Seafood in Puerto Vallarta: Best Restaurants with Ocean Views
Puerto Vallarta's prime location on Banderas Bay makes it a seafood paradise. The Pacific Ocean delivers fresh catches daily, from succulent shrimp to tender lobster, from ceviche to aguachile. This guide reveals the best seafood restaurants with stunning ocean views, where you can feast on the ocean's bounty while watching waves roll in or sunsets paint the sky.
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Beachfront Dining on Los Muertos Beach
La Palapa
One of Puerto Vallarta's most iconic seafood restaurants, La Palapa has been serving fresh seafood since the 1950s. Located right on Los Muertos Beach, tables are literally on the sand with waves crashing nearby. The menu highlights include grilled catch of the day, lobster, and beautifully prepared shrimp dishes, all crafted with a mix of Mexican and international flavors. The zarandeado style fish filet is the star of the show, but you cannot go wrong with red snapper. Open all day, La Palapa also serves impressive breakfast plates including chilaquiles and cafe de olla on the beach. It is on the pricier end but worth every peso for the experience.
Location: Púlpito 105-3, Zona Romántica, Emiliano Zapata
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The Blue Shrimp
For a nice seafood dinner with an ocean view in Old Town, The Blue Shrimp delivers quality cuisine at a beachfront location. Tables are set right on the sand with views of Los Muertos Beach. The menu features Rockefeller oysters, lobster tail, and a massive shrimp boat with shrimp dishes prepared just about every way imaginable. From coconut shrimp and garlic butter shrimp to hearty shrimp fajitas, it is a dream spot for anyone craving this local favorite. Prices are higher than smaller seafood spots, but generous portions and the oceanfront location make it worth it.
Location: Near Los Muertos Beach, Zona Romántica
El Dorado
El Dorado sits right on Los Muertos Beach, giving you a front-row seat to some of the best sunsets in Puerto Vallarta. You can grab a table in the open-air palapa or reserve one directly on the sand for the full toes-in-the-sand experience. The seafood is always fresh, cocktails are solid, and the whole place glows as the sun goes down. Add in live music most nights, and you have one of the most romantic dinner spots in town. It is perfect for a date night or special evening out.
Location: Púlpito 102, Zona Romántica, Emiliano Zapata
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Si Señor Beach Restaurant
This oceanfront venue in front of Los Muertos pier offers the beach wedding or event you have dreamed of. Feel the sand on your feet and enjoy incredible views while dining on fresh seafood. The Blue Shrimp Group operates this beachfront location, bringing their expertise in shrimp and seafood dishes to a stunning beach setting.
Location: Amapas 114-C, Emiliano Zapata
Rooftop and Elevated Views
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Joe Jack's Fish Shack
A PV original for 15 years, Joe Jack's serves some of the best seafood in Puerto Vallarta from a breezy rooftop terrace perfect for enjoying dinner and drinks. Ceviche is their specialty, and you can get a sampler plate to try all four varieties. The menu goes beyond ceviche to include some of the best fish and chips in town, hearty shrimp dishes, and daily fresh catches. Wash it all down with their famous mojitos, 2-for-1 from noon to 7 PM. The vibe is casual and fun with incredible views from the rooftop.
Location: Calle Basilio Badillo 212, Zona Romántica
Mar Y Vino
Sometimes you do not feel like getting sandy but still want to hear waves crashing. Mar Y Vino features a postcard-worthy view of the pier and Los Muertos Beach. Several tables are set in a shallow pool so you can enjoy a little foot bath while dining minus the sand. The lunch menu from 11 AM to 4:30 PM includes ceviche and soft-shell crab tacos with an impressive cocktail selection. The dinner menu is far more extensive with options including artichoke Norwegian salmon, lobster tail, and filet mignon. Reservations are essential during high season.
Location: Manuel M. Dieguez 106, Zona Romántica, Emiliano Zapata
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Ik Mixology Bar and Cuisine
Next to Mar Y Vino, Ik Mixology Bar and Cuisine combines creative cocktails with one of the best views of the Los Muertos Pier. The swing facing the ocean has become one of the most Instagrammable spots in Puerto Vallarta. The menu leans toward international fusion with plenty of seafood. The craft cocktails are some of the best in the neighborhood. Prices are fair for the quality, and service is consistently friendly. It is a top choice for dinner or drinks with a postcard-worthy view.
Location: Olas Altas 380, Zona Romántica, Emiliano Zapata
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Top Sky Bar
Located in the Almar Luxury Resort on Los Muertos Beach, Top Sky Bar offers remarkable panoramic views of Banderas Bay. It has established itself as the go-to meeting point for the gay community in PV with savory gourmet dishes and entertaining nightly shows. The privileged location on the most famous gay beach in Puerto Vallarta makes it a unique dining and entertainment experience.
Location: Amapas 380, Zona Romántica, Emiliano Zapata
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MalecĂłn and Waterfront Dining
Oyster Grill de La Docena
Located on the malecĂłn in Downtown Puerto Vallarta, Oyster Grill has a very worldly concept with influences from Baja California, Louisiana, Argentina, and Japan. Start with oysters grilled in butter, then move on to crab tostadas with spicy seafoam. The huge shrimp are a favorite. When available, sea scallops are top quality. The service is some of the best in Mexico with several managers considered the best in the business. The beach view sure beats the city view of their Guadalajara location.
Location: Paseo DĂaz Ordaz 610, Centro
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River Cafe
Under the bridge that passes over Isla Cuale, River Cafe offers a peaceful view of the little island full of palm trees with the river flowing past. It is far enough from the hustle of Zona Romántica but just a quick walk from all the action. Open all day, they serve an impressive Sunday brunch. Try the seared tuna caprese or veal osso buco served on risotto. River Cafe has the most extensive menu offering vegetarian and vegan options including adobo mushrooms and coconut quinoa.
Location: Isla Rio Cuale 4, Zona Romántica, Centro
Cliffside and Scenic Views
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Le Kliff
Built right into the cliffs south of town near Mismaloya, Le Kliff is surrounded by sweeping ocean views. It is about 30 minutes from Old Town but the setting makes it one of the most memorable dining experiences. The massive space features open-air terraces, photo spots, and mirrors set up for the perfect Instagram shot. It is on the pricier side but worth it for a special occasion. Open from 1 pm to 9 pm, you will be there for golden hour and sunset exactly when you want to be.
Location: Road to Barra de Navidad KM 17.5, Between Mismaloya, Boca de Tomatlán
La Capella
With a name meaning the chapel, this Centro restaurant is best known for its stunning view of the main cathedral. You will not find a more Instagrammable spot in Puerto Vallarta than here at sunset. Open from 9 AM to 2 PM and again from 5-11 PM, golden hour is the most in-demand time requiring advance reservations. Dishes range from rack of lamb in white wine and rosemary to grilled octopus with fine herbs and chili marinade. Whatever you order, they have a wine to pair it with. Fine wine with world-class Italian cuisine and one of the best views in town.
Location: C. Miramar 363 B, Centro
Barcelona Tapas Puerto Vallarta
Head up the hill a few blocks from the beach in 5 de Diciembre to reach Barcelona Tapas for delectable tapas with a view. It is a great place for large groups enjoying family-style meals with a wide variety of Spanish-style dishes and an extensive wine list. This is one of the best restaurants to see the nightly fireworks show from the pirate ship. Time your visit to arrive around sunset and see the show during dessert and a nightcap.
Location: C. Matamoros 906, Centro
Local Neighborhood Seafood Gems
AbulĂłn AntojerĂa del Mar
The Versalles neighborhood has blossomed into a great culinary corridor. AbulĂłn is a simple restaurant with a covered outdoor patio and no air conditioning. There is a kid's area with a large trampoline. The balance of price and quality is exceptional. The passion fruit and coconut shrimp tostadas are a specialty. The burrito, seafood cocktail, tostadas, and even the kid's food are all very good. Save room for the ice cream sandwiches.
Location: Calle Hamburgo 137, Versalles
CamarĂłn en Barro
Located in the local 5 de Diciembre neighborhood, CamarĂłn en Barro represents the flavor of old Puerto Vallarta with a more local and less internationalized version of Mexican seafood. They have one of the best classic ground fish ceviches in Puerto Vallarta using good ingredients. The servers know the menu and have helpful recommendations.
Location: Calle Guatemala 311, 5 de Diciembre
La Langosta Feliz
Located in the Lázaro Cárdenas neighborhood in a house grown into a three-level restaurant, La Langosta Feliz is a celebration restaurant perfect for special events. One of the coolest things is the server bringing a tray to the table showing the fresh catch available. They tell you exactly what each lobster weighs and what it will cost. The menu is vast with lobster as a specialty. Try the classic Puerto Vallarta-style ground fish ceviche. Ask what is fresh for raw seafood including big clams, oysters, and pata de mulas.
Location: Calle República Dominicana 120, Lázaro Cárdenas
Campomar
Taking Mexico by storm with Nayarit-style cooking, Campomar is in Fluvial Vallarta. Much of the food is very spicy with three salsas ranging from spicy to fire sauce. The raw bar is where you will love sea scallops not available in other locations. They have zarandeado whole fish, zarandeado octopus, and zarandeado shrimp, each excellent and spicier than elsewhere. The bean tacos show how a restaurant makes a simple item very good, while the soft shell crab taco will blow your mind. This is one of the more expensive restaurants on the list but well worth the money for the quality.
Location: Avenida Francisco Medina Ascencio 2468-LOC.6, Fluvial Vallarta
MarĂa Baja
A modern Puerto Vallarta interpretation of classic Baja California tacos, MarĂa Baja is located in Alta Vista just steps from Zona Romántica. Each table is set with a wide variety of exotic salsas, many with fruit flavors that go easy on spicy chile. If driving to beaches on the southern part of Banderas Bay, MarĂa Baja is an easy stop with four or five parking spaces in front, rare in this part of Puerto Vallarta.
Location: Carretera Costera a Barra de Navidad 496, Alta Vista
Marisqueria Los Lirios
A hidden gem and personal favorite in Zona Romántica, Marisqueria Los Lirios is a super local place with very reasonable prices and cash only. They are known for seafood cocktails but the go-to is usually a plate of various tostadas. A couple of these and a nice cold cerveza make a great snack.
Location: Zona Romántica
Street Food and Casual Spots
Marisma Fish Taco
Deep in Old Town back by the tunnel in Emiliano Zapata, Marisma has been battering and frying fish and wrapping it in warm corn tortillas for over 20 years. Pull up a stool, order a plate, cover those tacos with salsa and hot sauce, and dig in. The fried fish tacos are highly recommended. This is some of the best cheap seafood in Puerto Vallarta but remember to bring cash.
Location: Back by the tunnel, Emiliano Zapata
Signature Seafood Dishes to Try
Ceviche
Puerto Vallarta-style ceviche typically features fish chopped finely with lots of cucumber, onions, tomato, and sometimes carrots. It can feel like a healthy salad. Some places offer Peruvian-style with larger chunks for better texture.
Aguachile
Fresh, raw shrimp tossed in lime juice and chile peppers mixed with red onions and cucumbers. It is the perfect food to have alongside a cold beer. Eat on a tostada or with tortilla chips.
Zarandeado
A whole fish grilled in a special sauce, typically huachinango red snapper. The fish is butterflied and grilled over charcoal with a signature sauce.
Huachinango
Red snapper is a local delicacy that fish lovers enjoy. Smaller huachinangos have many bones but larger ones are easier to clean. The cheek is the best bite of the entire fish.
Oysters and Shellfish
Fresh oysters, clams, scallops, and pata de mulas are available at specialized restaurants. The sea scallops in Mexico are different from Atlantic scallops and worth trying.
Practical Tips
Premium restaurants typically require reservations, especially during peak season. For Instagrammable spots like Mar Y Vino and IK Mixology Bar, specify where you would like your table to be. Some places like Majahuitas Beach Club have Saturday-only schedules demanding advance planning. Resort restaurants like Amixtli offer day passes that include access to pools and private beach areas.
Final Recommendations
Puerto Vallarta's seafood dining scene reflects the character of its coastal neighborhoods. From the relaxed vibe of Downtown to the upscale calm of the Romantic Zone and the scenic beauty of cliffside restaurants, each area brings its own mix of flavors, views, and atmosphere. Dining by the water adds something special to your time in Puerto Vallarta. Whether you crave ceviche, aguachile, lobster, or fresh catch of the day, this guide ensures you discover the best seafood experiences with ocean views in Puerto Vallarta.
