The Best Places to Eat in Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Playa del Carmen is one of the most incredible destinations you can visit on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico, for numerous reasons. The beaches are gorgeous, the weather is amazing, you can visit cenotes and go on fun excursions, and the food does not disappoint!

Last year around this time, a group of friends and I got out of the freezing cold of New York and headed down to Playa del Carmen for a long weekend. We had an absolute blast and it was the perfect destination for a nice warm getaway.

Check out these blog posts if you’re planning on visiting and need some great suggestions on how to spend your time there:

Keep on reading if you’re getting excited about all of the amazing things you’ll eat while you’re in Playa del Carmen and want great recommendations for restaurants and dishes to try. I’ll be covering only the best of what and where to eat in Playa del Carmen in this blog post. Here we go!

Table of Contents

Playa del Carmen Restaurants to Try

Alux Restaurant

Alux is one of the most unique restaurants I’ve ever been to. It doesn’t look like much from the very outside, but once you enter the courtyard and start descending the stairs you find yourself in an incredible natural underground cave! This is where the restaurant is located. The atmosphere is really special, with beautiful lights bouncing off of the chandeliers and different rock formations.

The staff is very friendly and accommodating. We were seated quickly by the host and our incredible dinner began. The menu at Alux is comprised of contemporary Mexican dishes and fusion cuisine. Think, fresh seafood, incredibly prepared meats, well-crafted cocktails, and the desserts were all a hit!

Keep an eye out for fun photo ops throughout the cave! There are so many. And after dinner, you get to walk through the entire restaurant/cave and take in all of the beauty that’s underground.

Location: Av Benito Juarez Mz 217 Lt2, Ejidal, 77710

Cost: $$$

Attire: Formal

Reservations: Strongly recommended

El Sabrosito del Fogon

We loved this place so much that we went twice! El Sabrosito del Fogon has a few different locations and they all keep the same consistency and quality. This is a no-frills kind of place that always seems packed with locals and tourists alike. Once you try the food, it makes sense why it always seems busy. Thankfully, there’s a quick turnover with speedy wait staff so we never found ourselves waiting long for a table.

The menu is pretty extensive with a focus on traditional Mexican dishes including tacos, tortas, quesadillas, queso, and more. Their drink list consists of some cocktails and local beers. The atmosphere is fun and colorful, yet laid back. And any dish you order will be a winner! My personal favorites were the el pastor and the la gringa tacos.

Location: Multiple locations

Cost: $

Attire: Casual

Reservations: Walk-in only

INTI Beach

This is another fantastic restaurant with a view you really can’t beat, considering it’s right on the beach. Here, you can have a wonderful dinner with your toes in the sand and enjoy the sound of the waves. The ambiance here is perfect! There are palm trees, fairy lights, live entertainment, and a fantastic menu with delicious food. We particularly loved the octopus, beef carpaccio, steaks, and seafood. Their menu is pretty extensive however and has a little something for everyone. The cocktail list was also very impressive!

INTI also serves as a beach club, which is open during the day for breakfast, brunch, and lunch. If you can’t make it there for dinner, this is also a wonderful place to relax during the day.

Location: Zona Federal Maritima, Centro 77710

Cost: $$

Attire: Casual- Semi-Formal

Reservations: Recommended

Local Food Stands

One of my favorite things to do in Playa del Carmen was get off of the beaten path, wander around and check out local food stands. The food is so fantastic and extremely cheap. These stands don’t tend to have actual names like a restaurant would, but they’re worth seeking out. How do you know which food stands are worth going to? Just look out for where the locals are. If there is a decent line of locals waiting, chances are it’s going to be good!

Also, Try These in Playa del Carmen:

Fresh Coconut

Nothing beats a fresh coconut when visiting somewhere tropical! In Playa del Carmen, you’ll see fresh fruit and coconut stands at every other corner. The coconut water is so delicious and refreshing. They’ll cut it open right in front of you for you to enjoy.

Ceviche

Ceviche is a delicious dish made from fresh raw fish cured in citrus juices, usually lemon or lime. It’s also spiced with chili, onion, and cilantro. Ceviche is very popular in many Latin American cultures and is definitely one of those things worth trying when in Playa del Carmen. I found the seafood there to be so fresh and delicious!

Churros

A must-have when you’re in any part of Mexico, but I found them extra delicious in Playa del Carmen. While walking around you’ll stumble upon churro stands where they’re frying them up fresh. The amazing smell alone will draw you in.

Thank you For Reading

I really hope you found this blog post helpful and informative. Playa del Carmen is definitely one of those places I’d consider a foodie haven. We honestly didn’t have a single bad meal during our time there. If you’re getting ready to plan a trip there I wish you the most incredible time! Please feel free to leave any questions or comments below and happy travels!