Food · Playa del Carmen · Mexico
What to eat in Playa del Carmen
The dishes, drinks and food experiences that define Playa del Carmen, and where locals actually eat them.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: FeldBum, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Start with Tacos al pastor, Cochinita pibil torta and Fish and shrimp tacos. Walk a few blocks inland to Avenida 10, 20 or 30 for taquerías and local restaurants at a fraction of the avenue's tourist prices. Check menus on Quinta Avenida for prices in pesos; some places quote in dollars at poor exchange rates.
Key facts
- Signature dish
- Tacos al pastor
- Vegetarian-friendly picks
- 4
- Tipping
- Tip 10–15% in restaurants unless service is included, 20 pesos or so per bag for…
- Food experiences
- 3
10 foods to try
Street food
1.Tacos al pastor
Marinated pork carved from a vertical spit with pineapple, onion and coriander; local taquerías serve them by the plate late into the night.
Where: Taquerías on Avenida 10, Avenida 30 and in Colosio, where prices are lower than on Quinta Avenida.
Breakfast
2.Cochinita pibil torta
Slow-cooked achiote pork piled into a crusty roll with pickled red onions and habanero; a classic Yucatecan breakfast.
Where: Morning stalls and loncherías away from Quinta Avenida, usually until they run out.
Street food
3.Fish and shrimp tacos
Battered fried fish or shrimp in tortillas with cabbage, creamy sauce and salsa, a seaside staple at lunchtime.
Where: Marisquerías and taco stands a few blocks back from the beach.
Dish
4.Ceviche
Fresh fish, shrimp or octopus cured in lime juice with tomato, onion, coriander and chilli, served with tostadas.
Where: Seafood restaurants in the centre and beach restaurants at lunchtime.
Dish · Vegetarian
5.Papadzules
A Yucatecan dish of tortillas rolled around chopped hard-boiled egg and covered in a pumpkin-seed sauce and tomato salsa.
Where: Yucatecan restaurants in the centre.
Street food
6.Panuchos
Fried tortillas stuffed with refried black beans and topped with shredded chicken or turkey, lettuce, avocado and pickled onion.
Where: Evening antojito stands and Yucatecan restaurants.
Dish
7.Sopa de lima
The Yucatán's signature soup of chicken broth perfumed with the local lima citrus, topped with crunchy tortilla strips.
Where: Yucatecan and Mexican restaurants throughout town.
Dessert · Vegetarian
8.Marquesitas
Crisp rolled crêpes from Mérida filled with Nutella, cajeta or jam and grated Edam cheese, made to order from street carts.
Where: Carts around Parque Fundadores and along Quinta Avenida in the evening.
Drink · Vegetarian
9.Michelada
Beer mixed with lime, salt and spicy sauces in a chilli-rimmed glass, sometimes with tomato juice; the classic beach drink.
Where: Beach bars and restaurants all along the coast.
Dessert · Vegetarian
10.Churros
Fried dough sticks dusted with cinnamon sugar, sometimes filled with cajeta or chocolate.
Where: Street vendors on Quinta Avenida and around Parque Fundadores.
Food experiences
Eat off Quinta Avenida
Walk a few blocks inland to Avenida 10, 20 or 30 for taquerías and local restaurants at a fraction of the avenue's tourist prices.
Beachfront seafood lunch
Order ceviche and grilled fish with your feet in the sand at a beach restaurant, ideally on a quieter stretch north of Calle 38.
Yucatecan cooking class
Several local schools teach regional dishes such as cochinita pibil, salsas and handmade tortillas, often with a market visit.
Quick bites and street food
- Tacos al pastor — Taquerías on Avenida 10, Avenida 30 and in Colosio, where prices are lower than on Quinta Avenida.
- Cochinita pibil torta — Morning stalls and loncherías away from Quinta Avenida, usually until they run out.
- Fish and shrimp tacos — Marisquerías and taco stands a few blocks back from the beach.
- Panuchos — Evening antojito stands and Yucatecan restaurants.
Vegetarian options
Of the 10 foods in this guide, 4 are usually vegetarian: Papadzules, Marquesitas, Michelada and Churros. Check preparation with staff, as stocks and fats vary.
Eating out: tips and etiquette
- Check menus on Quinta Avenida for prices in pesos; some places quote in dollars at poor exchange rates.
- Eat a few blocks back from the beach for better value and more local food.
- Many taquerías are cash-only; carry pesos in small notes.
- Ask for 'la cuenta' to get the bill; it will not be brought until you ask.
- Check whether a service charge has been added before tipping, which happens in some tourist restaurants.
Tipping
Tip 10–15% in restaurants unless service is included, 20 pesos or so per bag for porters, and tip tour guides, boat crews and dive masters. Taxi drivers do not usually expect tips.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Buenas tardes | Good afternoon |
| ¿Cuánto es? | How much is it? |
| No, gracias | No, thank you |
| La cuenta, por favor | The bill, please |
| ¿Dónde está la playa? | Where is the beach? |
Questions travellers ask
+What food is Playa del Carmen famous for?
Tacos al pastor, Cochinita pibil torta, Fish and shrimp tacos and Ceviche. Marinated pork carved from a vertical spit with pineapple, onion and coriander; local taquerías serve them by the plate late into the night.
+Is Playa del Carmen good for vegetarians?
Several local staples are meat-free, including Papadzules, Marquesitas and Michelada.
+Do you tip in restaurants in Playa del Carmen?
Tip 10–15% in restaurants unless service is included, 20 pesos or so per bag for porters, and tip tour guides, boat crews and dive masters. Taxi drivers do not usually expect tips.