Nestled on a small side street at the top of Centro, Pizzeria Fiamma transports you back to Italy in this authentic Italian eatery. Upon arriving, the courtyard will make you forget you are in a busy area of Vallarta, with all the feel of an Italian pizzeria. There isn’t a bad seat in the courtyard to watch the pizza master as he works, covered in flour and taking pride in each pizza slung into the authentic brick pizza oven. The menu contains authentic appetizers such as burrata, bruschetta, and muscles in wine sauce. The pizza menu is vast with traditional and non-traditional takes on classic pizza combos such as a 4 formagio, garlic, capers, and anchovies and a salami and cheese pizza. Not in the mood for pizza? Let the chef read you the daily specials, which are sure to please. On the night we were there, featured was a seafood medley in a wine cream sauce, porcini mushroom sauce with homemade fettuccini, and fresh cheese ravioli with a lobster creme sauce. Their wine and drink menu is also spectacular, with their homemade sangria being the star.

We ordered three pizzas and a special; Spicy Peppers, 4 stagioni (artichoke, gorgonzola, olives, and prosciutto) and a salmi & cheese pizza along with the creamy porcini mushroom fettuccini. Each pizza was piping hot out of the oven and cooked to perfection, with a slightly doughy inside and crispy crust on the outside. The 4 stagioni was especially interesting as the toppings prepared were piled as each topping on one-quarter of the pizza, essentially making it four mini pizzas in one. The pasta special was also fantastic, with the homemade fettuccini tossed in a rich porcini mushroom cream sauce busting with flavor even in its simplistic form.

And a meal wouldn’t be complete without their famous lemon pie, which is masterfully baked and topped with fruit and powdered sugar. Top that all off with a shot of sambuca rimmed with coffee and chocolate granules, and you have the makings of one fantastic dining experience in the heart of Puerto Vallarta.