 PLAYA DEL CARMEN RESTAURANTS
Playa del Carmen abounds with restaurants and cafes serving everything imaginable. Menus in the tourist zone along 5th Avenue are usually in English and most of the waiters speak fluent English.
Prices are fixed at the American level which means restaurant food prices are the same as popular tourist destinations in the United States. The farther away from 5th Avenue you go, the cheaper meal costs become.
Bottled water is available in every restaurant. The restaurants also use bottled water for cooking.
Reservations are not required in the majority of establishments however you can drop in during the day and have a look. If you wish you can book a table in a choice location near a waterfall or something interesting.
 MEXICAN RESTAURANTS
The majority of restaurants on 5th or close to it are owned or co-owned by foreigners. By and large they mostly offer International cuisine and even the "Mexican Restaurants" are more International than Mexican. To get the real Mexican taste and feel you have to wander out of the zona tourista and out into the abyss!
For those who dare to tread away from the hotel buffet you will find an exciting adventure awaits you as you saunter away from 5th on your dinning mission. For added enjoyment you can even select dark deserted streets to walk along on your way to the heart-land of Playa dinner fare.
To find Mexican restaurants walk up Juarez to 30 Avenue then walk North along 30th. Along the way you will start to see the odd Mexican restaurant. Towards Constituyentes you start to hit more restaurants. Mexican restaurants are generaly cash only.
How do you know you are truly in an authentic, official Mexican restaurant?
The answer is...you are the only gringo, nobody speaks English, the menus are all in Mexican, the place is filled with Mexicans and it smells delicious.
The following is a partial list:
NOTE: Changes in restaurant locations and menues occour are beyond our control.
If you have a particular restaurant in mind to eat at it is a good idea to check and make sure it is open [make a reservation] before going to dine.
 Aca Los Tacos
Located on 5th Ave. at Constituyentes.
Typical Mexican cuisine.
Café Tropical
Located on 5th Ave. between 8th and 10th St.
Fresh pastries, juices and breakfast dishes.
Cockteleria Manigua
Located on 40th St. between 5th and 10th Ave.
Mexican cuisine specializing in seafood.
Coctelería el Paisano Veracruz
West of Hwy 307 on Juarez in a bright yellow/blue building, north side.
Specializing in shrimp and seafood. The best time to go is early afternoon. By evening, their supplies are running low or out and sometimes they are closed.
The Crepe Factory
24th Street between 5th and 10th Ave.
Breakfast and vegetarian dishes.
El Cejas
Located on 26th St. between 25th and 30th Ave.
Mexican cuisine specializing in seafood. Open for lunch only [after 2:00 PM].
El Faisán y El Venado
Hwy 307 close to Juarez
Great local restaurant serving traditional Mexican and Mayan dishes. The place is clean and the service excellent. Can be crowded at times.
El Fogón
On 30th Ave around 26th or 28th St.
This is a good transitional restaurant from what ever foods you are used to, to Mexican food. It is located close to the tourist zone. Serves traditional Mexican foods.
El Sarape
On Juarez Ave. and 20th St.
Traditional Mexican restaurant.
La Deliciosa
On the corner of 5th St. and 2nd St.
Variety of Mexican grilled dishes.
La Floresta
Hwy 307 West side, next to the electrical station.
Serving only fish and seafood. Not open in the evenings.
La Malquerida
On 34th St. between 25th and 30th Ave.
Typical Mexican restaurant.
Las Brisaas
On 4th St. between 5th and 10th Ave.
Traditional Mexican restaurant popular with the locals.
Los Almendros
On the corner of 10th Avenue and Calle 6
We mention this restaurant in our Playa Restaurant List as well because it is a great place for tourists to try Mexican food. There are nicer places to go but this one is close and the food quite good.
Tacos Arabe
Corner of 15th Avenue and 10th St.
Excellent place to get tacos.
Tacos Y Quesos el Sarape
Juarez near 20th St.
Traditional Mexican food located not too far from 5th.
WHAT'S THE BEST RESTAURANT IN PLAYA DEL CARMEN?
Well, it's not really a restaurant, and there are a few of them. What you do is drive up highway 307 until you find a construction site. Outside, usually close to the highway, or a road, will be a few tables, a BBQ and a makeshift kitchen [under those blue tarps]. There's usually some old ladies stirring things in pots and a guy flipping various cuts of meats on a BBQ. This is as Mexican as it gets and the food is great. It's all home cooking prepared for the workers, and it's cheap!
Now, if sitting on a rock on the side of the highway, with construction workers on break, eating off paper plates, is not your idea of a romantic dinner, then you will have to eat in one of Playas many fine restaurants, some of which are priced quite moderately.
PLAYA DEL CARMEN RESTAURANTS LIST
Calle = Street
 Los Almendros
On the corner of 10th Ave and Calle 6
Los Almendros is no longer :(
Ajua Mayan Lobster & USDA Black Angus Steak House
Calle 4 between 5th & 10th Ave.
A popular fine dining establishments featuring authentic Mayan Cuisine and such specialties as fresh lobster & seafood, Black Angus beef, Chiapaneca Fiesta dishes, Mayan Virginian BBQ as well as tableside prepared Caesar salads. The Ajua Salsa Club has live music and dancing!
El Asador de Manolo
On 10th Ave. between 24th and 26th St.
Argentinean grill serving Angus Beef.
Le Bistro
Small building on 2nd Street between 5th and 10th Avenues
French, International, Seafood, Grilled Food and Vegetarian. A casual French Bistro with charming appeal. Also has bar & live music.
Blue Parrot Restaurant
Calle 12 on the Beachfront
This is Playa's premier party location. Great place to eat during the day and a good restaurant to start the night with. Also contains the Dragon Bar with live music.
Blue Lobster
5th Ave Nte between 4th & 6th Nte.
Romantic candlelit setting, steak and grilled seafood with bar and live music.
La Bodeguita del Medio
Located in Paseo del Carmen shopping mall.
Creole style food and live salsa music.
Buenos Aires
On 6th St. between 5th and 10th Ave. - Plaza Playa Interior
Specializing in Argentinean grilled meats and seafood.
Byblos
14th St. between 5th and 10th Ave.
French Restaurant and Bakery with extensive wine list. Air-conditioned dining with delicious selection of French pastries and breads. Escargot, Lobster Fricassee, Steak Tartar, Shrimp in vanilla sauce and much more.
La Caprichoza
5th Avenue between 12th and 14th
Flambe, steak, fresh seafood and salads. Mexican dining.
Costa del Mar - Pirate Restaurant and Bar
Beachfront between 10th & 12th St.
A complete selection of seafood and fine dining entrees, all specially prepared by professional chefs in your own private palapa.
Churri’s House
10th St. between 5th and 10th Ave.
French café featuring crepes, omelets, juices, salads, and more.
Dal Salentino
20th St. between 5th and 10th Ave.
French café with Internet.
Da Gabi Ristorante
5th Ave. Calle 12
Excellent Italian cuisine with brick oven baked pizza, homemade fettuccini, fresh seafood and salads, grilled vegetables, New York & T-bone steaks, great desserts, expresso and cappuccino.
Don Emilione's
5th Ave. Norte No. 7
Open from 8 am until Midnight every day.
Seafood is their specialty with a full menu of Italian, Mexican and Vegetarian delicacies.
Air-conditioned first floor or dine outside on 5th Ave. Live Latin Jazz most nights in the cafe.
La Faroloa
On 8th St. between 5th and the beach.
Grilled meats, and seafod.
Fusion
Alejari Hotel 5th Avenue at Calle 6
Economic beach front with great garden and friendly family servicewhich used to include breakfast in the garden is now called Fusion and restaurant seems to be open all day as it used to close around happy hour before.
The Glass Bar
5th Ave. at 12th St.
Mediterranean restaurant and wine bar.
Java Joe's
5th Avenue between Calles 10 and 12
This is the place to get your caffeine fix. Located on 5th with an outside patio so you can watch the passerby's. Not only do they have a decent variety of coffees and cappuccinos, they also serve food.
Jazzy Cat
6th St. between 5th & 10th Ave.
Italian, French, International, Seafood, Grilled Food, Vegetarian. Offering a good selection of imported wines and top shelf liqueurs. Menu includes prime rib roast, traditional oven baked lasagna, creative salads, homemade jazzy pastas, inventive starters and decadent desserts.
Karen's Grill & Pizzeria
5th Avenue between Calles 2 and 4
Mexican grilled seafood, pizza, grilled meats with live music at night.
Kartabar
Corner of 12th St. and 1st Ave.
Mediterranean Restaurant and Bar.
The Lazy Lizard
5th Avenue between Calles 2 & 4
Offering a variety of good food at reasonable prices.
Limones
5th Avenue at Calle 6
International and French cuisine. Romantically set in a terraced garden with soft candlelight tables and fountains. Live music in their 'Red & Black' Bar. Daily specials.
Las Mananitas
5th Avenue between 4th and 6th
Small traditional Mexican restaurant.
Manne's Biergarten
On 4th St. between 10th and 15th Ave.
German cuisine.
Maktub
5th Ave. between 28th and 30th St.
Small comfortable Middle Eastern cafe.
Media Luna
5th Avenue between 8th and 10th
Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Media Luna is probably Playa's most popular restaurant. Media Luna offers great vegetarian dishes, fresh fish, wonderful pastas and huge delicious salads.
100% Natural
5th Avenue near Calle 10
Vegetarian, salads, pastas, soups, fresh fish, meat and poultry. Served in a tropical rain forest garden patio. We eat here quite frequently ourselves!
NOTE: There is a new 100% Natural on 5th at Calle 22
La Palette
8th Street between 5th Avenue and the beach.
French up-scale restaurant.
Palapa Hemingway
5th Avenue between 12th and 14th
Cesar salads, guacamole and flaming drinks.
Pancho's Mexican Cafe
5th Avenue and 12th Street
International food served in a tropical rain forest garden patio.
Pancho's Mexican Cafè Restaurant overlooks Calle 12 and 5th Avenue. More of a bar with food.
La Parrilla Mexican Grill
5th Avenue and 8th
Mexican, International, Vegetarian and Seafood, Lunch and Dinner. Salads, flambé, desserts and specialty coffees prepared at your table. Live Mexican music every night.
Petit Marrakesh
Located on Calle Corazon.
French Moroccan restaurant.
Le Petite Merveilles
8th St. between 10th and 15th Ave.
French pastry shop and café.
Pez Vela
5th Avenue and Calle 2
Food, drinks and rock and roll! Happy hour 4-6 PM & 11-12 AM Daily Live Music.
El Provensal
5th Ave. between 12th & 14th St.
Delicious French, International, Seafood & Grilled food served in a large amphitheater-style room with a palapa roof.
Red Eye Cafe
Avenue 10 and Constituyentes
Asian and Afro- Brazilian specialties and a large selection of natural juices and salads.
¡SABOR!
5th Avenue between 2nd & 4th
Natural foods, delicious homemade pastries and good coffee. Relaxing atmosphere personally attended by owners.
Señor Frog's
5th Avenue near the ferry docks [Benito Juarez Avenue]
The Caesar salad is made from scratch right at you
table and the Mexican sampler is truly delicious. The prices are reasonable
and with the open air atmosphere it is a wonderful way to spend an evening.
Sur
5th Avenue and Calle Corazon
Argentinean bar and grill.
El Squid Roe
Calle 12 next to the Blue Parrot.
Tex Mex style food.
Las Tablitas
On Constituyentes between 10th and 15th Ave.
Argentinean grill.
Tequila Barrel
5th Avenue between 10th and 12th
Tex-Mex Bar and Grill, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The name says it all. This place has a large selection of Tequilas.
Tintos y Tapas
5th Ave. between 28th and 30th St.
Spanish tapas and wine bar.
El Tukan Restaurant & Bar
5th Ave. 14 St.
If you are looking for bad service and owners who don't care about how they run their restaurant then the El Tukan is the perfect spot.
Tango Taco
10th St. between 10th and 15th Ave.
Argentinean grilled meats and tacos.
TGI Friday's
5th Avenue between 6th and 8th
TGI Friday's is no longer in Playa del Carmen. The old TGI is now Burger King.
Ula Gula
5 Ave. between 10th and 12th St. [upstairs]
Specializing in seafood.
Yaxche Maya Cuisine
8th Street, between 5th and 10th Ave
This is definitely our favorite restaurant in Playa del Carmen. The Yaxche serves up traditional Mayan food in beautiful surroundings. The waiters are top-notch.
The restaurant is involved with the local Maya community around Playa del Carmen and seeks to introduce visitors to the culture of the living Maya. Throughout the year, Yaxche Maya Cuisine Restaurant has special events and theme dinners so guests can participate in the festivals and rituals of the modern Maya.
Zas
5th Avenue between 12th and 14th
Vegetarian, salads, pastas, fresh fish and lots of meat and poultry. A local up-scale favorite, Zas is also owned by the same couple that owns Media Luna.
BBQ CHICKEN
If you enjoy BBQ Rotisserie Chicken then you will love Playa, that is if you can find a bird. There are a number of BBQ Chicken stores in Playa but they are off 5th Avenue. There is a BBQ Chicken store on 30th Ave. and 32nd St. and one on 2nd Street between 15th and 20th
Ave.
The local residents know exactly what time the birds are ready and generally snatch them up. If you get to a store on a slow day or early you can get a bird. The supermarkets also have BBQ chicken but the locals go for the street side BBQs.
There is no KFC in Playa del Carmen, there used to be one in Cozumel, no more.
JUNK FOOD
There is of course a MacDonald's and a Burger King, lots of Pizza joints [Dominos, Papa Johns and lots of private and Italian cafes], a Submarine, located in Plaza del Karma on the corner of Constituyentes and 10th Ave.
MacDonald's is on 5th right at Juarez [accross from the bus station] while the new Burger King is further north on 5th [replacing TGI Fridays].
The pizza joints are all over the place. They will deliver to you anywhere you are, including the beach.
The cheapest burgers in town are at the roadside guys. There are a couple of them. They are usually on 10th Avenue, while some periodically pop up on 5th [they move around a lot]. One guy is usually in front of a plaza somewhere between calle 2 and 4 while the other guy is on the corner of 10th and Constituyentes. These guys sell grilled burgers and hotdogs for 10 pesos [$1.00] that are pretty good; we eat them all the time!
Johnny Rockets, located in Paseo del Carmen shopping mall makes hand made milkshakes and jumbo burgers.
Starbuck’s [Sorry Canadians... no Tim Hortons]
There is one in the Paseo del Carmen shopping mall and one on the corner of 5th Avenue and 10th Street.
Daily Donuts
Located on 5th Avenue between Calles 8 and 10
If you crave for a donut this is the place to go.
CHINESE FOOD
Since the building boom took off, Playa has seen a dramatic increase in restaurants, most notably Asian style restaurants. No matter what hotel you are staying at now in Playa there is a Chinese restaurant located within a short walk away.
NOTE: Most Chinese restaurants deliver to your hotel but we do not list their phone numbers for two reasons: They change and you need to speak fluent Spanish to successfully order something [at most of them]. Best to go in person, order or get a menu and have somebody from your hotel place your order for you.
 100% Dragon
Located on 25th Ave. around 4th.
Babe’s Noodle House and Bar
Two locations in Playa del Carmen:
10th St. between 5th and 10th Ave.
5th Ave. between 28th and 30th St.
Hong Kong Car
Located on HWY 307 by the turn about.
Lotus [Chinese buffet]
Located on 10th Ave. between 6th and 8th St.
Mr. Lau
Located on 10th Ave. between 8th and 10th St.
Playasia
Located at The Blue Parrot Hotel on 5th Ave.
Shanghai
Located on 10th Ave. between 22nd and 24th St.
Sushito
Located in Paseo del Carmen shopping mall.
Sushi Tlan
Located on 5th Ave. between 28th and 30th.
24 HR RESTAURANTS
Los Bisqueteros [Mexican]
Located on Juarez Avenue and 45th Ave.
Vips [Fastfood]
Located next to Sam’s Club on the HWY 307.
PLAYA DEL CARMEN HOTELS
For current Playa del Carmen hotel and resort information including rates, availability and secure on-line reservations please see:
 Playa del Carmen Hotels & Resorts
Cancun Airport to Hotel Shuttle see:
Transfer Information
Answers for many of your questions may possibly be found here:
Playa del Carmen Vacation Info Playa F.A.Q. Things To Do in Playa
| 
Click here for
