EAT + DRINK
FIRST THE TACO ROUND UP:
El Fogon: The best tacos in Playa del Carmen, tacos al pastor. The older of the two locations is on 30th Avenue and the corner of 6 Bis Street. The other location is on Constituyentes Avenue between 25th Avenue and 30th Avenue.
Los Aguachiles: More gourmet then other taco places. Great shrimp/seafood tacos, ceviche and more. Many dishes other than tacos (Av 25 & Calle 34) & (Av. Constituyentes (entre. 5a y 1a Av.))
La Floresta: great shrimp and fish tacos. (Carretera Federal 307 (14))
Tacos de Cecina: Taco stand with delicious tacos. try the beef taco with grilled cactus and onions. 38th street
Chiltepin Restaurant: often live music, traditional fish tacos, and have a menu that ranges beyond tacos and tostadas.(Calle 34 and Avenida 20 N)
Taquria Arandas: Great Tacos. (Prive av Norte and 10 av Norte)
Tako's Light: Taco cart. (Fifth Avenue and Juarez)
El Rey de Taco truck. Great carne, pollo, and chorizo tacos. You’ll most likely be eating standing up. (Typically outside Mega supermarket, on Av Constituyentes)
Pez K Ito Food Cart: Great seafood tacos, possibly best fried shrimp taco (Typically on Calle 38 between Ave. 30 and Ave 35)
Yo Amo Tacos. Great fish tacos (1sur and ave 20)
More Downtown Restaurants and Cafes
100% Natural: Lunch - fresh fruit and smoothies in a beautiful oasis off of the bustle of 5th Ave shopping. Vegetarian pita with hummus and a thick sour yogurt are standouts. (near 5th and 10th)
Ah Cacao: Reliable breakfast, coffee and desserts. Try a Mayan chocolate drink. (5ta Avenida + between Calle 38 and 40. There are 3 branches on 5ta Avenida)
Chez Céline: French bakery serves good breakfast (5ta Avenida + Calle 34)
Los Aguachiles: Great shrimp/seafood tacos, ceviche and more. often listed as a favorite restuarant(Av 25 & Calle 34) & (Av. Constituyentes (entre. 5a y 1a Av.))
Axiote: beach-shack vibe. Pork and beans never looked or tasted so good. one of the best new restaurants (Calle 34 between avenidas 5 and 10)
La Cueva del Chango: Impressive garden and authentic Mexican food. Best authentic Mexican breakfast. Try the Molletes and Plain Chilaquiles with chicken, and a refreshing chaya juice. (5ta Avenida +Calle 38)
La Pesca: Great seafood. Fresh conch, ceviche, broiled al mojo de ajo, boquinette with a crunchy garlic sauce. (30th Ave between 16-18 streets)
La Tarraya: Good beach lunch, seafood. Nice palms and tables in the sand. Good ritas, chiladas, nuclear salsa(5th and 2nd.)
La Ceiba de la 30: healthy spin on fruit juices and wonderful Mexican food(30ta Avenida between Avenida Constituyentes + Calle 20)
Green Box: healthy option, Mexican, raw, vegan, fruit juices. (5ta Avenida + Calle 40)
La Pummarola: Good Italian food. spaghetti and meatballs on point. Pizza ok. (between 5th and 10th ave, 24th street)
Il Pescatore Good Italian food and seafood. quieter place. food on point. (between 5th and 10th ave, 24th street)
Il Baretto: Good Italian food. more lively place. food on point. (5th ave and 26th street)
Pasta e Polpetta: great bomba and dona’s, homemade pasta (Av. Constituyentes Entre Av. 30 y 35 N, across from Mega on the NW corner of the intersection)
El Nativo: Great smoothies and breakfast place. (30th ave and close to Constituyentes)
Yaxche: Mayan dishes, more upscale (Fifth Avenue at 22nd Street)
Alux: cave setting, cool for drinks but food is average and is pricey.
Luna Maya: Fine dining. overlooking 5th Ave. tasty dishes with beautiful presentation. (5th and 38th)
El Gallinero du Chocolat: chocolate shop. great salted caramel ice cream, chocolate ice cream, chocolate covered salted caramels, and nutella crepes. (5th Ave and 38th Street )
Kaxapa Factory: Very good Venezualan cuisine, savoury arepa sandwich, a black-bean empanada or a sweet, cheese-filled cachapa (venida 20 Sur 2)
Catch: located at the Thompson Hotel. more upscale New York vibe, very good seafood and Mexican with a bar scene.
Don Chendo: if you need pizza, Chicago style deep dish. 3-11pm
Falafel Nessya: Get your Israeli falafel fix in this hole in the wall eatery. closes at 6 pm on Friday and closed Saturdays
