The Best Restaurants in Playa del Carmen Locals Love

When you’re in search of the best restaurants in Playa del Carmen, go where the locals go.

I’ve been coming to Playa regularly over the last few years and most recently stayed for several months as so many of my Mexican friends to live here.

During my visits, I’ve been lucky enough to have them take me to their favorite local restaurants and what they consider to be the best places to eat in Playa del Carmen.

While the eateries might vary in price points, one thing remains consistent across the board: they’re all pretty damn delicious.

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Best Brunch

El Hongo

For the best brunch in Playa del Carmen with Mexican breakfast favorites that are served late into the afternoon, look no further than El Hongo.

Tucked away from the rest of the busy areas of downtown, stepping into El Hongo is like entering a secluded little hippie haven and co-op community.

The unique local favorite, which also doubles as a cultural center, is surrounded by tall greenery and decorated with hypnotic tree hangings and handmade kite-like creations.

I visited El Hongo in search of late-afternoon chilaquiles one weekend at 4 p.m. and for only 70 MXN, it was everything I could’ve asked for.

All of the menu items are incredibly cheap and affordable when you’re craving traditional and local Mexican food on a budget.

Their signature drink is the limonmenta, which is a frozen mint lemonade, and it’s definitely a must-have with your meal. Light, refreshing, and even served with a cool bamboo straw out of homemade, repurposed glass Corona bottles!

Address: Calle 19 Sur entre Calle Diagonal 80 Sur y Calle 85 Sur
Phone: +52 984 109 5356
Price Range: $
Website | TripAdvisor | Facebook

Related: The Best 15 Day Trips from Playa del Carmen

Best Cafe & Bakery

Chez Céline

Chez Céline isn’t just the best cafe in Playa del Carmen, it’s also a great place for everything from breakfast to dessert, with freshly baked bread and pastries made on site.

Crepes, omelets, sandwiches, bagels, croissants, and more– Chez Céline has something for everyone. Even the pickiest eater in your party won’t be able to find something they don’t love!

The 5th Avenue French patisserie and boulangerie offers standard European baked goods year-round as well as seasonal specialties and traditional Mexican favorites such as pan de muerto in the fall.

And then there are the drinks.

Gourmet coffee, sure. But the highlight definitely lies in their unique lattes and frappes, which include a vegan coffee smoothie, dulce de leche latte, and my personal favorite— banana Nutella frappe.

Address: 5ta Avenida & Calle 34 Centro
Phone: +52 984 803 3480
Price Range: $$
Website | TripAdvisor | Facebook | Instagram

Where to stay in Playa del Carmen: Paradisus Playa del Carmen All Inclusive, Hotel Xcaret Arte- All Parks All Inclusive, Suites Corazon, Hotel Real Real Del Mayab

Best Fresh Green Drinks & Smoothies

Nativo

If your system needs a bit of a cleanse and reset, Nativo is the place to go.

With a variety of generously sized fresh green drinks and smoothies pressed and made on the spot, a visit to Nativo will leave you feeling refreshed and satisfied.

Although they are a well known local restaurant for their healthy drinks, I personally am obsessed with their caldo de pollo, or chicken soup.

As a soup enthusiast, I’ve probably been to Nativo a dozen times and ordered the soup for nearly every meal regardless of the temperature outside.

Address: Lt 2, 30 Avenida Norte Mz 26, Gonzalo Guerrero
Phone: +52 984 873 0758
Price Range: $-$$
TripAdvisor | Facebook

Best Healthy & Vegetarian Restaurant

Fresco Hábito

For the best healthy and vegetarian meal full of fresh ingredients, clean foods, and green drinks, head straight to Fresco Habito.

This hippie chic favorite is a hit among tourists and locals alike throughout Playa del Carmen.

The Instagrammable and— more importantly— mouth-watering smoothie bowls packed with açai, fresh fruit, granola, nuts, seeds, and other superfoods and nutritious ingredients are tropical meals done right.

The extensive green menu is great for breakfast, brunch, lunch or just a refreshing bite after a day in the sun or on the beach.

Address: Av. 1 entre Calle 20 y Av. Constituyentes
Phone: +52 984 107 8322
Price Range: $$-$$$
Website | TripAdvisor | Facebook | Instagram

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Best Seafood Restaurants

El Doctorcito: Best Ceviche

I’ll be honest, I don’t know if there’s any one single restaurant in Playa del Carmen that definitively has the absolute best ceviche, but if there is, El Doctorcito may be one of them.

Officially named Mariscos y Clamatos El Doctorcito, the seafood and ceviche restaurant is a popular local eatery no doubt for its excellent seafood dishes and strong flavors.

Whether you get straight ceviche or a ceviche tostada, each dish comes loaded with El Doctorcito’s signature mix of seafood, onions, and cucumbers marinated in lime and spices.

Address: Calle 12 Norte esquina Avenida 25
Phone: +52 984 147 2712
Price Range: $$
Website | TripAdvisor | Facebook | Instagram

El Pirata: Best Fried Fish

When I say the best fried fish, I mean the whole thing— like, you get an entire fish fried to perfection at Pescaderia y Cockteleria El Pirata.

Definitely a place to go when you’re feeling particularly hungry, this is one of the top restaurants in Playa del Carmen for hearty, Caribbean cuisine that is guaranteed to fill you up.

Served alongside a small side of beans, rice, and salad, the fresh and crispy fried fish is full of flavors that leave you wishing you came with an extra empty stomach.

Address: Calle 40 5, Zazil-ha
Phone: +52 984 803 6762
Price Range: $$-$$$
TripAdvisor | Facebook

La Barracuda Cockteleria: Best Shrimp Tacos

True story: this is the only restaurant in Playa where I will eat shrimp tacos. They’re that good.

Each taco comes with various cooking and sauce options, but the tacos de camarones al mojo de ajo, or shrimp tacos smothered in garlic and butter sauce topped with grilled onions is– *chef’s kiss*— one of the most memorable things I’ve eaten in Mexico.

This restaurant is almost always busy as it’s where locals eat in Playa del Carmen no matter what time of day it is.

Aside from my beloved shrimp tacos, the ceviche and empanadas are signature dishes at La Barracuda. It’s pretty easy to tell as well, as nearly every table has ordered one or both of these delicious items.

If you’re looking for local restaurants and cheap eats in Playa del Carmen, you won’t be disappointed with La Barracuda.

Address: Calle Uno, 28 de Julio
Phone: +52 984 179 9462
Price Range: $-$$
TripAdvisor | Facebook

Best Tacos

El Fogón

Without a doubt, the Best Tacos award goes to El Fogon, one of the most popular Playa del Carmen restaurants in general.

Ask anyone in town for a restaurant recommendation of where to eat in Playa del Carmen that’s cheap, a “you haven’t been to Playa if you haven’t eaten here” place, and I can guarantee that El Fogon will always be one of the answers. 

Why, you ask? Are they really that great? 

Consider this: El Fogon doesn’t have an English menu or much of a social media presence— because they don’t need it. Because the food is really that good.

They don’t need to market their business and they don’t need to cater to tourists because their legendary tacos sell themselves.

The brightly painted yellow and orange taqueria has such a high demand that they have multiple locations throughout Playa, and each one is always bustling with both locals and tourists at all times.

At El Fogon, even though the menu is entirely in English, the friendly staff is always happy to help tourists who don’t speak Spanish, so fear not and get ready to eat.

The establishment is most well known for its tacos al pastor, which are tacos with marinated pork that’s slow-roasted on a spit similar to shawarmas. Served on double tortillas, the simple combination of the tasty meat, onions, and cilantro is what taco dreams are made of.

At under 15 MXN per taco, you could easily eat to your heart’s content without even putting a dent in your budget.

Address: Av. Constituyentes, Quintas del Carmen, Gonzalo Guerrero
Phone: +52 984 803 0885
Price Range: $
TripAdvisor | Facebook

Best Tostadas

Chiltepin Marisquillos

Chiltepin Marisquillos is a solid eatery for all things seafood: tacos, ceviche, cocktails, and more. But what I come to Chiltepin for are their delicious fusion tostadas.

Their tostada menu includes different takes on the seafood version of the dish, using different marinades, spices, ingredients, and fish to create unique offerings such as a tuna sashimi salad tostada with a spicy sesame sauce.

While Chiltepin has a few locations, the one in Norawa Park is conveniently located in a small lot with food trucks parked nearby, so you can also order separate items from the trucks for a variety meal.

Addresses: Av. Solidaridad, Av. 115 Nte. entre, 28 de Julio
Phone: +52 984 109 4175
Price Range: $$
Website | TripAdvisor | Facebook | Instagram

Best Asian Restaurants

I know you’re not supposed to go to Mexico and eat Asian food, but here we are: me, an Asian American girl who has both lived in Asia and traveled around Asia, eating Asian food while very much not in Asia. 

Before you judge me, allow me explain.

Let me be clear: no matter where you go in the world, it’s never going to be the same as eating Japanese food in Japan or Mexican food in Mexico.

But there are some places that get close, and you know what— as a global citizen who’s been to all seven continents and dozens of countries, I’ve learned there is beauty in fusion food and unique interpretations of food from other cultures. 

One of my favorite foreign eateries while living in Japan was a Mexican restaurant and bar run by a Japanese woman and her Mexican husband chef.

I love American Costco pizza, but I would never compare it to pizza I’ve had in Naples.

Things don’t have to be the same to be great or delicious. 

Pure, authentic food and flavors are one thing.

But as I’ve learned, especially during my time at sea working on cruise ships and also while living in Antarctica for four months, sometimes you just want something— anything— that will remind you of home, and sometimes good enough is more than enough.

However.

These next two Asian restaurants in Playa del Carmen are not just okay Asian food.

They’re delicious food and restaurants I would recommend no matter what if you’re in the mood to change things up.

Now, with that long digression and preface out of the way, here are two of my favorite Asian restaurants in Playa.

Po Thai: Best Thai Food

As I mentioned, Po Thai is not just decent Thai food, it’s truly a solid Thai restaurant.

I’ve had everything from the tom yum soup to the pad thai noodles and gaeng kiew wan curry and it’s all so tasty. My personal favorite is the grilled shrimp skewers with peanut sauce appetizers that I would totally get two orders of for a whole meal.

The main dishes are quite large, so although Po Thai is on the pricier side, you definitely won’t be left hungry. 

If you’ve got a small stomach, one dish could even be split into two meals for you.

Address: Av. 10 Norte entre Calle 14 y Calle 14 Norte Bis
Phone: +52 984 277 4846
Price Range: $$$
Website | TripAdvisor | Facebook

UNO Japanese Noodles PDC: Best Japanese Noodles & Fusion

You’re not going to find completely authentic Japanese food in Playa del Carmen, especially sushi—let’s get that out of the way. But UNO does a pretty standup job of creating some amazing fusion dishes.

Something I love about Playa’s interpretation of Japanese food is its use of spice and citrus flavors in the dishes. While Japanese food does incorporate yuzu, an Asian citrus, the Japanese restaurants here take it to the next level as lime and spices are regularly used in Mexican cuisine.

The seasoned edamame includes a citrus soy sauce with peppers, a new experience from how I normally would eat the beans (just with salt or even plain).

The sourness is again included in the karaage (Japanese fried chicken) ramen broth, giving it an excellent kick that I haven’t found in other ramen soups.

If you’re looking for a unique mix of two culture’s flavors for a delicious dinner in Playa del Carmen, UNO is the place to go.

Address: Av. Constituyentes local 8 esq Av. 15 Nte
Phone: +52 984 178 4220
Price Range: $$-$$$
TripAdvisor | Facebook

Best Soup & Pozole

Pozoleria Doña Olga

The smallest restaurant on this list of Playa del Carmen food tour destinations, Pozoleria Doña Olga is the best hole-in-the-wall eatery only locals know about.

Hidden in a residential area and with just a few small tables inside and on the sidewalk, this pozole restaurant can be easy to miss.

Doña Olga’s most popular dishes— pozole, obviously— come in three base options: green, white, and red. They can be ordered with the traditional side dishes for 99 MXN (taco dorado, tostadas, chicharron, avocado, lettuce, radishes, and cheese) or a more deluxe combination for 159 MXN.

Each bowl of pozole is huge, so you definitely get your money’s worth. As someone with a rather small stomach, one order of the soup ended up being enough to split into three meals for me, especially when eaten with additional tortillas or tostadas, and I’m not mad at all about that.

The rich soup, budget pricing, and authentic flavors make Pozoleria Doña Olga just an absolute hidden gem.

Address: Fracc. Calle Av. Petempich Blvd, Misión Villamar 2570, Blvd Misión Villamar 1
Phone: +52 998 319 1052
Price Range: $-$$
Website | TripAdvisor | Facebook

I hope this list of some of the best restaurants in Playa del Carmen recommended by locals brings you to many delicious meals and savory memories!

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• 10 Tips for Visiting Isla Mujeres on a Budget [2021]
• Visiting the Coba Ruins in 2021: 6 Most FAQs
• Visiting Chichén Itzá on Your Own in 2021: Top FAQs
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