Plank
Stop by for a weekend brunch at Plank, with their exquisite menu available on both Saturday and Sunday. For an extremely reasonable price you get coffee and tea, fruits, pastries, homemade breads and spreads, plus a choice of main and a drink. Choose from mimosas, Bloody Marys, or frappuccinos, and accompany with frittatas, omelettes, or traditional Mexican breakfast options, among others. After 10.30am, the brunch menu expands to include more lunch-oriented dishes. Everything comes served with hash browns.
Address & telephone number: 16th Street between 1st and 5th Avenue, Playa del Carmen, Mexico, +52 984 803 0108
Chez Celine
Enjoy a French style brunch at Chez Celine. This quaintly decorated spot is known for delicate pastries, such as the highly recommended strawberry tartlets and flaky, light croissants, but also offers a great sandwich selection. For a lighter brunch, try out the seasonally available pan de muertos, accompanied by a coffee. This traditional orange flavored Mexican pan dulce is produced and sold only around the period of Día de Los Muertos celebrations which take place in early November.
Address & telephone number: 5th Avenue with 34th Street, Playa del Carmen, Mexico, +52 984 803 3480
Chez Celine | Courtesy of Chez Celine
Como Como Osteria Mediterranea
Regularly recommended as one of the best restaurants in Playa del Carmen, Como Como Osteria Mediterranea is open every day and offers an excellent breakfast menu that can easily be considered a great brunch option. The presentation of their dinner options is mirrored in the pretty presentation you get with the breakfast dishes, including the absolutely delicious huevos motuleños (crispy tortillas topped with beans, fried eggs, salsa, ham, peas, and cheese). We understand that the coffee and chilaquiles are also excellent.
Address & telephone number: 10th Avenue between Streets 12 and 14, Playa del Carmen, Mexico, +52 984 859 1646
Madrez Café
A teeny tiny café located just off La Quinta, Madrez Café offers one of the classic brunch options: waffles that Leslie Knope would be proud of. Try the sweet and salty combination of eggs, bacon and maple syrup-topped waffles, or go for an entirely sweeter (and healthier) option that tops the waffles with fruit and yogurt. Sweet or savory, they won’t disappoint. Enjoy your brunch with a smooth cappuccino or fresh fruit juice.
Address & telephone number: 8th Street between Playa and 5th Avenue, Playa del Carmen, Mexico, +52 984 125 9505
Ah Cacao
For the chocolate lovers among you (or just those who like an excuse to eat desserts for brunch), Ah Cacao is the perfect spot. This cute little café, which has a few branches all over Playa del Carmen, uses chocolate (and coffee beans) direct from the growers, meaning you’ll be helping to give back as you brunch. Pop down for some people watching, and enjoy a delectable, rich chocolate brownie and a mocha, or perhaps pan de elote (sweetcorn bread). They also sell chocolate body scrubs, soap, and shampoo, which would make great souvenirs.
Address: 5th Avenue and Constituyentes, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
La Cueva del Chango
La Cueva del Chango is a great option any time of the day or evening, with its cozy and relaxed atmosphere, however we recommend dropping by earlier on in the day for a spot of brunch. The service is excellent, and the food falls in the category of traditional Mexican dining, including items like chilaquiles and soups. This is a great place to take kids for brunch, as they have a small rock and water habitats with turtles and fish which will have them fascinated. The protein shakes and juices are highly recommended.
Address & telephone number: North 38th Street between 5th Avenue and the beach, Playa del Carmen, Mexico, +52 984 147 0271
Cueva del Chango | Courtesy of Cueva del Chango
El Nativo
Pop by for breakfast and a gigantic, freshly-made juice or milkshake. El Nativo offers simple but well-executed meals from dawn ‘til dusk every day, with the dependable chilaquiles coming highly recommended. Order with eggs or chicken and start your day the Mexican way. However, the real selling point here, looking beyond the enticing brightly painted interior and palapa-style, thatched roof exterior, are the freshly made smoothies. Litro servings of fruits mixed with either water or yogurt, made to taste.
Address & telephone number: Avenida 30 between Constituyentes and Calle 20, Playa del Carmen, Mexico, +52 984 873 0758
Indigo Beach
Right on the shoreline, Indigo Beach embodies the image you probably have in your head when you think about holidaying in a tropical paradise like Playa del Carmen. With spectacular views over the beach, enjoy brunch here by taking advantage of the breakfast buffet that’s offered daily from 7am. Thick slices of French toast, accompanied by bananas, freshly baked pan de muertos (in season), fresh fruits and juices, photo perfect eggs Benedict, Indigo Beach has an awesome selection for your beachside brunch.
Address & telephone number: 14th Street on the beach, Playa del Carmen, Mexico, +52 984 803 2222
Micaela’s Grill
Erring slightly more on the side of a bar, Micaela’s Grill is still a good option for a slightly more budget brunch in Playa del Carmen. While they don’t offer a specific brunch menu, you can order from a selection of generously portioned Mexican dishes such as ceviche and Tex Mex options like fajitas. If you’re in the mood for a boozy brunch, they also have well priced cubetas of beer, and streetside seating. It’s located extremely handily on the famed Quinta Avenue, making it a convenient brunch spot.
Address & telephone number: 5th Avenue between 28th and 30th Streets, Playa del Carmen, Mexico, +52 984 803 5831
IMPREVIST
The impressive IMPREVIST (a Catalan word that doesn’t actually mean “impressive,” but “unexpected”) offers a delectable Sunday brunch menu, which includes delights such as chicken, ham, and bacon club sandwiches and fish tacos. Choose from a main dish and drink for under 200 pesos ($12 US) per adult. If you want some more, enjoy the two for one mimosa offer that runs daily. The restaurant itself is homely and classy, full of high ceilings and exposed stone walls and a quaint patio which overlooks a tranquil cobblestone street.
Address & telephone number: North 1st Avenue between North 14th Street and North Bis 16th Street, Playa del Carmen, Mexico, +52 984 168 7025
