Top 10 Traditional Mexican Restaurants in Playa del Carmen

If you go beyond the areas of Playa del Carmen that are heaving with tourists, there are some great local restaurants serving the very best in Mexican gastronomy. Take a look at our top 10 traditional Mexican restaurants where you can enjoy delicious local food in this beautiful coastal resort.
Los Machacados
Restaurant, Diner, Mexican
La Floresta
La Floresta
La Floresta is one of the most traditional restaurants in Playa del Carmen. Here you will find delicious tacos, not just the typical ones, but original ones with different ingredients. Try exotic tacos: choose from canary, crab, marlin, or shrimp – they’re not on the menu, but if you ask for them, they will prepare them. If you’re feeling brave, try the salsa habanera, a really spicy but delicious sauce made of habanero chillies. They have a wide menu, which includes agua chile, ceviche, and seafood cocktails. This food is ideal if you need a little help recovering from a hangover, or if you want to get the party started in the afternoon.
50 Avenue North and Street 14 North. Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico
La Fisheria
Restaurant, Seafood, Mexican
Axiote
Axiote
Located one block from 5th Avenue, Axiote offers Mexican contemporary gastronomy together with excellent presentation. Here, traditional food is fused with exotic and modern presentation. Examples are the tacos de lengua entomatada, or tacos made of beef tongue, and the classic huarache, a thick corn tortilla topped with delicious rib eye steak. You can pair the food with Mexican wine or sip a Mexican craft beer and try a shot of mezcal.
34 Street North #128, Downtown, Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico, 01 9848031727
Aldea Corazón
Restaurant, Mexican
La Cueva del Chango
La Cueva del Chango
At La Cueva del Chango you can have fresh, natural Mexican food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, served in an atmospheric natural garden. They have handmade tortillas and a wide menu of traditional Mexican food that includes enchiladas verdes de pollo (tacos with green tomato salsa, chicken, and cream), Mexican chicken soup. and the delicious crepas con chile poblano (crepes with poblano chilli sauce). You can have your food served in traditional Mexican plates made of barro (clay). They also have a vegetarian menu.
38 Avenue, North Mz. 4 Lote 3, Zazil-ha, Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico, 01 9841470271
La Mission
Restaurant, Seafood
La Coronela
Restaurant, Mexican, Beer, Pub Grub
El Fogon
El Fogon
Try real Mexican food where the locals eat it: at El Fogon, which serves the famous tacos al pastor (tacos made with spit-grilled meat) and other delicious varieties of tacos. Try each of the traditional sauces (just be careful, some are very spicy) and order the typical guacamole – the authentic version is very different to the guacamole you may have tried before. There are always people waiting for a table, because it’s a very popular place, but the service is fast and you won’t have to wait long. The portions are generous and the prices reasonable.
Los Aguachiles
Restaurant, Seafood
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!


Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.


KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.