Playa Del Carmen Restaurant Guide
Laura Schulthies
Laura Schulthies
Daniel Mode
Daniel ModeExplore Playa del Carmen’s culinary landscape with our guide to the best Playa Del Carmen restaurants. From authentic street-side tacos to upscale international fusion, discover diverse dining experiences that capture the essence of this coastal town. Navigate cobblestone streets, uncover hidden culinary gems, and savor iconic beachfront eateries. Immerse yourself in the vibrant Mexican flavors crafted by talented local chefs. Whether it’s a romantic evening, laid-back brunch, or a tour of local Yucatan specialties, our curated selection of restaurants has something for everyone. Here is our guide to the best Playa Del Carmen restaurants.
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Where to Eat
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CENTRO
Centro has shops, restaurants, bars, and nightclubs that envelop you. Bonus: everything is walkable! La Quinta 5th Ave is lined with vendors, tour shops, performers, and tequila tasting rooms. Stretching up and down the beach from Ave. Constituyentes to Calle 1 (1st Street), if you’re looking for fun and great food, Centro is the spot.
THE NORTH END
Following the beach north from Centro, you’ll enter the North End after passing Ave. Constituyentes. This residential, Airbnb and condo area is quieter but still provides easy walking access to Centro. If you’re renting a vacation home for a large group, this is a popular area as it’s on the rise.
PLAYACAR
Playacar is a large-scale residential development south of Centro perfect for those looking for a more laid back vibe. Discover great beaches, a few hotels and restaurants, and a relaxed vibe. Golf courses, parks, and shopping centers define these “suburbs” of Playa del Carmen.
Budget Restaurants
El Fogón
El Fogón, on Avenida Constituyentes in Centro, is one of the top rated restaurants in Playa del Carmen for a reason, the best tacos. Now recognized by the Michelin Guide for “Good Cooking”, this wildly popular eatery serves delicious tacos, fajitas, and refreshing fruit juices. Don’t miss the tacos al pastor shaved right off of the trompa (vertical meat spit), flank steak tacos, and other tasty Mexican favorites.
Cocina Doña Paula
If you want to feel like someone prepared a home cooked meal for you, try Cocina Doña Paula in Centro. Slow cooked traditional specialties are the featured attraction here. Four talented ladies serve up meal combos daily. Make sure to try the authentic Sopa Aguada along with the pozole, mole poblano, and cochinita pibil. Cocina Doña Paula is known for large, hearty meals made from the heart. The restaurant is cash only.
La Brocherie
Come for the famous and sumptuous rotisserie chicken marinated in pineapple juice and herbs de Provence at La Brocherie in Centro. Combos come with a variety of fixings and rice and tortillas. One of the chefs is Parisienne, you can often catch French classics, if you’re lucky – including French onion soup and mussels marinière on Wednesdays and Fridays. Looking for a French classic, try the chicken cordon bleu with blue cheese sauce. La Brocherie is cash only.
El Nativo
Stop by El Nativo, on 30th Avenue near Constituyentes, to satisfy all of your breakfast cravings. The restaurant has lighter fare like fruit smoothies and fresh fruit plates or more hearty American or Mexican style breakfasts including homemade classics. Don’t miss the large and refreshing fruit juices blended right in front of you, and the classic chilaquiles.
El Hongo
A favorite Playa del Carmen eatery is the quirky El Hongo. This family-run business is a bit off-the-beaten-path in Ejidal but is well worth the trek for its delicious classic Mexican food, ridiculous pancakes, and live music. Try the fresh blended/frozen lemonade with mint and the fresh ceviche, you won’t be disappointed! This breakfast and lunch spot is cash only.
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Midrange Restaurants
Restaurante Patanegra
If you want to change it up and try some Spanish food, head for a unique dining experience at Patanegra, in on Calle 26 between Avenues 10 and 15 in Centro. This restaurant serves up delicious tapas and more Spanish favorites. You can’t go wrong with the paella and croquetas. On Saturdays, you can even catch a live flamenco show with your meal!
Los Aguachiles
Los Aguachiles is an excellent spot for seafood and upscale Mexican cuisine in the North End. This open-air restaurant serves delicious classic dishes such as grilled octopus, seafood tacos, and tostadas. The seafood at Los Aguachiles is fresh, well prepared, and incredibly flavorful. Don’t miss the aguachiles camarón (shrimp), delicious ceviche, or fish tacos.
El Pirata
For all things seafood, pay a visit to local favorite El Pirata, in the North End. At this casual and authentic eatery, you can choose your fish from the adjacent fish market and have it fried whole right in front of you. They also serve delicious shrimp dishes and ceviches, you can’t go wrong with camarones (shrimp) dishes at El Pirata. Cash only.
La Cueva del Chango
While La Cueva del Chango serves lunch and dinner, its main draw is its breakfast and the beautiful patio. The ambiance is amazing as you feel like you’re in a jungle, complete with turtles and koi fish, right in the North End. You’ll find quality delicious regional breakfast platters such as huevos rancheros, chilaquiles, as well as refreshing fruit salads, and empanadas. Expect a little wait, particularly for breakfast!
Rockas Jamaican Kitchen
Rockas Jamaican Kitchen is the perfect comfy rustic place to grab dinner in Playa del Carmen. This hidden gem is now located on Calle 38 Norte and Calle Flamingo, near La Cueva del Chango. The street is usually busy after 5 pm as people flock to Rockas Jamaican Kitchen for delicious food, live music, and drinks. The head chef, Marvin, is from Jamaica and greets each guest with a smile as they enjoy their meal. Make sure to try the Rasta Pasta, Oxtail, Jerk Wings, and, of course, the Jerk Chicken. Rockas is cash only.
High-End Restaurants
Alux
Dining at Alux is a unique and unforgettable culinary experience right in Ejidal. The dining room of this restaurant is in a spectacular underground cave/cenote and its food is a mix of Mayan, Mexican, and international upscale cuisine. For a tasty appetizer try the octopus, and for an entree don’t skip the tomahawk steak, short ribs, or surf & turf. A seven-course tasting menu is now available.
Oh, La La!
If you’re seeking fine dining in a stylish setting, Oh La La! on 10th Avenue between 28th and 30th Streets checks all the boxes. Plates are pieces of art in this contemporary, quaint restaurant serving refined European cuisine packed with high-quality ingredients and delightful flavors. Chef George and wife Mikaela operate this intimate 9-table restaurant. Try the grilled octopus, the melt-in-your-mouth scallops, or the duck tacos.
The Grill
This restaurant at the Grand Hyatt in Centro celebrates seasonal menus, which revolve around the organic produce, meat, and fresh seafood options the chef has access to daily. When you dine here, you can expect exceptional preparations of the highest quality. The impeccable talents of the chef, kitchen, and wait staff will ensure you have an unforgettable experience. From a perfectly grilled ribeye, filet mignon, or tomahawk steak to a delightfully seasoned salmon, you will not leave hungry or unsatisfied. The atmosphere in this curated space is charming and fun.
The Traveler’s Table
The Traveler’s Table is not a traditional restaurant; it’s a 5-course, interactive culinary learning adventure, seated under a thatch roof around a few seaside long tables. This is a can’t miss dining experience at the Punta Venado Beach Club. Guests thoroughly enjoy learning about Mexican food’s Spanish, African, and Middle Eastern cultural influences through every bite. Reservations are required well in advance for this culinary experience.
Casa Amate
Nestled within the stunning Andaz Mayakoba Resort in Playa del Carmen’s North End, you will find a culinary oasis in Casa Amate. The menu at Casa Amate is curated to showcase the rich and flavorful cuisine of Mexico, Central America, and Latin America. Try some of the best Mole in Playa del Carmen, and don’t miss out on the perfectly cooked and flavorful Octopus. The Pulpo a la Huancaina and the Tikin Xic-style fish are both current signature dishes. Other favorites include the flavorful Red Snapper and the delicious Prime Steak with wild mushrooms. The restaurant does not allow children under 12.
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