Ah Cacao Chocolate Café
5ta ave. at constituyentes, (http://www.ahcacao.com). a chocolate-themed coffee shop, selling chocolate in all its forms including pure cacao beans. famous for the brownies. probably serves the best lattes and espresso in playa.
La Fragata
Small hole-in-the-wall restaurant with scrumptious food. We asked the hostess a gracious, friendly lady to surprise us and serve us what she thought was good that day. She did not disappoint. Tasty fish tacos and seafood pasta that popped with flavor.
Media Luna
5a avenida between calles 12th and 14th. the locals think highly of the restaurant, as do others. however, we four left without trying the cuisine. located on the second floor and open to the air on the 5a avenida side, we found the restaurant too noisy to have enjoyed the food had we ordered. we observed one table where diners were trying to talk over one another which caused us to initially change tables before we left. the restaurant offers vegetarian dishes, fresh fish, wonderful pastas and salads. open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. sombreros not allocated
Babes Noodles and Bar
Very popular restaurant bar serving thai-style noodles, loud music, and lots of beer. two locations: calle 10 between 5th and 10th, and 5th ave. between calle 26 and 28.
HC Monterrey
Calle 1 sur between 15th and 20th avenidas, well off the tourist strip of the quinta avenida, and a second restaurant on constituyentes between 25th and 30th avenidas, opposite the mega hypermarket. the arrachera nacional is so tender it almost melts in your mouth. the meat is served simply with a foil wrapped potato and half of an avocado. if you are looking for something a little different, but truly delicious, try hc. with prices around $85 a person for the meat alone and $135 for the full meal, make sure to get there early, they are open until only 7pm.
La Casa del Agua
Is on 5th avenue at 2nd street, playa del carmen. great ambiance; the calamari at lunch was excellent as was the fish when we returned on a subsequent day for dinner. a little pricier than other restaurants but well worth a try. their indoor "waterfall" is a variation of a small pool of water cascading down rocks. the method cools nicely and is emulated in several restaurants. 5 sombreros.
La Pesca
Avenida 30, near constituyentes, across from the mega grocery store. arguably the best seafood in playa del carmen. reasonable prices, awesome food. try the cazuela de camaron. open every day until 9pm but if you get there before 9, you'll still be served with a smile. note that if you choose a main course costing less than $140 you will probably be told that it is "not recommended", and will be advised something in a pricier category. if that happens, just persevere - they will happily serve the cheaper dish too.
La Cueva del Chango
Contemporary mexican cuisine in an offbeat 'jungle garden' setting. a refreshing change from the frenetic pace of the 5th avenue restaurants. calle 38, between 5th ave. and the beach. the "monkey cave" is open for breakfast, lunch and supper and frequented by "locals" and many americans who own villas locally. the morning breakfast is "tops" and the coolness of the day makes the open air setting enjoyable. try the grenola/yogurt/fruit crepã© or the outrageously delicious chaya crepã©. chaya. a local favorite, is a "tree spinach" native to the yucatan. do not eat raw chaya as it contains a cyanogenic glucoside that acts as a poison to humans. the changos monkeys are temporarily not present because they were disturbed by the current condo construction boom. 5 sombreros for breakfast.
Club Nautico Tarraya
On the beach between benito juarez and calle 2 nte. specializing in seafood, it's almost certainly the cheapest place on the beach, with cevice for around $40 and fried fish for less than $100, and beer to wash it down with costing a mere $20. the atmosphere is slightly spoilt by cheap white plastic tables and very clinical white light after sunset, but at these prices that's par for the course, and the quality and quantity of the food itself is excellent.
Cockteleria Veracruz
10 avenida sur between benito juarez and calle 1 sur, diagonally opposite the main ado bus station. an unassuming exterior hides a cheap, tasty and very friendly seafood restaurant specializing in seafood cocktails. mama runs the restaurant and personally makes sure all guests are happy. note that the oysters in some cocktails are raw - but deliciously fresh. portions are large, so even though the cocktails and ceviches are considered entrã©es, anything other than a small portion is a meal on its own.
La Parilla
"mexican grill" is located upstairs on the corner of calle 8 and 5a avenida. the mariachi band was excellent and would play any single song that they knew for us$10. similarly, one guidebook mentioned the restaurant as having been excellent, but unable to maintain its excellence with the increase in traffic attributed to its past reputation. 2 sombreros.
El Asador de Manolo
Argentine owned restaurant with the best steaks in playa! located on 5th avenue between 30 and 32 streets, it's not in the middle of all the tourism, but still nearby. a tenderloin-steak costs about $170, and is well worth the money - especially compared to the many very expensive restaurants located down 5th avenue. the crew is friendly and the atmosphere is relaxed and cosy.
Oasis
Mexican seafood. battered shrimp tacos, seafood soup, fried fish. attracts mostly mexicans and playa locals. prices are reasonable and the quality is consistent.
Ileana's Il Pescadore
Located on the north end of playa, a newly renamed italian restaurant that is a must on any visit to playa. the owner, a lady originally from italy, is entertaining, charming and readily introduced us to her mother and niece. guess it is a family restaurant. the calamari is great! the tiramisu is outrageously delicious and unique. the home made pasta is superb. the portions are a decent size but you do not leave thinking you over ate. cash only. 5 sombreros.
PlayaMaya Hotel
At the beach. octopus tacos, wonderful.
There are nearly 75 restaurants in Playa, with foods of every type and price range. There are also various pizza stands with prices ranging from $10-20, most of them remain open up to 6AM when bars begin to close. As is the case in much of Mexico, the street food is not to be missed. Simply walk south down fifth avenue until you reach the pier and taxi stand. There are generally five or six carts there serving tacos of various types. Every seafood taco is generally outstanding, along with the carnitas, pollo, and chorizo. Also, try the stuffed poblano tacos. Tacos are typically in the US$2-3 range. For the best and freshest tacos arrive mid-morning before the lunch rush as the carts are setting up.
Yaxché Cocina Maya
A mayan cuisine restaurant located on 5th avenue, between 22th and 24th streets, a half block from 5th avenue. the hotel gave us a card good for one after dinner drink, a "mayan kiss". the soup a mayan name with grouper was excellent. the shrimp plate was also tops. we returned on another occasion and had the grouper dinner...excellent! also tried the creamed chaya soup, wow. the menu for lunch and supper were the same as were the prices. one of our friends didn't care for the spicy shrimp dinner. 4 sombreros.
Yogo Chango Yogurt Bar
(http://www.yogochango.com), calle 6 between 5th ave and 10th ave. frozen yogurt made fresh with seasonal fresh fruit toppings, as well as creative and dry toppings. you can also enjoy smoothies, milkshakes, yogurt smoothies, expressoâs, frappuccinoâs. internet is free laptops are available for free.
Perros Calientes (hot dogs)
If you want to eat a great great is big hot dog, you have to walk two streets from the fifth avenue and you will enjoy so good hot dogs.