Whereas Playa del Carmen is known for its seashores and nightlife, there’s additionally fairly the culinary scene right here. From taco vehicles to nice eating and all the things in between, your choices are virtually limitless for consuming out right here.
With regards to Playa del Carmen eating places, there are such a lot of selections that it may be a bit overwhelming. The very last thing you need is to finish up in an overpriced vacationer entice restaurant consuming a soggy burrito. There are too many superb eating places right here to waste your time in these sorts of locations!
On this information, we’ll check out the very best eating places in Playa del Carmen, unfold out throughout a couple of completely different classes.
Greatest Eating places in Playa del Carmen
I simply completed up a 2-month stint as a digital nomad in Playa del Carmen and I did loads of analysis for this information. And by analysis, I imply deciding where to stay in Playa del Carmen based mostly on proximity to superb eating places.
I additionally ate a bunch of chilaquiles, tacos, and ceviche. I did my greatest to give attention to native delicacies, as I personally consider one doesn’t journey all the way in which to Mexico to eat pizza and cheeseburgers.
In the event you want some consolation meals right here, although, it’s not onerous to seek out. This is without doubt one of the most popular places to visit in Mexico they usually’ve obtained delicacies from everywhere in the world in Playa del Carmen.
You will discover some fairly strong locations for Italian, Japanese, Brazilian, and Thai — if that’s what you need.
One beauty of going out to eat in Playa del Carmen is that it doesn’t have to interrupt the financial institution.
You may get among the greatest tacos on the planet for about $1 every. For simply $5 or so, you possibly can get pleasure from a lunch cope with a soup, important course, drink, and dessert. Even a pleasant dinner in a flowery restaurant might be had for beneath $50.
On this Playa del Carmen meals information, I’ll provide you with three choices every for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks & drinks, tacos, and road meals. I went forward and put an additional one within the dinner part. Simply be warned that your mouth could also be watering by the point you attain the tip!
Questioning Easy methods to Get From The Cancun Airport to Playa Del Carmen?
You could have completely different choices for getting from Cancun to Playa del Carmen. You may both take the bus, lease a automotive, take a taxi, or hop in non-public transportation booked previous to your arrival.
The quickest, most secure, and most comfy possibility is to take non-public transportation to Playa del Carmen. You don’t need to waste valuable vacation time ready round for buses or being ripped off by taxis. Try Cancun Airport Transportation, which provides quite a lot of car choices — for solo travellers, {couples} and teams.
Listed here are the very best eating places in Playa del Carmen, Mexico:
Greatest Eating places in Playa del Carmen for Breakfast
La Cueva del Chango
- Hours: Monday-Saturday 8AM-10:30PM, Sunday 8AM-2PM
- Cellphone #: 01 984 147 0271
- Location: Calle 38 between fifth Avenue & the ocean, Zazil-Ha (click here for instructions)
- Score on TripAdvisor: 4.5/5
There’s maybe no higher place to start out your day in Playa del Carmen than at La Cueva del Chango. This restaurant has a fantastic backyard setting and is a highly regarded place to go for a leisurely brunch.
You will have to attend for a desk right here, but it surely’s properly price it. They’ll even take your drink order whilst you wait.
Their menu is big they usually really serve all three meals. It’s undoubtedly the most effective eating places in Playa del Carmen, no matter what you go there for.
I put it within the information as a breakfast spot just because they make the very best chilaquiles I’ve ever had right here. Pair these with one in all their recent juices and a espresso and also you’re good to go.
Choux Choux Cafe
- Hours: Sunday-Monday 7AM-3PM, Tuesday-Saturday 7AM-9PM
- Cellphone #: 01 984 147 2691
- Location: twentieth Avenue & Calle 24 (click here for instructions)
- Score on TripAdvisor: 4.5/5
Choux Choux Cafe at all times comes up on lists of the highest eating places in Playa del Carmen, particularly as a breakfast spot. They’ve obtained loads of tasty choices right here, resembling salmon eggs benedict or a wholesome vegan bowl.
I wish to get one thing filling and one thing gentle and cut up them each, making for a strong breakfast that’s not too heavy.
In addition they have an in depth espresso menu right here, from cortados to their specialty ChiChiCino with ice cream and vanilla. In the event you’re a digital nomad seeking to plug in and work for some time, their robust espresso and WiFi make Choux Choux a strong alternative. It’s additionally a bakery, so that you would possibly need to seize one thing to take residence whilst you’re right here.
Nativo
- Hours: Monday-Sunday 7AM-12AM
- Cellphone #: 01 984 873 0758
- Location: thirtieth Avenue & Calle 20 (click here for instructions)
- Score on TripAdvisor: 4.5/5
In the event you’re too full from all of the tacos and cervezas (which might occur very simply in Playa, consider me), then occasionally you simply desire a gentle and wholesome breakfast.
Nativo is without doubt one of the high locations to eat brunch in Playa del Carmen due to their superb recent juices and smoothies. An enormous smoothie stuffed with fruit solely prices round $3!
You may simply order up a drink to go right here, or you possibly can sit down upstairs and order off the menu. They’ve some nice breakfast choices they usually’re additionally open for lunch and dinner if you wish to come again for lunch or dinner one other time.
Greatest Eating places in Playa del Carmen for Lunch
El Sangha-Rito
- Hours: Monday-Sunday 8AM-11PM
- Cellphone #: 01 984 873 1794
- Location: CTM Avenue & tenth Avenue (click here for instructions)
- Score on TripAdvisor: 4.5/5
There are such a lot of Playa del Carmen eating places to select from that it may be a bit overwhelming. One spot that was at all times my go-to for lunch once we lived in Playa was El Sangha-Rito. It’s the most effective locations to eat lunch in Playa del Carmen due to their menu del dia.
This “menu of the day” modifications day-after-day and at all times features a soup, important course, dessert, and an agua fresca. For simply round $5-6, it’s an amazing discount. I additionally actually get pleasure from their trio plate, which consists of chilaquiles, eggs, and a mollete (open-faced sandwich).
The Pitted Date
- Hours: Monday-Sunday 8AM-8PM
- Cellphone #: 52 984 803 3917
- Location: CTM Avenue between 1st Ave and Cozumel St (click here for instructions)
- Score on TripAdvisor: 4.5/5
For a recent & wholesome lunch, look no additional than The Pitted Date. This is without doubt one of the greatest Playa del Carmen eating places for tasty vegan meals at cheap costs. Even in case you’re not vegan, I extremely advocate giving this place a strive.
Whereas they’re open all day, I often come right here for lunch to get pleasure from their salads, pitas, and bowls. In addition they make vegan variations of Mexican classics, resembling their avocado tostadas. They’ve a strong drink menu right here in addition to some superb desserts, so you should definitely avoid wasting room!
Las Hijas de la Tostada
- Hours: Monday-Sunday 11AM-11PM
- Cellphone #: 01 998 803 0232
- Location: Calle 2 and fifth Avenue (click here for instructions); Calle 38 and fifth Avenue (click here for instructions)
- Score on TripAdvisor: 4.5/5
Among the finest eating places in Playa del Carmen for some yummy seafood is Las Hijas de la Tostada. Not surprisingly, seafood is a well-liked alternative right here.
Because the title would indicate, their specialty right here is seafood tostadas they usually have a number of choices. They’ve obtained some fairly improbable tacos right here as properly.
They’ve two areas on the bustling fifth Avenue so that you can select from. The one on Calle 2 has seating above the road, so you possibly can get pleasure from some nice individuals watching. Their different location on Calle 38 has a pleasant out of doors seating space. Whichever one you go along with, your style buds are in for a deal with!
Greatest Eating places in Playa del Carmen for Dinner
Zitla
- Hours: Monday-Sunday 8AM-11PM
- Cellphone #: 01 984 873 3315
- Location: Calle 12 between fifteenth and twentieth (click here for instructions)
- Score on TripAdvisor: 5/5
In the event you’re seeking to get off the vacationer path a bit and check out a extra native spot, then Zitla is a superb alternative. It’s particularly enjoyable to return right here for dinner on the weekend, as they often have stay music. Plus it’s only a good place to hang around, with some cool murals on the wall and even a swing.
They’ve obtained an enormous menu at Zitla with loads of selections for tacos, burgers, ceviches, and rather more. In addition they have a full bar right here they usually whip up some fairly superb cocktails. It’s not solely the most effective locations to eat dinner in Playa del Carmen, but additionally an amazing place to chill with a well-made drink.
All that at a fraction of the worth you’d pay at touristy spots on fifth Avenue! That simply earns it a spot on this checklist of the highest Playa del Carmen eating places.
La Perla Pixan
- Hours: Monday-Sunday 8:30AM-12AM
- Cellphone #: 044 984 120 2616
- Location: Calle 34 & fifth Avenue (click here for instructions)
- Score on TripAdvisor: 4.5/5
La Perla Pixan is a good possibility for conventional eating places in Playa del Carmen.
That is undoubtedly one of many coolest Playa del Carmen eating places. It’s simply off fifth Avenue however feels worlds aside from among the kitschy locations you’ll discover there. It’s not solely a restaurant but additionally a mezcal retailer if you wish to take residence a few of Mexico’s well-known liquor.
With a palapa roof, an enormous menu that’s each conventional and revolutionary, and a powerful collection of mezcal, that is the proper place for a pleasant dinner out. No matter you order, you should definitely avoid wasting room for dessert! They’ve scrumptious churros right here in addition to cheesecake with mezcal.
Zenzi
- Hours: Monday-Sunday 8AM-2AM
- Cellphone #: 01 984 803 5738
- Location: On the seashore on the finish of Calle 10 (click here for instructions)
- Score on TripAdvisor: 5/5
Seeing as how that is Playa del Carmen, I needed to embody at the very least one restaurant that’s really on the seashore. My private favourite undoubtedly goes to Zenzi, particularly for dinner as they’ve some fairly superior stay music each evening of the week. There are two completely different bands every evening, one at 5pm and the subsequent at 9pm.
So far as their menu goes, Zenzi has some nice sharing bites like their “muchos nachos” or fried calamari. Seafood is unquestionably the star of the present right here, particularly their sesame crusted tuna filet. Dig your toes into the sand and dig right into a scrumptious meal right here earlier than tearing it up on the dance flooring.
Porfirio’s
- Hours: Monday-Sunday 1PM-1AM
- Cellphone #: 01 984 110 7805
- Location: Calle 12 and fifth Avenue (click here for instructions)
- Score on TripAdvisor: 5/5
The individuals have spoken, they usually have chosen Porfirio’s to high the checklist of the very best eating places in Playa del Carmen. It’s greater than only a restaurant, really — it’s a full gastronomic expertise! Individuals rave about their service, drinks, environment, music, and naturally, the meals.
In the event you’re a fan of surf & turf, you then’re going to like this place. Appetizers embody tuna carnitas and crunchy chicharron, whereas mains vary from lobster tamales to inexperienced enchiladas with hen. No matter you select, you’ll absolutely get pleasure from your dinner right here as you watch the crowds on fifth Avenue cross by.
Replace: One other nice possibility for Mexican food for dinner is Amate 38.
SEE ALSO: Exploring The Culinary Side of Guanajuato — A Food Tour
Greatest Playa del Carmen Bars for Snacks and Drinks
Cerveceria Chapultepec
- Hours: Monday-Sunday 1PM-2AM
- Cellphone #: 56 1845 7394
- Location: Calle 8 & fifth Avenue (click here for instructions)
- Score on TripAdvisor: 3.5/5
While you’re simply in search of a drink and a few easy bar meals, Cerveceria Chapultepec is the place to go. Most gadgets on the menu of this well-liked chain are solely 21 pesos (about $1.25), so you possibly can have a couple of drinks and snacks right here with out burning a gap in your pockets.
Their location is within the central a part of Playa and is bumping each evening of the week. Shock, shock – everybody likes low-cost beers and tacos!
La Taberna
- Hours: Monday-Sunday 10AM-2AM
- Cellphone #: 01 984 803 0448
- Location: Calle 4 & tenth Avenue (click here for instructions)
- Score on TripAdvisor: 4/5
La Taberna is a no-frills sports activities bar that’s well-liked with locals. They’ve a full bar and a strong menu of Tex-Mex and conventional Mexican dishes. Their nachos are big and ideal for sharing with pals.
They’ve 2-for-1 draft beer specials from 6-8PM, however you’ll must order a snack to benefit from the deal. This can be a good place to return watch the sport or simply shoot some pool, making it one of many high Playa del Carmen bars.
Membership de la Cerveza
- Hours: Monday-Sunday 4:30PM-2AM
- Cellphone #: 01 984 147 0635
- Location: fifth Avenue between Calle 34 & 38 (click here for instructions)
- Score on TripAdvisor: 4.5/5
Corona and Pacifico are nice, however occasionally you simply want one thing a bit extra fascinating. Cue Club de la Cerveza, which has essentially the most spectacular collection of craft beer in all of Playa del Carmen.
Right here you possibly can pattern craft brews from Mexico, the US, Belgium, England, and extra. In addition they have some strong bar meals to associate with the beers, together with a improbable blue cheese cheeseburger.
Replace 2023: In the event you’re in search of craft beer in Playa del Carmen, try Chela de Playa and Colectivo Mexicano Cervecero. For a cute wine bar with platters of meat and cheese, and wine on the market by the bottle, don’t miss Off the Vine.
SEE ALSO: Culinary Mayhem: A Street Food Tour in Mexico City
Greatest Locations for Tacos in Playa del Carmen
El Fogon
- Hours: Monday-Sunday 1-11PM
- Cellphone #: 01 984 803 0885
- Location: Constituyentes Avenue & thirtieth Avenue (click here for instructions)
- Score on TripAdvisor: 4.5/5
While you convey up the subject of “greatest locations to eat tacos in Playa del Carmen,” El Fogon at all times comes up. This place is so well-liked that there’s virtually at all times a line right here, but it surely strikes quick and it’s properly well worth the wait.
The star of the present right here is unquestionably their tacos al pastor. Having tried tacos al pastor everywhere in the nation, I can truthfully say these are among the greatest round.
They’ve obtained an enormous menu with loads of different selections as properly and all the things could be very fairly priced. I like to recommend the queso fundido dip with chorizo. My mouth is watering simply serious about this one!
Chac Pel Tacos de Mariscos
- Hours: Monday-Saturday 8AM-8PM
- Cellphone #: N/A
- Location: tenth Avenue between Calle 1 & Benito Juarez (click here for instructions)
- Score on TripAdvisor: N/A
Whereas tacos al pastor are at all times nice, you’ve additionally obtained to feast on seafood tacos when in Playa del Carmen. Chac Pel Tacos de Mariscos cooks up some fairly superb fish tacos they usually even have some actually good ceviche.
Regardless of being proper within the coronary heart of Centro, this place stays a hidden gem. It’s not even on Journey Advisor but! In the event you’re in search of some high quality seafood tacos at an amazing worth, you should definitely add Chac Pel to your checklist of Playa del Carmen eating places to strive.
Don Sirloin
- Hours: Monday-Sunday 2PM-6AM
- Cellphone #: 01 984 148 0424
- Location: tenth Avenue between Calle 12 & 14 (click here for instructions)
- Score on TripAdvisor: 4/5
Don Sirloin is unquestionably one of many high eating places in Playa del Carmen for tacos. It’s so well-liked that they’ve obtained 4 completely different areas within the metropolis. I listed the one on tenth Avenue because it’s essentially the most central, however you possibly can examine their website for the others.
They often have two spits going without delay right here — one for al pastor and one for sirloin. You may as well get arrachera, hen, or chorizo tacos right here. With tacos costing round $1 every, why not strive all of them? That is the proper spot to return after a giant evening out in Playa del Carmen as they keep open till 6AM.
Replace: Don’t miss La Cochi Loka in case you like cochinita pibil tacos! It could not seem like a lot, however these are among the greatest tacos we’ve had in Playa del Carmen. Discover it here on the map. In the event you love birria tacos (stewed beef), you then gained’t need to miss Birria Tacos – the tacos listed below are excellent.
SEE ALSO: Tasting The Town in Puerto Vallarta — A Day With Vallarta Food Tours
Greatest Avenue Meals Distributors in Playa del Carmen
Taqueria El Gato
- Hours: Open 24/7
- Cellphone #: N/A
- Location: CTM Avenue & tenth Avenue (click here for instructions)
- Score on TripAdvisor: N/A
In the event you’re in search of some genuine Mexican road meals, Taqueria El Gato is the place to be. This basic road meals stand is situated just some blocks from the seashore however it is extremely a lot a neighborhood joint. They even keep open 24/7 so you possibly can come right here any time you want.
I’m a bit biased towards this place as we lived across the nook from it. They make scrumptious tacos, quesadillas, tortas, and extra right here, and all the things is tremendous low-cost. You may simply replenish for lower than $5 right here, leaving you extra pesos for necessary issues like margaritas on the seashore.
Distributors within the Park
- Hours: All day
- Cellphone #: N/A
- Location: Within the park between Benito Juarez & Calle 2 on fifteenth Avenue (click here for instructions)
- Score on TripAdvisor: N/A
Among the finest locations to pattern road meals in Playa del Carmen is within the park on fifteenth Avenue. There are all kinds of choices right here, together with tortas and burritos in addition to Yucatan classics like salbutes and panuchos.
That is additionally an amazing place to strive the favored native snack often called marquesitas. These are crispy crepes which are rolled up and stuffed with shredded cheese and different toppings of your alternative. These embody Nutella, jam, chocolate sauce, or caramel. I’m not huge into sweets however these items are scrumptious.
Taco Vehicles Close to Mega
- Hours: Daytime (round 8AM-3PM)
- Cellphone #: N/A
- Location: Calle 14 North/thirtieth Avenue
- Score on TripAdvisor: N/A
In the event you’re in search of some low-cost and attractive tacos, simply head to the car parking zone of the Mega grocery store. It’s by no means good to go grocery procuring hungry, so smash a couple of tacos out right here earlier than you head into the shop.
Throughout the day, there are often a number of vehicles cooking up some mouth-watering tacos right here.
To be trustworthy, of all of the instances I ate right here, I by no means even observed a reputation on a truck. My technique is to only stroll as much as whichever one smells good and see what they’re making.
After doing a little bit of analysis, although, one title that comes up is El Rey del Taco (the King of Tacos). With a reputation like that, you’d higher be making some fairly superior tacos to again it up!
Greatest Eating places in Playa del Carmen for Worldwide Meals
Had your fill of tacos, ceviche and guacamole? Don’t fear, there are some high eating places in Playa del Carmen that may fulfill your cravings.
Try Trattoria del Centro and Osteria de Roma for Italian, Sakura for ramen and gyoza, Kebab House for Turkish, Po Thai for Thai, Yum Yum by George for Indian/Thai, Mu for the very best burgers, and Primo for extra upscale eating.
There are such a lot of nice locations to eat in Playa del Carmen and for essentially the most half, the eating places above serve fairly genuine variations of the delicacies.
We’ve got but to seek out an incredible Indian restaurant right here or constantly good sushi. The perfect sushi we’ve had to date was at Sushi Club.
FAQs About The place to Eat in Playa del Carmen
Under are solutions to some often requested questions on the very best locations to eat in Playa del Carmen.
In contrast to close by Cancun with its large all-inclusive resorts, Playa del Carmen is a compact, walkable city proper on the seashore. It has an amazing culinary scene and a variety of small, typically family-run motels for each funds.
The most well-liked neighborhood is centro with its pedestrian-only fifth Avenue, which follows the seashore. That is the place you’ll discover the place to eat in Playa del Carmen. One other good neighborhood is Playacar, a gated group simply south of centro.
Undoubtedly! Playa del Carmen has an extended white-sand seashore and is surrounded by many different locations of curiosity resembling Mayan ruins and cenotes. Plus, there’s no scarcity of nice locations to eat in Playa del Carmen.
Playa del Carmen is on Mexico’s Caribbean coast, which is mostly very calm and clear. It’s nice for swimming.
December to March have the very best climate in Playa del Carmen, though it’s a good suggestion to keep away from Mexican high-season for touring, which happens between Christmas and New Yr’s, and through Semana Santa (the week earlier than Easter). It’s more durable to discover a resort, and plenty of locations to eat in Playa del Carmen can be crowded.
Though there have been some disturbing but remoted incidents in recent times, basically Playa del Carmen stays fairly protected. Nevertheless, vacationers ought to at all times concentrate on their environment when strolling, particularly at evening.
Able to Benefit from the Greatest Playa del Carmen Eating places?
¿Tienes hambre? (Are you hungry?) I’m positive after studying this information you’re able to drop no matter you’re doing, guide a flight all the way down to Mexico, and stuff your face with tacos.
You’re already geared up with a strong checklist of among the high eating places in Playa del Carmen to get you began.
In the event you’re planning a visit down there, you should definitely try this jam-packed information on the very best things to do in Playa del Carmen.
It’s rather more than simply sitting on the seashore right here, as you possibly can discover Mayan ruins, swim in cenotes, hit rooftop pool events, and a lot extra. Playa del Carmen is the proper base to discover all that the Riviera Maya provides.
Have you ever been to Playa del Carmen? When you have a wonderful restaurant you’d wish to advocate, please go away a remark beneath and tell us about it!
Some pictures on this article are courtesy of Shutterstock.com.
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