There are places that steal your heart when you get to know them, and the bond that unites you to them is so great that you must return to recover your north, your reason and your sense. This was the destiny of many chefs who, upon visiting Puerto Vallarta, decided to leave their countries of origin to undertake a new adventure in this generous town and call it their home.

There are so many stories that are cooked behind our gastronomy, that to dedicate a trip just to taste the flavors that place Puerto Vallarta as the Best Culinary Destination in Mexico, would take weeks. That is why we thought of making a selection of the best specialty restaurants from other parts of the world, and thus give you a taste of what awaits you in the more than 1,000 restaurants from 30 different countries that come together in this paradise. Enjoy the gastronomic journey!

KAISER MAXIMILIAN | AUSTRIA

You are welcomed by its host Andreas Rupprechter to the ambiance of an Austrian bistro evoking the old Vienna. He decided to name his restaurant in honor of a fellow countryman, the former Emperor of Mexico Maximilian of Habsburg, whom Andreas jokingly assures "would’ve loved to dine here for the fine selection of dishes that incorporate traditional elements of Austrian cuisine". Located in the heart of the Romantic Zone, this restaurant's European sidewalk cafe style and elegant crystal chandeliered lounge offers an exciting dining experience and has been a Puerto Vallarta favorite for decades now.

CAFÉ DES ARTISTES | FRANCE

Another restaurant of great tradition in Puerto Vallarta. Café des Artistes defines itself as a restaurant of "French cuisine with Mexican inspiration". Behind every dish is the passion and creativity of French chef Thierry Blouet who offers a menu sprinkled with truly Mexican flavors, with a constant culinary innovation. To complement the sensory experience, this restaurant features three areas with one-of-a-kind ambiances: the romantic exterior garden, with a delightful lighting design and decorated with sculptures, available from November to May, months where you can enjoy the fresh outdoors; P'Yote Lounge, an artistic space that pays tribute to the Huichol culture; and its elegant interior lounge featuring semi-private spaces, where you will find the Drops Salon, named after the multiple drops of blown glass hanging from its ceiling.

OPA GREEK BISTRO | GREECE

Greece is also present in Puerto Vallarta, specifically in the Versalles Zone. OPA immediately reminds you of Greek villas with its white décor and cobalt tones. The fusion of sea and land products adds different flavors and textures to the menu designed by chef Gabriel Gómez de la Fuente, who left to sail the seas aboard the cruise ships he worked on before falling in love with Puerto Vallarta. The ingredients that are usually the stars of Mediterranean cuisine such as olive oil, vinegars, vegetables, cheeses, meats, fish and seafood are used by Gabriel to create authentic delicacies of Greek gastronomy.

LA DOLCE VITA | ITALY

After almost 30 years of delighting palates, La Dolce Vita is considered by many as one of the best restaurants to enjoy pasta and pizza outside Italy. The menu is exquisite, with a magnificent location by the iconic Malecon, making it a favorite spot for locals and visitors to admire the sunset while enjoying its delicious cuisine and uncorking a bottle of wine from the restaurant’s extensive wine cellar. "Where Italy lives in Mexico" led by Steffano Santini and Paolo Marín. Their latest branch in the Romantic Zone is just as charming.

FLORIOS | ITALIAN-ARGENTINIAN

In the " fuego y campo” (fire and country) style cuisine of this Italian-Argentine specialties’ restaurant, chefs Filippo Bonini and Miguel Valenzuela bring together the homemade recipes of their homeland, Florence, Italy and Entre Rios, Argentina -hence the name Flo-Rios-, showcasing an array of pastas, pizzas, meats, fish and empanadas. Florios is a restaurant with a lot of heart, and a fireplace inside a large house in downtown that was inhabited in the 1920's by the first Municipal President of Puerto Vallarta, José de Jesús Langarica, and from which aromas of firewood emanate and delicacies from the sea as well as meat cuts are prepared. They have an equally surprising location in the Versalles Zone.