ALESSIA ROOFTOP ASIAN DINING (THOMPSON HOTEL)
Playa del Carmen enjoys an abundance of restaurants on the beach & along Playa’s main pedestrian-only walkway 5th Avenue; however you’ll find prices tend to be higher than average & food can sometimes be subpar. Veer off the busy areas and duck into the side streets & avenues; you’ll discover a world of cheap eats, traditional bites that offer more bang for your pesos!
Please note we have broken the guide down by category. Those highlighted in yellow are our personal favorites! Please let us know if you discover your own favorites! (Note: Layout of Playa del Carmen. Calles (streets) run east/west in two’s. 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th etc. Avenues (avenidas) run north/south in five’s. 5th, 10th, 15th etc. This makes it easy to get around.
BEACH RESTAURANTS & CLUBS (Most Serve Breakfast to Dinner)
Fusion Beach Club: One of our all time favorites & a landmark in Playa. Known for its live music, fireshows, fun service & lanterns lit on the tables at night. Serves up everything from Mexican to American. Great breakfast & cocktails!
C-Grill Classy beach club offering many healthy options from breakfast, brunch to dinner including seafood options & live Jazz on Sundays. A little on the pricey side but lovely views. Calle 8 & the beach.
LIDO BEACH CLUB
Lido Beach Club– One of my favorite tropical beach clubs with a lively vibe & great service. Offers daily cocktail specials. Serves breakfast, lunch & dinner & great value for your dollar. Calle 12th & beach (close to Zenzi.)
Zenzi Beach Club: A hit chill club offering Mexican/American food. There is live nightly entertainment & daily cocktail specials. Calle 10 & the beach.
Inti Beach Club – Mexican Fusion/Seafood. Balinese beach club theme serving upscale Mexican, seafood ceviche & more. DJ & live music. Calle 6 & beach. (Next to Luna Encantada.)
Pelicanos Beach Club: Offering breakfast to dinner. Great cocktails; menu is both Mexican and American. Calle 8 & beach.
Coco Maya Beach Club -Offering Mexican & international fare. They play eclectic music & offer a DJ at night. Calle 12th & the beach.
La Tarraya Beach Bar: No frills plastic tables in the sand kind of place offering fresh fish off the boat & cheap drinks. Calle 2 & beach.
Mamitas Hip beach club for those that love electronic music! Serves breakfast to dinner. Calle 28 & beach.
Encanto Beach Club: A bit more of a laid back beach club; DJ & live music etc. Calle 40 & beach.
Martina Beach Club: Offers your typical beach club bites & drinks. Calle 44 & beach.
MEXICAN DINING
Carboncitos One of our all-time faves! Homemade Mexican food along with THE best flambeed steak & seafood to be had! They flambee the steaks & seafood right at your table! They also flambee the pasta sauce so dinner & a show! Try the coconut or garlic shrimp appetizers. Don’t miss happy hour here; fabulous cocktails served with some flair! Open now for breakfast. Closed on Mondays & CASH ONLY. Calle 4 (just off 5th & 10th Ave.)
Muza Surfside Club One of our favorite gems nears the beach with THE best fun service! Laid back spot with great people watching. Fab breakfast, tasty pizzas, excellent Mexican food. DJ on weekends. (Ask for Luis, William or Natalio!) On Calle 8 towards the ocean.
La Vagabunda: Love live music in the morning with mimosas? (11am to 1PM weekdays) Then this is your spot! They offer a full bottle of sparkling wine with a carafe of fresh orange juice on ice for $390pesos or approx $22USD. Excellent Mexican & American food, hearty breakfast, nice shade & fantastic people watching! Excellent service! 5th Avenue between Calle 24 & 26th.
La Perla Pixan Cuisine & Mezcal Store– – Great food & ambience & sometimes live music. Serving traditional regional Mexican food. Calle 38t btwn 5th Ave. & 10th Ave.
La Cuevo del Chango: One of Playa’s oldest and beloved restaurants set in a beautiful garden. They’re known for their breakfasts; but serve lunch/dinner items. A must visit! Calle 38th towards the ocean.
Trujillos Cantina – funky dream bar & restaurant built in a jungle-like atmosphere! Offering fusion Mexican & sublime cocktails! Calle 38 off 5th Ave. towards beach.
El Fogon – One of Playa’s landmarks & wildly popular eatery serves delicious tacos, fajitas, & refreshing fruit juices. Locations on 30 Ave & 20th.& Calle 6 & 30th Avenue.
Los Aguachiles – If you love seafood, look no further! Fresh seafood, ceviches, fish/shrimp tacos, & tostadas are served up daily. 34 St. & 25th Ave.
Los Hijos de Las Tostados – This casual bistro spot has some of the best tostados in town. 5th Ave. & Calle 2
El Doctorito – This small street-side seafood restaurant that is most known for ceviche & seafood tacos. Well priced with good quality food. 25th Avenue & Calle 12th.
Axiote Restaurant Authentic Mexican cuisine with modern evolving recipes. Calle 34th Btwn 5th Ave. & 10th Ave.
El Sangha Rito: THE best guacamole in town by far! Pop by for lunch & enjoy the dorados with chicken! A little off the beaten path but well worth it for the prices & fresh ingredients! Avenida CTM (46th) between 5th Avenida & 10th
El Ranchito Restaurant – Small Mexican restaurant with some of the best prices for the value. The burritos are huge! Great for eat in or take out! 10th Ave. btwn Calle 8th & 10th.
Cocina Doña Paula – Enjoy a home cooked meal of slow cooked traditional specialties prepared by 4 ladies daily. Try the authentic Sopa Aguada & the cochinita pibil. Calle 6 btwn 10 & 15th Ave.
UPSCALE & FINE DINING
Porfirio’s: Upscale swanky Mexican fusion restaurant serving Mexican along with steak & seafood flambeed table-side. Complimentary tortillas with sauces are brought as a starter. Tasty cocktails. One of the very few restaurants worth visiting on 5th Avenue. 5th Ave. & Calle 12.
PORFIRIO’S RESTAURANTE
ALDEA CORAZON
Aldea Corazon Picture dining in their back courtyard set in a jungle atmosphere built over a natural cenote with different levels of seating adorned with waterfalls and torches! Upscale service & Mexican fusion food + great cocktails. Fire & acrobatic shows on weekends. 5th Ave. btwn 14th & 16th Calle.
Ilios Restaurant: High-end Mediterranean restaurant offering amazing attentive service; fine Mediterranean dining. Enjoy souvlaki, lamb chops, USD steaks, many types of fish, & traditional Greek dishes along with amazing cocktails. Enjoy fire show & belly dancing on certain nights. Great spot for a special occasion! 5th Avenue & Calle 12 (Outdoor mall building)
500 Gramos Grill – If you want an intimate dining experience with top notch streak, this is it. 5th Ave. btwn 34th St. & Calle 38th in a small plaza.
Harry’s Steakhouse & Raw Bar – This trendy upscale steakhouse located in the upper level of the new Calle Corazon Mall boasts beautiful views & offers steak aged 28 days along with a raw bar. You’ll enjoy incredibly attentive table service along with handcrafter cocktails. 5th Ave. btwn 12 & 14th St. In Calle Corazon Mall.
Yum Yum– Excellent Thai & Indian fusion cafe with THE best Thai spring rolls & chicken yakitori. Offering an assortment of well loved Thai & Indian dishes with a twist. Hand-crafted cocktails will top off your meal! Calle 6 & 10th Ave.
La Famiglia – Some of THE best Italian we’ve eaten almost anywhere. Homemade pasta to die for (best alfredo ever!) & wood oven pizzas cooked to perfection. Location: 10th Ave. & 10th Calle.
Oh Lala– – A well know prestigious small gem offering a taste testing menu of international cuisine using fresh local ingredients. Suggest you pre-book a reservation months in advance! Calle 14 btwn 10 & 5 Ave.
Alessia Restaurant – Take in 360-degree views from the Asian inspired rooftop terrace or feast in the open-air dining room. In the Thompson Hotel on 5th Avenue & Calle 12. (Entrance is on side of the building.)
Purobeach Rooftop (Fives Hotel) – Chill music, Ibiza vibe with Mediterranean style menu awaits you. Stylish yet casual, this restaurant is perfect for a special occasion.
La No. 20 Cantina – This upscale restaurant offers a modern take on a Mexican cantina with Mexican fusion food. Take escalator up Calle Corazon Mall. 5th Ave. & Calle 12.
Alux Restaurant – Dine in an 10,000 year old underground cave. Spectacular design. You can do a tour of the various rooms and areas. Very cool bar too. Reservations are recommended. Ave. Juarez btwn 65th Av & 70th Av, west of Highway 307 (You’ll have to cab there.)
Trattoria Romeo A small Italian restaurant & is well known to both ex-pats & tourists. The menu is extensive with a selection of salads, pastas, and pizzas. Recommend a reservation. Calle 4th btwn 10th & 15th Ave.
ALL OTHER DINING – MID PRICE RANGE
Carboncitos One of our absolute faves! Not only do they offer mouth watering Mexican & Mayan food, they offer some of THE best flambeed steak & seafood at your table to be had! They also flambee pasta tableside along with making their Caesar salad right in front of your eyes! A great menu offering Mexican & Mayan dishes, burgers, & kids items! Don’t miss happy hour here; fabulous cocktails served with some flair! CASH ONLY. Calle 4 Btwn 5th & 10 Ave.
Osteria de Roma – The owner Frederica makes this place shine! Dine on homemade pasta (divine gnocchi & ravioli), & favorites like spaghetti & meatballs & traditional yummy Neapolitan style pizzas. The veal saltimbocca is to die for! Calle 6th. Between 20th & 25th Ave.
Zitla: If you are looking for a fun & very colorful laid-back vibe with music & food from Mexican (amazing tacos) to burgers this is a great spot. Very good prices for the value. And they even has beach sand to stick your feet into.
Buzos: Fun spot, casual with Mexican & fresh seafood. Prices are good & they have comedy & live music nights. Calle 26 between 20 & 25th Ave.
Trattoria Del Centro: Fabulous Italian spot with great pizzas, pasta, risotto etc. They have a courtyard for dining. They have daily specials as well. Calle 26 between 5th & 10th Avenue.
India Jones: Family run business offering authentic Indian food with a very modern twists. You must try the chicken tikka or chicken masala three different ways & their tasty naan bread. It’s located in the Yucatan Playa del Carmen all Inclusive Resort on 5th Avenue & Calle 30.
Po -Thai: If you want to shake up your taste buds a bit this is a great Thai spot. is a small restaurant on 10th Avenue with indoor and outdoor seating. There is air conditioning inside. The staff is friendly and bilingual. There are salads, curries, rice dishes, noodle dishes and specialties of the house. 10th Ave. & Calle 14.
Cheesters: It’s one of the hidden gems of Playa del Carmen. Everything is good on the menu but the portions are huge! Pastas are served in a skillet & we suggest splitting it unless you want leftovers. We enjoyed a tasty Pad Thai there but they serve everything from salads, to pastas, to Mexican to smoothies & desserts. They do not serve alcohol here. You will likely have to cab here. Avenue 40 between Calle 4 & Calle bis.
.Mu BurgerHouse – Our guests love this spot. (There’s a few in Playa.) When you just want a juicy burger & a cold beer in a funky cute setting then this is your spot! Calle 24 & 10th Ave.
Papa Charly’s Pasta Factory Handmade pastas that are fantastic, with a daily lunch special. (Usually included with your entrée is a drink & a dessert.) You can’t beat the value, service & homemade food! Calle 30th & 25th Ave.
Don Chendo This Italian restaurant is popular for both tourists & locals alike. The owner hails from NYC & learned from his Italian mother & grandmother all about Italian cooking. Don Chendo’s is known for its quality cooking & their passion for food. Check out their Chicago style pizza & Italian entrees. 30th Ave btwn Calle 24th & 26th.
The Pitted Date: This trendy vegan wonderland offers both vegetarian & vegan options. One of the popular items is their fluffy vegan eggs! When you leave here you’ll feel satisfied yet not stuffed. 1st Ave. & Ave. Cozumel.
El Pechugon One of our favorite take out places to get roasted chicken! They roast their chicken over baby potatoes, & serve with tortillas, pico de gallo, rice etc. A variety of package meals to choose from. Calle 10 & corner of Juarez Ave.
Don Mario Italian café offering wood oven pizzas & the usual Italian pastas. Great spot for takeout pizza. 10th Ave. & 8th St.
La Brocherie Excellent eat-in or take-out tasty roast BBQ chicken special. Good value. 15th Ave. btwn Calle 4th & 6th.
Café Orange – Great breakfast & lunch options such as pasta, pizzas, empanadas & a daily lunch special which includes your entrée, dessert & a drink. Enjoy smoothies & affordable combos. Calle 30th btwn 25th & 30th Ave.
Trattoria Del Centro – This romantic favorite for both locals & tourists offers happy hour from 5:30pm-7:30pm. They have added an amazing secret garden with seating in the back. Offers Neapolitan style pizza & pasta daily. Calle 26th St between 5th & 10th Avenue.
Club del la Cerveza: If you like artisanal & craft beer, this is the place to be! They have great sausage & fries along with burgers to help soak up the alcohol! 5th Ave between Calle 34 & 38
Ipanema’s Grill – Brazilian steak house offers a salad bar, seafood options & waiters walk around with charcoal swords of meat. 10th Ave. & Calle 10th.
Kaxapa Factory Venezuelan specialities, freshly made juices, with an emphasis on organic, vegetarian & gluten free dishes. Try the hand-made empanadas. Family owned! (Cash only) Calle 10th btwn 15th Ave. & 20th Ave.
BREAKFAST | BRUNCH | BAKERIES
Muza Surf Bar: This is one of our favorite spots for breakfast, lunch & dinner. Picture sitting under a palapa people watching & enjoying the music. Amazing Mexican, great breakfast, tasty pizzas & more. Great margaritas! DJ & live music on weekends. (Ask for William or Natalio!)
Cueva Del Chango – One of Playa’s oldest & beloved restaurants. Set in a tranquil tropical gardens dotted with hanging lights in the evening, This feels like a world away from Playa’s heat and hustle. They’re known for their breakfasts but serve food all day. Mainly Mexican with lots of vegetarian options. Great smoothies & cocktails. Calle 38th towards the ocean.
Chez Celine – A very popular French style bakery serving breakfast, lunch & dinner in quaint courtyard. Freshly made sweet & savory crepes, baguette sandwiches, croissants, omelettes, bakery items & great coffee. They offer daily specials, cheese plates & more! Smoothies, beer, wine & cocktails. 5th Ave. & 34th St.
100% Natural– Tucked away off 5th Ave. is a deceptively large cafe / restaurant. It has 2 huge trees naturally growing within the courtyard. You will find both Mexican & American breakfast offerings. Excellent smoothies. 5th Ave. & Calle 12.
Pelicanos: Located right on the beach offering breakfast to dinner. Typical Mexican & American food plus drinks. Beach & 10th Calle.
Bio-Natural – They offer fruit bowls, omelettes, & hotcakes & cold pressed juices along with vegetarian & GF options. For lunch & dinner they offer quinoa bowls, salads, rice dishes, falafel, pitas, & even some Mexican specialties. 10th Ave. btwn 16th & Constituyentes Ave.
Madrez Café offers one of the classic brunch options- waffles, eggs, bagels, fruit bowls, & maple syrup-topped waffles etc. Enjoy your brunch with a smooth caramel coffee or iced lattes or their fresh fruit juice. Calle 8 off beach.
La Vagabunda: Love live music in the morning (11am to 1PM weekdays) with mimosas? Then this is your spot! They offer a full bottle of sparkling wine with a carafe of orange juice on ice for $390pesos or approx $22USD. Excellent Mexican & American food, hearty breakfast, nice shade & fantastic people watching! Excellent service! 5th Avenue between Calle 24 & 26th.
Que Huevos is a breakfast & lunch café offering all the breakfast items you will want to start your day. Fresh ingredients made with love. 5th Ave. & Calle 48.
Ah Cacao For the chocolate lovers among you (or just those who like an excuse to eat sweets for breakfast) this is the perfect spot. This cute cafés are very popular (think the Mexican Starbucks), which has a few branches all over Playa uses chocolate (& coffee beans) direct from the Mexican growers. Long list of coffees, cakes, muffins, pastries etc. Pop down for some people watching, & enjoy a delectable, rich chocolate brownie & a mocha, or perhaps pan de elote (sweetcorn bread). 5th Ave. & Calle 2. 5th Ave. Other locations can be found on 5th Ave.
Playa Maya – Look for the thatched palapa on the beach. This is a small restaurant on the beach under a palapa serving up both Mexican & American breakfast & all day menu items such as Mexican, ceviche etc. Nice service, good food at very reasonable prices. Beach & Calle 8. Just past Pelicanos.
Lido Beach Club– Beach & Fun tropical beach club with a lively vibe. Offers daily cocktail specials. Serves a nice breakfast, lunch & dinner. Live music on the weekends. Loungers & massage available. Beach & Calle 12 (Next to Zenzi.)
Chou Chou Café Nicely designed café with healthy menu of salads & s&wich type menu items. Very reasonable prices with amazing café. 20th Ave. & corner of Calle 24.
Frutiyogurth – Healthy option for light eating & juices. Calle 34 & the corner of 40th Ave.