Some time ago 'Playa', as it is fondly known, became a favorite destination primarily for European and South American tourists attracted by its relaxed, bohemian ambience. Of course, some have decided to settle permanently thus contributing to its unique culinary character.
Today Playa del Carmen remains a small city with a very particular chic-New Age flair where the rule is to leave convention behind. This description definitely applies to the restaurant scene, everything the amazing chefs cook here is seasoned with adventure.
Italian food acquires a tropical twist at The Glass Bar. But if your palate craves something more exotic try Yucatecan cuisine, Playa style, at Yaxche, or the even more original Ula Gula, where the base is the freshest ingredients, especially seafood.
5th Avenue is the perfect spot to dine in Playa del Carmen because everything that happens in Playa, happens here.
Madre Tierra
Enjoy a great evening at this restaurant featuring International cuisine on Playa's 5th Avenue. Have an Angus steak and a glass of wine or a fish filet with a cold beer, there are a lot of options here. The Madre Tierra restaurant is widely recommended for its unique seasoning and its unique minimalist style.
La Casa del Agua
La Casa del Agua is an international restaurant specializing in seafood. Located right in the heart of the 5th Avenue, the restaurant offers great views from its second floor balcony. The chef is dedicated to discovering new twists to classic cuisine. The wine cellar is exemplary with a variety of more than 170 wines from 11 different countries. Unique to the 'La Casa del Agua' is the home made bread, desserts and cakes, European pastry at its best!
Tukan Maya
El Tukan Maya offers a breakfast-buffet, delicious cuisine in a pleasant atmosphere, exclusive international dishes and national specialties, exotic drinks, and a collection of over 80 varieties of tequila.
Il Pescatore
Located at the luxurious Gran Porto Real hotel 'El Pescatore' offers a good variety of Mediterranean cuisine such as Spaghetti, antipasto, shrimps and more.
Le Bistro
Unique and different, with its own charming appeal it's Playa's only French bistro. A very casual, small restaurant, creating a relaxed, intimate atmosphere, where you can eat a great meal accompanied by select wines from around the world. People come to Le Bistro, for a full meal, or simply a platter of fruit or cheese and a bottle of wine and visit for hours.
Flipper's
There's always a crowd at Flippers, which is noticeable from the street for its nautical theme, created by fishing nets and ropes under a thatched palapa. There is an extensive bar list as well as a varied menu that includes grilled seafood specialties and beef Tampiquena.
Apasionado Jazz Bar
This restaurant is located in a large open air, elegant palapa, decorated with organic elements like wicker and forged iron lamps creating a tranquil atmosphere set to the rhythm of jazz. Here you will find an extraordinary ostrich fillet in a pink pepper sauce.
Don Emilione
Don Emilione's varied menu offers something to please everyone's taste. Seafood is their specialty, but you will also enjoy a full menu of vegetarian, Mexican and Italian delicacies. Dine outside on their umbrella sheltered patio or choose the air conditioned first floor cafe with live Latin Jazz most nights.
Ula Gula
This charming seafood restaurant uses the freshest ingredients maintaining a quality that distinguishes them. Ula Gula buys the shellfish from a fisherman who catches exclusive pieces secretly. These will be cooked creating classic and equilibrated dishes with not much seasoning.
Buenos Aires
'Buenos Aires' restaurant specializes in Argentinean food, as its name indicates. Awarded second place as the 'Best Playa del Carmen restaurant' by Riviera Maya magazine. The main reason for its success is that it combines accessible prices with a high quality cuisine. The atmosphere evokes a rural Buenos Aires feel.
The Glass Bar
The Glass Bar is an Italian/Mediterranean restaurant, utilizing flavors from all over Italy, from rustic to modern. Everything happens in a cozy atmosphere of dark wood and half light, most impressive is the extensive wine list with more than 5,000 bottles from all over the world catering for every palate.
Sur
Founded by a group of Argentineans, this restaurant specializes in International cuisine, to which it adds Mediterranean dishes and seafood. The interior is decorated with smooth light and pastel tones on the walls. The open kitchen is located next to the dining area on the first level in sight of the fellow diners, helping add to the overall ambience.
La Parrilla
A perfect restaurant to discover the real Mexican flavor among so much International cuisine. Red roof tiles in the ceiling and paving stone floors, complimented by wooden tables, talavera from Puebla and piatas give that special touch to this restaurant without walls. Mariachi music and a familiar atmosphere that won't disappoint any lover of traditional Mexican food.
Yaxche
Does Mayan cuisine exist? Dining at the Yaxche restaurant will show you it certainly does. The Yucatan Peninsula is mainly inhabited by Mayan people that cook and eat according to their extensive culinary tradition. Now, Yaxche restaurant offers its vision mixed with Yucatecan and European cuisine. There are countless specialties. Come and taste the real heart of Mexican food.
Salute!
This restaurant rivals all other concepts! Salute! is a restaurant based on New York casual style dining. The most remarkable thing about Salute! is the superb atmosphere. The decor is outstanding as well, featuring fine blue tiles, and the open kitchen concept allows diners to see our expert chefs at work.
Salute! is undoubtedly the best place in southeastern Mexico to enjoy a Martini or a Cosmopolitan, and have a good time with friends in a sleek, chic atmosphere. Serving interesting, delicious dishes (pasta, steaks, paella and even sushi), this restaurant is guaranteed to satisfy with their Euro-Mediterranean cuisine. Visit them either in Playa del Carmen or the hotel zone in Cancun.
Fishing Mexico 
