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COME HUNGRY. This was hands-down the best meal we had in PV, and we went to some of the “best” restaurants. In fact, shortly after we returned home, we ate at a 2 Michelin Star restaurant in our city… and while it was a lovely…meal, we left saying that Makal ranked higher in our Favorite Meals list. The tasting menu was creative, exciting, and really showed off modern Mexican cuisine. Other restaurants felt like French techniques with Mexican ingredients, for example, but this was its own beautiful thing. We still dream about the mushroom ceviche and had so much fun with it, taking our time and trying to figure out the recipe so we could recreate it at home. Just like the food, the atmosphere is bright, colorful and fun. It wasn’t stuffy, or trying too hard. The cocktails were creative and well-balanced. The service was attentive and friendly. The special presentation of our anniversary dessert was so thoughtful and touching, not cheesy. It’s not a tourist trap, it’s just a gem. If I was forced to list a “complaint”… it would be that was that it was just a little too much food. My husband was fine with it, but I could have done with one or two fewer courses or smaller portions for some, but that’s really not the worst problem to have! You can tell that the crew takes great care and pride in their work, and has fun with it. Just a really wonderful experience. We will 1000% be back any time we’re in the area.More
We had a really good dinner at this restaurant. The chef is obviously reaching for the stars with his creations and most often he succeeds for this diner. The octopus main dish was one of the best I have ever had, and I try to…choose octopus whenever I find it on a menu. The starters were a mixed bag – the pork belly was tough, but the quinoa tostadas had good flavors and textures. I loved the pink sangria with the strawberry shrub- my husband was not enthusiastic about his. The churros and the carlota for dessert were delicious. Overall, I am looking forward to returning when we are next in PV.More
Tried the 10 course tasting menu last evening. Portions are generous and we opted for the wine pairings. Anticipate about 7200 pesos if you go this route. Our sever was attentive amd educational. The food was wonderful. Ambiance also lovely. I think they may be…cash only so if reserving please double check. Can recommend this gem in Zona romanticaMore
Came here in mid October. Puerto Vallarta is not as busy then so reservations were not needed. Service was very friendly and attentive. We had the seven course tasting menu and portions were just right. Cocktails were delicious. Try the Carlota and La Isla Monarca….Some highlights of the course included the mushroom ceviche, very flavorful and unique. There was also an arrancini with chicharron! The catch of the day was mahi-mahi, and we also had the cochinita pibil. Both were delicious. The seven courses were just enough to make you feel full, but not stuffed. Overall, this is likely on the higher end of cost for dinners in Puerto Vallarta, but worth it as the flavors were quite unique and unlike other foods I’ve tasted in PV. Would highly recommend. May likely need a reservation during high season.More
Makal is a culinary experience that I’ll remember for a long time. Mexican fine dining at it’s best at this incredible restaurant with unique, delicious food and showstopping mixology (try the ixchel Makal). Wonderful service and a beautiful atmosphere. Truly a night to remember with…Makal.More
If you are in the group Puerto Vallarta: Everything You Need Or Want To Know then you’ve seen my post about our incredible first experience at Makal. Since that first night we’ve gone back every night to have at least a drink at the bar…with Daniel Cruz and Brandon Bobadilla. These guys are absolute craftsmen behind the bar. We haven’t ordered off the drink menu since the first night. We just tell them to fix us a drink with tequila or mezcal or raicilla. Just amazing. One night we mentioned to the manager that we were fishing on Sunday. We asked him if Chef Deigo would prepare our catch. He said absolutely. Last night we brought our catch in. Heidi Dunigan Peak caught the only Mahi-Mahi and we both caught a couple of small Albacore. The dishes absolutely exceeded our expectations! The Albercore ceviche with corn, pineapple, onions was incredible. It was so light and fresh. I have to admit after watching Alfredo, our boat captain clean the Albacore, I was concerned it was going to be very strong. Man was I wrong. It was so light and fresh. The main course was Mahi-mahi filets over mole with grilled cauliflower. All I can say is outstanding! Chef Diego treated the filets perfectly. The mole was a perfect balance and not overly sweet like we’ve tasted other places. We can’t wait until December when we come back to fish again. Thanks Makal and the entire staff for opening your doors every night.More
Heidi and I were looking for a place to get out of the rain on Tuesday night and literally stumbled into this place, only because the floor was raised. We sat at the bar and had drinks. Daniel and Brandon were behind the bar making…some delicious drinks. We each had a drink and decided if the drinks were this good how amazing is the food. We made reservations for Wednesday night and man were we glad we did. We asked to be seated at the bar so we could continue our conversation with Daniel. He’s a great young bartender who loves what he does. His co-worker Brandon is exact same. They are amazing team. We decided to share the 10-course meal – menu provided. It was absolutely some of the best food we’ve ever eaten. I will spare going over every dish, but we did get pics of all but one. I mean “fat kids” forgot to take a pic of the Chicharron bites. The chefs name is Diego. He is an amazing chef. In one of the pictures you will see what looks like sugar crystal sheet. It was potato. it was like eating a potato chip. Crazy good skills. Neither Heisi or I have ever had octopus. On Daniel’s recommendation we had it as one of our options. It was so good. Unlike anything we’ve ever had. It almost has the consistency of filet. If you are looking for an incredible experience in PV don’t hesitate to give Makal a try. Obviously we are going to recommend the 10-course chef’s menu. However, they do have an a la carte menu.More
We had an amazing time, food was excellent and service was outstanding! You can’t miss this place if you love elegant, tasty food! Definitely coming back.
We celebrated our 36th wedding anniversary with the 7 course tasting menu at Makal. It was outstanding. Started with a cocktail called Ay Carajo! If you like espresso cocktails, you will LOVE this one (with Chile ancho liquor). Each course featured local ingredients presented with…gastronomic perfection by one of the most talented chefs in Puerto Vallarta! We live here year round and Makal is our go-to restaurant for all special events. It’s a small place, so be sure to make a reservation.More
Whatever you do, just go! Went here on a whim and we’re couldn’t have asked for a better experience. Carla helped us throughout our meal and her and the service staff were impeccable…THANK YOU! Then the food…so much thought and love is put into everything…they and Chef had to offer and it showed in flavor, on the nose and in presentation. We went with the seven course tasting menu for our party and additionally added one each of cocktail and wine pairings to go with each course that we could all pass around which was great. We had a truly incredible culinary experience to which I will be reminiscing of until were able to go again. Thanks!More
We had the 10 course menu tasting, it was an amazing gastronomic experience, presentation was phenomenal, flavours were exquisite with each tasting which built upon each meal. The staff explained each item. The hand crafted cocktail menu was also a treat to the experience
This restaurant has some amazing food that not only tastes great but looks even better, I was very easily surprised with the presentation and the description of every dish, the staff was amazingly kind and had some amazing suggestions
This place is a must-try! Went for a romantic anniversary dinner, and we were blown away. Food was excellent, service was prompt and so friendly and knowledgeable. And drinks were inventive and tasty. We did the ten course tasting menu, and each course came well…timed, with a great explanation from the server. Portions were prefect size so even after the ten courses we were not over stuffed. Optional wine parings available for each course too, but we stuck with the delicious cocktails throughout the evening. Great location right in the heart of romantic zone with some good people watching opportunities thanks to the large windowed wall. Will return again and again.More
This place embodied a whole, round experience for me. For a start, mixology is quite updated and drinks are nicely served. We chose the tasting menu with wine. If you don’t drink, they have the “sober option”: same menu without wine. Mexican food but well…owned recipes combined with very interesting wines (only one pairing wasn’t my thing, but is a personal appreciation). Extraordinary from start to end. Only one detail: the tasting menu showed LAMB and instead they brought CATCH OF THE DAY. Which it was delicious but I think they could have told us they would make that switching. Not being us lamb eaters, didn’t matter, but since lamb is not an easy thing to accomplish, we feel curious now. Service was amazing. My bad, I can’t remember the name of the girl who attended our table. She was gracious, very well English spoken and knowledgeable on the menu and wine highlights. Have to go back and highly recommend it.More
We enjoyed the 7 course tasting menu. Highlights were the lamb tacos and pork and black bean main dish. Pre dessert was awesome. Cocktails were quite inventive and well presented. We one wine pairing to share. The wine pairing is half the price of dinner….I don’t think it was worth the money but was enjoyable. I would recommend a second cocktail instead. Interior is simple but gorgeous and comfortable seating. The wait staff were enthusiastic friendly and helpful. A very nice splurge restaurant.More