Puerto Vallarta's Culinary Scene Includes All Dietary Needs CVB of Puerto Vallarta
go to original July 19, 2013

Puerto Vallarta is one of Mexico’s leading culinary destinations, offering hundreds of opportunities for foodies to enjoy different types of gastronomies, including typical street food from families who have sold tacos and ceviches for generations to Five Star Diamond Award restaurants that offer the latest in international dishes.

Foodies with special dietary needs will find that Puerto Vallarta’s chefs are more than willing to include dishes that are gluten free, vegetarian, vegan and organic dishes.

Vegetarian and Vegan Cuisine in Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta’s restaurants are always willing to accommodate their patrons, and most dishes can be modified to meet vegetarian and vegan needs, so it is very important to communicate dietary needs to the wait staff or Chef to ensure meals are cooked and delivered appropriately.

Vegetarians and vegans will have a diverse group of restaurants to choose from in Vallarta, from the Planeta Vegetariano, a completely meat-free restaurant located in the middle of downtown that offers all-you-eat vegetarian buffet and main dishes, to 100% Natural which offers vegetarian and vegan dishes.

Mexican dishes in their vegetarian or vegan interpretations can be found at River Cafe and Que Pasa is home to the Puerto Vallarta veggie burger, home-made macaroni and cheese and other American comfort foods. Also El Patio de mi Casa is a café that offers vegetarian soups and grilled veggie and tofu sandwiches. 

For a more international flair, try Barcelona, a Spanish Tapas restaurants in downtown serving gazpacho, vegetarian paella and spinach with apples and pine nuts. Also, Taste Restaurant in the Conchas Chinas area of the city, serves tortilla soup and Quinoa grain salad with Peruvian potatoes and organic heirloom tomatoes as their vegetarian/vegan options.

Gluten-Free Cuisine in Puerto Vallarta

For those who look to avoid gluten, Puerto Vallarta offers everything from street food to traditional Mexican delicacies to fusion cuisine. Overall, the cuisine of the region is quite perfect for the gluten-free lifestyle. Traditional Puerto Vallarta dishes like quesadillas, taquitos, chilaquiles, and tacos are made from corn-based tortillas and are not made with flour. Even tequila and the Puerto Vallarta moonshine, Raicilla, are both made from the agave plant, making it gluten-free.

Always communicate with the wait staff the need for a gluten-free meal, many restaurants have sophisticated dishes, fusing international cooking styles in unique preparations while ensuring they remain gluten-free. Chefs such as Thierry Blouet from Café de Artistes, Nacho Cadena’s La Leche and Bernhard Güth’s Trio offer simple but layered dishes.

  Check out Que?Pasa - A Bar of Our Own