| Dining Overview | Top  |
Seafood and Yucatan dishes are specialties, but you can find other cuisine as well. Prices in Playa are lower than those in Cancun, but not by much. Casual attire is the rule, though some of the newer restaurants aim for a bit more of a trendy vibe, and resort casual would be more appropriate. Most diners opt to take a stroll along Avenida 5a and take a look at multiple locations before selecting their choice for the evening. It's a good way to see the town when it's at its finest, with twinkling lights, wafting smells of grilled meats and eager hostesses beckoning diners inside.
Expect to pay within these guidelines for a meal for one, not including drinks, tax or tip: $ = less than US$10; $$ = US$10-$20; $$$ = US$21-$50; and $$$$ = more than US$50.
| Local & Regional | Top |
This is one of the best places to try Yucatecan specialties such as
poc-chuc (marinated grilled pork) and
pollo pibil (pit-baked chicken). Another good choice is the stuffed red snapper. Daily for lunch and dinner. $$. No credit cards. Avenida 15 at Calle 4, Playa del Carmen. Phone 873-0015.
Best known for its affordable daily breakfast buffet, with a bounteous display of fresh fruit, eggs, bacon, sausage and more, this regional restaurant also serves fajitas, quesadillas, tacos, fish and shrimp. Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. $-$$. Avenida 5 between calles 2 and 4, Playa del Carmen. Phone 873-0982.
A great place to try the best of Mayan cuisine at reasonable prices. You can dine alongside replicas of ancient stelae in the indoor dining room. Daily for lunch and dinner. $$. Most major credit cards. Calle 8, between avenidas 5 and 10, Playa del Carmen. Phone 873-2502. http://www.mayacuisine.com.
For sidewalk dining at its best, try this Italian favorite facing the busiest part of Avenida 5. The menu features authentic handmade pastas, plus gnocchi, ravioli, pizzas, proscuitto and fresh fish. For dessert, try the tiramisu. Open daily 5 pm-1 am. $$-$$$. Most major credit cards. Avenida 5 at Calle 12, Playa del Carmen. Phone 873-0048.
Back a bit from the beach, this casual restaurant has a more sophisticated feel to it, with tables indoors or outside under umbrellas. Popular dishes include antipasti, salami, smoked salmon, pizza, calzones, rib-eye steaks and wood-oven pizzas. Homemade ice cream makes for a fitting dessert. Open daily for lunch and dinner. $$. Most major credit cards. Located in the Paseo del Carmen outdoor mall next to the ferry dock, Playa del Carmen. Phone 803-4121.
Linger over Italian and Mediterranean classics while watching the parade of revelers on Avenida 5. Top dishes include hearty lasagna, steak and fresh fish. Seating available in an elegant dining room or along the sidewalk. Open daily for lunch and dinner. $$-$$$. Most major credit cards. Avenida 5 at Calle 10, Playa del Carmen. Phone 803-1676. http://www.theglassbar.com.
Vegetarians and omnivores alike will find plenty to keep them happy at this popular eatery. Soy burgers, healthy salads, freshly squeezed juices, and fish and chicken dishes are all on the menu. Daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. $-$$. Most major credit cards. Avenida 5 between calles 10 and 12, Playa del Carmen. Phone 873-2242. http://www.100natural.com.mx.
| Coffeehouses | Top |
Situated on a quiet block near the beach, this Italian-owned cafe serves satisfying breakfasts and freshly ground coffee from Veracruz. Its outdoor tables are perfect for lingering over a cappuccino and a piece of homemade coffee cake. No phone. Open daily until 10 pm. $. No credit cards. Calle 2 (between Avenida 5 and the beach), Playa del Carmen.
A longtime native of the Riviera Maya, Karen's features courtyard-style ambience and serves up fresh fish fillets, grilled shrimp, shrimp flambe and lobster, plus T-bone steaks and barbecue ribs. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Most major credit cards. Avenida 5 between calles 2 and 4, Playa del Carmen. Phone 879-4064.
This ultracasual beachfront restaurant, located at the Playa Maya Hotel, lets diners sip cold beers and munch on quality fish and seafood dishes while digging their toes in the sand and watching the action along one of Playa's most popular beaches. Featured dishes include coconut shrimp, shrimp tacos and fresh seviche. Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. $-$$. Most major credit cards. On the beach between calles 6 and 8, Playa del Carmen. Phone 803-2022. http://www.playa-maya.com.
| Steak Houses | Top |
Choose from a wide variety of dishes, including Black Angus beef, pasta, lobster, fish tacos and fresh salads. Open daily for lunch and dinner, with live music most evenings and free wireless Internet. $$-$$$. Most major credit cards. Calle 4 between avenidas 5 and 10, Playa del Carmen. Phone 873-2523. http://www.ajuamaya.com.
| Other Options | Top |
This welcoming, hole-in-the-wall bistro with eclectic jungle decor specializes in Mexican and Italian dishes. Offers everything from fajitas to caprese salad to fettuccine with shrimp. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. $-$$. No credit cards. Calle 2 between avenidas 5 and 10, Playa del Carmen. Phone 807-5530.
This bistro offers excellent German, Swiss and Italian dishes, all of them created by a former Swiss hotelier. The desserts are tops, too. Try to get a table on the balcony that overlooks Avenida 5. Daily for lunch and dinner. $-$$. Most major credit cards. Avenida 5 at Calle 2, Playa del Carmen. Phone 803-0232. http://www.casadelagua.com.
Only fresh, local fruit and ingredients imported from Italy and Holland are used to make this ice-cream shop's exquisite sorbet and gelato. It's the ideal place to end a day at the beach. No phone. Open daily until 11 pm. $. No credit cards. Avenida 5 between calles 2 and 4, Playa del Carmen.
Dine on fresh salads, seafood and steaks. The patio is a lovely spot for a romantic candlelit dinner. Live jazz some nights. Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. $$-$$$. Most major credit cards. Avenida 5, between Avenida Juarez and Calle 2, Playa del Carmen. Phone 873-2074.
The Canadian couple that owns this eatery mixes Mexican flavors with international stylings. There are several meatless dishes to choose from. The restaurant has a pleasant dining room and an upstairs terrace. For a good deal, order from the popular fixed-price lunch and dinner menus. Daily for lunch and dinner. $-$$. No credit cards. Avenida 5 (between calles 12 and 14), Playa del Carmen. Phone 873-0526.
