Okay, this post is a long time coming. As anyone who knows me can confirm, I have a bit of a taco problem. If I could eat them for every meal, I would. Lucky for me (and for you) there are some great options in Playa. We’ve made this list of the best tacos in Playa del Carmen and tried our best to include prices, locations, and more.
El Ñero – Best Pastor Tacos
Tacos al pastor are a hallmark in Mexico. With different food preparation regulations, these Mexican tacos can be cooked on lower heat to produce much juicier and more tasty tacos than you can find in the US. Whether you’re visiting or living here in Playa, you have to give them a try.
Everyone has an opinion on where the best pastor tacos can be found, and ours is El Ñero. Go ahead, try different pastor tacos in town. You won’t find a better one. At about 15 pesos a pop, El Ñero is where it’s at. They also have many local favorites that are quite delicious. Their suadero (beef cheek) tacos are pretty amazing as well.
El Ñero has multiple locations in Playa. One of the most accessible is on Avenida Benito Juarez and 45th. You can find the location and directions here.
Un Taco Más – An Overall Favorite
Un Taco Más is perhaps my favorite place to go in general for tacos. They have a ton of options for fresh meats, they make their own tortillas (which makes a huge difference), and it’s quick and easy. You will find pork, chicken, chorizo, and much more. Tacos run about 15 pesos each, and they are well worth the money. Located just next to the highway, it’s easy to get to. You can visit their Facebook page to find directions and learn more.
El Gran Taco – Huge Carnitas Tacos
The picture above doesn’t really do El Gran Taco justice. I usually eat 4-5 tacos when we go somewhere. At El Gran Taco, I have two. They load up the meat, and have tons of toppings. Their papas con chorizo is delicious, they sometimes have barbacoa, and their carnitas are perfect. Another cheap place, you won’t bust your wallet eating here.
The TripAdvisor reviews speak of poor service, but we go there a few times a month. We’ve never been met with anything other than kindness and great service.
Don Sirloin – The Best Sirloin Tacos
We avoided Don Sirloin when we first arrived in Playa. It looks like a tourist trap, with multiple locations across town. After being told multiple times by people from all over to give it a try, we finally did. And oh boy! Their sirloin tacos are just delicious. We even buy the meat by the kilo sometimes for barbecues and parties, as it really is the best around.
These tacos are a bit more expensive, running in the 20-30 peso range each, depending on the type of tortilla and whether or not you would like cheese. You can see their locations here.
Carnitas Teresita – Best Carnitas
Carnitas Teresita is not a tourist trap. It’s not glamorous in style. Their food does all the marketing and work for them. Their carnitas are simply the best in town. With home-made chicharron, carnitas, tripe, and more, this is a great place to find authentic Mexican tacos and meats you may not find in the more touristy destinations. Tacos run in the 14-16 peso range.
Carnitas Teresita may be found on Calle 1 Sur, between 20th and 25th. You can view it on Google Maps here.
Chac Pel – Best Fish Tacos
We’ve been focusing on meats, so let’s talk about fish tacos. Chac-Pel is a little seafood restaurant that has much more than tacos. Located just at the end of 5th Avenue by the mall, it’s an awesome place to eat and people watch. Their shrimp and fish tacos are delicious, and you will not leave disappointed.
They are located here on 10th Avenue just south of Benito Juarez. It’s just a few blocks away from Carnitas Teresita, so you can hit both to try different things!
El Fogón – Most Popular Tacos
No list of the best tacos in Playa would be complete without El Fogón. Admittedly, I think it is a bit overhyped. Their tacos are certainly delicious, but there are better. El Fogón is known for its pastor tacos, but all of their tacos are delicious. If you ask anyone in town where to try some good tacos, they’ll surely recommend this place. There are multiple locations, service is friendly, it’s relatively cheap, and great for a sit-down taco restaurant. We think the best one is this one on 30th and 32nd.
Street Tacos – The Local Experience
We talked about street tacos in our post The Best Restaurants in Playa del Carmen in 2019 because they really are that good. The street vendors make fresh tacos that are as cheap as they come. You can find tacos, tortas, gringas, and much more. Different vendors have different meats, and you will get a true local experience. You can also get some great desserts, like marquesitas.
You can find our favorite street vendors in Parque Portal Maya on Benito Juarez and 15th. The park takes up nearly the whole block, and is hard to miss. You can get directions here.
Bio Natural – Vegetarian (and Vegan) Tacos
Tacos aren’t just for the meat-lovers out there. There are a handful of places in Playa del Carmen that make delicious vegetarian and vegan tacos. Bio Natural is an awesome little organic store with multiple locations in Playa. In addition to great meatless taco options, they have a full shop for your organic goods and tons of other food on their menu. If you’re trying to stay healthy in Playa, definitely visit Bio Natural! You can visit their Facebook page to learn more about them.
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