Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, October 23, 2026 – Festival Gourmet International returns November 12–22 with more than 25 restaurants, over 50 chefs and 15 events across Puerto Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit and Tepic, organizers say.
The organizer’s announcement confirms the festival’s 31st edition, combining guest-chef menus at participating restaurants with separately ticketed dinners, restaurant tours and opening and closing celebrations.
For residents planning dinner with friends or entertaining November visitors, the useful question is which experience fits the budget—and how far they want to travel for it.
Restaurant menus begin November 13 and continue through November 22. Reservations for those meals go directly through the participating establishments. Special festival events follow a separate booking process.
“Each event is booked separately,” the organizer explains in its Spanish-language booking information, directing customers to the festival’s online shop. That means diners can choose one evening without committing to the full program.
Published special-event prices currently range from 1,870 pesos for the Tepic closing picnic to 3,900 pesos for La Noche de Estrellas at Café des Artistes. Those prices apply to individual events; restaurant menus have their own charges.
There are still details to settle. The organizer labels its Spanish program tentative, some program and ticket pages disagree on schedules or participating venues, and several products remain marked “coming soon.” Confirm the final arrangements and availability before paying or arranging transportation.
The opening celebration offers one way to sample several kitchens in a single evening. Grand Gourmet Village is scheduled for November 12 at 7 p.m. at TierraLuna Gardens in Garza Blanca Preserve, with admission listed at 2,200 pesos per person.
The organizer says that the ticket includes more than 50 varieties of tapas, more than 50 wine labels, cocktails and spirits, plus live music and a DJ. For example, a couple choosing opening night would spend 4,400 pesos on admission, not including transportation.
A restaurant reservation offers a different evening: one kitchen, one table, and a menu developed by visiting and local chefs. The program lists Javier Pérez Stone of Axiote Cocina de México at Amixtli on November 13. At Tintoque on November 14, host chef Joel Ornelas is scheduled to collaborate with Klaus Mayr of Anónimo in Mexico City.
The Gourmet Safaris spread dinner across multiple restaurants. The published ticket listings for Festival Gourmet Internacional price the Costa Sur, Puerto Vallarta, and Punta de Mita routes at 2,900 pesos each. They are scheduled for November 16, 18 and 19, respectively.
For the Punta de Mita safari, the organizer describes a five-course dinner moving through Hoja Santa, Zicatela and Tuna Blanca, with a welcome cocktail and wine pairings. The format makes the route and return journey part of the decision, particularly for diners staying in Puerto Vallarta.
At the upper end of the published prices, La Noche de Estrellas is scheduled for November 17 at Café des Artistes. Its current listing names Thierry Blouet and Vanessa Blouet as hosts, joined by Miguel Bahena, Esteban Lluis and Andy Salazar. Admission is listed at 3,900 pesos.
The festival returns after its 2025 edition, maintaining its place on Vallarta’s November dining calendar. This year’s spread of venues also gives tourism promoters a regional itinerary: Jalisco’s tourism department is promoting the gathering across all three destinations.
The closing events underline that geography. BBQ & Wine at Velas Vallarta is scheduled for November 21 in Marina Vallarta, with chef Víctor Howard and tickets listed at 2,800 pesos.
The following day, the festival moves to Tepic for Picnic Bajo las Parotas, listed at 1,870 pesos and served by Loma 42 Tepic, Loma 42 Bahía and Emiliano Tepic. For Vallarta residents choosing the final weekend, that leaves a concrete choice: Saturday’s closing celebration in Marina Vallarta or a Sunday trip to Tepic.
