Dine & Drink
Taste the Vibe
All-Inclusive Dining, Poolside Drinks, and Flavorful Evenings
Savor 24-hour all-inclusive service with buffet favorites, live cooking stations, themed dinners, and à la carte gourmet, Asian, Italian, and steakhouse options. Between meals, enjoy drinks across five bars, from the lobby and lounge terrace to the pool bar with swim-up service, plus late-night refreshment at the 24-hour Sports Bar.
Don Rafael
A lively international buffet restaurant at Hotel Riu Vallarta offering live cooking stations, vegetarian options, desserts and themed special nights three times a week. Don Rafael is perfect for easygoing meals with plenty of choice, with a vibrant main-dining-room feel.
- Serves: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Hours vary — see concierge
Kulinarium
A sophisticated gourmet à la carte restaurant at Hotel Riu Vallarta offering carefully prepared dinners with selected ingredients and meticulous presentation. Kulinarium suits guests looking for a more refined evening meal, with polished flavours and an elegant, unhurried feel.
- Serves: Dinner
- Hours: 6:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Nirvana
A vibrant Asian restaurant at Hotel Riu Vallarta offering buffet-style sushi, wok dishes and Asian-inspired recipes. Nirvana is perfect for guests who want fresh, varied flavours in a lively dinner setting, with a polished feel for an easy evening.
- Serves: Dinner
- Hours vary — see concierge
Il Gusto
A welcoming Italian restaurant at Hotel Riu Vallarta offering fresh pasta specialities, artisan pizzas, antipasti and Italian-style desserts. Il Gusto is perfect for guests craving familiar Mediterranean flavours, with a generous buffet format and an easygoing dinner feel.
- Serves: Dinner
- Hours vary — see concierge
Astoria
A welcoming lobby bar at Hotel Riu Vallarta serving drinks and aperitifs in an easy central setting. Astoria is perfect for meeting before dinner or pausing between plans, with a relaxed feel close to the hotel’s daily buzz.
- Serves: Drinks & Aperitifs
- Hours vary — see concierge
La Boheme
A relaxed lounge bar at Hotel Riu Vallarta offering drinks in a comfortable setting with a terrace. La Boheme is perfect for easy conversation before or after dinner, with an unhurried feel and a sociable evening atmosphere.
- Serves: Cocktails & Drinks
- Hours vary — see concierge
Mezcal
A lively pool bar at Hotel Riu Vallarta offering drinks right by the water, including a swim-up bar for cooling off between dips. Mezcal is perfect for pool days and easygoing refreshments, with a sunny, social feel close to the action.
- Serves: Cocktails & Drinks
- Hours vary — see concierge
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DINE & DRINKS FAQs
What restaurants can guests enjoy at Hotel Riu Vallarta?
Hotel Riu Vallarta offers a variety of dining venues as part of its 24-hour All-Inclusive plan, including the main buffet restaurant Don Rafael, the gourmet à la carte venue Kulinarium, the Asian-inspired buffet Nirvana, and the Italian specialty restaurant Il Gusto. Guests at Hotel Riu Vallarta can also enjoy a steakhouse and the poolside grill Pepe’s Food, both added during the resort’s 2019 renovation.
Is dining at Hotel Riu Vallarta included in the all-inclusive plan?
Yes, Hotel Riu Vallarta operates a 24-hour All-Inclusive service that covers buffet dining, à la carte themed restaurants, and drinks and snacks throughout the day, so meals and beverages at Hotel Riu Vallarta’s restaurants and bars are included in your stay.
What specialty restaurants does Hotel Riu Vallarta offer for a themed dinner?
Hotel Riu Vallarta features several specialty dinner venues, including Kulinarium for a sophisticated gourmet à la carte experience, Nirvana for sushi, wok dishes and other Asian-inspired recipes, Il Gusto for fresh pasta, artisan pizzas and Italian-style desserts, and a steakhouse serving grilled meats in a poolside terrace setting.
Is there a dress code for dinner at Hotel Riu Vallarta?
Yes, Hotel Riu Vallarta asks guests to follow a casual elegant dress code at its themed restaurants for dinner, meaning long trousers and shirts with sleeves for gentlemen, while the main restaurant simply asks that gentlemen avoid sleeveless T-shirts.
What bars are available at Hotel Riu Vallarta?
Hotel Riu Vallarta offers five bars and lounges for guests to enjoy, including the lobby bar Astoria, the lounge bar with a terrace La Boheme, the pool bar Mezcal with its swim-up section, plus a 24-hour Sports Bar and La Plaza.
Does Hotel Riu Vallarta have a swim-up bar?
Yes, Hotel Riu Vallarta’s pool bar Mezcal includes a swim-up bar, letting guests order drinks without leaving the pool, all included under the resort’s 24-hour All-Inclusive plan.
Are vegetarian dining options available at Hotel Riu Vallarta?
Yes, Hotel Riu Vallarta provides vegetarian breakfast options as well as vegetarian choices at the main buffet restaurant, Don Rafael, which features live cooking stations, vegetarian dishes and desserts alongside its themed special nights.
Is breakfast included at Hotel Riu Vallarta?
Yes, free breakfast is included for all guests staying at Hotel Riu Vallarta as part of its 24-hour All-Inclusive plan, with coffee and tea also available in the hotel’s common areas throughout the day.
Do guest rooms at Hotel Riu Vallarta include a minibar?
Yes, every guest room at Hotel Riu Vallarta comes equipped with a regularly restocked mini-bar and a liquor dispenser, giving guests 24-hour private refreshment in addition to the resort’s restaurants and bars.
Do I need a reservation for restaurants at Hotel Riu Vallarta?
Dining at Hotel Riu Vallarta’s specialty restaurants, including Kulinarium and the steakhouse, generally operates on a no-reservation, first-come basis, though seating can be limited, so guests are encouraged to arrive early for the best availability.