| Puerto Vallarta Restaurant Reviews |
| Viejo Vallarta Mexican food with a view 484 Morelos (on the Malecon), Puerto Vallarta, Mexico 322-222-8558 |
Puerto Vallarta Restaurant Review:
This is another of Vallarta's hidden gems, and right on the waterfront downtown. If you're
looking a restaurant on the Malecon that's a little more "local", not crowded, and with
outstanding ocean views -- this is the place: Viejo Vallarta (which means Old Vallarta).
The restaurant has been in the same family for 40 years, and it's like stepping back to a time
when Puerto Vallarta was smaller and more intimate.
SETTING - An older building toward the south end of the Malecon, a hundred yards north of
the Sea Horse statue. Viejo Vallarta is on the 3rd floor - providing fantastic views - above
some retail shops at ground level and Murphy's Irish Pub on the 2nd level. The entrance is a
hard-to-see stairway at the sidewalk, which on the old Malecon is not unusual. The restaurant's
full-length balcony is breezy and provides great surf views during the day and evening, and
extraordinary sunsets. It's a good place for people-watching, too.
FOOD - As a Mexican food lover, there's nothing better than a leisurely lunch or sunset dinner
at a balcony table at Viejo Vallarta. It's a "must do" whenever I'm in town. Mexican food
preferences are regional, but the dishes I've tried here have been anywhere from very good to
great. My favorite is the Combinacion Mexicano. Their chile relleno is probably the best in
Vallarta, and the enchilada is not far behind. In my ongoing quest for the perfect margarita, I
found that Viejo Vallarta has an exceptionally fine margarita on the rocks, sweet and light,
made with smooth reposado (aged) tequila. Believe it or not, all you need to do is strike up a
conversation with your wait person and the refills will be free. It's that kind of a place. I
usually limit myself to 2 or 3.
AMBIANCE - Laid back and local. Gracious, friendly service. The family and staff are always
glad to see you.
LOCATION - The street level door and stairs are hard to see but well worth looking for.
There's usually a staff member there, but if not, you go up one flight of stairs to Murphy's Pub,
then go around to the back side of the staircase to where another glass door leads you up the
next flight of steps to the restaurant. If in doubt, just ask.
BOTTOM LINE - Local atmosphere, friendly service, good food, incredible views, and
reasonably priced. Seldom crowded. Viejo Vallarta is one of my favorite places.
This is another of Vallarta's hidden gems, and right on the waterfront downtown. If you're
looking a restaurant on the Malecon that's a little more "local", not crowded, and with
outstanding ocean views -- this is the place: Viejo Vallarta (which means Old Vallarta).
The restaurant has been in the same family for 40 years, and it's like stepping back to a time
when Puerto Vallarta was smaller and more intimate.
SETTING - An older building toward the south end of the Malecon, a hundred yards north of
the Sea Horse statue. Viejo Vallarta is on the 3rd floor - providing fantastic views - above
some retail shops at ground level and Murphy's Irish Pub on the 2nd level. The entrance is a
hard-to-see stairway at the sidewalk, which on the old Malecon is not unusual. The restaurant's
full-length balcony is breezy and provides great surf views during the day and evening, and
extraordinary sunsets. It's a good place for people-watching, too.
FOOD - As a Mexican food lover, there's nothing better than a leisurely lunch or sunset dinner
at a balcony table at Viejo Vallarta. It's a "must do" whenever I'm in town. Mexican food
preferences are regional, but the dishes I've tried here have been anywhere from very good to
great. My favorite is the Combinacion Mexicano. Their chile relleno is probably the best in
Vallarta, and the enchilada is not far behind. In my ongoing quest for the perfect margarita, I
found that Viejo Vallarta has an exceptionally fine margarita on the rocks, sweet and light,
made with smooth reposado (aged) tequila. Believe it or not, all you need to do is strike up a
conversation with your wait person and the refills will be free. It's that kind of a place. I
usually limit myself to 2 or 3.
AMBIANCE - Laid back and local. Gracious, friendly service. The family and staff are always
glad to see you.
LOCATION - The street level door and stairs are hard to see but well worth looking for.
There's usually a staff member there, but if not, you go up one flight of stairs to Murphy's Pub,
then go around to the back side of the staircase to where another glass door leads you up the
next flight of steps to the restaurant. If in doubt, just ask.
BOTTOM LINE - Local atmosphere, friendly service, good food, incredible views, and
reasonably priced. Seldom crowded. Viejo Vallarta is one of my favorite places.
| The owner, Berlio (left) and one of his gracious staff. |