Playa del Carmen Restaurants and Bars:
Recommendations and Discounts

*Please Note: Many restaurants and bars do not accept credit cards here in the Riviera Maya.

Il Baretto Italian Restaurant

Italian Restaurant & Bar
Price range between $30 Pesos and $150 Pesos ($3 usd to $15 USD)
From breakfast to Dinner the Baretto is a place where you can enjoy good Italian food for incredible prices and where you can meet and watch a lot o f nice people, thanks to the location on 5th avenue at corner with street 26.
The cafe Espresso and the  Cappuccino are the best in town. You can have Italian breakfast, Mexican breakfast, eggs, fresh fruits, pancakes, and sandwiches.
The Panini and the Focaccie with Prosciutto and fresh mozzarella are just amazing.
Try the specials of the day, Spaghetti with mussels, soup with mussels, fresh fillet, the raviolis, the national meat.
There is lots of different dishes to meet the needs of all your family members.  They also have amazing homemade Tiramisu.


Byblos Restaurant

French Restaurant & Wine Bar
We personally believe that this is one of the best restaurants in Playa del Carmen! It is on the pricier end of restaurants here but it is worth it. We have gone there for all the special occasions we can think of. It is a treat. Some of the items we have enjoyed on the menu are the duck, risotto, endive salad and an unbelievable chocolate desert that is to die for. We will be adding more specifics from there menu shortly. Nice wine selection for Playa. They are open from 6 pm to 1 am and closed on Sundays. We recommend that you reserve a table ahead of time, just to be safe. Phone: 984-8031790. The French chef and owner is Silvie Goetz and yes she speaks English.
Located on a side street...between 5th Ave. and 10th Ave. on 14th street

Wine Bar Restaurant

Italian cuisine in the same category as Byblos... great food and atmosphere.
This is a nice dinner on a fun corner in Playa. This is one of our top two favorite higher end restaurants in town. We have enjoyed things such as lamb chops, filet mignon and risotto. We will also be adding more details from their menu soon. Nice spot to "people watch" from your table right on 5th Ave. Nice wine selection for Playa.
Located on the corner of 5th Ave. and 12th street.

Dona Mary - Loncheria Restaurant

This is another out of the way place (at least for tourists) but its one of the best secrets in town for a simple (casual!) mexican dinner. Sorry they are not open for lunch but they say that it would cut into their siesta time. (It is the only thing that stops us from going twice a day.) They are open from about 7pm to 12am and they are closed on Mondays. Knowing a little Spanish or a pocket dictionary would be helpful, it is all Spanish speaking.
Our favorites are the Tostadas (less than $1) and the chicken soup (called caldo less than $2) is fantastic. They also have empanadas, enchiladas, fresh juices and a few other items. Five  can eat there and spend about 150 pesos = $15 usd. It is always full of people which is a good sign. This is another place as a tourist you would never hear about. Take a taxi, it is easiest and not a problem to catch one to go back into town. Dona Mary - Loncheria Location is on Avenida 30 and Calle 28 on the corner. Its run by 7 Mexican women. A must!

 Tango Taco
Hours are 2pm to 12am (more or less)
CLOSED MONDAYS!
Located on Calle 10 between Ave 10 & Ave 15
(Right across from Papa Johns Pizza is in a mall across the street)
YOU SHOULD DEFINITELY TRY THIS!
This spot is a great new find for us locals. We highly recommend it! It is run by Argentineans and they know how to grill meat! They also have some nice sauces that are typical for Argentina that we don't usually get.
We had heard about it from some local friends and when we went to try it out, we tried a little bit of everything. Everything was good! Everything. The things we didn't order, we admired from near by tables.
Simple, casual dining at outside tables. Honestly the service is a little slow, but this is typical here and when the food is good enough, you don't mind. Prices are reasonable.
For example they have:
Salads ranging from $23-$25 pesos
Empanadas $12 pesos (we loved)
Grilled meats, like Arrechera $110 (very nice!)
Milanesas- breaded meats $40-$50 pesos
Cazuelitas de queso al carbon $30- $45 pesos. (Very interesting: we also loved this but you better like cheese).
Fajitas $60-$70 pesos
crepes $30-$35 pesos.
And also in general they had tacos of various meats... they were all nice. they also had good looking hamburgers. Fries, Baked potatoes and beans.
We also loved the ham and cheese empanadas but you have to get there early, they sell out usually.
All-around good place to eat, just make sure you are hungry.

Casa Mediterranea Restaurant

Some of the best homemade Italian cooking in town. Owners and operators, Maurizio and Giovanna will make you feel at home. They are always there and are eager to cater to your needs. It is in the heart of Playa del Carmen located on Ave 5 between Calle 6 and 8.(You must go down a walkway across from Lunata Hotel to get to it, not visible from 5th Ave.). Their specialty is any and all pasta dishes on the menu. Maurizio also loves to fish and very often fishes during the day for the nights fresh catch. The atmosphere is quaint and comfortable even though it is on the busiest street in playa. It is tucked away in a beautiful hidden little courtyard. We at Travel Riviera Maya love this place! Franco has tried and likes everything on the menu and Sherry is addicted to the lasagna! Their hours of operation are from 12:00pm to 11:00pm. Closed on Thursdays. For a reservation call 044-984-8763926.

Babes Restaurant and Bar

The owners of Babes (Per and Lena...great people!) offer you a free cocktail with your meal if you print this page and bring it with you. This is a good reason to go there, but the food and the value will make you go back again!

Franco's personal favorite is the Pesto Noodles with Chicken, Sherry's is the Feta Cheese Noodles and their best selling dish is the Thai Chicken Noodles. Their daily specials are always good! Their specialties are noodles, tapas and cocktails. You must try the Mojito (cocktail). The restaurant is open from 12pm to 12am and closed on Sundays. Located on Calle 10 between Avenida 5 and 10.

La Floresta Restaurant

This restaurant is not on the main street, it is on the highway (close by) but is well worth the cab ride! La Floresta has the best shrimp (camaron) tacos in town. Nothing fancy just good tacos. The price is $1.00 for each taco and you can eat 4 or 5 and you are stuffed! They have other fish tacos and ceviche but honestly, we go solely for the shrimp tacos. Location is on the highway (next to a tire place) - ask a taxi to take you to "La Floresta", they should know because all the taxi drivers eat there too. It is always full of locals and anyone else who was lucky enough to discover it. A little knowledge of Spanish might be helpful but not crucial.

Bars and Lounges

Deseo Lounge and Bar

Deseo lounge is one of the coolest spots in town. (2nd floor open air bar) You have to go see it for yourself. It is worth a pricey drink to be in the atmosphere. They have cozy platforms with large bed-size cushions and flowing curtains above and usually some hip music tones being served up by the popular DJ. Although we have not personally eaten there at the bar...we have heard it is also very good but,  pricey. All a part of the style. They sometimes have old movies without sound running on one of the bar walls.
Location near the corner of 12th street on 5th Ave. Stairs lead you up to the lounge area.

Om Bar

One of the newer bars. Seems to have a stylish crowd of varying ages. On the corner at the entrance of the blue parrot hotel on 12th and the beach.

Tequila Barrel

 A locals favorite just to hang out at a bar on 5th Avenue. Usually good music playing...nice bartenders and of course pretty much most of the tequilas are available there. Just a good spot. Locals are picky. Located on 5th Ave between 10th and 12th street

Blue Parrot

It has been around for a long time. Popular bar centrally located in town...on the beach. Usually goes later in the night. Younger crowd. Swings at the bar. Locals also go there from time to time.  Located on 12th street and the beach... If you have hit the water, you have gone too far or had too many tequilas at the tequila barrel.