Playa del Carmen is home to many things: incredible beaches, world-class snorkeling, and some of the best food in the Yucatan. With all of the different restaurants and places to eat, we’ve greated this guide to the best restaurants in Playa del Carmen.
If food is your thing, you may want to check out our post at https://therivieramaya.org/best-mexican-cookbooks/ with our favorite Mexican cookbooks!
As we discover new food, we will add them here. We’ve separated the restaurants into a few categories:
- Restaurants on 5th Avenue
- Best Local Restaurants
- Finding Street Food
- Breakfast in Playa del Carmen
- Romantic Dinners
- Healthy Eats
Restaurants on 5th Avenue
It only takes a brief wallk down 5th Avenue in Playa del Carmen to become overwhelmed with the restaurant options in town. Although the food on the famous La Quinta may be the most expensive in town (and often overpriced), there are quite a few good places to eat.
Fah
Fah is one of our favorite places to go. There is live music every night, the service is good, and we always enjoy our meals. The food certainly isn’t anything special or unique, but it is definitely good. If you’re looking for a relaxing and fun place to eat with rock music, visit Fah!
Chez Celine
Chez Celine is hard to miss. The smell of fresh bread and full patio are quite alluring. Although rather touristy, this French bakery is the ideal place to grab your morning coffee and a croissant. The food is consistently delicious, and there is great people watching outside.
Bovino’s
Bovino’s is actually just off 5th Avenue, but still worth mentioning. The Brazilian steakhouse simply offers the best steaks in Playa del Carmen. You will not go home hungry with the different offerings at Bovino’s. It’s one of the more expensive restaurants in Playa, but definitely worth the price.
Best Local Restaurants
Although there are great high-end restaurants in Playa, you have to get out and try the local food. Here are some of the best local restaurants in Playa del Carmen that we recommend checking out.
El Fogón
El Fogón is one of the most popular restaurants in Playa del Carmen. With multiple locations, they are known for their tacos and local Mexican food. Be sure to try the tacos al pastor! If you go, be prepared for a wait of 5-10 minutes during the busy season, and remember your server is not likely to speak English.
Un Taco Más
Un Taco Más is a local favorite. In our opinion, this is where you will find the best tacos in Playa del Carmen. The tortillas are handmade, there are a dozen options to choose from for filling, and the meats are always delicious. At about 17 pesos a taco, you really can’t beat this place! If you love real Mexican tacos, this restaurant needs to be high on your list!
El Pechugón
El Pechugón is simply the best place to eat chicken in Playa. Located right in town on Benito Juarez, this little counter-service restaurant is a gem. On weekends, you may find a long line (but it moves fast). You can get a plate of chicken, fresh tortillas, rice, and delicious salsas for around 100 pesos. There are only a few stools to sit on, so you may consider taking your meal to the park or beach to eat!
Finding Street Food
If you’re looking for the best mexican food in Playa del Carmen, you’ll have to find some street food. When we first moved to Playa del Carmen, many people warned us about eating the street food. However, we have not gotten sick a single time from street food here. If that’s a concern of yours, try to find the stands with longer lines as the food has higher turnover and is fresher!
Our favorite place to find the vendors is in Parque Portal Maya. On the corner of Benito Juarez and Avenida 10, you will find this park bustling with street vendors. You will find tacos, quesadillas, tortas, burritos, tamales, marquesitas, and more. You can also find desserts like churros, horchata, fresh fruit, and marquesitas.
Another place to find street vendors is over in front of the Palacio Municipal. In the evening time, you’ll find many dessert vendors in front of the government building.
Finally, you can find delicious street food on 30th Avenue in front of Mega. There is food, dessert, and everything here as well. We specifically go here to find our favorite tamales in the area!
Breakfast in Playa del Carmen
Breakfast is a meal that stands alone, and deserves its own space here. Although we don’t frequently eat breakfast out, there are a few breakfast restaurants in Playa del Carmen we love as our go-to’s.
La Cueva del Chango
La Cueva del Chango is the best breakfast restaurant in Playa del Carmen in our eyes. It’s a bit on the more expensive side for breakfast, but never disappoints. They have fresh fruit parfaits, great coffee, and a plethora of salsas and local dishes. My favorite are the chilequiles. In addition, this breakfast spot has the best atmosphere and service we’ve found. Sit in the beautiful garden and forget the bustle of Playa for a few minutes!
Lara y Luca
Lara y Luca has less traditional Mexican dishes for breakfast, but the bakery sure serves up a delicious meal. Like La Cueva del Chango, it is a bit on the pricier side, but well worth it. Every single thing I’ve ordered on their menu has impressed, and the small little restaurant is comfortable, intimate, and fun.
La Brioche
La Brioche is another French bakery, with multiple locations throughout town. A bit cheaper than the other ones on our breakfast list, La Brioche serves up fresh and filling breakfasts all day.
Romantic Dinners in Playa del Carmen
If you’re here with your significant other and want to take a night to have a romantic dinner together, there are many options. These are our favorite romantic restaurants in Playa worth visiting.
Alux
Alux is truly a unique dining experience. Located underground in a natural cave, Alux offers a fun, romantic, and interesting atmosphere. You can sit in their main rooms surrounded by stalactites, but we recommend booking one of their special tables. The special tables must be specifically reserved, and are located in different spots in the cavern to offer a truly quiet and romantic meal.
Luma Taverna
Luma Taverna is another one of our favorites. A mellow spot near the beach in Playa, Luma is a nice little restaurant with fresh fish, delicious meats, and wonderful service. It’s definitely the cheapest of the three in this section, but definitely a nice meal and great dining experience. We recommend their seafood dishes!
Oh Lala!
Oh LaLa! is one of the most popular restaurants in Playa del Carmen, and a great spot to have a romantic dinner. You absolutely must book ahead of time, as tables are limited. Every dish you will be served will surely impress you. You may be hesitant to eat, as the presentation is absolutely beautiful. This restaurant is generally considered to be one of the best restaurants in Playa del Carmen overall.
Healthy Eats
With all of the delicious food in town, you may want to make some effort to stay healthy in Playa. The good news is that there are quite a few healthy restaurants in town.
Bio Natural
Bio & Natural is a small health food store that also serves fresh food. With a ton of vegan and vegetarian options, Bio Natural is one of the best spots in Playa to eat a healthy meal. They also have fresh juices, kombucha, and all of your health food desires.
Green and Fit
Green & Fit is our favorite place to get a fresh salad. You can choose from one of their premade creations, or build your own salad. They have just about everything you could hope for, and their produce is consistently the best we’ve found in town.
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