Eating Your Way Through Playa Del Carmen

When you think about visiting Playa del Carmen, your mind probably wanders to a large resort on the beautiful Caribbean Sea. Whether you choose to stay at an all-inclusive in Riviera Maya or just wing it with a hotel room, you will not run out of places to eat. Playa del Carmen is filled with Mexican, Mayan and European restaurants for all tastes and budgets.

La Casa del Aqua
This restaurant has a European flavor thanks to a collaboration of Mexican and German owners. You will find lots of fish and seafood here, with items such as Madagascar Shrimp and Smoked Salmon Brioche. At La Casa del Aqua you can also enjoy a huge selection of wine with your meal as they have 140 selections from places around the world.

Mi Pueblo

The food is all Mexican at Mi Pueblo, which opened in 2011. It is all authentic and flavorful and can be served on the outside patio so you can enjoy people watching through Playa del Carmen. This is the place to go for great Chips & Salsa with a Margarita, but there's also great Quesadillas and Cochala if you want a meal.

Café Tropical
You will find a mixture of Caribbean and Mexican blended quite nicely at Tropical, with some unusual dishes (like Falafel) mixed in. Make sure you order the Fondue Cheese, a large bowl that's filled with a mixture of sweet and spicy flavors. The Chicken & Mushrooms wrapped in a pineapple leaf is also delicious.

Luna Maya

Head upstairs to Luna Maya where you can taste some Mayan creations. This elegant dining spot serves impressive cocktails (try the Mango Tequila), wine and dishes from the Duck Salad with Orange Vinaigrette to the Pork in A Bag and Beef in a Jar - to Mayan treats for meat lovers. Finish your meal with the warm Churros with Chocolate Sauce.

La Cuevo del Chango

All the food at this casual eatery is worth a try, but there are some things you should not miss at La Cuevo del Chango. Start with a Mango Margarita and pair it with perfect Guacamole and a serving of their fried cheese. There's an assortment of entrees, but fish dishes is what they do best here for a main dish.

Yaxche

For truly authentic experience of Mayan food, go to Yaxche, which combines old world food with modern twists. Here you can try things such as Tortilla with Chaya (a vegetable) or Chicken Mayitas, Yucatan style Fajitas. The waiters will be happy to help you decipher the menu and find a wine from their collection to pair with it.

Before leaving Playa del Carmen there are two more places you need to stop (and not necessarily in this order). Ah Cacao Chocolate Cafe is the place to learn all about chocolate, a staple to the Mayan culture. You can also sample this treat in just about every liquid or solid form you can think of. The other place to stop in Playa del Carman is all about the liquids. Check out Rufino Mezcalaria to sample all types of Mezcal.