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Basic Foodie is that cool bakery we all wish we had in our neighborhood, with unsurpassed baked goods and a menu that caters to organic-minded, vegan, and gluten-free customers. A modern design and laid-back atmosphere (plus reliable Wi-Fi) have made it a magnet for digital nomads.
Av. 25, Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, 77710, Mexico
Known For
- Wide variety of handmade bread
- Vegetarian molletes (baguette with beans Mexican style)
- Organic smoothies
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
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Céline's fresh-baked breads and pastries honor France, especially exquisite desserts like the classic dark chocolate cake and bold vanilla crème brûlée. Classic bistro fare—including quiche Lorraine and flavorful croques madames—make for a light lunch comme il faut. For a light, sweet breakfast or snack, don't miss the parfait with chia and red fruit coulis. Street-side tables on 5th Avenue are great for people-watching. Chez Céline stays open until 11 pm daily, and there's free Wi-Fi for patrons.
Av. 5 at Calle 34, Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, 77710, Mexico
Known For
- French bistro-style croques
- Pastries and sweets to eat in or take away
- Quiche Lorraine
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New York chefs cooking New York food for New York prices—in a jungle setting open to the night sky—that's Hartwood. Though the menu changes daily, options might include slow-roasted pork ribs marinated in agave honey or a light, fresh ceviche, and you can always finish with homemade ice cream in flavors like peanut brittle, sweet corn, and cream cheese. Big-city transplants Mya Henry and Eric Werner opened this solar-powered restaurant in 2011, and it has been drawing a full house ever since. Chef Werner has added farming to his list of talents, and the rabbit on the menu comes from his farm. The setting of dark-wood tables on a white pebble floor is remarkably charming, though mosquito-repellent smoke can get heavy at times. The open kitchen and massive oven make for a dramatic, fiery show when the sun goes down. In high season, book ahead by email or get here when the restaurant opens at 6, or risk a New York–style wait.
Carretera Tulum–Boca Paila, Km 7.6, Tulum, Quintana Roo, 77780, Mexico
Known For
- Running a zero-carbon footprint operation
- Locally farmed rabbit
- Long waits in high season
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues. and Sept. and Oct. No lunch, Reservations taken one month in advance
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Using only the freshest ingredients—from local fruits and vegetables to seafood right off the pier—the chefs at this jungle-side restaurant work their magic in a comfortable, contemporary setting that feels more Manhattan than Maya. Ask about the tender roasted duck breast with tequila, chipotle, and honey, or order an addictive, understated bowl of shrimp macaroni and cheese with notes of truffle. The fresh tuna tostada is also a treat. Daiquiris are served strong and fruity and portions are ample, so get ready to loosen your belt. The specials change weekly and the menu changes seasonally, so repeat guests are always in for a treat.
Av. Niños Heroes, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, 77580, Mexico
Known For
- Tuna tostadas
- Hamburgers and chicken wings for lunch
- Duck breast with honey, tequila, and chipotle sauce
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
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This Playa institution, in a funky jungle garden with fountains, palmettos, and a rambling koi pond, is a favorite breakfast spot. The well-prepared, authentic Mexican selections include multiple styles of chilaquiles, a tart mix of meat, sauce, and egg on a bed of tortillas that will have you skipping lunch. It's popular for lunch and dinner as well.
Calle 38, Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, 77710, Mexico
Known For
- Chilaquiles, served spicy or mild
- Good coffee
- Enchiladas with mole
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner Sun
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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Overlooking the town square, La Sirena serves an eclectic mix of dishes ranging from mini sliders and grilled grouper to hearty plates of barbecue pulled pork with shoestring fries. If you like Mediterranean food, opt for Greek specialties prepared by chef Anthony Chalas, who credits his skills to his years spent in Greece. The dip sampler—with homemade hummus and tzatziki—is simple and delicious, as is the Athena salad topped with a block of feta and kalamata olives. The keftedes (Greek meatballs) are outstanding. You can taste the quality here, reflecting Anthony's effort to buy only organic and fresh ingredients. There's live music nightly in high season and tequila tastings on Monday.
Jose Maria Morelos, Sm 2, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, 77580, Mexico
Known For
- Greek-style lamb chops
- Tequila tastings
- Homemade baklava
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People come from up and down the Riviera for the zingy flavors of this southern Thai restaurant. Popular dishes include pad Thai, drunken noodles, and money bags (crispy fried wonton wrappers filled with a Thai shrimp mix). Overseeing the menu is Thai chef Dim Geefay, a well-known teacher and TV cooking personality. Recipes start with basil, chile, mint, and lemongrass, which are homegrown from seeds brought over from Thailand. The spiciness of the soups and curries (created with house-made coconut milk) are rated as "Tourist," "Expatriate," and "Truly Thai." Health-conscious diners will also appreciate a range of salads and the mildly sweet flavor of the Chaya green juice.
Carretera Tulum–Boca Paila, Km 1.5, Tulum, Quintana Roo, 77780, Mexico
Known For
- Pad Thai with chicken or shrimp
- Fresh fruit and salads
- Thai whole fish with mango salad
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This jungle-chic restaurant serves up creative fine-dining fare unlike anything else you'll find in the region. Standout dishes include al pib--style lamb (with roasted mushrooms and birria sauce reduction), a la talla--style catch of the day (with adobe sauce and Mexican grasshoppers), and mole verde with curry and breaded avocado. It's difficult with dishes this good, but leave room for dessert. The lime sherbet with tapioca and coconut, is the perfect, decadent end to a perfect, decadent meal. This creative fare is served in a romantic jungle setting, with distressed wood floors, exposed stone walls, and ceiling lights that mimic birds' nests. In the background, Mexican music and the sound of water falling complete the atmosphere. Even the most discriminating foodies won't be disappointed by this hidden gem tucked away on the beach road just before the Sian Ka'an nature reserve.
Carretera Tulum-Boca Paila, Km 10, Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Known For
- Decadent desserts
- Inventive flavor combinations
- Mexican fusion gastronomy
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. No lunch
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Enter through the massive gate and wind your way up a garden pathway through the main dining area and into the back garden where intimate four- or five-table palapas are surrounded by jungle and hung with bright white hammocks and twinkling lights. Many ingredients, as well as medicinal plants, are grown on property and the owners would be happy to cut you a piece of fresh aloe for your sunburn or brew you up some anti-food-poisoning tea. Frozen margaritas are a treat and portion sizes are ample, but the food isn't the point here. It's the jungle ambience, the healing garden, and the friendly owners that make this place special. If you're looking for an intimate tour of local ruins or cenotes, the owners also own a tour company and would be happy to book something for you on-site. A kids' play area behind one of the palapas will appeal to families, and the remote jungle location will appeal to nature lovers.
Carretera 307, Km 241, 77780, Mexico
Known For
- Intimate jungle garden seating
- Maya dishes
- Organic chicken and pork
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Enjoy fresh seafood on the shaded patio of this family-owned restaurant in the heart of town. Try fish prepared al ajo (in a garlicky butter sauce), breaded, grilled, or tikin–xic style (marinated with adobo de achiote and sour oranges). Pelicanos also offers a variety of four-hour excursions that include fishing, snorkeling, then cooking the daily catch at the restaurant.
Av. Rafael Melgar at Av. Tulum, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, 77580, Mexico
Known For
- Fried fish by kilo
- Catch and cook (and eat) options
- Massive margaritas
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The name says it all at this New York–inspired restaurant where entrées are grilled on wooden planks or Himalayan salt blocks. The smoky flavors of cedar, maple, hickory, and oak come through in signature dishes like grilled salmon or beef filet in mushroom sauce. Sides of roasted cauliflower and grilled asparagus are served in mini cast-iron skillets, and flatbreads are topped with Brie cheese, cherry tomatoes, and arugula leaves. Cocktails such as the Margarita Golden add smolder to your meal. This is the place to celebrate birthdays, as the entire staff will burst out in song with cake and sparklers.
Calle 16, Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, 77710, Mexico
Known For
- Entrées grilled on wooden planks
- Meats smoked in white cedar for over 12 hours
- Grilled salmon
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch
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Considered by some as the best gourmet Mexican cuisine in Tulum, TU is, if nothing else, a fascinating expression of the country's rich gastronomy. Start with octopus tacos served with chipotle mayonnaise, and try the huitlacoche risotto with salmon as main dish. A Mexican flan as dessert will keep you happy and asking for more. The cocktails and the atmosphere are as stylish as the dishes.
Andrómeda Oriente, Mz 4, Lote 8, Tulum, Quintana Roo, 77760, Mexico
Known For
- Gourmet Mexican dishes
- Vegan options
- Spectacular cocktails
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch
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There’s more to Agave Azul than those sweeping lagoon and mangrove views. The glass-walled restaurant at the elegant Rosewood Mayakoba is hands down the best place to go for fresh sushi and premium tequila. Housing more than 120 labels of the latter (and 40 of mezcal), it hosts weekly tequila and sushi pairings. In addition to ceviche, sashimi, and maki rolls, the dinner menu here includes Asian-inspired entrées like sesame roasted cauliflower, spicy kampachi (yellowtail), and ramen "Yucatán." The coconut flan with strawberry tapioca pearls is the perfect accompaniment to more tequila. Kick off your night by sampling dangerously smooth cocktails infused with fresh cucumber, watermelon, and jalapeños.
Carretera 307, Km 298, Mayakoba, Quintana Roo, 77710, Mexico
Known For
- More than 100 varieties of tequila
- Fresh fish
- Romantic setting
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch
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The smoky aromas of a South American parillada waft down the street from this Uruguayan barbecue joint. The heaping portions of short ribs, flank steak, and chorizo have developed a cult following up and down the Riviera, and locals swear by the empanadas. Tables are set in a simple stone-walled room and just outside on the street.
Av. Javier Rojo Gomez, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, 77580, Mexico
Known For
- Good steaks
- Creative empanadas
- Friendly staff
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. No breakfast
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Playa's most dramatically sited restaurant sits atop a small cenote in a vast jungly garden full of strangler vines and Mayan ruins—right in the middle of Avenida 5. Designed in accordance with Maya building practices, it's a feast for the eyes, with living "green walls" covered with plants, a bar built on a stone wall, and a park in back that makes for a romantic setting at night (bring bug spray). The menu, full of dressed-up Playa standards—fresh fish, pork shank, guacamole—isn't as memorable (though the jicama tacos are worth a try), but it's a worthwhile meal nonetheless.
Av. 5 between Calles 14 and 16, Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, 77710, Mexico
Known For
- Exotic jungle setting
- Bottled water filtered from the cenote
- Jicama tacos
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Although this restaurant is a 10-minute drive from downtown, its location in an underground cavern makes it extremely popular. A candlelit rock stairway leads to a setting that's part Carlsbad Caverns, part The Flintstones. Some of the "cavernous" rooms are for lounging, some for drinking, some for eating, some for dancing. Creative lighting casts the stalactites and stalagmites in pale shades of violet, blue, and pink. Although the setting is the highlight, the food—including the xcatic octopus, shredded deer, lobster, and steak—is also quite good. With a packed house, this place can get rather musty and humid.
Av. Juárez between Calles 65 and 70, Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, 77710, Mexico
Known For
- A unique location inside a cave
- Great variety of wines
- Shredded deer meat
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch
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For sweeping ocean views and light meals, head to this shady beachfront resort restaurant, where the smoothies are fruity but not overly sweet, the guacamole is fresh and flavorful, and the salsa selection is excellent. Don't miss the amply portioned spicy-sweet Thai curry Buddha Bowl. And if you're craving some beach time after your meal, ask about Amansala resort's beach club, where $45 will get you a sun bed for the day.
Carretera Tulum-Boca Paila, Km 5.5, Tulum, Quintana Roo, 77766, Mexico
Known For
- Meals with a view
- Health-conscious cuisine
- Vegan and vegetarian options
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Photos and paintings of old Hollywood pinup models share decor space with a large stone Buddha at this Swedish-owned restaurant that serves up a surprising, tasty mix of Asian and European food. It's known for local, interesting fare cooked to order and made with only the freshest ingredients (including sauces handmade every day by the owners). If you're here for Asian cuisine, try the tom kha gai coconut soup, pad Thai with handmade noodles, or one of the popular curries, then wash it all down with a refreshing lemonade, blended with ice and mint. For something European, you can't go wrong with the Swedish meatballs (after all, the owners are Swedish). For an unusual but tasty take on egg rolls, try the goat cheese rolls dipped in passion-fruit sauce. Vegetarians will find about 80% of the menu can be made meat-free. And if you're looking for the biggest—and possibly best—daiquiris in town, you'll find them at the bar here, piled high and always made with real fruit. Low-season travelers take note: this restaurant usually closes in October.
Calle 10 between Avs. 5 and 10
Known For
- Thai curries
- Pad Thai
- Swedish meatballs with lingonberries imported from Sweden
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. No lunch in low season
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This colorful hangout on the corner of the main plaza is the best place in town to watch the world go by (or take advantage of free Wi-Fi) while lingering over coffee and a pastry. Most items are organic, and the fruit smoothies are delicious. Come prepared to practice your Spanish; the staff doesn't speak much English.
Av. Tulum at Av. Rojo Gomez, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, 77580, Mexico
Known For
- Organic fruit smoothies
- Vegan dishes
- Tasty Mexican breakfasts
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
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The laid-back hub of Puerto Aventuras is this terrace café with a varied menu, including coconut shrimp and chicken with a chimichurri sauce made from red wine, garlic, onion, and fine herbs. If you and local fisherman get lucky, the nightly specials might include fresh-caught fish in garlic sauce. There's live music on Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday in high season.
Centro Comercial Marina, Puerto Aventuras, Quintana Roo, 77580, Mexico
Known For
- All-you-can-eat barbecue ribs
- Fresh-caught fish in garlic sauce
- Live music
