17 Places to Eat in Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya, Mexico 🌮🇲🇽
1. Empanadas de la CTM (Street Food)
A classic empanada usually features a delicious, flour-based pastry filled with a variety of meat options, such as diced or minced beef, chicken, or even cheese
Our Tips
This establishment runs out of their empanadas early so we recommend being there between 7-10 am. There are no seating options, you can ask it for "to go" and there's a bench across the street where you can have your meal.
2. Choux Choux (French Cafe)
French Café located a few blocks away from the main touristy area (5th Avenue). Very spacious indoor seating options.Â
Our Tips
The outdoor seating option is nicer.Pastries are not the best check more options below It gets busy and might be some seating wait time.
3. Chez Celine (French Bakery)Â
Located at 5th Avenue, this place hands down sells the best pastries and coffees in PDC.Â
Our Tips
They do not accept reservations and waiting times are around 15-20 minutes unless you arrive pretty early 7-8 am. Service has decreased so much, however, their pastries are 10000% recommended.
4. Asadero "El Pollo" (Local Food)
Local Restaurant, located 3 blocks away from 5th Avenue, is great for lunch. Very popular among locals.Â
Our Tip
Pair it with a ice cold glass bottle coca-cola.
5. El Oasis (Seafood Restaurant)
One of the best seafood restaurants in PDCÂ
Our tips
When you dine in they offer complimentary chips and mayo-salsas as well as a small seafood soup.
6. El Che y El Güey (Argentinan Empanadas)
Argentinan Empanadas restaurantÂ
Our Tips
Restaurant facilities are pretty tight, as they can only accommodate 2 tables. If you are lucky you will be able to dine in, but most likely you will have to ask your order for "to-go"
Ask for Chimichurri, which is an herb dressing that is a MUST to eat with these empanadas
7. Las Jarochitas (Street Food)
Tacos de Guisado is a typical meal in Mexico, where a taco can be filled with the protein of your choice and cooked in different styles (tinga, breaded chicken, chicharron, barbacoa, etc.)
Our Tips
Very limited seating options
Located at the outskirts of Mega Soriana Supermarket
8. Marquesitas (Street Food Dessert)
Marquesitas are a typically street desert in the Yucatan Peninsula, very popular in PDC. It's kind of a crispy type of crêpe filled with Edame cheese (Holland Cheese), but you are able to add other fillings like Nutella, Strawberry, Cream Cheese, etc.
Our Tips
Usually, the Marquesita's street trucks start operating around 5 p.m., and you most likely will find them outside of local restaurants. We highly recommend trying it, does not sound super tasty but it really is.Â
9. Loncheria Doña Mari (Tradicional Local Food)
This is a place you MUST visit if you are looking for traditional Yucatecan-style food.
Our Tips
Typically busy, but highly recommend dining in for the authentic local experience.
10. El Fogón (Tacos)
One of the most popular taco places in PDC. Several branches along the city
Our Tips
If having some drinks and/or large table, make sure nothing "extra" is added to your bill.
The busiest is around 8-12 pm
11. Don Dani (Traditional Local Food)
Cochinita pibil, is a Yucatecan Mayan recipe hailing from the picturesque Yucatán Peninsula. This dish features succulent slow-roasted pork prepared with axiote paste
Our Tips
They ran out early so we recommend arriving around 9-10 am
Ask for "Solo Carne" which means only meat, if not they will serve you "surtida" that means mix and might include liver, ear, tongue, etc.
12. Indianos (Indian Food)
Located 2 blocks away from 5th Avenue. This restaurant serves delicious Indian food. Chef Om is originally from India.
Our Tips
If you do not eat too spicy, we recommend the mild as the levels of spiciness can be though if you do not handle hot food.
Order Samosas as appetizer, and garlic naan as compliment to your meal.
13. Sofia (Local Restaurant)
This place is located in the local areas. Current name is Sofia
Our Tips
When you buy La Comida del DÃa (meal of the day), this includes chips and salsas, soup, main dish and a fresh flavour water for about USD $6Â
14. Don Sirloin (Tacos)
Located a few establishments away from El Fogón (listed above)This places is know for its Sirloin meat tacos.
Our Tips
15. Las Quekas (Local Restaurant)
Very popular among locals, this establishment is a sort of "Mexican Fast Food"
Our Tips
Vegetarian options available
Very local restaurant
16. Tere Cazola (Traditional Dessert)
This is basically a cake shop, but we found they sale a uniqueÂ
Our Tips
This is a "to-go" order establishment only, there are not seating options available.
17. El Nativo (Local Restaurant)
Our Tips
Get's pretty busy as is very popular, and it's located one of the main avenues in PDC, you might find long waiting times for seating
For us the chilaquiles order is enough for 2 people.
We prefer egg chilaquiles than chicken, also you will have 2 options of Salsas: Verde or Roja (Verde made out of green tomatoes and Roja made out of red tomatoes)
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