It's amazing how many restaurants there are in Puerto Vallarta - about a thousand at last count. And while itís great to have choices, so many of them can be overwhelming - especially if your time here is limited and you want to make sure that, from a culinary point of view, you make the most of it. The Platinum Dining Guide lets you quickly review the very best of the local dining scene. To be included in this select group, venues must not only meet, but also continually maintain, stringent criteria in food, service and ambiance. Adherence to the highest standards is absolutely mandatory for membership. Restaurant reviews reveal the flavor of these prestigious places, as well as that of the food, while current menus are outlined and interiors photographed. This helpful, easy-to-understand guide takes the guesswork out of fine dining so you can get optimal gastronomic mileage out of your vacation. The menus displayed here show only a partial selection from the restaurants' actual menus.

	AmapaSunset — International Amapas 114 L-C — Tel: (322) 222-1694 — $$$ Quality, variety and service are key to the success of AmapaSunset for breakfast, lunch and dinner, whether in its accessible beach club, its fresh and open restaurant area or the unique terrace bye the entrance. — Platinum
	Andrea — Italian Velas Vallarta — Tel: (322) 221-0091 — $$$ With seating available both inside and outside, you can dine in stylish comfort, enjoying world-class service and food. With chef Govanni Denigris of Chicago, chefs Jorge Castellanos and Demberto Aguayo and their team bring you classic Italian cuisine with a New World touch. — Platinum
	Barcelona — Spanish Matamoros & 31 de Octubre — Tel: (322) 223-0831 — $$$ Ideal for sharing as a couple or with friends, appetizer-sized servings of Spanish flavors prepared with the highest quality ingredients and a bird´s eye view of the town and bay. Sea breezes refresh the charmingly casual terrace, while the dining room is air conditioned. — Platinum
	Café des Artistes — Avant-Garde — Reserve Now Guadalupe Sánchez 740 — Tel: (322) 222-3228 — $$$$ Thierry Blouet, Maitre Cuisinier de France and a member of the Culinary Academy of France, has what is considered by many to be the best restaurant in town, Café des Artistes. Now, with recent, dramatic changes, it´s one of the best in the world. — Platinum — Readers Choice • Gourmet • Wine List
	Daiquiri Dick´s — International — Reserve Now Olas Altas 314 — Tel: (322) 222-0566 — $$$ For two decades, Peter and Tari Bowman have nourished Vallarta at their serene, if somewhat incongruously named, restaurant. What started as a beach-side eatery has been transformed into a sophisticated, world-class establishment, where service is attentive, yet non-intrusive, in a contemporary atmosphere. — Platinum — Readers Choice • Best Overall • Service • Most Fun • Tortilla Soup • Seafood • Salad • Margarita
	Don Pedro´s — Mediterranean Marlin 2 Sayulita — Tel: (329) 291-3090 — $$$ In the quaint village of Sayulita, chef Nicholas Parrillo expertly prepares a wide range of Mediterranean specialties using only the finest ingredients. Chef Parrillo´s culinary style reflects a genuine understanding of classical methods and influences from Mexico and California. — Platinum
	Frascati — Italian Langosta 10 & Coral — Tel: (329) 295-6185 — $$ This casual restaurant is located 20 minutes north of PV in the quaint village of La Cruz de Huanacaxtle. Serving Italian specialties with a Tuscany flavor, antipasti, crunchy salads, homemade pastas and more hearty options as well as fine meat cuts, seafood and Norwegian salmon. — Platinum
	Hacienda San Ángel  Miramar 336 — Tel: (322) 222-2692 One of only three Mexico hotels to make the prestigious ÒConde Nast TravelerÓ Hot List for 2005, this masterpiece restoration of three classic Vallarta-style houses, set on the hillside overlooking expansive Banderas Bay, is the perfect hideaway after you´ve explored this vibrant port.
	Kaiser Maximilian — International — Reserve Now Olas Altas 380-B — Tel: (322) 223-0760 — $$$$ Since 1995, it has been a tradition for European and Austrian dining. The decor and portrait of Kaiser Maximilian transport you to the atmosphere of a Viennese café at the end of the 19th century. Dine in the dining room or at sidewalk tables. — Platinum
	La Leche — Avant-Garde Fco. M. Ascencio Km 2.5 — Tel: (322) 293-0900 — $$$$ The keywords "tradition" and "evolution" describe new restaurant La Leche, Almacén Gourmet de Alfonso Cadena, which will seek to achieve a balance of sensations through the quality of its cuisine. — Platinum
	La Palapa — Avant-Garde — Reserve Now Púlpito 103 — Tel: (322) 222-5225 — $$$$ Haute cuisine and friendly service combine in this tropical setting at Los Muertos Beach for the perfect balance of fine dining and the charm of Puerto Vallarta. This is one of Vallarta´s favorite places to enjoy excellent food in a casually elegant atmosphere. — Platinum — Readers Choice • Romantic • Outdoor • Sunset Dining
	Mezzogiorno — Italian del Pacífico 33 — Tel: (329) 298-0350 — $$ Sidney and Enrique´s former Mezzaluna has re-opened as Mezzogiorno, transforming their beachfront Bucerias house into a happening indoor-outdoor Italian restaurant. Enjoy fabulous Italian dishes that will keep you coming back: savory calamari-fritti, fresh fish, soups and prime cuts of meat and more. — Platinum — Readers Choice • North Shore • New Restaurant
	Porto Bello — Italian — Reserve Now Marina Sol L-7 — Tel: (322) 221-0003 — $$$ Torontonians Mario Nunes and Maurizio Pellegrini have been the owners of this elegant Italian restaurant privileged with a spectacular view of Marina Vallarta since 1989. Enjoy fine dining in a romantic air-conditioned salon decorated in Art Nouveau with soft pastels. — Platinum
	Porto Bello Nuevo Vallarta — Italian Nuevo Vallarta Plaza Local 4 — Tel: (322) 297-6719 — $$$ To celebrate the 20th anniversary of their successful Marina Vallarta eatery Maurizio Pellegrini and Mario Nunes have opened a stunning new location in Nuevo Vallarta featuring indoor and al fresco seating overlooking the natural lagoon and the many sailboats and yachts that dock nearby. — Platinum
	Rincón de Buenos Aires — Argentinean Royal Pacific L-126, 127 — Tel: (322) 221-2260 — $$$ When it comes to a fine cut, seafood or pasta, your best bet is Rincón de Buenos Aires. The wood-fire grill gives a unique flavor to the fine cuts and fish. The filled pastas, such as the ravioli and lasagna, are a delight. — Platinum
	Trio — Mediterranean — Reserve Now Guerrero 264 — Tel: (322) 222-2196 — $$$$ European chefs Bernhard Güth and Ulf Henriksson have become the favorites of locals and food critics with their hearty honest food. This cosmopolitan, multi-level eatery with an open courtyard, Tiffany-style windows and hand painted doors is top notch, the atmosphere always welcoming. — Platinum
	Vitea — Mediterranean Libertad & Malecón — Tel: (322) 222-8703 — $$ Everyone is raving about this oceanfront bistro offering something completely different in Vallarta, classic and contemporary bistro fare in a casual European Riviera ambiance. This swanky but definitely unstuffy art deco space is sister restaurant to the popular Trio. — Platinum