Tulum
Assuming you can get in (it accepts walk-ins and online reservations made one month in advance), this sweet 'n' simple nouvelle-cuisine restaurant down on…
Must-see restaurants in Riviera Maya
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Tulum
It began as a street stall and became such a hit that it's now a taco place with a proper roof overhead. Most folks go here for the cochinita (pulled pork…
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Playa del Carmen
With a French-Basque-inspired menu created by Michelin-starred-chef Martin Berastegui, this is unquestionably one of Playa's finest restaurants. Diners…
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Akumal
A popular breakfast spot, this appealing cafe slings a wide variety of gringo comfort food ranging from breakfast burritos to eggs Benedict. The lunch and…
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Playa del Carmen
'Okay, but first, coffee' is the motto here, and they sure do coffee well. They do everything well, actually: from tasty fruit-and-yogurt bowls to green…
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Playa del Carmen
The 'Monkey's Cave,' known for its fresh and natural ingredients, has seating in a jungly palapa setting or a verdant garden out back. Service is friendly…
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Puerto Morelos
You definitely can't go wrong with the fresh pasta and wood-fired pizza here, but this Uruguayan grill is best known for its steaks. The star cuts are a…
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Playa del Carmen
Good, healthy breakfasts (some vegan!) and a range of yummy baked goods are what keeps this French-run bakery-cafe busy. Savory croissants with smoked…
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Puerto Morelos
One block west and two blocks north of the plaza, this ‘kitchen’ turns out some truly fabulous food. The chef's specialty, though not listed on the…
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Puerto Morelos
OK, so it's not right on the beach, but the sand floor, palapa roof, fan-cooled dining area and fresh fish sure make you feel like you're there. Start…
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Playa del Carmen
Putting a gourmet twist on tacos, tostadas and Mexican regional dishes, Axiote's diverse menu features creative treats like fish tacos with a sausage…
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Tulum
Reasonably priced (by Zona Hotelera standards), this inviting spot serves excellent house-made cocktails that can be enjoyed immensely at sunset on the…
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Tulum
This hotel's beachside restaurant is candlelit at night, making it a beautiful, romantic place to dine. The fantastic food, including pasta, is made fresh…
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Tulum
With its 'A meal without wine is called breakfast' sign, this spot tickles the taste buds with delicious tapas plates and fine seafood paella. And wine –…
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Tulum
Somewhat pricey but worth it, this spot has grilled arrachera (flank steak) served with sides of potato, nopal (cactus paddle) and sausage, which pairs…
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Puerto Morelos
If you like eggs Benedict you're gonna love the 'Mangata Benedictin' (poached eggs with slow-cooked roast beef smothered in a rich hollandaise sauce)…
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Playa del Carmen
Pay a visit to the family and enjoy superb wood-fired pizza and handmade pasta, ravioli and gnocchi. Playa is a magnet for Italian restaurants, but this…
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Playa del Carmen
Venture out to the seldom-visited side of Playa for some fine Jamaican jerk chicken and a cool reggae vibe. Combo meals include sweet-and-spicy grilled…
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Akumal
Near the town's entrance, this popular foreigners' hangout does good grilled fish dishes and shrimp tacos in a casual atmosphere with outdoor seating…
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Riviera Maya
Fresh-caught fish and seafood done up in simple preparations right on the beach. You may not have white linen and fine china, but you can't ask for a…
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Tulum
A taste of real Italy on the streets of central Tulum. This cafe is cramped (luckily there are some alfresco tables outside) but somehow Mario makes it…
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Tulum
Odd for a casual beachside taco joint, there's valet parking at La Eufemia, where you can gorge on great cheap food (think 'In your face, pricey Zona…
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Tulum
A good, cheap option to get your taco fix. You'll often have to wait for a table at this popular spot, or simply belly up to the counter. In addition to…
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El Merkadito Seafood & Beach Club
Puerto Morelos
The Little Market is a beachfront restaurant near the town square that greets guests with vibrant ocean views in a relaxed open-air setting. Seafood…
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Playa del Carmen
Babe’s serves some excellent Asian food, including a yummy home-style tom kha gai (chicken and coconut-milk soup) brimming with veggies. Vietnamese shrimp…
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Playa del Carmen
The specialty at this Venezuelan restaurant on the park is arepas (delicious corn flatbread stuffed with your choice of shredded beef, chicken or beans…
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Cobá
At the end of the town's main drag, by the lake, this restaurant is pretty touristy but does decent Yucatecan fare like cochinita or pollo pibil (achiote…
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Tulum
This unassuming Sinaloa-style seafood joint gets praise for its torres (seafood tostada 'towers' piled high with tuna, shrimp or fish) and house…
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Playa del Carmen
If you're pinching pesos, hit this mornings-only, Cuban-owned corner spot and try the tasty torta de lechón, a crunchy roast pork sandwich sprinkled with…
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Tulum
If you skipped this outfit while in Playa del Carmen or Cancún, here's another chance. Fish tacos and tuna tostadas go down oh-so-nicely with a michelada …
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Tulum
Immensely popular with locals, this roadside eatery guarantees fresh fish and seafood. Regulars don't even need to look at the menu – it's all about the…
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Tulum
Simple, elegantly prepared French food at excellent prices. Seafood features heavily on the menu but there are steaks, chicken and tasty baguettes to…
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Playa del Carmen
Done up in Mexican cantina style yet with one big difference: the menu – consisting of tacos, tostadas and the like – was designed by a chef. The artfully…
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Puerto Morelos
Puerto Morelos' most popular breakfast spot, El Nicho serves organic egg dishes, eggs Benedict, chilaquiles (fried tortilla strips in salsa) with chicken…
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Puerto Morelos
Known for its varied menu, locally grown organic produce and casual atmosphere, this place north of the plaza does everything from tacos and classic…
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Cobá
Located at Hotel Maya, Chile Picante does everything from vegetarian omelettes with chaya (Mexican tree spinach) and fresh fruit plates to panuchos …
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Playa del Carmen
One of the few restaurants in Playa del Carmen that dates from the 1960s. It continues to offer good seafood at decent prices in a casual place on the…
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Tulum
A very popular seafood eatery at the south end of the center, known for its parillada de mariscos, a large platter (for three people) with grilled fish,…
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Tulum
This open-air Italian joint is perpetually packed. There are delicious pasta dishes, such as shrimp or lobster ravioli, brick-oven pizzas, and an…
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Puerto Morelos
Right on the plaza, this is a spotlessly clean place with pleasing ambience. It serves bagels, sandwiches, pies, good strong coffee, and fruit and veggie…
