Nestled along the turquoise shores of the Mexican Caribbean, Playa del Carmen is a tropical traveler paradise with its stunning beaches, vibrant culture, and, of course, its delectable culinary scene. Whether you’re a food enthusiast, a casual diner, or a coffee connoisseur, this bustling coastal town has something to satisfy every palate. Playa del Carmen has a lot of restaurants and cafes to choose from. No matter if you are in the mood for Mexican, Indian or sushi you can find really good restaurants for every taste. I already wrote a post about the best restaurants in Playa del Carmen for 2022 but I wanted to update it for 2024. I’ve spent over 3 months living here and tried a lot of different restaurants so here is an updated version of the best restaurants in Playa del Carmen.
1. The best Restaurants in Playa del Carmen
1. Mexican: El Fogon
They have multiple restaurants in Playa del Carmen on Avenida 30 Norte. They are a very popular choice for locals and tourists alike. They have really good Mexican food like tacos and tortas and they are reasonable priced as well. Make sure to come here right when they open because it gets busy and you might have to wait in line for a table.
2. Sushi: Mirai or Fuku
I went to Mirai several times and it’s a good choice if you’re in the mood for sushi. Their prices are also reasonable because they always have a special going on. Fuku is another option for sushi and I’ve heard that it’s really good and they also have a 4,7 star review on Google. I haven’t been there but I’m definitely planning on going next time when I’m in Playa del Carmen.
3. Indian: Indianos
I ordered here food one time with Uber eats and I was pleasantly surprised. Their food was delicious even for delivery so when you eat there it’s probably even better. I’d definitely recommend their chicken tikka masala and their garlic bread. They also have really good Google reviews so it’s a really great choice if you’re in the mood for Indian food.
4. Italian: Trattoria del Centro or Romeo Trattoria
I got the recommendation for Trattoria del Centro from my hairdresser in Playa del Carmen who is from Naples, Italy so he knows good Italian food. (If you’re in need of a hairdresser, check out Enzo, he’s amazing) Obviously it’s not gonna taste like the real Italian food because the ingredients are different in Mexico and Italy but Trattoria del Centro is one of the best Italian restaurants you can find in Playa del Carmen. They have amazing pizza and pasta and overall it’s a great vibe there.
Another good Italian restaurant is Romeo Trattoria. It has great Google reviews and everyone seems to love it. I went there only one time and we had to wait in line to get a table so make sure you reserve in advance since it´s a very popular restaurant.
5. Burger: Mu. Burgerhouse, the best restaurant in Playa del Carmen
Mu is definitely where you can find one of the best burger in Playa del Carmen. They are a little bit of a walk from 5th avenue but it’s worth it coming here. They have a ton of different burger options and also extras like truffle honey you can add. They also have a great selection of cocktails and beers making them the perfect spot to have a great meal.
6. Healthy: Don Luca Juice & Snack bar
Don Luca is one of my all time favorite places. I stumbled across this little place on accident and I’m so glad I did. Luca the owner is really friendly and became one of my friends in Playa del Carmen. He offers the best juices in town and he prepares them directly in front of you. He also offers sandwiches and açai bowls that are amazing. If you’re there try his grilled chicken sandwich and one of his juices.
7. Falafel: Nessya
This is probably one of my favorite restaurants and I came here so many times during my stay in Playa del Carmen. They have amazing falafel, fries and salad and they’re also very reasonably priced. I paid around 6$ for their full plate and I was never able to finish it. If you like falafel definitely check them out.
8. Vegan:
Peace & Bowl
Peace & Bowl is also where Bajo cafe is, which is my favorite cafe in Playa del Carmen. They have amazing vegan food like salads, açai bowls, toasts and stuffed pitas and I feel like no matter what you order here you can’t really go wrong with your choice. I love coming here to have lunch and it’s also a great spot to work from and you will find a lot of digital nomads here.
Fresco Habito
This is a really popular place among vegans and for a great reason. I love coming here for lunch as well and they have amazing bowls, burritos and toasts. They also have nice juices and a selection of sweet treats. Being vegan is really not that hard with restaurants like Fresco Habito where everything tastes amazing.
Tierra Verde
A vegan friend of mine showed me this place and I absolutely fell in love with it. They have great pad Thai, burgers and bowls and if you come to eat here definitely have one of their vegan blueberry cake for dessert. They’re so good!
Bio Natural
They have two locations in Playa del Carmen and I like the one on Avenida 10. They have a great selection of light meals like salads and bowls and they also offer great shakes and juices. I love that they offer a lot of superfoods that you can also add to your drinks. They also have vegan ice cream and there is a store connected to their restaurant where you can buy vegan foods and superfoods which I love.
Comet 984 50´s Diner
This is a really cool vegan restaurant that is 50´s themed. They offer burger, fries and milkshakes like a typical diner. They play amazing music from that era and overall it’s a great vibe. I would definitely recommend coming here if you’re vegan and want to have a nice dinner cause their food is delicious and again overall it’s a great spot to have a meal.
2. Bonus: My favorite Cafe in Playa del Carmen
Bajo cafe
Bajo stays on top of my list of my all time favorite cafes in Playa del Carmen. I don’t know if it’s the great work atmosphere or their matcha but I just absolutely love them. They’re a Digital nomads dream! They are connected to Peace & Bowl the vegan restaurant so if you’re in the area definitely come and check them out for their great coffee or matcha and a vegan treat.
So there you have an updated list of the best restaurants in Playa del Carmen for 2024. Check out the best restaurants in Tulum here.
