Located on Playa Camarones in the Cinco de Diciembre neighborhood sits an unassuming beach restaurant that serves some of the best seafood Mercadito Style. El Barracuda restaurant is always our first visit when we come back to our México home.
The first thing you’ll notice are the sweeping views of the Bay of Banderas from every seat in the joint. Pepe, the manager, oversees the restaurant with a smile and full mexican hospitality. You can choose to sit directly on the beach or in the open-air main room which counts on consistent ocean breezes that melt away any and all stresses.
A comprehensive list of specialty cocktails, beers and wines will quench your thirst as you take in the stunning setting. Some highlights beyond the traditional margarita are the mezaclita de piña and the refreshing jack berry. As you wait for your drinks to arrive, enjoy the fresh chips with a selection of homemade salsas from fiery to fresh these treats will whet your appetite for what’s to come.
The restaurant specializes in seafood with an ample section of ceviches, aguachilies, sashimi and poke. Some highlights are the ceviche peruano, aquachile verde, and the tuna sashimi.
If tacos are more your taste, you are in for a treat. Whether grilled or served Baja-style the seafood is fresh, tender, and delicious. My favorite is the chicharrones de shrimp al pastor – crispy, grilled cheese is placed on a tortilla and mounted with zesty shrimp al pastor and served with a little onion, cilantro, and a lime wedge – you’ll be dreaming about it for days.
There is no shortage of delicious fresh fish entrees to select from. My two recommendations are the al cilantro fish fillet, tender white fish bathed in a light cilantro sauce; and the dynamite seafood, an Asian style ‘paella’ filled with rice, fish, seafood, and mushrooms baked to perfection with a spicy mayo sauce. For the land lovers there are succulent BBQ ribs, juicy hamburgers and bubbling molcajetes.
Open seven days a week from 2 to 10, El Barracuda is perfect for lunch, dinner or an afternoon snack. Make sure to stop in next door to El Solar to grab a sunset cocktail as a DJ provides twilight vibes to cap off another epic day in Vallarta.
Luckily there are now two additional locations in Nuevo Vallarta and Punta Mita.