Playa del Carmen Restaurants

There's a wide selection of restaurant options in Playa del Carmen from inexpensive Mexican fare to higher end romantic ones. The restaurants on 5th Avenue tend to be pricier, and not necessarily of better quality. One can often find excellent local gems just off 5th Avenue with food just as good or better and unbeatable prices. As frequent diners, we have compiled a list of our favorite places and hope you will have an equally nice dining experience.

100% Natural
5th Avenue near Calle 10. They specialize in vegetarian, salads, pastas, soups, fresh fish, meat and poultry. This is one of our favorite restaurants. Located in a garden patio, it almost feels like your food was picked fresh right there on the spot. The atmosphere is very relaxed and since it's right on 5th Avenue, it's also great for people watching. We recommend this to anyone who loves fresh food and is ideal for vegetarians, those on a diet or who love to eat healthy.

Agua Chiles
34th Street between 20th and 25th Avenues. Open for lunch, they specialize in shrimp tacos and ceviches. We eat here frequently. The prices are great, the food always fresh and the service fast. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a delicious meal on the cheap at a local hot spot.

Ah Cacao
5th Avenue and 30th Street and also at 5th Avenue and Constituyentes. A coffee and chocolate bar serving the most delicious chocolate mousse and chocolate java drinks around. If it weren't for all the calories we would visit daily. The chocolate is made fresh and is always fantastic. They also have a selection of brownies, white chocolate and homemade ice cream. Their small gift section has a nice selection of homemade Mexican chocolates to bring back home.

Cactus
30th Avenues between Constituyentes and 20th Street. Specializing in French, Mexican and international fare they offer a delicious selection of freshly cooked food. Although it can take a while for them to make your meal, it always comes out fresh and delicious. We often frequent this restaurant and love trying different dishes on the menu. This is also a favorite spot of famous French chef and local condo owner Jacques Pepin. I would highly recommend this to anyone looking for a great meal at an unbeatable price.

Carboncitos
4th Street between 5th and 10th Avenue. Serving international Mexican food made fresh. Great for lunch or dinner, try their tacos, seafood and meat selection. We've never left here hungry and have never had a bad meal.

Chet Celine
5th Avenue between 32nd and 34th Streets. Fantastic French cafe with mouthwatering pastries. This is a should not miss spot; the food and coffee rival that of Paris. The owner is French and can often be found on site baking up some delectables. Closed Mondays.

Cockteleria Manigua
Located on 40th Street between 5th and 10th Avenues. Ideal for lunch or dinner they serve fresh local seafood. You can order your fish fresh from the tank and they will cook it for you. The spot is frequented by locals and is very inexpensive. This restaurant is perfect for anyone who loves seafood and doesn't mind eating at a local spot to have a great meal and save a few pennies.

Como Como
5th Avenue between 38th and 42nd Streets. This Italian restaurant has quickly become one of the most popular restaurants in Playa. It is so good I would not recommend going without a reservation - and in Playa del Carmen, that is practically unheard of. The mixed drinks tend to be spotty, but the delicious food and great service certainly make up for any potentially watered-down cocktails.

Da GiGi
5th Avenue between 32nd and 34th Streets. Owner and operator Gigi and his master chefs have been serving up delicious Italian food and pizzas for over a decade.  They make a point to personally check on diners and socialize with them, making the dining experience more personalized.  It has become the place to see and be seen as many local politicians and celebrities dine here as well.  The 5th Avenue location has both outdoor and indoor dining options.  If you choose outdoors make sure to pay a visit inside to see the amazing restaurant decor and layout personally designed by GiGi.

El 10
5th Avenue and 30th Street. Argentinean grill with fantastic meats and hamburgers. Ideally situated on 5th Avenue, it's perfect for people watching. The prices are reasonable and the food is consistently well worth the visit.

El Bistro at La Tortuga
10th Avenue and 14th Street Nte. A very romantic restaurant connected to the La Tortuga Hotel, el Bistro offers gourmet international food. The back part of the restaurant overlooks the La Tortuga pool, and at night the pool and gardens are illuminated making the whole place dazzle. The food is consistently very good and the prices not bad considering the charming atmosphere and . It is many people's favorite restaurant in Playa. They serve delicious breakfast, lunch and dinner.

El Camello Jr.
Avenida Tulum & Luna Sur, Tulum. Located in Tulum, 45 minutes south of Playa, El Camello Jr. serves the best seafood we have eaten in Mexico to date. Located in a no-frills, very local establishment with plastic tables and chairs, El Camello Jr. has incredible, fresh seafood at unbeatable prices. Try the whole fried fish, fish fillet with garlic sauce or gilled squid. This is arguably our favorite restaurant.

El Cejas
26th Street between 25th and 30th Avenues. Open air, very local seafood establishment with a delicious assortment of marine delicacies. We had Oysters Rockefeller off their specials menu and absolutely loved them! Open for lunch only.

El Fogón
On Constituyentes between 25th and 30th Avenues. Perfect for dinner or lunch, they specialize in grilled Mexican style meats . This is one of our favorite restaurants. It's very reasonably priced and very hard to go wrong. They even have great fruit drinks made from fresh fruit and either milk or water. At night local musicians serenade patrons for tips. This restaurant is perfect for meat fanatics, couples and families. They have other locations throughout town with food equally as good.

El Mero
26th St between 5th and 10th Avenues. Modeled after their sister restaurant in Veracruz, Mexico, El Mero serves fresh Veracruzano style seafood at reasonable prices.  We like to order as an appetizer the oyster sampler (be aware it is very spicy) and then randomly choose one of their many seafood offerings as a main dish.  When in doubt just ask their friendly and accommodating bilingual staff.

HC Monterrey
Constituyentes between 25th and 30th Avenues. Open for lunch and dinner they serve delicious arrachera (marinated flank steak). Although their drink selection is limited, their steak is juicy and savory. You can also order raw arrachera to take home and grill yourself. At night local musicians serenade patrons for tips. This restaurant is suited for meat lovers. They have other locations throughout town with food equally as good.

Karma Bagels
5th Avenue between Constituyentes and 20th Street. Serving up fresh bagels and salads all day long. The portions are good and the price is right. For a delicious, freshly made meal it's hard to go wrong with Karma Bagels.

La Casa del Agua
5th Avenue and 2nd Street. International cuisine specializing in seafood. The restaurant is very romantic with waterfalls and soft music playing in the background. You can sit on the fist level overlooking the buzz on 5th Avenue, or sit on the top level with views of the ocean and Cozumel. La Casa del Agua is perfect for couples or anyone looking to enjoy a great meal. It's a bit pricier than the off the beaten path places, but the food is well worth it.

La Ceiba
30th Avenue and 20th Street. Serving up fresh Mexican fare at great prices. Attached to a fruit and vegetable market with the same owners, it's hard to get food any fresher. The food tastes like it was picked from the farm that day. Try their fabulous fruit smoothies. La Ceiba shares the same owner and generally the same menu as the restaurant across the street, Nativo, which is equally as good.

La Cueva del Chango
38th St. between 1st and 5th Avenues. Great for any meal, this is a real hidden gem.  You'll enjoy great juices, blended fruit drinks, salads, soups, Mexican specialties with a natural twist, and handmade tortillas. The fish is fresh and delicious. Although there is typically a wait for your food to be made, especially at breakfast, it is always made fresh and delicious. The building itself is designed like a cave: there is a stream inside with fish pond and colorful glass bottles protrude from the ceiling casting prismatic shades. Mosquitoes tend to be a problem, but free bug spray is offered.

La Parrilla de Manolo
5th Avenue. and 32nd Street. This is a great Argentinean grill that serves delicious grilled meats, empanadas and Mexican and Argentinean specialties. We go for the menu of the day, and for a fixed price get a delicious lunch with appetizer for under $100 pesos. We've never had a bad meal here and have only heard glowing reviews from friends.

La Tarraya
On the beach at 2nd Street. One of the first (if not first) restaurants in Playa. Serving delicious seafood at rock bottom prices. The place is nothing fancy with plastic tables and chairs and no frills service, but you are right on the beach so the views are amazing.

Luna Maya
5th Avenue 38th Street. Upscale, Mexican food upstairs from Baremare. This is a top choice for a nice romantic meal. Warm and well-appointed with exceptional service, Luna Maya is sure to be a hit on any date.

Mezzanine
Tulum on the beach. This is our favorite place to eat in Tulum. Enjoy fantastic Thai fushion cusine while enjoying beautiful ocean views.

Piola
38th Street between 1st and 5th Avenue. Open for lunch and dinner they offer the best thin crust pizza in Playa with over 50 different type of toppings.  It rivals our favorite Pizza joint in Boston. We eat here often and highly recommend it.

Sushi Itto
Paseo del Carmen, 5th Avenue. Sushi Itto is one of the best Japanese restaurants in Playa del Carmen, with delicious sushi and free delivery service to your hotel or residence. It's a great place to enjoy Asian cooking. It's ideally located on 5th Avenue, and has outdoor seating so you can enjoy watching the world walk by as you dine in delight. It's the perfect respite before, during or after a shopping trip on 5th Avenue.

Tropical
5th Avenue between 8th and 10th Streets. Serving delicious, healthy international cuisine morning, noon and night. Ask owner Gerardo for what's fresh. You can either eat on their outdoor first level patio on 5th Avenue and watch the world walk by or choose the breezy second level for a cooler, more private dining experience.

Util Pasta Factory
25th Avenue between Calle 30 & 32. Made from scratch fresh on site, this will be some of the most delicious pasta you have eaten. They even supply homemade pasta to a number of surrounding restaurants. This is Allan's favorite restaurant. Even if you're not a big pasta fan, you will love this place. Laid back and quaint with outdoor seating, it's not fancy but the food is amazing.

Yaxche Maya Cuisine
5th Avenue and 22nd Street. This is one of our favorite restaurants in Playa del Carmen. The Yaxche serves up traditional Mayan food in beautiful surroundings. The waiters are top-notch and the food is fabulous. I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a delicious meal and a great cultural experience.