excellent carnitas tacos. The market also offers other traditional Mexican dishes.
Location: Océana Pacífico, La Aramara
Exotic and Specialty Tacos
Marlin Tacos at La Isla de Marin
Marlin tacos are popular around Puerto Vallarta. At La Isla de Marin on Calle Matamoros in el Centro, marlin tacos are more like stewed fish, very meaty. The fish itself is deep reddish-pink with a gamey flavor. Since marlin can live 20+ years, they are not the freshest-tasting fish, but still worth trying. They also serve ceviche tostadas, where they chop the fish finely and add lots of cucumber, onions, tomato, and sometimes carrots. It sometimes feels like a healthy salad - you almost forget there is fish in there. This place is not really street food but is cheap and local with a good mix of Mexicans and tourists eating here.
Location: Calle Matamoros, el Centro
Aguachile at 1000 Caguamas
While not street food, this rooftop bar in el Centro on Calle Uruguay serves several different types of aguachile - fresh, raw shrimp tossed in lime juice and chile peppers mixed with red onions and cucumbers. They mix sauces made from serranos, habaneros, pineapple, salsa de Maggi, and other chiles, serving them with chips. The name comes from the big bottles of beer they sell - a caguama is a 940ml bottle, nearly a liter. The bar gives a portion of profits to sea turtle conservation. It is through an inconspicuous door and up the stairs - perfect for afternoon drinks and a pre-dinner snack.
Location: Calle Uruguay, el Centro
Off the Tourist Path
Tacos Junior (Bucerías)
Only a 20-minute drive from the airport in Bucerías, Tacos Junior has an extensive menu with various meats and dishes. Their flavorful al pastor taco with fresh pineapple is the absolute best. Expect tender, well-seasoned meat with options ranging from basic tacos to platters with mixed meats and grilled vegetables. You will find spicy salsa and soft drinks, but no alcohol is sold. They do not have a beautiful setting, so do not come for views, but expect delicious tacos with very generous portions and very reasonable prices. Open only for dinner.
Location: Avenida Héroe de Nacozari # 5 col. Centro, Bucerías
Aralias Neighborhood
The Aralias neighborhood is a local area not frequented by tourists. Tacos Huichos is located here, offering authentic pastor tacos that locals love. This is where you will find true local dining experiences away from the tourist circuit.
Tips for Eating Like a Local
Most authentic taquerias only accept cash, so always carry pesos. Many places are open only in the evenings or for specific meal times like breakfast or lunch. Do not be afraid of places that do not look fancy - often the best tacos come from the simplest establishments. Look for places busy with locals rather than tourists. Ask for recommendations from locals about their favorite spots. Be adventurous with salsas and try different taco varieties beyond the familiar.
Final Recommendations
True Puerto Vallarta taco culture exists outside the tourist zones. Venture into local neighborhoods like Aralias, visit traditional markets like Mercado Emiliano Zapata and Mercado Palmar Aramara, and seek out family-run establishments. The authentic experience comes from eating where locals eat - in humble taquerias, street stands, and markets that have served the community for decades. Whether you crave al pastor, birria, seafood, or breakfast tacos, this guide ensures you discover the best authentic taco experiences in Puerto Vallarta.
