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Hours
Sun
5:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Mon
5:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Tue
5:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Wed
5:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Thu
5:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Fri
5:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Sat
5:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Reserve a table
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Ratings and reviews
4.5
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Food and ambience
Local cuisine, Latin, Mexican, Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Does this restaurant offer takeout or food to go?
Details
About
Inspiration for Primo comes from the love for food, ancient spirits, local crafts and rustic cooking. Trying to recreate in a small space under a beautiful tree the essence from original Playa del Carmen and bring an authentic Mexican food where everything is cooked with wood fired oven, comales and grill as has been done traditionally in most small towns of the country for centuries. Primo means cousin in Spanish. As a common slogan in Mexico we say Primo to refer to really close friends, the ones that may be closer than family. Our intention with this name for the restaurant is that guests feel the confort of gathering in a place that will taste and feel like home as we see. We have developed the interior design with locally made tzalam wood furniture, bejuco lamps and chukum finished for the walls. We proud ourselves by using local and sustainable suppliers for most of our ingredients.
PRICE RANGE
$7.00 – $47.00
CUISINES
Mexican, Latin
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner
FEATURES
Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Gift Cards Available
Contribute
4.5
295 reviews
Excellent
252
Very good
23
Average
6
Poor
8
Terrible
6
nyc092017
New York City3 contributions
Aug 2020 • family
My mom, sister and I just finished coming back from Primo and everything was delicious! I ordered a Smokey mezcal drink, which had a cool presentation. For an appetizer we had cauliflower over a bed of hummus. The portion was very generous and tasty. As main courses we shared the octopus special of the day, the barbacoa and the short ribs. Everything was really delicious but the winner was the short ribs! These were cooked over 10 hours and the meat was very tender. We finished off dinner with a chocolate soufflé cake that was also excellent. We are very happy we came to dinner here; the level of service was great and the price of dinner for 3 people was really cheap compared to NYC prices. I highly recommend coming here if you’re looking for a great experience.
Written August 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jvbeats
5 contributions
Jan 2020 • couples
My dinner at Primo can only be described as exquisite. I was instantly drawn to the restaurant just driving past it and I couldn’t help but take note of its warm and alluring atmosphere. Two nights later my girlfriend and I went for dinner without knowing what to expect. Our entire experience from start to finish exceeded any expectations we could have had. We sat at the bar overlooking the chef, providing us the opportunity to observe the skill and care put into each and every beautifully crafted dish. The ambiance created by the upbeat yet relaxing music playlist, glowing lights, and intimate size of the restaurant only added to our evening. We chose to order the chef’s tasting menu (5 courses) so that we could taste as many of the enticing dishes as possible. Each dish was unique, detailed, and yet somehow perfectly understated. The staff was attentive and highly knowledgeable, explaining each dish in detail as it came out. Despite being located outside and on a busy corner right off of 10th Avenue, this restaurant made us feel like we were tucked away in a private and exclusive spot that we felt lucky to be in. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone that passes through Playa Del Carmen. It is a must try and a purely delightful dining experience!! It is the best restaurant in Playa Del Carmen.
Written January 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bruce P
11 contributions
Feb 2020 • none
My wife and I travel often and make a point of eating in nice restaurants whenever we do. We had a meal at Primo that stood up to just about any we've had anywhere. The tasting menu was unreal, and amazing value at around 50$ for five courses. I can't understand the review of this place that describes the short rib as "ok"; it was one of the best things I've eaten in a long time.
The cocktails are excellent, the wine list is short but solid (all wines from Baja California that pair well with the menu) and the service was friendly. We spent over a week hitting up nice restaurants all around Playa and this place served the best meal we had by far. Highly, highly recommended.
Written February 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Grapevines-The
England115 contributions
Jan 2020 • friends
We were really looking forward to this meal as the reviews were so favourable and some of the food was good, particularly the bone marrow.
However we left the venue feeling disappointed for 3 main reasons:
FIRSTLY the suckling pig sounded great but turned out to be mushed up pig, including the offal which provided flavour, cooked to give it a crunchy top - you might call it a whole pig burger - and the lamb was similar mush. Neither of the textures was to our taste and we had not anticipated a significant offal content.
SECONDLY they only open at night and have exceeding poorly lighting so it is very difficult to see what you are eating. We had a table next to the main road so car headlights were beneficial otherwise you rely on your mobile's torch as the waiters do.
THIRDLY despite being 1 of only 3 occupied tables it was over 45 mins before we got anything to eat.
Written January 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Softballmom45
Plantation60 contributions
Jan 2020 • family
Dined here with my husband and two adult children last night. It is an open air restaurant and kitchen with a zen like vibe. The food was outstanding. Everything we ate was fresh and delicious. My husband loved the bone marrow and my daughter said the guacamole was the best she ever had. I highly recommend making reservations as there are only 8-10 tables with some limited seats at the counter overlooking the kitchen. My only negative is that the service got slower as the restaurant became more full. Our reservation was for 6:30. We did not leave until 9pm. As my family was served their entree, the waiter told me mine was no longer available. I ordered a replacement which did not come until long after my family was done eating and it was cold. Despite this minor setback, I highly recommend this restaurant for a romantic date night or nice adult family dinner.
Written January 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David Ferran
San Diego68 contributions
Apr 2021 • none
My wife and I were in Playa for three weeks and whenever we are traveling we have a rule. We only eat in a restaurant once on a trip. This forces us to go out and find new great places to eat.
Well........We simply had to make an exception this time. On our last night out in Playa we wanted to do do something really special and, as hard as we tried, we couldn't come up with anything that was likely to be more special than Primo.
Luckily we were able to get in. (I think Charlie remembered us and squeezed us in)
This is THE place to go in Playa if you want real Mexican food made from only the finest ingredients and served by some of the nicest people imaginable.
The setting is similar to an upscale street corner taco stand but DO NOT BE FOOLED by that. This is no taco stand, my friends. This is world class food that is on par with anything you will find at a Michelin Star restaurant, just without all the foo foo and pretense.
Each night we ordered 6 dishes and had them served two at a time. (three courses)
We didn't need to order this much food, and in fact we never did finish it all, but we wanted to taste everything and simply couldn't decide. There were so many things we have never seen or even heard of before. And I have lived 20 minutes from the Mexican border for the past 40 years.
The head waiter is Charlie. Just ask for him and let him guide you. The menu each day features specials that are based on what is fresh and fantastic that day.
We loved everything Charlie suggested as well as his incredible sense of humor. A truly nice guy!
The chefs at this place are magicians. The flavors, textures and presentations they come up with are amazing. How can they do it in such a small, open air kitchen?
Part of that answer is the pit that is below the kitchen floor were they roast meets for up to 14 hours before serving. Awesome!
If you miss out on going to Primos, you are missing out on the best of Playa Del Carmen.
Written April 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Garson H
Toronto280 contributions
Feb 2020 • none
Very different and good! Small plates of unique foods. The portions are pretty small - need 1.5 to 2 plates per person. Very tasty and unique. Had ceviche, short ribs, lamb barbacoa, chicken and caesar salad. If you don’t like spice let the server know as some dishes are spicy that you wouldn’t suspect (caesar salad and ceviche). I’d go again
Written February 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
206GlobeGirl
Seattle595 contributions
Dec 2019 • friends
First off, let me say that the ambiance is perfect. They hit the mark on an indoor/outdoor restaurant with open concept yet feels super cozy and chill vibe. They played fantastic latin music as well. A lot of the restaurants played American music, which I am not a fan of when traveling. I want an authentic experience. I had a drink at the bar while waiting to be seated. The wine was fabulous as was the service. The service continued to be excellent once moved to our table. Our waiter was very attentive and funny with great suggestions. Perfect service from start to finish. Everyone loved their food, including two picky teenagers. It is obvious that the owner has put a lot of thought into this restaurant and the execution is spot on. The only reason I did not give it a 5 star is because I wish the menu had more options. I don't eat pork or red meat and therefore had only a couple of choices, which I chose the lamb tacos....very good. I would recommend this place for sure and will be back if I visit Playa Del Carmen again.
Written January 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tina N
Temecula29 contributions
Sep 2020 • couples
We’ve been in PDC for an extended stay and walk by Primo regularly. The staff is very friendly so we decided to stop by for dinner. From the Fresco drinks, to the large prawns and fish selection that evening, everything was excellent. The server was very knowledgeable of every dish on the menu. We had a wonderful evening dining at Primo. Every dish was flavorful and presentation very nice. Ambience is fabulous as well, dining by candlelight.
We’ve since stopped by here to just enjoy a glass of Fresco and the staff and cooks are very welcoming, sharing the meals they’re preparing for the evening
Definitely stop by and support this small business that does it all right. You won’t be disappointed!
Written October 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SurfSnoBunny
Bend15 contributions
Mar 2022 • friends
Wow! Absolute perfection!! This is a gem, I almost don't want to write a review, because this place is so special I want to keep it a secret :)
Reservations are a must, it's a small, open-kitchen bistro on the corner of a busy street in Playa. The freshest farm-to-table ingredients are artfully prepared right before you with expertise. Flavors are fresh and balanced, presentation is outstanding. Worth the splurge.
Written March 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rkm200@yahoo,com
Playa del Carmen33 contributions
Nov 2021 • none
I have to admit that I’ve never seen any restaurant that utilized a Green Egg smoker as the centerpiece of the kitchen! The smoker, a very small wood fired griddle and an even smaller electric hot plate made up their entire cooking equipment inventory. As I surveyed that scene and the cooks working in perfect unison inside this tiny space, I was indeed impressed at their cleverness and creativity. Oh, and by the way the sidewalk overflowed with groups of hipster peeps waiting for an apparently much coveted table. Note, they do take res.
We all shared a bottle of Baja Mexican white wine which was both perfectly dry and delicious. It did have that slight Baja saltiness aftertaste which I’m slowly learning to enjoy. After several stories of varying interest, we requested our dinners. The she-devil, I mean my lovely wife, had the grilled shrimp and I split some BBQ lamb and bone marrow with the new, worldly friend.
First, the shrimp were prepared and delivered in their shells and were very appetizing and cooked perfectly. The lamb BBQ is served as a very small portion but awfully flavorsome. Yet the bone marrow was star of the show. Succulent, buttery and decedent all at the same time. Whether you’re smearing it across some toast points, a cracker or a fresh flour tortilla, it definitely good eats.
Service was just right, attentive and professional. Not cheap, but worth checking out the awesome food coming out of this diminuto cocina.
Written November 27, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LQ1
Toronto37 contributions
Jan 2022 • couples
Unique restaurant in Playa Del Carmen. We had two seats overlooking the open kitchen, observing all the action. Chefs are using top quality ingredients, prepareing dishes right on the spot.
Food is delicious, and the outdoor kitchen is great ambiance.
Dishes are next level creative. Reservations are recommended.
Written January 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
VanillaAce
Saint Simons Island1085 contributions
Sep 2020 • none
Perfect blend of smoke, herbs, and spices will delight your palate. We tried to eat here in November 2019 but could not get a table. Walking by the restaurant, we noticed it was as opened and they had a table. Best decision and food we have had in Playa. The mezcal margarita was a mixologist delight. Guayabera was excellent also. Entrees are not large so we ordered three for two people. The octopus was in an amazing reduction with beans and charred perfectly. The fish with coconut mole sauce was unique and not your traditional mole sauce by complimenting the perfectly cooked fish. The sucking pig was also delicious.
Written September 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pearl83
Cincinnati23 contributions
Feb 2020 • friends
Came here on a friend's recommendation, and could not have been happier. The menu is a short one, full of thoughtful dishes that merge local flavors and traditions with modern sensibility. Every bite was a treat. Even the house cocktails were unique and beautifully crafted. From the salads to the grilled shrimp and slow cooked suckling pig to the delightful dessert plantains, each dish was flawless.
Written February 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BradC
Hoover150 contributions
Apr 2022 • couples
We thought the food here was great. The seating is outdoor only and rustic, but watching them prepare food was fun.
When the bill came, it had a 16% IVR line added. This is an fake tax scam, somewhat common in PDC. We typically tip 20% so it didn't matter enough for us to argue. When the waiter asked for a tip, I said that it was already included in the IVR. He argued that IVR was a government tax, but that's not true. No other restaurants in Mexico ever charged us a tax, and it wouldn't have been 16%.
I just paid it and left no additional tip, but make no mistake, this is an intentionally deceptive practice and is likely illegal, so I have to rate this as a "poor" experience. Shame too because I would have rebooked for the food alone.
If you can overlook the integrity issue, and enjoy it for the food, have at it.
Written April 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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