Playa del Carmen Restaurant Recommendations

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.

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.

Our Favorite Restaurants are Las Cazuelas and Casa Mediterranean.

Las Cazuelas de Espana

Las Cazuelas is a 1/2 block west of 5th Ave. on Calle 26.  It is nothing to look at:  about 8 plastic tables but the best food I’ve ever had in Playa.  The owner, Miguel, was a chef in France.  He’s Spanish, doesn’t speak a word of English but is a celebrity chef who took his wife and in-laws to live in Playa.  Bring your own wine (or go to the liquor store next door) as he doesn’t have a liquor license yet.  My favorite dish is Pescada Edwars (shrimp and fish in a special garlic and wine sauce!)  They also have tapas and specials every night.  It is an experience to go here.

Casa Mediterranea 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 a romantic place, tucked away in a little courtyard off of 5th avenueacross from Lunata Hotel.  It is surrounded by small shops and art galleries.   Their speciialty is any and all pasta dishes on the menu, all are hand made daily. Maurizio also loves to fish and very often fishes during the day for the nights fresh catch.
The food is distinctly northern Italian and prices tend to be quite reasonable. This place is a real gem.  You don’t need reservations except during Holidays.  For a reservation call 044-984-8763926.

Wicky’s is a new restaurant that just opened at El Faro’s, right on the beach.  Terrific ambience, fabulous steaks ($30-$35), too pricey wine (California wine is $16 a glass), piano bar at night/beach band during the day.  More than one person has told us it’s the best steak they’ve had in their lives.  Folks that run Wicky’s are from Colorado and they ship in their own beef.  Great place to have a drink and sun bathe during the day.

El Faro condos and Wicky's Restaurant

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. Good 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  European style pizza’s, calzones and Italian food.

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 to 10th, closer to the beach

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.

Los Aluxes (Restaurant above liquor store on the corner of 5th and 16th (1 block from condo)

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 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.

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.