What Should Couples Order on an Amapas Food-and-Drink Crawl?

Amapas is made for couples who prefer their Puerto Vallarta adventures one delicious stop at a time.

This hillside neighborhood sits just above Old Town, also known as Zona Romántica, where cobblestone streets, tropical greenery, independent restaurants, cocktail lounges, and beach access create the perfect setting for a relaxed culinary outing. The route is hilly, the portions are easy to share, and the best strategy is simple: order less, taste more, and leave plenty of room for the next stop.

From café de olla and chilaquiles to aguachile, tacos, mezcal cocktails, and late-night churros, here is how to plan an Amapas food-and-drink crawl for two.

Why Is Amapas Ideal for a Couples’ Food Crawl?

Amapas offers a rare balance of privacy and access. The neighborhood rises into the green foothills south of Puerto Vallarta’s historic center, yet the restaurants, beaches, galleries, and nightlife of Old Town remain within an easy downhill walk.

That geography shapes the experience. You can begin with coffee in a quiet hillside setting, descend toward the coast for seafood and tacos, then settle into an intimate restaurant or cocktail lounge without spending the day in a car.

Puerto Vallarta’s food Culture also reflects the city’s history. The settlement began as Las Peñas in 1851 and adopted the name Puerto Vallarta in 1918 in honor of Jalisco governor Ignacio Vallarta. Today, local ingredients and traditional preparations meet contemporary cooking throughout the city, creating a dining scene that feels both rooted and inventive.

For couples, the result is pure Romance: a day built around discovery, conversation, and just enough Adventure to keep things interesting.

What Should You Order First: Café de Olla and a Shared Breakfast?

Start slowly. A food crawl is not a race, and breakfast should give you energy without filling every available corner of your appetite.

Order one café de olla to share or enjoy separately. This traditional Mexican coffee is brewed with piloncillo and spices, often including cinnamon, creating a warm, lightly sweet flavor that feels especially inviting in the morning.

For food, choose one substantial plate and one lighter option:

Chilaquiles verdes or rojos, topped with crema, cheese, onion, and perhaps an egg
Huevos rancheros with tortillas and beans
Enfrijoladas folded around eggs or another savory filling
Fresh fruit with yogurt
A toasted bolillo filled with eggs, beans, or avocado

Sharing is the secret. One person can choose the salsa, the other can judge the coffee, and both of you can remain ready for the stops ahead.

If you are staying in the hills, a small kitchen also gives you the option of keeping breakfast simple before heading out. Travelers comparing the best neighborhoods to stay in PV often choose Amapas because it places a peaceful home base close to the city’s most tempting food routes.

Which Tacos Belong on the Route?

Once breakfast has settled, make your way downhill toward Old Town and the Los Muertos area. The route is more enjoyable when you think in small tastings rather than a single large lunch.

At your first taco stop, order two or three tacos total and split them. A good opening combination includes:

Tacos al pastor with pineapple, onion, cilantro, and salsa
Adobada for a marinated pork option
A taco of the day if the taquería has a local specialty

Ask about the salsa before adding it. Mexican salsas can range from bright and fresh to seriously fiery, and the best crawl is one where you can still taste the next dish.

At your second stop, shift toward the sea. Puerto Vallarta’s coastal setting makes seafood a natural part of the local food story. Look for:

A crisp fish taco
A shrimp taco with lime and cabbage
A small serving of ceviche
Aguachile, where seafood is dressed with lime, chile, and fresh seasonings

Order one or two items for the table instead of a full plate each. You are not trying to conquer the menu. You are building a delicious little tasting tour.

What Should You Drink Between Food Stops?

Alternate richer flavors with refreshing drinks. Agua fresca de jamaica, made from hibiscus, adds tartness and color. Horchata brings a creamy, cinnamon-sweet contrast. Sparkling water with lime is always a smart reset between tacos and seafood.

For an afternoon or evening cocktail, choose a drink that highlights Mexico’s agave traditions:

A tequila margarita with fresh lime
A mezcal cocktail with citrus or tropical fruit
A raicilla drink for a distinctly regional spirit
A simple reposado tequila served slowly

You do not need to order the strongest drink on the menu to make the experience memorable. A well-made cocktail is about balance, and pacing matters when your route includes hills, cobblestones, stairs, and several more stops.

For another perspective on choosing the right time, pace, and setting for a couples’ outing, explore The Nomad’s Pulse: finding productivity and Magic with condo rentals Puerto Vallarta in 2026.

Where Should Dinner Fit Into the Crawl?

Dinner is the moment to slow down rather than keep hopping from one venue to another.

Choose a restaurant where you can linger over shared plates and conversation. Amapas and nearby Old Town offer several styles of dining, from intimate bistros to seafood-forward restaurants and creative Mexican kitchens.

Begin with one appetizer:

Ceviche with fresh lime and chile
Aguachile for a sharper, brighter flavor
Grilled shrimp with a house salsa
A seasonal vegetable dish with local ingredients

Then share two main dishes. A grilled fish preparation is an excellent choice, especially if pescado zarandeado is available. This regional style seasons and grills fish with a savory chile-based preparation. Pair it with shrimp tacos, handmade tortillas, rice, or grilled vegetables.

You might also look for octopus, red snapper, or a catch-of-the-day special. Ask the server how the dish is prepared and whether it is intended for sharing. Local recommendations often lead to the most memorable order.

A longer dinner works especially well for couples because it gives the crawl a central pause. You can compare favorite flavors, talk about the day, and let the atmosphere do some of the work. That is the Magic of Amapas: the experience is not only what arrives on the plate but also the time between courses.

Should You Save Room for a Nightcap?

Absolutely. A final drink or small dessert gives the evening a graceful finish.

After dinner, take an easy stroll through Old Town and choose a street-level cocktail lounge with comfortable seating. A single signature drink is enough, especially if you want to keep the night relaxed. Mezcal, tequila, and raicilla continue the local flavor theme, while a non-alcoholic agua fresca or sparkling water keeps things refreshing.

For a final bite, split something small:

Churros with a dipping sauce
A seasonal dessert
Elote with lime and chile
One last taco if the appetite makes a surprise return

Couples who prefer a quieter base after a full day of exploring may also want to compare family-owned vacation rentals Puerto Vallarta in Amapas. A one-bedroom stay near Old Town gives you a comfortable place to unwind while keeping restaurants, galleries, and the beach within reach.

How Can You Keep the Crawl Comfortable and Respectful?

A successful food crawl depends as much on local awareness as it does on good ordering.

Wear practical shoes

Amapas is beautiful because it is built into the hillside. Choose sturdy sandals or sneakers that handle uneven pavement, cobblestones, and stairs.

Walk downhill first

The descent toward Old Town is generally easier than the return climb. If you have been drinking or feel tired later, take a taxi or rideshare back rather than forcing the uphill walk.

Confirm hours

Restaurant schedules can change. Check the same day, especially if you are planning around a smaller local eatery or a specific dinner reservation.

Ask before taking photographs

Food photography is part of the fun, but ask before photographing vendors, staff, or other diners. A quick “¿Puedo tomar una foto?” shows consideration.

Support local businesses thoughtfully

Order what you can enjoy, avoid wasting food, and keep sidewalks and entrances clear. Learning a few Spanish phrases, greeting staff, and showing patience during busy service makes the experience more welcoming for everyone.

Stay hydrated

The tropical climate and hillside walking can sneak up on you. Keep water in the plan, not as an emergency measure.

For more ideas about shaping a romantic stay around the neighborhood, read 48 Hours of Bliss: the ultimate couples weekend guide to Amapas.

What Is the Perfect Amapas Food-and-Drink Crawl?

For couples, the ideal route looks something like this:

Start with café de olla and a shared breakfast.
Walk downhill toward Old Town.
Split tacos al pastor or adobada.
Follow with fish tacos, shrimp tacos, ceviche, or aguachile.
Refresh with jamaica, horchata, or lime water.
Pause for a mezcal or tequila cocktail.
Enjoy a shared seafood dinner.
Finish with one nightcap and a small dessert.

The rhythm is intentionally unhurried. You are not collecting restaurants like souvenirs; you are allowing each stop to become part of the story.

Amapas brings together the flavors, landscapes, and neighborhood character that make Puerto Vallarta so captivating. Come Experience the Enchantment, Culture, Adventure, Romance, and Magic of a food crawl designed for two.

For more local discoveries, restaurant inspiration, and colorful Puerto Vallarta moments, Follow @the_pvkid on Instagram.