Where to Eat in Playa del Carmen: Our Team's Favourites

Trying new foods is a great part of your holiday. Playa del Carmen has hundreds of restaurants, and it can be hard to know which ones are worth your time. Here are a few of our team's favourites we hope you will like.

All except the seafood restaurant have great vegetarian options; we added some vegan options there as well.

Mexican

Start with the classics. These three do Mexican food properly.

El Fogón — a local institution, busy every night, excellent grilled meats and al pastor.
Mezcla — modern Mexican cooking, great if you want something a little more refined.
La Cueva del Chango — a garden setting, and one of the best breakfasts in town.

Tacos (breakfast and lunch only)

Perfect before or after a dive.

Un Taco Más — simple, fast and consistently good. Get there early — they close in the afternoon
Deja Vufree - Vegan and one of the busiest taco carts in town

Cocktails to try

If you are not sure what to order, these three are what we drink:

Spicy margarita
Maracuyá (passion fruit) mezcalita
Carajillo — the local after-dinner favourite, espresso and Licor 43

One note from us: keep the drinking for after your diving days, not the night before. Alcohol and diving do not mix well.

Italian

Playa has a large Italian community, and it shows in the food.

Thai

Indian

India Jones

Seafood

Chiltepin Marisquillos — fresh Mexican-style seafood, great ceviche and aguachile.

Come and dive with us

Eat well, sleep well, and then come diving. We run cenote, cavern and ocean dives from Playa del Carmen every day, in small groups, with plenty of time to enjoy the water. If you want a recommendation for your trip — food or diving — just ask us.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best area to eat in Playa del Carmen?+

Quinta Avenida (5th Avenue) has the most options but also the most tourist-priced menus. Walking a couple of blocks inland, especially around Calle 30 and Avenida 10, usually gets you better food for less money. Most of the restaurants we recommend are just off the main tourist strip.

Do restaurants in Playa del Carmen accept card payments?+

Most sit-down restaurants accept cards. Small taco places and street food stalls are usually cash only, in Mexican pesos, so it is worth carrying some cash.

Should I tip in Playa del Carmen restaurants?+

Yes. Around 10 to 15 percent is normal. Check your bill first, because some restaurants already add a service charge.

Can I drink alcohol before or after diving?+

Not before. Alcohol dehydrates you and increases risk while diving, so leave the margaritas for after your last dive of the day, and drink plenty of water in between.