Local Dining in Playa del Carmen

You don't have to go to Fifth Avenue to find good food in Playa del Carmen. Eating where the locals eat can be a great way to stretch your budget while experiencing some local charm.

Some places to try:

Bambu
Eighth Street between Quinta and 10th Avenues
Great for inexpensive Mongolian stir-fry. Pork, beef, shrimp, and vegetarian options are available.

Coctelería el Paisano Veracruz
Avenue Juárez, just west of Highway 307
Eat seafood with the locals. The restaurant specializes in shrimp cocktail but also serves fried fish, ceviche, and other dishes.

El Amendro
Fourth Street between Quinta and 10th Avenues
This typical Mexican restaurant is popular with area workers and budget travelers. The shaded dining room has plastic tables, and the menu includes selections from around the country, including sopes, panuchos, quesadillas, and torta sandwiches. Daily lunch specials ($4) include a main dish, small salad, rice, beans, and a fruit drink.

El Faisán y El Venado
Highway 307, just north of Avenue Juárez
This is a popular local spot for tacos, quesadillas, and seafood. El Fogon
30th Avenue between Fourth and Sixth Streets, in front of Harmon Hall
Located along the busy 30th Avenue strip of local restaurants, El Fogon serves a mixed-grill plate (parrillada mixta) big enough to serve three people. Also try the fried Nopal cactus. Highly recommended.

El Fogoncito
30th Avenue between 28th and 30th Streets
Where do the bartenders and restaurant workers go when their shifts are over? Chances are, you’ll find them at El Fogoncito, which is open 24 hours. Top dishes include tacos al pastor (cut right from the fire) and tortas de carne. Very inexpensive and very good.

More:
Riviera Maya Hotels
Airport Transportation
Tours & Activities
Riviera Maya Guidebook

Peso-Pinching in the Riviera Maya

Traveling on a budget? Try these inexpensive and fun activities:

• Take free salsa lessons Tuesday and Thursday at 7 PM at La Bodequita del Medio restaurant.
• Walk along the interpretive nature trail at the back of the parking lot of the Las Palapas hotel.
• Visit the Xaman-Ha ruins in Playacar, just south of the Playacar Palace hotel.
• Head to the beach and build a sandcastle in the shape of the great pyramid at Chichén Itzá.
• Get up early to watch the sun rise over the Caribbean. Some people like it even more than watching a sunset.
• Take advantage of the free appetizer/drink coupons offered by many restaurants along Quinta in Playa del Carmen.
• Stroll the park across from the municipal building and learn to count in Mayan from the educational displays.
• Grab your snorkel and take a dip in Manatee cenote, across from Blue Sky Resort in Tankah.
• Watch the fire dancers perform their nightly show on the beach of the Blue Parrot bar at 11 PM or at the next-door El Pirata bar at midnight.
• Join the locals for a street party in Cozumel, complete with live music, each Sunday evening in the town square.
• Looking for authentic Mexican food? Head to 30th Avenue in Playa del Carmen and eat with the locals. The stretch between 2nd Street and 14th Street is lined with many casual eateries with inexpensive tacos, seafood and more.
• Snorkel the protected cove at Akumal Bay and see moray eels, stingrays, and barracuda lurking in the shallows.