Inside Playa del Carmen: Dining Overview

As Playa Del Carmen has grown from tranquil village to world famous resort town, so has the number, diversity and quality of its restaurants grown. Playa is now a city of the world as far as cuisine is concerned. An international array of foods can be found at prices that range from unbelievably cheap to outrageously expensive, and all prices in between. The eateries listed here are some of the more established and well known of Playa’s restaurants. This list is by no means a complete list of all of the places to eat in Playa Del Carmen. It is a starting point from which you can begin to explore what has become one of Mexico’s top “foodie”  destinations.

One thing to be aware of is something called the "Mexican Food Tax". There is no Mexican Food Tax.  Review your restaurant tab before paying and make sure you understand and agree with the charges. 

Mexican:

This is not the Tex-Mex style food of your favorite Mexican restaurant back home. You will find less enchiladas and burritos and more steaks, chicken and seafood. Cheese and chilis are a part of most dishes. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Your waiter will most likely speak English and will be glad to help you out.

La Quinta Pasión. Calle 26, between 5th and 10th Ave. Traditional meals based on the owners’ family recipes. Try the Molcajete: a gumbo of spicy broth with steak chicken, shrimp, cactus and other goodies.

La Parilla.  On 5th Ave. at Calle 8.  Mexican food as most Americans envision it including entertaining waiters and serenades by Mariachi bands throughout the evening. Part of a chain, this is one of Playa’s most popular places.

Yaxche (Mayan). On Calle 8 between 5th and 10th Ave. Mayan, not Mexican food. For example, dishes such as tamale type meals are cooked in banana leaves instead of corn husks. High quality food and service. Finish with a flaming Mayan coffee prepared tableside.

El Fogon. Three locations: 30th Ave. near Calle 4, 30th Ave. near Calle 32 and Constituyentes near 30th Ave. Not your traditional tourist spot, this is where hungry locals eat. This is a grill featuring steaks, sausage pork chops, and chicken. They are famous for their el pastor tacos. Bring a big appetite. Cheap and good.

Palapa Hemingway . On 5th Ave. near Calle Corazon. One of Playa’s oldest restaurants, Hemingway serves Mexican dishes with a Caribbean twist (try the shrimps in coconut sauce). Large portions and good drinks. Sit outside on 5th Ave. and watch the world stroll by.

Cuban:

Bodeguita del Medio. In the Paseo del Carmen shopping area at the southernmost end of 5th Ave. Owned by the same folks who own its namesake restaurant in Havana, Cuba (a favorite of Hemingway), this place is always crowded and noisy in a good way. Traditional spicy Cuban food accompanied by live Cuban bands and some of the hottest salsa dancing around.

Seafood:

La Pesca.  Avenida 30 across from Mega  near Constituyentes.  Under the big palapa.  Newly opened by Antonio, a 10 year employee of Blue Lobster, the food is out of this world and the prices are great.  Try the cazuela de camarones. 

Oasis. Calle 12 between 5th and 10th Ave. Generally regarded by many locals as simply the best shrimp tacos in town!

Pizza:

Sur.  5th Avenue at the corner of Calle Corazon. Open air, romantic restaurant featuring “adult”pizzas, i.e. with toppings like blue cheese and barbeque chicken.

Mandarina’s.  5th Ave. near Calle 14. Large selection of oven baked pizzas served beneath flowing linen ceilings and with a small jazz band playing. Classy. They also have a take out section.

Karen’s.  Fifth Avenue between 2nd and 4th. Karen’s has been here a long time and they are always having fun. Good old American style pizza with waiter shenanigans and occasionally live music.

Domino’s. Order from your hotel’s front desk. Yep, just like home (you decide if that is good or bad).

Asian:

Babes Noodles and Bar. Two locations, one on 5th Avenue near Calle 28 and the other on Calle 10 between 5th and 10th Ave. One of the most popular restaurants in Playa. Features Thai food with a Swedish influence., i.e. Red Curry Shrimp poured over mashed potatoes!  Try the Swedish Meatballs and the gigantic blueberry margaritas for a real treat.

Pasta:

There are plenty of good pasta places in Playa. North of Constituyentes there are so many the locals call it “Little Italy.”

Try Da Bruno on 5th Avenue at Calle 12 for upscale Italian.

Steak:

The best steak houses in Playa offer steaks from the U.S., Argentina, and Mexico. Try them all and compare!

Chicago Don Jose. On Calle 6 between 5th and 10th Ave. American owned and operated, they offer thick corn fed beef and all the traditional sides. Pricey but very, very good.

Buenos Aires. Right next to Chicago Don Jose on Calle 6. An Argentinean steak house. The steaks are smaller than American style but just as flavorful and possibly more tender.

HC Monterey. On Calle 1 Sur between 20 th and 25 th Ave. If you are going to have one meal in Playa this is the place. It is not a restaurant for tourists. In fact it is not even a restaurant. It is a butcher shop where most of Playa’s restaurants buy their meat. However from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. the shop sets up tables and chairs and offers the best steak meal you will ever have. Mexican marinated arrachera. A huge steak, baked potato or onion, half of an avocado, butter, sour cream, tortillas, salsa/steak marinade and a beverage. All for under $8.00. Look for the line of locals waiting for a table. You won’t be disappointed.

Parrilla Argentina-La Farola.  Calle #8, between 5th Ave and the ocean - (984) 803-3929.  A brand new Argentinian steak house that just opened in May 06.  Great prices and quality of meats.

Pasión Caribeña.  Calle 32 Norte and 5th Ave - (984) 803-1761.  Their specialty is Angus steaks and offer great prices and excellent service. 

El Asador de Manolo.  Avenida 10 between Calle 24 and 26.  Argentinian owned and operated.  Manolo, previous owner of a reputable steak house in Playa, has a very popular spot among the locals with Angus steak and a tasty chimichurri sauce.

Tapas:

Tintos and Tapas.  Nueva 5th ave, between Calles 28 and 30, 984-803-3793.  A wonderful and relaxing wine bar located in the north side of town.  Gambas al Aljillo and their cheese selection was very, very good.  Prices are really reasonable.

Beach Clubs:

Sometimes you are on the beach and having too good a time to leave and find some place to eat. No worries! Many of the beachfront hotels have beach clubs. Here you can find a beach chair, an umbrella, a bar and a restaurant.  Most will even bring your order down to your beach chair for you. Other beach clubs are unaffiliated with a hotel but the set up is the same. You don’t have to be staying at the hotel, but be prepared to pay for the chair and the umbrella as well as the food and drinks. The menus vary but most offer hamburgers, tacos, seafood (shrimp is usually on the menu in some form) and  quesadillas and nachos. Beach food! If you get hungry, just stroll the beach.  Something will catch your eye ( we’re talking food here!). Some of the more popular beach clubs are the Blue Parrot, the Il Pirata, Coco Maya, Mamitas, Playa Maya, Bad Boys (where you can hear live blues on most days between 3 and 5) and Fusion.

Breakfast:

The most important meal of the day Mom always said. Most restaurants feature a breakfast menu. These are mentioned because they stand out as places to start the day. .

La Vagabunda. On 5th Avenue near Calle 26. A very large breakfast menu featuring all kinds of egg dishes, pancakes, waffles, fruits and cereals served under a huge palapa roof. Budget prices.

Cafe Tropical. On 5th Avenue between 8 and 10. Consistently delicious breakfasts. Croissants that melt in your mouth, great fruit drinks, yogurt. Delicious egg dishes. Open all day, but breakfasts are the best. Good people watching too.

Media Luna. On 5th Avenue near Calle 12. Excellent egg dishes like eggs scrambled with Oaxacan cheese and sun-dried tomatoes. The also have very good crepes and French toast.

Cueva del Chango.  On Calle 38 near 1st Avenue. The Cave of the Monkey. Worth seeing if just for the jungle garden setting. How many restaurants have a restroom with a waterfall for a sink? Eggs, crepes and fruit dishes.

Hot Bakery.  At the corner of Calle Corazon and Calle 14.  An old standard in Playa. Coffee and a cinnamon roll the size of your head. What a great way to start the day.

Cafe Corazón.  On 5th Avenue between Calles 28 and 30.  A cute little coffee shop with espresso bar, pastries, and various breakfast dishes (eggs, bagels, breakfast sandwiches, etc.).  A pleasant place to have your morning cup o' joe and read the paper.

Fast Food:

Sometimes you just want a quick bit or something to take back to your hotel room.  Yes, you can find McDonalds, Burger King and Subway in Playa del Carmen.  However, if you're looking for good takeaway, try:

Los Burritos del Gordo.  Avenida 15 between Calle 10 and 10 Bis.  Mexican owned and operated, they offer 3 dollar big burritos with lots of meat and grilled fish and meat soft tortilla tacos, a real treat.

Dessert:

You know you shouldn't....but you're traveling, right? So have the dessert! Most places have some dessert menu but try these places to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Ah Cacao. On Constituyentes at the corner of 5th Avenue. This place is a chocoholics dream. Rich spicy Mexican chocolate in pastries, ice cream and drinks. Try the Chocolate Maya, the chocolate equivalent of espresso. And the brownies…to die for!

And if you need more, you can find both Baskin Robbins and Haagen-Dazs stores on 5th Ave.   however, for more authentic Mexican ice cream, try Santa Clara on Avenida 10 near Calle 14.  A national Mexican chain, it features multiple flavors, including some exotic choices not found at its US counterparts. 

These are just a few suggestions. Now get out there and explore one of the world's great places to eat!