The Riviera Maya Restaurants

Restaurants here vary from quirky beachside affairs with outdoor tables and palapas to more elaborate and sophisticated establishments. Dress is casual at most places, so leave your tie and jacket at home. Smaller eateries may not accept credit cards, especially in remote beach villages. Bigger ones and those in hotels normally accept plastic. Many restaurants add propinas (tips) to the bill; look for a charge for "servicio." If tips aren’t included, a 15% gratuity is standard. It's best to order fresh local fish—grouper, dorado, red snapper, and sea bass—rather than shellfish like shrimp, lobster, and oysters, since the latter are often flown in frozen from the Gulf. Playa del Carmen has the largest selection of restaurants.

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  • 1. Pelicanos Restaurant & Marina

    $$$

    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
    998-871–0014

    Known For

    • Fish al ajo (in garlicky butter sauce)
    • Catch and cook (and eat) options
    • Massive margaritas
  • 2. Restaurante Oscar y Lalo

    $$

    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, Tulum, Quintana Roo, 77780, Mexico
    984-127–1587

    Known For

    • Intimate jungle garden seating
    • Mayan dishes
    • Organic chicken and pork
  • 3. El Camello Jr.

    $$$

    Called "Camellito" by locals, this restaurant is famed for having Tulum's freshest seafood—and the jammed parking lot is testament to its enduring popularity. Fish or shrimp tacos are light and fresh, but the full splendor of the place is expressed by its whole grilled or fried fish, served with generous mounds of rice, beans, and plátanos. Come hungry. The lively scene and tropical ambience are a Mexican original.

    Avs. Tulum and Luna, Tulum, Quintana Roo, 77780, Mexico
    984-871–2036

    Known For

    • Fresh seafood
    • Fish or shrimp tacos
    • Whole grilled or fried fish

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Wed
  • 4. La Cueva del Pescador

    $$$

    Dig your toes in the sand floor and enjoy the catch of the day at La Cueva del Pescador. A crowd of easygoing expats hunkers down for the afternoon to feast on octopus, shrimp, or conch ceviche prepared with lime juice and flavored with cilantro—usually with a generous helping of beer on the side. Great grilled garlic shrimp and simple quesadillas are also served. Portions are sizeable, and prices are moderate. There’s a pool table here plus a TV that's typically tuned to sports.

    Main rd., Akumal, Quintana Roo, 77760, Mexico
    984-875–9002

    Known For

    • Ceviche with octopus, shrimp, or conch
    • Good beer
    • Grilled garlic shrimp
  • 5. Restaurant Cenote Azul

    $$$

    Perched on the rim of the 300-foot-deep cenote, this palapa restaurant charges a MX$10 entrance fee to access the site. Busloads of tourists come to dine on chicken, pork, and fish dishes, as well as house specialties like the seafood platter and shrimp kebab. Although the setting surpasses food, it's still worth lingering over a meal while gazing out over the deep blue waters. After your food digests, enjoy a swim off the dock. There's also a souvenir shop popular with tour groups.

    Carretera 307, Km 34, Bacalar, Quintana Roo, 77981, Mexico
    983-834–2460

    Known For

    • Seafood platter
    • Shrimp kebab
    • A lovely setting
  • Recommended Fodor’s Video

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