Our favorite restaurants
Carboncito's in Playa del Carmen
One of our favorite things about Playa del Carmen is the abundance of great food in the area! We haven't even come close to trying every restaurant on our list. But here are some of our favorites to get you started. And if you are someone who likes to see pictures of actual dishes, check out the food pics under the photos tab - almost all of the restaurants listed below have pictures of our favorite dishes. They are listed geographically.
LOCATED IN PLAYACAR OR JUST OUTSIDE THE GUARD GATE
Casa Sofia – We were so excited when this place opened because it is right around the corner from the condo. Delicious and inexpensive Italian food and thin crust pizza (not our favorite pizza, but it’s still very good). They are located outside the little guard gate across from the condo, then take a right about a block. It is always crowded but we have no trouble getting a table, they have lots of seating.
Bakery Playacar – This bakery and a couple of other restaurants are located around the corner from the condo within Playacar. The bakery has freshly baked options daily and is worth a trip. They are all located next to the closest OXXO to the condo – take a left out of our parking lot and then another left at the first street, Xaman Ha. About 2 blocks down is a small shopping center with these choices available.
The Admiral Sports Bar - We are so excited to have such great food so close by! Just outside of the guard gate in front of the condo - this spot is more than a place to watch the current games. The owner is dedicated to delicious food and great service. We love the fish and chips, and then there is the shepherd's pie. Hamburgers are delicious and the chicken burger also wins points with us. There is often specials on the weekends that are not on the menu. Don’t be afraid to ask and don’t miss out on the fresh raw oysters if they are available!
Playacar Burger - Located in Playacar but a bit of a walk (they also deliver), this burger joint is pretty darn good. Take a left out of the condo parking lot and walk as if you were going to the OXXO by taking a left turn on Xaman-Ha. Walk past the OXXO, keep walking a good ways down until you see another OXXO on the right side, take a right there at the circle/roundabout. You will see a shopping center called Plaza Paseo Playacar on your left, Playacar Burger is in there along with other options to explore.
El Pechugon - A locals favorite at the corner of Juarez and 10th Avenue, you will smell this little roasted chicken gem before you see it. Very reasonably priced. They have some sides like yummy roasted potatoes and jalapeños that sit under the chicken juices while they roast - yummy! The only seating area is the benches on the street so we always get ours to go and take it home.
Lara y Luca– just around the corner outside the guard gate directly in front of the condo. This tiny gem is known for their breakfasts and we love to get their almond croissants to go for breakfast at home. They serve lunch and dinner also and have some really good options to select.
Los Aguachiles - Another great, reasonably priced, seafood option. There are several in town, but we love that there is now one near us – right on 10th Avenue just outside of the main guard gates. Fresh ceviches and I love their tuna tostada and also delicious grilled octopus.
La Coronela– Calle 1 Sur between 5th and 10thAvenues – this is very near the condo. Exit the guard gate and walk straight down 10th Avenue and take a right onto Calle 1 Sur. The restaurant is tiny and on your right. I love the tortilla soup and also the combination plate. They always have good specials and the service is delightful.
IN THE TOURIST ZONE, BUT NOT A FAR WALK
Ah Cacao– I know this looks like just a coffee place, but they serve the BEST brownies you will ever eat. If you are a chocolate lover, you must stop in. They have several locations – one at Calle 2 and 5th, and several further down 5th Avenue. The corn cake is also yummy.
La Tarraya (on the beach)– We understand this beachfront restaurant is the oldest restaurant in Playa, for good reason. It is frequented mostly by locals. Great food, very inexpensive and relaxed service. Located right on the beach at the end of Calle 2 on the left, you can eat with your toes in the sand or up on a platform in the shade. They are best known for their seafood – we like their fish or shrimp “la tarraya style”, which is loaded with garlic and tomatoes. Their ceviche is very good also.
La Famiglia– Other than Don Chendo’s, this is our favorite pizza and pasta place. Located on 10th Avenue and Calle 10, closed on Mondays. This is thin crust pizza and delicious homemade raviolis. Their steak is incredible and they have daily specials with fresh seafood. We like to sit upstairs for the best view – make a reservation for the weekend to be seated quickly. The service is excellent, too.
Carboncitos – This is an old favorite of ours, but their ownership changed and their prices were jacked up quite a bit. It is no longer the bargain that it used to be, but still good food and a great location on Calle 4 just a tad west of 5th Avenue. We still love their pastor nachos and charro bean soup, as well as their Enfijoladas for breakfast. Order a margarita and it may be brought out on the waiter’s head - get your camera out and ready!
Lido - This is our new favorite beach club and beach restaurant. Everything on their menu looks delicious, we love the burgers, wings and guacamole and fish. You can sit in the sun or the shade and they have loungers, too. Live music most afternoons, great vibe. Located at the Colibri Beach Hotel on 1st Avenue. Walk down 5th, take a right on Calle 10 and then a left onto 1st Ave, the hotel is on your right about one building away. Enter through the hotel.
Cart vendors - Don't be afraid of the vendors. Especially if you see a line of locals! Most sell some version of tacos, burritos, quesadillas, volcunes, and other delicious options. Our favorite desserts are the marquesitas - similar to crispy thin crepes with fillings like bananas and Nutella, strawberries and cheese, etc. Try the fresh fruits also for a unique experience. Also look for the freshly fried churros!
IN THE TOURIST ZONE, BUT A FURTHER WALK
La Cueva del Chango– Famous for their breakfasts and lunches (not as much for dinner), this beautiful little restaurant has a great atmosphere (look for the turtles in the pond) and friendly servers. Located directly across from Piola on Calle 38 between 5th Avenue and the beach.
Piola – This is a great place for thin crust pizza in a nice garden setting. They have numerous varieties of pizza and delicious brochette and pasta dishes. On Calle 38 east of 5th Avenue.
Sabrina's - This Italian place serves some great pizza also. We like to order delivery on Friday nights when they have their pizzas at 50% off. We order two and have a little left over for lunch the next day. If you want to visit, they are on Constituyentes between 10th and 15th Avenues.
OUTSIDE THE MAIN TOURIST ZONE – SOME OF OUR FAVORITES!
Don Chendo’s– On 30th Avenue between Calle 24 & 26, a few blocks from Mega supermarket. The chef and owner is Russell, and he makes some of the best homemade pasta and pizza in town! His pizza is deep dish with a crispy bottom – it is to die for and I don’t normally enjoy deep dish pizza. I guess I just hadn’t had it prepared correctly before! Our favorite pasta dish is the rigatoni with Italian sausage and peppers (makes great leftovers). If you are vegan or gluten free, just let them know, they make a gluten free pasta with delicious red sauce. The service is excellent and attentive. They also deliver. Call them direct at 984-803-5950. (Our address is at the end of this section).
El Fogon– Several locations up and down 30th Avenue – we like the one at Calle 6 (one block from WalMart) and at Constituyentes (across from Mega). If we could only eat at one place during an entire trip, this would be it. We love everything we eat here. Favorites are their alambre, chillaquilies, arracherra, bean soup, tacos al pastor and queso fundido. Very inexpensive and friendly service. They speak limited English, but generally enough to get by and they do have an English menu of sorts. (Also, their leftovers make great additions to nachos or quesadillas! They do not open for lunch until 1:00, and the pastor is usually not available until around 4:00pm. There is now a new location on 5th Ave (a bit pricier), just past the ferry terminal street on the 2nd floor!
Ferron’s– Another “must eat” every trip. We order delivery because their location is very far from the condo across the highway on 105th Avenue. They serve the best Jamaican jerk chicken and their ribs are spicy and incredible! The side dishes are so-so, we normally order the corn cobs and open a can of charro beans from the grocery store to make a complete meal along with a salad. Call them at 984-134-7738.
Café Andrade – located on Calle 8 and 20th Avenue – across from Plaza 28 de Julio (between calle 8 & 10). This is a locals place, but they speak good English also. Very inexpensive. We stopped in only because we were hot one day and they had AC and a TripAdvisor sign in the window. Best guacamole, great pibil enchiladas and chilaquilles with red sauce.
El Gran Taco– very inexpensive, locals place. Across the highway from Sam’s Club and almost directly across from City Club (look for the large picture of the Pig Head). This “joint” serves some of the best cheap tacos and other authentic dishes we have ever tasted! The fillings are all lined up inside and you can take a look before ordering. The staff doesn’t speak much English but they can tell you what you are looking at, and the manager does speak English. You can get some simple tacos to try, but our favorite is the flautas that come in a sauce of green (verde) sauce that is to die for!
La Floresta – If you are wanting to get away from the tourist crowd and are craving simple, delicious seafood tacos, give this place a try. Located on the other side of the 307 highway (between Calles 4 & 6), this local spot offers some of the best fried fish or shrimp tacos around. Very simple, and very similar to Tacon Tenendor. The atmosphere isn’t much (plastic tables/chairs), but you will enjoy your visit hanging with the locals and will boast to your friends that you explored outside your comfort zone!
NEW, FUN OPTION! - Delivery from many restaurants is now available - yay! There are many new delivery services, including PlayaNow, Rappi, Playita and loQsea. Also, many of the restaurants will delivery directly without using one of those services, saving both them and you on the extra service charges. Search Google Maps for “restaurants” then dial in to their menu, reviews, about info, etc., if their is a WhatsApp number, message them for delivery. If you don’t have WhatsApp, download it, as you will find it very helpful in many ways here in PDC.
Check out our Food Picture Gallery and you will find pics of some of our fave dishes. Let us know how you like these, and be sure to share your favorite finds with us!!
LOCATED IN PLAYACAR OR JUST OUTSIDE THE GUARD GATE
Casa Sofia – We were so excited when this place opened because it is right around the corner from the condo. Delicious and inexpensive Italian food and thin crust pizza (not our favorite pizza, but it’s still very good). They are located outside the little guard gate across from the condo, then take a right about a block. It is always crowded but we have no trouble getting a table, they have lots of seating.
Bakery Playacar – This bakery and a couple of other restaurants are located around the corner from the condo within Playacar. The bakery has freshly baked options daily and is worth a trip. They are all located next to the closest OXXO to the condo – take a left out of our parking lot and then another left at the first street, Xaman Ha. About 2 blocks down is a small shopping center with these choices available.
The Admiral Sports Bar - We are so excited to have such great food so close by! Just outside of the guard gate in front of the condo - this spot is more than a place to watch the current games. The owner is dedicated to delicious food and great service. We love the fish and chips, and then there is the shepherd's pie. Hamburgers are delicious and the chicken burger also wins points with us. There is often specials on the weekends that are not on the menu. Don’t be afraid to ask and don’t miss out on the fresh raw oysters if they are available!
Playacar Burger - Located in Playacar but a bit of a walk (they also deliver), this burger joint is pretty darn good. Take a left out of the condo parking lot and walk as if you were going to the OXXO by taking a left turn on Xaman-Ha. Walk past the OXXO, keep walking a good ways down until you see another OXXO on the right side, take a right there at the circle/roundabout. You will see a shopping center called Plaza Paseo Playacar on your left, Playacar Burger is in there along with other options to explore.
El Pechugon - A locals favorite at the corner of Juarez and 10th Avenue, you will smell this little roasted chicken gem before you see it. Very reasonably priced. They have some sides like yummy roasted potatoes and jalapeños that sit under the chicken juices while they roast - yummy! The only seating area is the benches on the street so we always get ours to go and take it home.
Lara y Luca– just around the corner outside the guard gate directly in front of the condo. This tiny gem is known for their breakfasts and we love to get their almond croissants to go for breakfast at home. They serve lunch and dinner also and have some really good options to select.
Los Aguachiles - Another great, reasonably priced, seafood option. There are several in town, but we love that there is now one near us – right on 10th Avenue just outside of the main guard gates. Fresh ceviches and I love their tuna tostada and also delicious grilled octopus.
La Coronela– Calle 1 Sur between 5th and 10thAvenues – this is very near the condo. Exit the guard gate and walk straight down 10th Avenue and take a right onto Calle 1 Sur. The restaurant is tiny and on your right. I love the tortilla soup and also the combination plate. They always have good specials and the service is delightful.
IN THE TOURIST ZONE, BUT NOT A FAR WALK
Ah Cacao– I know this looks like just a coffee place, but they serve the BEST brownies you will ever eat. If you are a chocolate lover, you must stop in. They have several locations – one at Calle 2 and 5th, and several further down 5th Avenue. The corn cake is also yummy.
La Tarraya (on the beach)– We understand this beachfront restaurant is the oldest restaurant in Playa, for good reason. It is frequented mostly by locals. Great food, very inexpensive and relaxed service. Located right on the beach at the end of Calle 2 on the left, you can eat with your toes in the sand or up on a platform in the shade. They are best known for their seafood – we like their fish or shrimp “la tarraya style”, which is loaded with garlic and tomatoes. Their ceviche is very good also.
La Famiglia– Other than Don Chendo’s, this is our favorite pizza and pasta place. Located on 10th Avenue and Calle 10, closed on Mondays. This is thin crust pizza and delicious homemade raviolis. Their steak is incredible and they have daily specials with fresh seafood. We like to sit upstairs for the best view – make a reservation for the weekend to be seated quickly. The service is excellent, too.
Carboncitos – This is an old favorite of ours, but their ownership changed and their prices were jacked up quite a bit. It is no longer the bargain that it used to be, but still good food and a great location on Calle 4 just a tad west of 5th Avenue. We still love their pastor nachos and charro bean soup, as well as their Enfijoladas for breakfast. Order a margarita and it may be brought out on the waiter’s head - get your camera out and ready!
Lido - This is our new favorite beach club and beach restaurant. Everything on their menu looks delicious, we love the burgers, wings and guacamole and fish. You can sit in the sun or the shade and they have loungers, too. Live music most afternoons, great vibe. Located at the Colibri Beach Hotel on 1st Avenue. Walk down 5th, take a right on Calle 10 and then a left onto 1st Ave, the hotel is on your right about one building away. Enter through the hotel.
Cart vendors - Don't be afraid of the vendors. Especially if you see a line of locals! Most sell some version of tacos, burritos, quesadillas, volcunes, and other delicious options. Our favorite desserts are the marquesitas - similar to crispy thin crepes with fillings like bananas and Nutella, strawberries and cheese, etc. Try the fresh fruits also for a unique experience. Also look for the freshly fried churros!
IN THE TOURIST ZONE, BUT A FURTHER WALK
La Cueva del Chango– Famous for their breakfasts and lunches (not as much for dinner), this beautiful little restaurant has a great atmosphere (look for the turtles in the pond) and friendly servers. Located directly across from Piola on Calle 38 between 5th Avenue and the beach.
Piola – This is a great place for thin crust pizza in a nice garden setting. They have numerous varieties of pizza and delicious brochette and pasta dishes. On Calle 38 east of 5th Avenue.
Sabrina's - This Italian place serves some great pizza also. We like to order delivery on Friday nights when they have their pizzas at 50% off. We order two and have a little left over for lunch the next day. If you want to visit, they are on Constituyentes between 10th and 15th Avenues.
OUTSIDE THE MAIN TOURIST ZONE – SOME OF OUR FAVORITES!
Don Chendo’s– On 30th Avenue between Calle 24 & 26, a few blocks from Mega supermarket. The chef and owner is Russell, and he makes some of the best homemade pasta and pizza in town! His pizza is deep dish with a crispy bottom – it is to die for and I don’t normally enjoy deep dish pizza. I guess I just hadn’t had it prepared correctly before! Our favorite pasta dish is the rigatoni with Italian sausage and peppers (makes great leftovers). If you are vegan or gluten free, just let them know, they make a gluten free pasta with delicious red sauce. The service is excellent and attentive. They also deliver. Call them direct at 984-803-5950. (Our address is at the end of this section).
El Fogon– Several locations up and down 30th Avenue – we like the one at Calle 6 (one block from WalMart) and at Constituyentes (across from Mega). If we could only eat at one place during an entire trip, this would be it. We love everything we eat here. Favorites are their alambre, chillaquilies, arracherra, bean soup, tacos al pastor and queso fundido. Very inexpensive and friendly service. They speak limited English, but generally enough to get by and they do have an English menu of sorts. (Also, their leftovers make great additions to nachos or quesadillas! They do not open for lunch until 1:00, and the pastor is usually not available until around 4:00pm. There is now a new location on 5th Ave (a bit pricier), just past the ferry terminal street on the 2nd floor!
Ferron’s– Another “must eat” every trip. We order delivery because their location is very far from the condo across the highway on 105th Avenue. They serve the best Jamaican jerk chicken and their ribs are spicy and incredible! The side dishes are so-so, we normally order the corn cobs and open a can of charro beans from the grocery store to make a complete meal along with a salad. Call them at 984-134-7738.
Café Andrade – located on Calle 8 and 20th Avenue – across from Plaza 28 de Julio (between calle 8 & 10). This is a locals place, but they speak good English also. Very inexpensive. We stopped in only because we were hot one day and they had AC and a TripAdvisor sign in the window. Best guacamole, great pibil enchiladas and chilaquilles with red sauce.
El Gran Taco– very inexpensive, locals place. Across the highway from Sam’s Club and almost directly across from City Club (look for the large picture of the Pig Head). This “joint” serves some of the best cheap tacos and other authentic dishes we have ever tasted! The fillings are all lined up inside and you can take a look before ordering. The staff doesn’t speak much English but they can tell you what you are looking at, and the manager does speak English. You can get some simple tacos to try, but our favorite is the flautas that come in a sauce of green (verde) sauce that is to die for!
La Floresta – If you are wanting to get away from the tourist crowd and are craving simple, delicious seafood tacos, give this place a try. Located on the other side of the 307 highway (between Calles 4 & 6), this local spot offers some of the best fried fish or shrimp tacos around. Very simple, and very similar to Tacon Tenendor. The atmosphere isn’t much (plastic tables/chairs), but you will enjoy your visit hanging with the locals and will boast to your friends that you explored outside your comfort zone!
NEW, FUN OPTION! - Delivery from many restaurants is now available - yay! There are many new delivery services, including PlayaNow, Rappi, Playita and loQsea. Also, many of the restaurants will delivery directly without using one of those services, saving both them and you on the extra service charges. Search Google Maps for “restaurants” then dial in to their menu, reviews, about info, etc., if their is a WhatsApp number, message them for delivery. If you don’t have WhatsApp, download it, as you will find it very helpful in many ways here in PDC.
Check out our Food Picture Gallery and you will find pics of some of our fave dishes. Let us know how you like these, and be sure to share your favorite finds with us!!
