The 18 best restaurants in Playa del Carmen

18.12.2024 - 15:03 / lonelyplanet.com

Dec 17, 2024 • 12 min read

Playa del Carmen’s diverse gastronomy scene is a destination in itself. Thanks to an influx of digital nomads and travelers worldwide, the culinary scene in Playa del Carmen has evolved from streetside taco stands and casual beach shacks into a more worldly melange of hip vegan cafes, contemporary seafood bars, and regional restaurants.

Many restaurants are concentrated along Playa del Carmen's beachfront and its iconic 5th Avenue (Quinta Avenida). However, due to the large influx of tourists, prices here are generally higher. Veer off the busy areas and duck into the side streets if you prefer cheap eats and traditional bites that offer less gimmick and more value. From no-frills taquerias to sophisticated fine-dining establishments, here are the best restaurants in Playa del Carmen.

Best for authentically Mexican staple dishes

La Perla Pixan feels like a culinary time machine that blasts you back to a delectable past. The open-concept restaurant features a rustic setting, with a palapa thatched roof overhead and the scent of copal – Mayan’s ceremonial incense – wafting through the air. The restaurant pays homage to traditional Mexican cuisine through staples like pozole verde (green chili stew), chile relleno (stuffed pepper), and tacos gobernador (shrimp tacos with onions, peppers and Oaxaca cheese) – all served on clay pots and pottery plates. Adventurous foodies will love the chapulines con queso fresco y nopales, grasshoppers with cheese and cactus, and vegans can rest assured that the menu also has plenty of plant-based dishes.

Best for the freshest takes on local favorites

Ask anyone where the best place to eat traditional Mexican food in Playa del Carmen is, and they’ll inadvertently point you in the direction of La Cueva del Chango. “The Monkey’s Cave” awes with its verdant setting, complete with hanging roots and running streams in the outdoor terrace. If you’re traveling with kids, they will love the fun, jungle-like atmosphere of this restaurant. 

Fortunately, the food at La Cueva is just as impressive, consisting of top-quality Yucatán dishes prepared with the freshest homegrown ingredients. Hot favorites on the menu include chicken in poblano mole sauce, shrimp in plantain and recado rojo sauce, and sopa de lima (Yucatán-style tortilla soup with lime) with chicken breast and caramelized habanero. Call ahead to make a reservation, especially on weekends.

Best for a uniquely cavernous atmosphere

Alux isn’t just a restaurant: It’s a one-of-a-kind dining experience, and it may really be one of Playa del Carmen’s must-see attractions. Housed in a cenote cave, Alux brings new meaning to the concept of fine dining, plating haute cuisine in a rustic grotto setting. The