Excuse me while I drool.
Playa del Carmen is a fantastic beach city with an abundance of activities and things to do. After a long day in the sun and sea, food just tastes ten times better. And what’s better than Mexican food? Mexican food by the beach!
Below are my picks for best restaurants in Playa del Carmen!
El Fogon
A popular and super affordable local eatery. Their famous tacos al pastor are only $1, and be sure to try their loco taco for $5.75 (basically a huge taco stuffed with EVERYTHING.)
Cheester
Mexico’s answer to California Pizza Kitchen, with 3 times the portions! Ginormous plates of pasta, salad and pizza, you’ll definitely want to split with a friend. Don’t be fooled by Cheester’s chain restaurant appearance – the food is spectacular and very filling.
Tip: be sure to taste the spring roll appetizers! They’re filled with cheese and topped with a sweet sauce and pesto. So good.
Asadero el Pollo
Local hole in the wall place that specializes in roasted chicken. Surprisingly, their recipe reminds me so much of Thai roasted chicken – almost identical in flavor, just with different toppings! Here, it’s served with rice, salsa, beans, and tortillas, but I’ll admit I was craving a little sticky rice to go along with it…
Blue Lobster
Smack right in the middle of Playa del Carmen’s 5th Avenue, Blue Lobster is renown for their — you guessed it — lobster! Sample their surf n turf, and follow up this nice dinner with a night out downtown.
Chez Celine
For those looking to satiate their sweet tooth, Chez Celine has a huge assortment of desserts to munch on. Beware though, their treats are very sweet!
Rosewood Mayakoba breakfast buffet
I love breakfast, and the Rosewood Mayakoba hotel has one of the best breakfast buffets of all time. It’s a tad pricey, but it’s open to non-hotel guests and you get what you pay for, including:
- A huge selection of fruit, cereal, yogurt, pastries, bread, cold cuts, cheese, and everything you can dream of on a breakfast buffet
- Unlimited orders off their fancy menu! See below for omelette with lobster + salmon roe, their rendition of pancakes and french toast…yum!
Ceviche
I know it’s not a restaurant, but it would be remiss not to include this local dish. You’re by the ocean in Mexico, it would be a crime not to eat some ceviche! This dish is made from fresh raw fish cured in lime juice and mixed with onions, cilantro, salt and pepper. Absolutely delish.
A lot of tours will also do a stop at Playa Norte, a lovely beach at Isla Mujeres, where they’ll serve fresh ceviche made right on the boat for lunch. It’s a terrific way to end the morning.
I’ve never been to Playa del Carmen, but it looks like there are so many delicious options for dining there. I’d love to take the family there for a vacation. All those dishes of delicious pasta meals are definitely making me hungry now.
All of these places look amazing and the food looks phenomenal. I have never been to Playa del Carmen but if I ever make it there,I know where I will be eating. It is always a great time to discover new places while traveling.
Holy YUM, Batman! Everything here looks amazing, but I particularly love all the boxes of macarons in that sweets case. Loving everything in that breakfast spot, too!
My coworker just went to Play Del Carmen. They had a great family vacation and all she has been talking about is the food! Looks like we are adding this to oru must visit list!
We’ve actually been researching family vacations to Mexico for next year. While I’ve been crazy excited to go because of the beach, now you have me excited to go because of the food. You have me almost drooling!
Oh man, that pasta and those desserts! They all look so good! I think I could just eat there during my entire vacation! I love trying new foods!
My mouth is watering…and I’m also reminiscing now after reading this post! My husband and I went to Playa 3 years ago and one of the things we loved most was the food!!! Every single place we ate at was delicious!!
I haven’t ever been to Playa del Carmen, but it just moved up the “must travel to” list! The food looks amazing! And what good Texan, doesn’t LOVE Ceviche? Not to mention that it looks like its an absolutely Gorgeous location for a vacation!!
Playa Del Carmen is on my list of go to vacation spots, and this food just sent me there ten times faster. Destinations are not just about the location, but about the food and your photos and descriptions are amazing about all the places to eat in Playa Del Carmen. Can’t wait to go
Wow! All of this food looks phenomenal! I had no idea Playa del Carmen boasted such an amazing food scene! I would just love to visit Playa del Carmen during the winter here, to get a bit of sunshine and eat amazingly!
Thank you so much, Jamie! It truly is phenomenal – let me know when you do visit – would love to hear your experience there! xx
I’m moving to Playa del Carmen next month. I visited it for a week in August to scope it out but this is the first I heard of El Fogon! It’ll definitely be at the top of my list! I personally loved eating the street tacos around the big Super! I wonder if we were following each other on the same path this Summer?!
Entirely possible! 🙂 I’m so jealous – please eat all the food for me too! I think I may be back there early next year 🙂
If you go back, dont miss the Papa Charly restaurant! Best italian food