Top 15 Places to eat in Playa Del Carmen
My Top 15 places to eat in Playa Del Carmen have something for every palette. One of the best traits of Playa Del Carmen is the inbound of vacationers from around the world into a small beach town that you can cover from end to end in under 30 minutes on a bicycle. I also wrote a blog on Top 5 Things to do in Playa Del Carmen here!
This influx of diversity is reflected in the incredible food options in Playa Del Carmen. This list originally started at 5. Then it was my personal Top 10 Places to Eat in Playa Del Carmen. Now it is 15. So just for you, here are my Top 15 Places to Eat in PDC! Maybe next week it will be 20?
1. BIRRIA DE LA 30 (MEXICAN)
30 Avenida Nte. 4, Tohoku, Centro, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R.
Birria De La 30 Google Maps here
Birria is a Mexican dish from the state of Jalisco. It is a traditional ancestral soup or stew made from a combination of chili pepper-based goat meat adobo, garlic, cumin, bay leaves, and thyme, and cooked at a low heat. Certainly Birria de la 30 is Mexican soul food.
Pull the meat from the stew and serve with a diverse mix of toppings and spices. As a matter of fact, there was a time when I frequented this lovely establishment almost weekly. It tastes as good as it looks.
2. CHEF PLAYA MARISCOS (MEXICAN)
Luis Donaldo Colosio, 77728 Playa del Carmen, Q.R.
Chef Playa Mariscos Google Maps here
Just a couple minutes walk from Tranquilo is perhaps the best kept secret amongst the locals in Playa.
Don’t judge a book by its cover. Although this may be a little hole in a wall (literally), Chef Playa serves arguably the freshest and authentic Mariscos (seafood dishes) that the locals love.
Not only is it fresh, but also tasty and easy on the wallet. What’s not to love?! Walk over after a day on Punta Esmeralda and you will not regret it!
3. Gran Cafe
5ta Avenida y calle 54 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R.
Gran Cafe Google Maps here
Gran Cafe is a quaint and lovely cafe located on the quieter side of 5th Avenue. It is a fusion of a French bistro with some local delights.
The open and relaxed atmosphere is perfect for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Everything on the menu is fresh and delicious.
Our guests at Tranquilo Vacation Rentals now receive a 10% discount on your bill at Gran Cafe! Please refer to your Welcome Guide to claim your discount during your stay! Provecho mon ami!
4. SALENTO (ITALIAN)
Av. CTM 20, Zazil-ha, 77720 Playa del Carmen, Q.R.
Salento Facebook Page here
Salento Google Maps here
Salento is a town in the culturally and historically rich region of Puglia in Southern Italy. And the owners of Salento have served the rich foods of their hometown in this little treasure at the end of Avenida CTM for years now.
If their pasta is good, then their pizza is the Mona Lisa. I have travelled through Italy from Venice in the north to Sicilia in the south. And I can emphatically confirm that Salento’s pizza is that good.
5. CHILTEPIN MARISQUILLOS (MEXICAN)
Calle 34 esq Av 20 Norte Mz 99 Lote 21 Fraccionamiento, Tohoku, Centro, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R.
Chiltepin Marisquillos Facebook Page here
Chiltepin Marisquillos Google Maps here
In addition, this is another very good Mexican fusion Mariscos restaurant with a nice ambience and pool on the patio.
While everything on the menu is great, my personal favourites are the salads and paella (served with crab above)!
6. CHEESTER (ITALIAN)
40 Avenida Nte. entre Calle 4 y Calle 6 Norte, Centro, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R.
Cheester Facebook Page here
Cheester Google Maps here
The next entry in my Top 10 Places to eat in Playa Del Carmen is Cheester. Everything on the menu is indeed excellent. Even the smoothies! The pasta and pizza taste so good that you would believe certainly Ratatouille prepared it!
The owner’s mother from Rome passed down these amazing Italian recipes at Cheester. The ambience and attention to detail is what makes Cheester one of my favourites. Furthermore a bonus is that everything on the menu serves 2!
7. TRADITIONAL WOOD-FIRED CHICKEN & RIBS (MEXICAN)
Calle 88 Nte, Luis Donaldo Colosio, 77728 Playa del Carmen, Q.R.
El Tradicional Pollos Y Cosrillas A La Leña Google Page here
Ok. If you like grilled chicken and ribs, this hidden gem is a amazing. The ribs and chicken are both delicious. Muy rico!
For less than 200MXN, you can get a rack of ribs with sides to go!
Come see the friendly Jose & Diego and let them know you are from Tranquilo Vacation Rentals and Rudolph and they will sure take care of you! *Take out only. But it is so worth it…
8. EL ARABE TACOS (MEXICAN)
Av. CTM 50, Luis Donaldo Colosio, 77728 Playa del Carmen, Q.R.
El Arabe Tacos Google Maps here
9. SAKURA RAMEN (JAPANESE)
Calle 8 entre avenida20 y avenida 25 local 1 manzana20 plaza mahaual, Centro, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R.
Sakura Ramen Facebook Page here
Sakura Ramen Google Maps here
10. EL PIRATA (MEXICAN)
Calle 40 5, Zazil-ha, 77720 Playa del Carmen, Q.R.
El Pirata Facebook Page here
El Pirata Google Maps here
11. EL FOGON (MEXICAN)
Centro, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R.
El Fogon Facebook Page here
El Fogon Google Maps here
12. DONA PAULA (MEXICAN)
30 Avenida Nte. 354, Gonzalo Guerrero, 77720 Playa del Carmen, Q.R.
Dona Paula Restaurant Google Maps here
Dona Paula is a hidden gem. It is by far the best authentic Mexican food in Playa that is not Mariscos.
This is where the locals eat. And if it were not on this list, chances are you, you will never hear of or find it.
Come by for friendly faces and try a bowl of pozole. I am almost certain you will not regret it.
13. PEACE & BOWL (VEGAN)
Calle 30 Nte entre Av 25 y Av, Gonzalo Guerrero, 77720 Playa del Carmen, Q.R.
Peace & Bowl Facebook Page here
Peace & Bowl Google Maps here
15. ROCO’S CAFE (CAFE)
Calle 98 Nte, Luis Donaldo Colosio, 77728 Playa del Carmen, Q.R.
Roco’s Cafe Google Maps here
Honourable Mentions:
Cholao Arepas Playa (COLOMBIAN)
Av 20 calle 8 Plaza cívica 28 de Julio Centro, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R.
Cholao Arepas Playa Google Maps here
In Hawaii, there is Shaved Ice. In Singapore, there is Ice Kachang. In Colombia, there is Cholao!
Cholao is a fruity Colombian dessert that is perfect to stay cool and beat the heat wave in Playa Del Carmen! You can get some Cholao at the Artisan Market at the Municipal Palace on weekends!
Come visit Luz and have this delicious dessert with all these exotic toppings! Milk, cocoa, soursop, pineapple, banana, passion fruit and berries!
MACHU PICCHU (PERUVIAN)
15 Avenida Nte, Centro, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R.
Machu Picchu Facebook Page here
Machu Picchu Google Maps here
The energy, ambience and food here is wonderful. If you never tried Peruvian food before, you really should give Machu Picchu a chance.
Be sure to try the grilled fish and cerviche with some fresh juice!
Enjoy the ambience and wall art while you are enjoying your meal too!
LA 88 (MEXICAN)
Calle 88 Norte, 5 Av. Nte. esq, Luis Donaldo Colosio, 77728 Playa del Carmen, Q.R.
La 88 Facebook Page here
La 88 Google Maps here
SUNRISE CAFE (CAFE)
Av Luis Donaldo Colosio entre 20 y 15, Luis Donaldo Colosio, 77728 Playa del Carmen, Q.R.
Sunrise Coffee Facebook Page here
Sunrise Coffee Google Maps here
Posted by: 
Rudy Lim
