Itamar Cocina de Puerto — Restaurant in Jalisco

Itamar, a newly opened family-run restaurant on the east side of the Romantic Zone. Chefs Omar and Angel have created a beautifully simple menu focusing on fresh seafood and amazingly bold, complex flavors, which can be combined into more options that the menu seems to present.

The food and drinks are well worth the 4 block walk outside the typical tourist area of the Romantic Zone.

The cocktail menu is small, but each is unique and masterfully created. The Mercado Zapata is a bright, refreshing cocktail that is too easy to drink. The Puerto Tepache was a perfect blend of pineapple,coconut, and raicilla.

We had the Itamar and octopus tostadas to start. The fish and octopus in both were amazingly fresh and perfectly prepared. The bold flavors perfectly balanced with each other. For main courses we both selected the octopus, prepared with different seasonings: one a chili garlic, the other a blackened herb. The octopus was cooked to perfection for both and the seasonings all working in harmony with each other.

Our first visit left such and impression, we went back two nights later. Starting with the Cockroach Shrimp (dried shrimp, cooked in a medium dark chili seasoning), apparently a Puerto Vallarta tradition, was a new experience and something to look forward to again. The tuna tostada, like the prior visit was a complex flavor treat. And lastly the Itamar Cocktail was a take on seafood cocktail I've not experienced before: octopus and fish gently cooked, and served in a both dark chili broth. No ketchup-based cocktail sauces here. The flavors again were bold, balanced, and perfect...

After visiting various top-rated restaurants in PV, I was fortunate enough to discover this hidden gem which, hands down, surpassed the tourist trap establishments scattered along the beachside in the Romantic district. Tbh, it was the best meal of the trip, partnered by lovely service and several complimentary dishes. My main was the grilled octopus zarandeado style, while my wife enjoyed the hibiscus fish and shrimp. Every component was well-balanced, well-cooked, and novel. After a short conversation with the owner, we learned the chef had previously worked in a Michelin-starred restaurant—clearly something rubbed off. I wish we could visit again to try more dishes, but alas, tonight is our last night in PV.

I had just two minor critiques I debated mentioning: firstly, I wish the drinks were stronger (though this seems to be a common theme in PV). Secondly, it could have done without the TVs—a place with food this good doesn’t need them. That being said, I will definitely make it a point to visit again next time I'm back. Oh, and the price point was excellent: two cocktails, two mains, and two desserts—all for $80 USD, which also included three complimentary cocktails and two complimentary ceviches from the bartender. Talk...

There’s a new star in town. It’s hard to believe that Itamar has barely been opened a week. Food execution and service are top rate. We’ve already been there twice and plan to return later in the week, it really is that good, especially if you are a fan of seafood…So far we’ve enjoyed the Itamar toasts, octopus green aquachile, steak burritos, great margaritas, everything has been perfecto.

The space is airy and inviting and as others have said, Omar and his team will make you feel like family. A special thank you to Alfredo, the head chef for making our experience absolutely wonderful. See you soon.

ps and saving the best till last…our charming, doting servers, Eddie and Janvier served us a bowl of chilled tomato based soup brimming with fresh shrimp, tender octopus, cool cucumber and zucchini…and what was it called you may ask? Cockroach Soup!!! YIKES!!! Be adventurous and order the soup! You’ll...