Playa del Carmen Restaurant Recommendations

Too much tequila

People always ask us where we like to go. The following are some of our favorites. We’re also known to do a progressive dinner: bruschetta and wine at one place, ceasar salad at another, etc.

Avenues go north and south. Calle’s go east and west. Avenue numbers aren’t what you expect, it goes 5th, 10th, 15th, then 30th. Calle’s are even numbers only. Porto Playa is located at 1st Ave. and Calle 16, This would be the heart of everything, including beaches, restaurants, ferries, shops, etc.

5th Ave. is the pedestrian only street and extends about 2 miles. It runs north and south, parallel to the beach. It is filled with open air restaurants and shops. At night, it is where all the people walk.

Constitutiyante is a major east/west street. It is 1 block north of Porto Playa. Most of the restaurants, shops and action are south of Constitutiyante. On 5th Ave, north of Constitutiyante is Little Italy. Ten years ago there was almost nothing here. It is really developing and there are new restaurants every time we come here. Restaurants here are a few dollars less than restaurants south of Constitutiyante.

You can wander the side streets, but the real action is 5th Ave.

As of December 1, 2009, the best new restaurant to open is Wicky’s.  Located on the beach in El Faro, they are great for lunch and dinner.  Owners are from Colorado and ship in beef.  We’ve had more people tell us it’s the best steak they have ever had.  Ask for Andrew.  They also have a piano bar for dinner and a beautiful view.  It’s a little bit more expensive than other places, but worth every penny.

If you don’t care about ambiance, our favorite restaurant is Las Cazueles del Espana.  It is on Calle 26, .5 block west of 5th Ave.  It is a small place with plastic tables next to a liquor store.   Although it is nothing to look at, the owner and chef, Miguel, owned a famous restaurant in France.  If he likes you he’ll show you his book of pictures of celebrities who went to his other place.  The best item on the menu is Pescada Edwars, a combination of shrimp and fish cooked in olive oil, garlic and white whine.  It is the best dinner I’ve ever had in Playa.  Miguel is from Spain, so he also has tapas and other meals on the menu.   Miguel does not yet have a liquor license, but you can bring your own wine or (shhhh!) he’ll pour you a glass of his.  Dinner for 2 is under $30

The following restaurants are all on Fifth Ave. unless otherwise noted. Many business cards are in guest book in our unit. Sometimes there are discount cards in the lobby. You can get a grilled fish fillet and a beer for $10 or less at several of these.

Little Italy Restaurants (in no particular order)

Everyone goes to 5th Ave for dinner at night. Lots of restaurants

Romagna Mia is just east of 1st Ave off Calle 30. It is a tiny little place run by a family who came here from Rome. Food is great.

Il Baretto is Italian also and located on 5th and Calle 26. Great food

Couple of good ones off 1st Ave at Calle 28

“That’s Amore” on the 5th between 28th and 30th Calles, about $30/person (depending on drinking budget/capacity), they serve good, but limited Italian menu, italian pizza and calzones.

South 5th Ave. Restaurants

Byblos is Lebanese/French and is excellent, although it can be pricey. Turn West on Calle 14 and it’s across from Hot Muffin. Closed on Sunday, open for lunch most days as well.

La Capricho (rooftop above sunglass store between Calle 12 and 14) Excellent Ceasar Salad they make at your table.

Bruno’s has great authentic Italian. It’s on the corner of 5th and Calle 12.

Glass Bar is a favorite of our adult children. Use to be on 5th Ave. and Calle 12, but as of September, 2008, it has moved across the street and opened another lcation on  10th, closer to the beach

Yaxche has received rave reviews in many restaurant reviews. There are 3 seating areas

Play Asia is also a favorite of our adult children. It’s between Calle’s 10 and 12 and is owned by the Blue Parrot.

Las Mananitas The grilled fish is the deal of the day. Comes with a beer for $10 or less. Between Calle 4 and 6.

John Grays Kitchen is a bit upscale and is on Calle Corazon between 12 and14, 1 block west of 5th. The street meets up with another diagonal street on left and Grays is right there.

La Mediterranean is between Calle 6 and 8 on east side alley off of 5th with art galleries. The best bruschetta, although all the food is great. Some of the best homemade Italian cooking in town. Owners and operators, Maurizio and Giovanna will make you feel at home. It is in the heart of Playa del Carmen located on Ave 5 between Calle 6 and 8. It is tucked away in a beautiful hidden little courtyard off 5th Ave. across from Lunata Hotel. Their specialty is any and all pasta dishes on the menu. Maurizio also loves to fish and very often fishes during the day for the nights fresh catch. For a reservation call 044-984-8763926.

La Parilla is a favorite of everyone else we talk to. It’s on Calle 8 and has it’s own Mexican Mariachís every night (about 12 or more members, very lively)

Mosquito Blue is new as of March, 2009. It’s owned by the Mosquito Hotel people, but run by the same chefs as Negrosol in Porto Playa. That translates to chic atmosphere ($500 chairs), good and very different food, and pricey.

Tango Taco is about 1.5 blocks west of 5th Ave. on Calle 8. Arruchero beef tacos are their specialty.

Yaxche is authentic Mayan cuisine and is on Calle 8 just west of 5th Ave.

Negrosal is in our condo/hotel building. It is probably the most expensive restaurant in Playa del Carmen, but it’s very popular after 9 pm and has wonderful entrees, deserts and a special drink called Negrosal.

Alux (pronounced “a-loosh”) is a restaurant and nightclub located in a cenote (a cave formed by underground rivers). The entrance is impressive; you descend a great rock staircase surrounded by tiki torches to the reception area. (It looks a lot like the “Tribal Council” area on Survivor.) Candelabras, coloured lights, and flowing water adorn places throughout the cave. The dining area is dark enough that despite all the lamps, the waiters use flashlights and may have to lend you one so that you can read the menu. Prices: US$31-40
Address: Avenida Juarez, Mz. 12 Lote 13A, Col. Ejidal
Directions: Alux is not located near 5th Avenue, but is on the opposite side of the highway at Avenida Juarez several blocks down. Take a taxi (about 60 pesos) and don’t try to walk from 5th.
Website: http://www.aluxlounge.net

Lunch
Lunch on the beach can be more expensive than dinner, but it’s wonderful to sit on the beach in the sand and nibble all day long. Great lunch places include:

Fusion on the beach is south of Porto Playa a couple of blocks and has great bruschetta and ceviche. It’s great for lunch and beautiful for dinner on the beach. The menu is limited, but grilled fish, and calamari are good. They put torches in the sand and if it’s a nice night you can see the lights at Cozumel.

Making of Mayan Coffee

The Blue Parrot is on the beach and has a fire show on Friday nights, about 11 pm, that draws a big crowd. Food is great, ask for Julio. This use to be the big beach bar during the day.

Mayan Coffee is a great way to end a night. Many restaurants serve it and the show is terrific. They flame a variety of liquors and the waiters create a waterfall of flames.

Other
If you want to cook, WalMart and Mega have the best, freshest seafood, fruit, etc. and is at Calle 8 and 30th Ave, about 6 blocks west of 5th Ave. They also seem to have the best prices on liquor, although the liquor store on the corner by the condo has wine if you don’t feel like walking. Mega currently has a better wine selection than WalMart.

Mega is the Mexican version of Wal Mart and is on the same street (30th) as WalMart. They have a great coffee shop.