Restaurant, Bar, and Club guide
for the Mayan Riviera - Riviera Maya

   MY FAVOURITES:     Everyone has their list.  Those places that you return to eat time and again.  They may not be the best, fanciest, or offer anything particularly special, but they are consistent and have something that brings you back.  Here is my list in no particular order.  Most are listed on the specific location page with directions but....  a few I want to keep relatively quiet so you will have to do a little work  to find them.....

* BABES NOODLE HOUSE in Playa del Carmen:  There are 2 locations and both are excellent.  More often than not, I order the Swedish meat balls which has nothing to do with Noodles but I love it.  The curries are great too.  I always have at least one Mojito because they are consistently good.

* PACO TACO Next to the PEMEX gas station in Puerto Aventuras and at the PEMEX just south of us on the way to Tulum.  The original much loved and nearly famous 'Paco' has moved on but his delicious taco recipe carries on and the popularity growing with expansion to 2 locations.   Serving up some of the best and freshest fish and shrimp tacos this side of Cabo, all made to order right in front of you.

* THAT CEVICHE PLACE in the Poblado at Puerto Aventuras:  I don't know if there is even a sign for this little restaurant beside the carpenters workshops, but they serve some of the best ceviche and shrimp cocktail outside of the Gulf Coast of Mexico.  If you are still hungry have the daily special too.

* YAMAMOTO Sushi in Cancun:   I hate going to Cancun and will normally put it off for as long as possible, however I will make an excuse to go if I have been too long without sushi.   Chef Juan is Mexican, but he has been well trained and knows his  stuff.  I always start with the spicy tuna roll or cone and usually ask Juan to create something special for me along with the standards.  (not only do they have ename, but Juan shared with me his source, so now I enjoy this at home.)

* LEOS PIZZA in Chemuyil:  Simply the best pizza around and excellent lasagna.  The surroundings have gone a little (very little) up market over the years and the gringos which used to be rare now can outnumber the locals, but the consistency of the food never falters.  Open for dinner only.

* RED CHICKEN in Tulum:  There are now a number of good dining options in Tulum but my standard remains roasted chicken from one of the street side grills on the east side of main street.  Delicious and cheap..  You have to get your ice cold beer across the street at the agent store.

* CHARLIES in Tulum on main street:  More than one afternoon has been lost after a margarita at Charlies.  Do they serve food here?

* MEZZANINE on the beach in Tulum:  Another one of those places I take friends when they are visiting.  You can't beat the location, decent Thai food and exotic cocktails.  Friday nights this is the 'happening' place with top DJ's and the 'in' crowd. Unfortunately there are some zoning issues which may not allow this restaurant to remain open.

* TIRAMISU in Puerto Aventuras: Consistently good Italian fare & seafood.

* MASSIMO in Puerto Aventuras:  Fresh, delicious, homemade pasta.

* CAFE CAFE in Puerto Aventuras: Mimi's sandwiches are delicious. 

* TREBOL in Puerto Aventuras:  Federico & his staff offer up some of the most interesting food in Puerto Aventuras.  Ask about the specials.  You will never go wrong with the steaks either.

* CAFE OLE in Puerto Aventuras: Wednesday, Friday and Sunday nights for live music and all you can eat ribs.

* NATIVO  across fro DAC fruit and veggie market on Avenida 30 in Playa del Carmen:    Try the Chiliqueles with a fruit liquado of course.  Breakfast and lunch only.

* CACTUS in Playa across from DAC fruit and veggie market on Avenida 30  Chiles en nogado for lunch!

* HC de MONTEREY  in Playa del Carmen on Constituentes across from MEGA and on the west side of highway between Constituentes and Juarez:  Most people who enjoy a good steak would not go out of their way to find a flank steak.  Do it... The arachera here is delicious. (tip: after eating here often enough to be recognized, the waiter told me that I should try the Mexican beef rather than the US Grade that I normally ordered.  He was right.  It was better and cheaper)

* COCKTELERIA la BOMBA JAROCHA II in Playa del Carmen on Avenida 30 I almost always have the baked seafood soup.  It is delicious.

 * TURTLE BAY BAKERY in Akumal:  Sunday mornings I like to get on the motorcycle and head to the Turtle Bay Bakery for breakfast.  OR...if I feel like heading in the opposite direction......

* La CUEVA del CHANGO in Playa del Carmen: my other Sunday morning breakfast place.  (They are now open in the evening and just as good.)

* La VAGABUNDA: in Playa on Avenida 5:  This palapa restaurant was here before anything else was in North Playa.  I used to bounce down a dirt road full of pot holes to come enjoy breakfast here.  They have survived all of the glitz and glitter that has hit the area with a good breakfast menu & daily lunch specials at a reasonable price

* MAKTUB CAFE  in Playa on Avenida 5:  Brings back memories of my time living in the Middle East.  Order one of the combo plates to enjoy a delicious sampling.  Try the cucumber water drink.  Delicious!!

* Los AGUAS CHILES: in Playa:  Not your average Taco stand.  Designer fish and seafood tacos with a delicious assortment of sauces.  I love the chipolte and cilantro.

* LOL HA BEACH BAR: in Akumal:  Cheeseburger in paradise.

* ALOHA GRILL: in Playa on Calle 34 between Avenidas 25 & 30:  I think maybe the best burger in Playa even though ‘Fusion’ holds the official honor.  PLUS super fresh fruit drinks and some interesting options such as Caribbean fish balls and Honolulu stuffed chicken.  Lunch for two at around $10. 

* EL ASADOR de MANOLO  on Avenida 10 between Calles 24 & 26  telephone (984) 803-0632.  Typical, simple, Argentine restaurant serving tasty, reasonably priced fare.  A regular lunch stop for me but remember, we are on Latin time so it doesn't open until around 1:30 PM.  Good dinners too

* CHICAGO don JOSE  in Playa   'Chicago Joe's' as we lovingly call it, has quickly become an ex-pat favorite.  New owners, French couple, Pia & Laurent have maintained the same excellent menu and added some delicious new options.  Best of all, they still offer Dalia's special spinach salad with strawberry dressing.  Closed Monday

* Along with the good, I am sure you appreciate to hear about the bad.  El CIELO on XpuHa beach.  This restaurant is highly rated by some people and I must admit that I have had some very nice experiences there.  However, I have had an experience very similar to the one below. 
"Tried to dine at Al Cielo last night.  Thought you should know our story...  Arrived at 7:40PM.  They refused to serve us without a reservation despite the fact there were only 3 tables occupied and their reservation sheet only showed 1 party of 3 scheduled for the rest of the night.  Our taxi had already departed.  We asked them to call for a taxi for us.  After two feeble attempts he claimed no answer, and declared he was 'sorry' there was nothing else he could do.  We were left to walk back up to the highway, where we had to walk who knows how far in the dark with traffic speeding by until we came to the Xhupa Palace.  The guards at the gate were kind enough to have the front desk call us a taxi.  My family was extremely upset walking along the highway in the dark with the traffic.  Perhaps I should have asked/paid the taxi to wait while we 'dined', but in all my trips down here I've never had a problem with a restaurant like I did last night." August 8,2007

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Restaurant Guide to:

PLAYA del CARMEN     PUERTO AVENTURAS     TULUM     AKUMAL     PUERTO MORALES     CANCUN