Restaurants in Playa del Carmen, Mexico: Gastronomy & Typical Cuisine

Buenos Aires

'Buenos Aires' restaurant specializes in Argentinean food, as its name indicates. Awarded second place as the 'Best Playa del Carmen restaurant' by Riviera Maya magazine, the main reason for its success is that it combines accessible prices with a high quality cuisine. The atmosphere evokes a rural Buenos Aires feel.

Casa Adela

If you're the adventurous type, looking to savor the unique flavors of typical Mexican cuisine and you're also interested in learning more about Mexico's traditional and contemporary plastic arts, then consider eating at Casa Adela, an interesting mix of a restaurant and an art gallery. Located in Playa del Carmen, Casa Adela serves an excellent variety of dishes, including deep fried chicken "taquitos", charcoal grilled steaks and delicious seafood "ceviches" (raw fish or shrimp marinated in lime juice).

To accompany your meal, sample their selection of tequila, mezcal, and wines from Baja. Then, after dining, take some time to appreciate the colorful textiles, ceramics and jewelry on display at this charming restaurant.

Chez Matisse

While visiting Playa del Carmen, enjoy the delicious flavors of gourmet French cuisine and the charming atmosphere of Chez Matisse. This amazing restaurant offers a selection of sophisticated French dishes as well as fresh seafood, all cooked to perfection. At Matisse Chez, you'll find a great selection wines from France, Italy, Chile, Argentina and other countries, so you'll have no problem choosing the perfect bottle to accompany your meal.

Di Vino

This cozy restaurant consists of an inner area and terraces, with a fantastic bar that has just about every drink under the sun, in addition to their well stocked wine cellar brimming with an incredible selection of Italian, Spanish and Mexican wines. The cuisine leans towards a classic blend of Italian and Mediterranean, although there are numerous other creative and innovative dishes on the comprehensive menu.

Don Emilione

Don Emilione's varied menu offers something to please everyone's taste. Seafood is their specialty, but you can also enjoy a full menu of vegetarian, Mexican and Italian delicacies. Dine outside on their umbrella sheltered patio or choose the air conditioned first floor cafe with live Latin Jazz most nights.

Il Pescatore

Located at the luxurious Gran Porto Real hotel 'El Pescatore' offers a good variety of Mediterranean cuisine such as Spaghetti, antipasto, shrimps and more.

Ipanema's Grill

Ipanema's Grill is an authentic Brazilian steak house that features more than 20 delicious charcoal grilled meat options, such as beef, lamb, pork, poultry, fish and seafood (USDA and Angus certified). This is where waiters, holding 3 foot long stakes of skewered savory meat, come to your table and your portion directly onto your plate, at your request. All of this, complemented by our lavish and extensive salad bar and seafood buffet. Definitively a meat lover's paradise!

John Gray's Place

Excite your palate with the delectable classic American dishes and mingle with the people of "Playa" at this quaint bistro, located in the heart of the famous Quinta Avenida (Fifth Avenue), in Playa del Carmen. Pick your favorites from an attractive menu featuring a good selection of entrees, soups, main courses and decadent desserts to turn your meal into a real feast for the senses. A cozy courtyard and a variety of wines by the glass encourage diners to stay a while longer to enjoy some good conversation and the ambiance of Playa.

Karen's

Karen's is a colorful restaurant specializing in grilled steaks and seafood, located on the very famous Quinta Avenida (Fifth Avenue). Opening its doors in 1992, Karen's was one of the area's first restaurants, captivating the taste buds of both locals and tourists alike. Live music, professional, friendly service and an extensive menu full of exquisite grilled dishes, are what you can expect at this vibrant restaurant, located in the heart of Playa del Carmen.

Kool Beach Club

Kool has become of late one of the most sophisticated beach clubs in Playa del Carmen. They have created a pure lounge atmosphere, enhanced by a mix of music that will take your senses on a kaleidoscopic journey throughout the day; just kick-back and relax on one of the sumptuous beds around the pool, or on one of their exclusive 'diamond' beds on the beach, and enjoy. The well thought out menu is designed to excite every sense and consists of an excellent selection of appetizing international fusion cuisine. Also enjoy tropical cocktails, martinis, champagne, wines and an extensive variety of drinks to satisfy every taste.

La Casa del Agua

La Casa del Agua is an international restaurant specializing in seafood. Located right in the heart of 5th Avenue, the restaurant offers great views from its second floor balcony. The chef is dedicated to discovering new twists to classic cuisine. The wine cellar is exemplary with a variety of more than 170 wines from 11 different countries. Unique to the 'La Casa del Agua' is the home made bread, desserts and cakes, European pastry at its best!

La Ceiba

A new concept in Playa, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner in buffet style with open bar and drinks included for two hours. Enjoy a cool atmosphere and delicious specialties right here, in the heart of Playa del Carmen!

La Parrilla

A perfect restaurant to discover the real Mexican flavor among so much International cuisine, red roof tiles on the ceiling and paving stone floors, complimented by wooden tables, talavera from Puebla and piatas give that special touch to this restaurant without walls. Mariachi music and a family atmosphere won't disappoint any lover of traditional Mexican cuisine.

Le Bistro

Unique and different, with its own charming appeal it's Playa's only French bistro. This is a very casual, small restaurant, creating a relaxed, intimate atmosphere where you can eat a great meal accompanied by select wines from around the world. People come to Le Bistro for either a full meal or simply a platter of fruit and cheese and a bottle of wine and stay for hours.

Madre Tierra

Enjoy a great evening out at this chic restaurant which features a variety of International cuisine, right in the heart of Playa's 5th Avenue. Try an Angus steak and a cold beer or a fish filet with a glass of wine, there's a whole host of options to choose from. The Madre Tierra restaurant is widely recommended for both the quality and presentation of the dishes, and also its fashionable minimalist decor.

Mamita's Beach Club

If you get a little hungry while enjoying the sun and sand of Playa del Carmen then stop by Mamita's restaurant located right on the beach, for an exquisite breakfast, lunch or just to snack on some nachos. The crowd is easy-going and the kitchen is open till 6 pm every day. You will also find incredible facilities, such as showers, parking, a pool and a play area for children. Mamita's Beach Club offers excellent service, delicious cuisine, and always tons of fun.

Playasia

This tree house fantasy village seems to emerge from an aquamarine-colored pool, surrounded by lush tropical vegetation and with a sparkling waterfall on the side. It is illuminated by a collection of eccentric Mexican crystal chandeliers, glass ornaments, and Moroccan stained glass lanterns. The water in the pool gradually changes through the full spectrum of colors creating a magical effect.

The DJ mixes a cool blend of the smoothest grooves, creating a romantic sensual atmosphere, ideal for enjoying the unique Oriental and seafood specialties from the international menu.

Sur

Founded by a group of Argentineans, this restaurant specializes in International cuisine, to which it adds Mediterranean dishes and seafood. The interior is decorated with smooth light and pastel tones on the walls. The open kitchen is located next to the dining area on the first level in sight of the fellow diners, helping add to the overall ambience.

The Glass Bar

The Glass Bar is an Italian/Mediterranean restaurant, utilizing flavors from all over Italy, from rustic to modern. Everything happens in a cozy atmosphere of dark wood and half light, most impressive is the extensive wine list with more than 5,000 bottles from all over the world catering for every palate.

Yaxche

Does Mayan cuisine exist? Dining at the Yaxche restaurant will show you it certainly does. The Yucatan Peninsula is mainly inhabited by Mayan people that cook and eat according to their extensive culinary tradition. Now, Yaxche restaurant offers its vision mixed with Yucatecan and European cuisine. There are countless specialties, come and taste the real heart of Mexican food.

Salute!

This restaurant rivals all other concepts! Salute! is a restaurant based on New York casual style dining. The most remarkable thing about Salute! is the superb atmosphere. The decor is outstanding as well, featuring fine blue tiles, and the open kitchen concept allows diners to see our expert chefs at work.

Salute! is undoubtedly the best place in southeastern Mexico to enjoy a Martini or a Cosmopolitan, and have a good time with friends in a sleek, chic atmosphere. Serving interesting, delicious dishes (pasta, steaks, paella and even sushi), this restaurant is guaranteed to satisfy with their Euro-Mediterranean cuisine. Visit us either in Playa del Carmen or the hotel zone in Cancun.

Ula Gula

This charming seafood restaurant uses the freshest ingredients maintaining the quality that distinguishes them. Ula Gula buys the shellfish from a fisherman who catches exclusive pieces just for them. These are then prepared by the expert chefs, creating lightly seasoned culinary masterpieces.