If there’s one flavor that defines Puerto Vallarta, it’s the citrusy snap of ceviche, the smoky kick of zarandeado, and the joyful mess of peeling shrimp with your fingers while your beer sweats beside you.

From Barrio Vallarta Boutique Hotel, I’ve spent many weekends chasing down the perfect bite of mariscos—from beach shacks to classic haunts that locals have loved for decades. This isn’t just a guide. This is my seafood love letter to Vallarta.

🌊 Ocho Tostadas Marina – Where It All Begins

Let’s start strong with a spot that feels almost like a rite of passage: Ocho Tostadas Marina. This was one of my first seafood meals in Vallarta, and it set the bar high. The energy is buzzy, the service fast, and the ceviche de camarón? Legendary.

They serve seafood with confidence. No fluff. Just heaping tostadas, crunchy and fresh, topped with shrimp, fish, octopus—you name it. Add some salsa negra, a few drops of lime, and suddenly you forget you're sitting in a marina parking lot.

Try: Aguachile rojo—fiery, fresh, and addictive.

⚽ Ocho Tostadas Estadio – The Heart of Local Flavor

Not far from the stadium, Ocho Tostadas Estadio is more local, less touristy—and all heart. It’s where families gather after soccer practice and construction workers line up for a seafood feast. And wow… the portions are generous.

Here, I fell in love with their tostada de marlín ahumado—smoky, meaty, and served in a stack that dares you to finish it alone. (I failed. But happily.)

Try: Ceviche estilo Vallarta—a mix of shrimp, fish, cucumber, carrot, and chile. Bright, bold, and pure Puerto Vallarta.

🎉 Mariscos El Coleguita – Flavor, Fire, and Free Tequila

Some spots are just fun. Mariscos El Coleguita, in Marina Vallarta, is all about the experience. Boisterous crowds, sizzling plates, mariachi moments, and yes… free tequila shots with your order.

The food? Consistently good and very, very filling. Their grilled garlic shrimp almost made me cry happy tears once. They serve you fast, they serve you plenty, and somehow everyone leaves smiling.

Try: Camarones embarazados—grilled shrimp on a stick, smoky and perfect with a squeeze of lime.

🏖️ La Tía Mariscos – Beach Vibes and Barefoot Bliss

Just steps from the surf on Playa Camarones, La Tía Mariscos is a seafood shack with soul. Nothing fancy. Just plastic chairs, ice-cold beer, and the ocean as your soundtrack.

This is where I bring visitors when I want them to fall in love with Vallarta in one bite.

Try: Ceviche tropical with mango, shrimp, and chile—sweet heat magic.

🌅 El Barracuda – Sunset, Tacos, and Cold Cerveza

A beachside icon just north of the Malecón, El Barracuda is your go-to for ceviche with a view. Order the tacos de pulpo al ajillo, then stay for the sky show—orange, pink, and gold over the Pacific.

This is where I bring a book, a beer, and let the waves do the talking.

🦞 La Langosta Feliz – Where Lobster Dreams Come True

If you’re looking for spectacle, bring your appetite to La Langosta Feliz. Huge plates, families cheering over bubbling molcajetes, and garlic butter flowing like wine.

Try: Langosta zarandeada—smoky grilled lobster with all the fixings. It’s a feast and a flex.

You don’t need a white tablecloth to eat world-class seafood in Puerto Vallarta. You need a cold drink, a napkin, and the willingness to lick lime off your fingers.

From the classic Ocho Tostadas to sunset bites at El Barracuda, and a surprise fish taco at Freddy’s Tucan, every spot tells a different part of the story. And me? I’ll keep chasing the next bite, the next view, the next reason to fall in love with Vallarta all over again.