Kaiser Maximilian

This was one of the first fine dining restaurants I ever tried in Vallarta many, many years ago and I continue to eat here at least once during our annual winter vacations. After a few weeks of tacos, guacamole and margaritas sometimes a little touch of old school European food and elegance is in order and this place does it right.
The owner is Austrian and the menu reflects some Eastern European influences. Rich? — check. On the heavy side? — sometimes. Expensive? — yep. Deliciously decadent? Oh yes! Can you eat lighter? Yes. It’s an extensive menu but if you’re still watching your figure for the beach it is possible not to leave in a food coma but you’d be missing the best this place has to offer. Save room for fabulous desserts.
The inside atmosphere and the quite formally attired waiters make you feel like you could be any place on the Continent. I’m sure that many tourists find it a little stuffy and you’ll be pretty out of place in a tank top and shorts but I find it refreshing occasionally. There is also an outside sidewalk dining area which is always crowded but not for me. This type of food at this price point I want to be coddled inside not jostled by hordes of passing tourists while inhaling taxi exhaust on the sidewalk. There is a more casual bistro side to the restaurant that is open for breakfast and lunch — wonderful pastries and coffee.
Never had a disappointing meal here. They really put on the dog for the annual Gourmet Festival in the fall with famous visiting chefs. Really a wonderful change of pace and worth the $$$ splurge.