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There are SO many amazing places to eat here, and as a foodie I figure it’s pretty much my duty to eat my way around town and compile a list of my favourite places to eat in Playa del Carmen! Typically we can be found frequenting food carts, little local places and fairly low-budget friendly places, but every now and then we splurge on more of a sit-down experience.

This list offers a number of great options for places to eat in Playa del Carmen, many that step away from traditional Mexican fare, so hopefully you can find something here to satisfy whatever you’re craving!

My Favourite Places to Eat in Playa del Carmen, Mexico

1. Restaurants

2. Food Carts

3. Tacos

4. Roast Chicken

Your foodie self probably needs to pin this post for later…

Save this map so you can take it with you! Link here: The BEST Places to Eat in Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Things move quickly here in Playa, and I try to stay on top of things as best as I can. Restaurants and addresses are accurate as of April 2019. If any of these places to eat in Playa del Carmen have shut down or moved, please let me know so I can update as needed!

1. Best Restaurants in Playa del Carmen

There are countless great restaurants in Playa del Carmen so this list is by no means a complete guide to all of the best restaurants in Playa del Carmen, but it IS a collection of all my favourite places to eat in town. Every restaurant listed here has been thoroughly vetted by me- it’s tough work to be a foodie ;).

From Mexican to German and everything in between, Playa del Carmen has a killer food scene. I’ve made it my duty to visit many of the popular (and not so popular) eateries in town, and compile them into a list for your viewing- and eating- pleasure! I hope you get a chance to visit as many of them as possible while you’re here. Don’t forget to save my map to your phone so you can find them easily while you explore!

Brochetas, Calle 28 between beach & Calle Cozumel

Brocheta translates to ‘skewer’ in English, so it’s not hard to guess what these guys specialize in! We go to BROchetas often because it’s one of Seth’s favourite places to eat in Playa del Carmen.

We usually order a combo to share with a couple extra skewers. Their mugs of beer are priced well and a staple when dining here. We’ve tried both BBQ and teriyaki skewers, but prefer the BBQ and the sauces they bring you are an awesome addition. The veggie skewers are especially well prepared, and the burger skewers are also a must-try!

While Brochetas is a bit off the beaten path, it’s super close to centro and an easy walk from most hotels on Fifth Avenue. It’s also just minutes from the beach, so makes for a perfect place to grab a snack before or after a day on the beach! Of all the places to eat in tow, this remains at the top of our list of best places to eat in Playa del Carmen.

Curry Omm, Av Aviacion & Av 3 Sur

Curry Omm is the only Indian restaurant in Playa del Carmen and it took me a full month of wandering to come across it! It’s been open for 7 years, and in that time has built a loyal following from both tourists and locals alike. The owner is a fellow world traveller and shared with me that he has already visited 135 countries! So not only did I get a delicious meal, I had the pleasure of great conversation while I waited. I’ve tried a few different menu items and enjoyed them all, though the menu is a touch on the pricey side for my budget self.

Definitely add this to your ‘must try’ list if you’re a fan of Indian food! They also offer delivery so you can call your order in if you’d rather!

El Tenador, Av 10 between Calle 1 & 3 sur

El Tenador is a highly recommended restaurant among the Playa del Carmen expat group. They’ve been around for awhile, but recently underwent a renovation that saw their dining area doubled. And for good reason.. It was often hard to get a seat during dinner!

Their food is clearly prepared fresh, and with great care and appreciation. The pizzas are huge for the approx $100mx price tag, and are perfectly cooked in their new wood burning oven. Every menu item we’ve has been delicious, so I definitely recommend stopping in here for dinner!

Kaxapa Factory, Av 20 & Calle 10

Kaxapa Factory features home-cooked Venezuelan dishes. Order one of their specialty juices and try the taquenos- sort of similar to a mozza sticks for those of us from north of the border, but also different. They were delicious! And at only $50 pesos, they are a great price for an appetizer. The sauces were quite good, though I’m not sure what they were!

Since I’m currently on an empanada kick, I had to try a Venezuelan version. At the time of publishing they are $35 pesos each, so a tad more than my $10 peso street snacks but worth the splurge. I tried the empanada de pollo and it was great. Not spicy at all, but great flavour. Very attentive service and an authentic Venezuelan menu makes this one of the great places to eat in Playa del Carmen.

La Brocherie Rotisserie, Av 15 between Calle 4 & 6

This french rotisserie highlights their signature pineapple marinated chicken, along with several other fresh made in house menu items. The entire menu has a heavy french influence expertly blended with authentic Mexican flavours.

We stopped by to sample the roasted chicken we had heard so much about, and were glad we did! Fabian, the French half of the husband-wife duo that owns La Brocherie, greeted us and explained a few of their feature menu items, then brought us a fresh loaf of bread to snack on while we waited for the chicken. He also brought some of their salsa picante… And while delicious, we voted it too hot for us 😉

The chicken ended up being some of the most moist and flavourful chicken we’ve had here, and you definitely should stop in and give it a try!

La Cueva del Chango, Calle 38 between 5 Av & el Mar Col

La Cueva del Chango is one of the first places someone will suggest to you for breakfast in Playa del Carmen. It’s a cute outdoor restaurant just off 5th Ave, that feels like you’re in another world when you walk through the doors. There are trees everywhere and even a little pond full of turtles!

I’m not a fan of breakfast foods, but I’m assured that the chiliquiles are some of the best in town. Their soups are excellent, as well!

Prices are a bit higher than I usually like, so this isn’t one of my usual haunts. But it makes for an awesome place to meet friends or take your family, to get a break from the craziness of 5th Ave.

Be prepared to wait a few minuted though… Especially at meal times, they often have a waiting list. Annoying, but a sure sign of a great restaurant!

La Tarraya, Calle 2 & the beach

I ALMOST don’t even want to write about this one because it’s a bit of a secret gem in Centro. Tasty food, good beer, beachfront dining and cheap prices combine to make La Tarraya an awesome place to eat in Playa del Carmen

The menu isn’t anything crazy but what they do offer, they do it well. This is probably the place in town we visit the most often so we’ve tried a good portion of the menu and have liked every bit of it.

Service isn’t exactly top notch, but when you balance the food, prices and location, it’s a trade I’m more than happy to make. Stop in and decide for yourself!

Manne’s Biergarten, Calle 4 between 10 Av & 15 Av

Manne’s Biergarten is most definitely a must-try place, and easily one of the best places to eat in Playa del Carmen. Whether you’re in the mood for a good beer, some tasty apps, or a filling dinner.. Manne’s has you covered! The menu features a mix of Mexican, American and German dishes. But the German ones are really where it’s at. From saurkraut to bratwurst.. schnitzel to bratkartoffeln.. Your inner German will walk away beyond satisfied.

I always start with their fresh guacamole (naturally-this IS Mexico, after all). No joke… It’s literally the best one in all of Playa. No seriously, it really is!

Having grown up in a half-German home, I have enjoyed quite a number of my mom’s version of items on the menu so I always feel like I’m getting a little piece of home every time we visit.

Make sure you head in early or make a reservation for the mega-popular Prime Rib dinner before it runs out! And save room for your free shot of tequila that comes with your bill 😉

Mi Ranchito Playero Food Truck Village, Carretera Federal & Calle 5 Sur

This is a new place in Playa del Carmen, and they’ve been working hard to smooth out any kinks and offer a fun place for a bite and a drink.

Mi Ranchito Playero sits just off of the highway at the south end of Playa del Carmen, so it can be a little inconvenient to get to without a vehicle. But once you get there you can easily spend an evening taking in whatever entertainment they’re offering that night.

The menus offered by each truck are varied, and offers something for everyone. They also feature different specials throughout the week, including a ladies night on Friday nights.

Mu. Burgerhouse, Av 40 & Calle 6

Mu. Burgerhouse is a relatively new restaurant in town, and I only just tried it for the first time this week. Let me tell you, I’m already planning my return! I loved everything here. The burgers are original and inventive (and delicious!), the drinks are well priced and tasty, and the atmosphere is a nice departure from the busy-ness of centro. And I have nothing but warm fuzzies for any restaurant that includes chipotle mayo with my sweet potato fries ;).

I usually have the burger stuffed with jalapeño and cheese and topped with Oaxaca cheese. Not spicy, but excellent flavour. My friends had the one wrapped in maple bacon. They said it was a bit too sweet, more so than it was the last time they had it. But we all managed to polish our plates so there were clearly no complaints!

Friday night is ladies night 6-8, so gin cocktails are 2 for 1 for ladies! 

Papa Charly Pasta Factory, Calle 30 & Av 25

Papa Charly is probably my favourite lunch place in Playa del Carmen! They offer a delicious and extensive menu and have an awesome lunch special. For one price ($119 at the time of publishing) you can choose an appetizer, entree and dessert, along with their juice of the day.

I met a few nomads here on the recommendation of a friend and have been back several times since! Service is excellent, despite it being fairly busy every time I’ve been.

Robin Bagels, Avenida 115 & Calle Mision del oro

Robin Bagels is hands down the best place to get bagels in Playa del Carmen! They are boiled fresh every day and come in a variety of flavours. They are so popular, they often sell out before the shop closes at 2pm!

Try one of their popular sandwiches for a filling meal, or pick up half a dozen to take home. Just be sure to show up or order early so you can have full selection!

Unfortunately they are not located in Centro so they are a bit more difficult to get to. But they’re seriously worth the effort!

Salento Restaurant Pizzeria, Av 46 & Calle Cozumel

A friend and I actually stumbled on Salento by accident one night after leaving ladies night at Diablito down the road. We stopped in for a drink and some pizza and were very pleased!

The hand stretched dough is topped with deliciously fresh ingredients and baked in a wood burning oven in the open kitchen. As a former chef, this is something I love to see in a restaurant! The pizza came out hot and delicious and seriously hit the spot. Service was excellent and our drinks were never empty.

If you’re looking for a good pizza and wine place in Playa del Carmen, this is the spot to hit!

Serendipity Cafe-Restaurant, 28 de Julio, between Av Sian Ka’an & Av Paseo de Toledo

I actually passed by Serendipity Cafe every day for 2 weeks and never stopped in. It wasn’t until we stayed with a friend and her daughters wanted to eat breakfast there that we went. I’m kicking myself that I didn’t stop in sooner, because it was amazing!

It is a bit far from Centro, so can be harder to get to. But so worth the taxi or colectivo ride!

Service is excellent. They even bring fresh pastries and buns with butter and chili sauce as an appetizer! They make fresh juices and fancy coffees and the food is delicious and so filling!

It’s now one of my favourite places to eat, and most definitely one of the best restaurants in Playa del Carmen. Definitely worth a stop in!

Sushi Club, Avenida 10 norte y Calle 26

One of the most popular sushi places in Playa, we visited Sushi Club for a girl’s night during happy hour (Sunday and Tuesday). They offer a different concept than most happy hours: choose 2 for 1 sushi OR drinks. We opted to share a few items and everything was delicious! Prices seem a bit high on the regular menu, at 120 pesos per drink (2 for 120 during happy hour) and around 200 per meal. But excellent prices during happy hour, so I’d aim to visit then! There are many somewhat cheaper options on the appetizer menu if you’d just like a snack!

Tiny Tiki Hut, Avenida 20 entre calle 6 y calle 4

When I saw The Tiny Tiki Hut had ice cream tacos on the menu I knew we had to stop by! We ended up ordering the Korean beef tacos, coconut curry chicken spring rolls and Korean fried chicken, plus of course the ice cream tacos for dessert. All of them were seriously delicious!

Everything is made fresh in house and the menu features a very cool Asian-Mexican fusion theme. They also offer frequent daily specials (including a brand new ladies night!) and host live music nights every Thursday and Saturday.

Run by a husband and wife team, The Tiny Tiki Hut has only been open in Playa del Carmen for a few weeks, but they’re a clear addition to my list of some of the best places to eat in Playa del Carmen!

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2. Best Food Carts in Playa del Carmen

One of the most prominent food scenes here is the food cart scene. You’ll see food carts on almost every corner throughout the whole city! This section will share some of the best food carts in Playa del Carmen, but will no way hit all of them. There are some seriously amazing stands here in town. One could eat for months at food carts alone and still not see all of them! Many do move around, though many more have found stationary locations. Hopefully none of these move but it’s always a possibility!

15th ave food cart park, Av Benito Juarez & Av 15

This park is where you’ll find some of the best food carts in Playa del Carmen. Everyday, rain or shine, you’ll find a gathering of 6-10 different stands here. A typical selection of tacos, tortas (sandwiches), quesadillas and burritos. Lots of options here, so stop in and take a look! Prices are pretty good, as this is more of a local hang out than one for tourists. Tacos are $15 pesos, tortas are $30 and quesadillas & burritos are $45 and HUGE. Each stand has pretty much the same menu and pricing, though they vary in their meat options. This is a great spot for a family that might each want something different without having to pay restaurant prices.

A Churro Stand/Vendor, vendors walking around town

We found a churro truck on our first day walking around Playa del Carmen, and could never find him again! Finally, in our last week we found him parked on a corner and managed to squeeze in a few more visits. Now it’s more common to see people walking around with bins carrying bags of churros, so don’t hesitate to stop one of them and get a bag!

If you’ve never had a churro, you have to try them! They are a delicious pastry that is piped into a deep fryer then rolled cinnamon sugar just before you get it. At only 30 pesos, this is one treat you can’t miss!

Marquesitas, moving carts all around town

Marquesitas are a pretty typical Mexican snack and you can find vendors on pretty much every second corner in Playa del Carmen! Picture a thin, freshly made rolled-up waffle cone filled with your choice of fillings. You can choose from any combination of jam, nutella, bananas, peanut butter, syrups and even cheese! They’re a delicious snack or after dinner treat.

Taquiera El Gato, Av C.T.M (Calle 46) & Av 10

Another one we wouldn’t have found without friends! This stand is open 24 hours a day and serves several different choices of meats.

You will be offered the standard grilled onions, or raw onions with cilantro. Go for both! Tacos come with salsa verde and salsa roja/hot sauce.

Only 14 pesos make these an amazingly cheap meal! One time I even asked for extra tortillas so I could use my leftover rotisserie chicken, and they gave me 4 extra and didn’t charge me anything! Highly recommend them.

This Empanada Stand, Av 30 & Calle 16

Somehow it took me a full month of living in Playa to find this stand, and I’m thrilled I finally did!! They make the empanada fresh right in front of you, so it’s still hot and crispy when you get it. Choose from a variety of fillings including cheese, chicken, pork, chorizo, beef, potato and a few others. My favs are the chicken and the potato. Then choose from crema, pico de gallo, cabbage and onions to top it with. At $10 pesos each, this will be the cheapest meal you’ll find in all of Playa del Carmen.

They also have other options like tortas and tacos, but just trust me on the empanadas… you won’t regret it!!

Fair warning.. They close by 2pm and often run out of some fillings earlier, so get there early for the full menu!

These burger stands, 28 de Julio & Ave Chemuyil (across from Oxxo on the north side); Calle Playa del Carmen & 28 de Julio

This burger stand is one of the best food carts in Playa del Carmen. Their burgers are sirloin patties topped with ham, cheese, mayo, mustard, lettuce, tomato and grilled onions. You can also choose one that has pineapple, bacon, or a giant sausage sliced in half. Boy, do these guys know how to do burgers! And the prices are amazing for what you’re getting, too. They are all $45-60 pesos. And SO worth it!

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3. Taco Places in Playa del Carmen

It’s no secret that tacos are one of my favourite foods. So when we came to Mexico it quickly became a mission to find the best tacos in Playa del Carmen! In our 4 visits to the city, totaling about 10 months, we’ve had the opportunity to try out quite a few taco places. In this section I’ve compiled a list of the ones I think serve the best tacos in Playa del Carmen. Try them out, and let me know if you agree!

Don Sirloin, multiple locations throughout Playa

One of the main chain restaurants, Don Sirloin is a great option for any meal. Prices are quite low and the menu is extensive. They offer a good selection of tacos, quesadillas, burritos, tortas (sandwiches), burgers, sides, cervesas and drinks. Tacos range from 15-25 pesos each, and Seth loves that they offer both corn and flour tortillas. Their specialty is naturally the sirloin taco so give that a try!

El Fogon, Constituyentes & Av 30; Av 30 & Calle 6; Av 30 & Calle 32

On any given night around dinner time, you can expect to see a line around the corner at El Fogon. It is clearly a favourite of both locals and tourists. Prices are low, menu is extensive and food is delicious, so it it most definitely worth a visit. Ask anyone in town, and most of them will surely tell you El Fogon has the best tacos in Playa del Carmen!

They are known for their al pastor, so you pretty much have to try that! The meat is cut right off the spit or ‘trompo’ in the front corner of the restaurant, and service is usually quite fast. It has to be… the line up along the sidewalk means there’s always people watching to take over your table when you finish!

El Sabor Mexicano, Juarez y Ave 45

We walked past El Sabor several times a week when we lived in Ejido, and it became a regular nightly snack. Tacos are cheap, around $10-13 pesos each, and the rest of the menu is equally priced.

I love that the grill is right at the front of the restaurant. When you’re walking past and the grills are full with the meat for the evening, it’s easy to get pulled in by the smell! The chicken is my favourite because it has a slightly smoky flavour that can only come from a charcoal grill.

The topping selection is what REALLY sells it though! 10 different things to add to your taco, turning a couple simple tacos into a meal that will leave you stuffed. The toppings vary from mild to spicy, so there’s something for everyone. Things like rice, pico de gallo, cactus, cucumbers and a few salsas.

El Taco Mexicano, Av 5 & Calle 38

I admit, this one IS actually on 5th. But it’s at the north end, so it’s not nearly as busy or touristy, so it’s worth including on this list of places to eat in Playa del Carmen! The food is delicious, service is excellent, and prices are low (which is really the biggest selling point for me, if you know me at all!). We try to get there during happy hour so beers are 2 x 1. Tacos are around the $18 peso mark which is pretty average for Playa del Carmen but cheap for 5th Av!

El Tacos Mexicano is located towards the north end of 5th, so not one you’d likely walk past if you’re staying in Centro. But if you’re at the beach for the day aim to come up by Mamitas Beach club and you’ll be right up the block! You can also grab a cab from Centro for around $50 pesos.

Las Quekas, multiple locations

While technically not a taco place, I included Las Quekas on this list of the best tacos in Playa because they use fresh made tortillas, cheese and meat or veggie filling to make a delicious, cheap meal. So they ALMOST qualify as a taco stand 😉

This is a chain restaurant that specializes in quesadillas. They’re all over Playa del Carmen so you’ll see them often. We’ve tried many locations and have never been disappointed!

They offer several different kinds of filling (see the menu in the photo below), but I usually get the Tinga de Pollo. It’s a pulled chicken that has a really nice tomato-based flavour to it. They also make their own tortillas to order, which I’ll never get tired of seeing!

It’s impressive to see how full the grill can get in busier locations. And it’s neat to see the way they season the grill: with a fork holding half an onion. I’m not sure that I could taste the difference, but I thought it was a pretty great idea!

Tacos Charlie, Calle 34 between Av 25 & 30

Tacos Charlie brings barbacoa tacos to Playa, and they do it well. We tried their tacos, quesadilla and the lonche sandwich. All are delicious! They bring out an awesome spread of sauces and extra toppings for your tacos which is a fun addition.

Tacos Charlie is a very new addition to the Playa del Carmen food scene, so I hope they stick around. They’re actually sharing a storefront with Blue Point Grill which is a great concept. Tacos Charlie is open until 5 each day, then they hand over the keys to Blue Point Grill who open for the evening.

Definitely check them out for a bit of variety in your taco diet!

Taquerias el Nero, Juarez & Av 40; Av Chemuyil & Mision del Caribe

This was our first Playa del Carmen taco experience. They specialize in offal meat… tongue, liver, brain, etc… Not my favourite menu, but we were hungry! After stopping in to talk to the manager I learned they also have just regular beef. I decided to order one to try, and when I pulled out my wallet and asked the price, the manager insisted that the first one was on the house. Needless to say, I went back several times!

There is also a second Taquerias el Nero location near Centro that is much easier to get to. Same great flavour and menu, so you can’t go wrong whichever location you choose.

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4. Roast Chicken Restaurants in Playa del Carmen

One staple in Playa del Carmen is pollo asado, or roasted chicken. You can find a ‘polleria’ on almost every corner! Many are very small establishments and only sell until they run out of their daily supply. These places have some of the best chicken in Playa! Prices range from $70 to $140 pesos for a whole chicken and each order typically comes with tortillas, salsa, rice and black beans to make your own tacos. You can order chickens whole or ask for a half or a quarter chicken. These shops are very popular for locals to stop at for lunch break from work or on their way home in the evening and most of them close around 7 or 8pm.

These locations have quickly become our favourites, and each is quite different from the next. So give them all a try if you can!

Asadero el Pollo, 20 Av & Calle 2

This is probably one of the most popular pollerias in Playa. This is largely because it is located directly across from a school, and directly across from the Tulum/Cancun colectivo queue. But also because it’s delicious! They have quite the impressive operation going on and I’d return just to watch it! They routinely have at least 40 whole, flattened chickens on the grill at once. Because of that, the chicken you’ll get is always fresh and not dried out. They come with some delicious pickled onions and a really spicy sauce, along with the standard tortillas, beans and rice. They are a bit more expensive than some of the other places we frequent, at $110 pesos for a whole, and $60 pesos for a half. But you are paying for convenience here, given the location. Still worth a stop in!

El Pechugon, multiple locations. Our fav: Av Juarez & Av 10

El Pechugon quickly became one of our favourite stops, and they have (in our opinion) the best chicken in Playa del Carmen. They roast their whole chickens on a rotating spit, and cook baby potatoes below that. So the potatoes are roasting in the chicken juices… Seriously some of the best potatoes you’ll ever eat! And, they’re only $30 pesos for a bag of them. You HAVE to give them a try!

Their ‘tacos’ (really, taquitos or tacos dorados) are Seth’s favourite snack. Essentially just shredded chicken and a bit of salsa wrapped in a corn tortilla and deep-fried. Sometimes they can have some kick to them, but they’re always tasty. And at only $4mx each (sometimes 2 for 1 if you’re lucky), they are a regular snack for us.

These guys don’t speak English so be prepared to order in Spanish. But everything is on the menu board, so you should get by no problem if you know numbers.

Stop in on a Wednesday to take advantage of their weekly special… $109 pesos for a whole chicken, tortillas, salsa and rice!

Ferron’s Jamaican Chicken, CTM & Calle 105

In a city full of tacos, sometimes you just feel like eating some chicken with a kick. 3 words: JAMAICAN JERK CHICKEN. Seriously though. You haven’t had jerk chicken until you’ve eaten here!

The small restaurant is a bit out from centro but don’t let that stop you! They even deliver, so on those lazy nights all it takes is a simple phone call!

We ordered delivery from them on a day it was raining so hard, I actually didn’t think they’d deliver since most deliveries are made with motorbikes, but they did! Our meal arrived with a bit of a delay due to weather, which was expected. But it was still piping hot. Needless to say, that driver got a good tip! Even with that and the small delivery fee (I think around $50 pesos), this feast still cost under $300 pesos!

Taqueria Jorge, Calle Playa del Carmen & Calle Isla Mujeres (Near 28 de Julio)

We stumbled upon this one afternoon while house sitting in the area. We were just walking around, checking out our new neighbourhood, and saw a sign for $50 peso half chickens and $90 peso whole ones. Since we were hungry, we picked up a half to take home. Boy was I glad I did! It was delicious!! We’ve been back a few times since, and are always eager to stop by when we’re in the area. They give way more tortillas than others we’ve ordered from, which is a nice perk! And the chicken is always cooked well and not dried out.

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I hope these suggestions have given you ideas for the best restaurants in Playa del Carmen! Do you have a favourite place to eat in Playa del Carmen that I didn’t mention? Let me know in the comments so I can check it out!!

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