kperaka

We recently went to Riviera Maya and sharing our experience in Tulum ruins. If you are interested, you can read it from the link below.

http://www.lifeasweexplore.com/home/tulum-ruins-mexico

sf7307

We're going to be in Tulum for the first time in March, so this is great.

Any restaurants you would recommend in Playa Del Carmen?

kperaka

We tried La Vagabunda on 5th Avenue and loved it. Ours was a very short trip so we didn't get to explore much in that area.

zootsi

Realize there are many fun restaurants in Tulum Pueblo.

sf7307

Any specific recommendations zootsi? I was asking about PdelC because I think we'll spend one evening there but the other 4 nights we'll definitely stay in Tulum. We like good food, good atmosphere, love a great dive with great food, hate spending over-the-top dollars (always disappointed - including French Laundry).

emd3

I have a place in Playa, actually two places, and go to Tulum often. We like Don Cafeto restaurant on the hwy 307. Very established, not pricey, very authentic good Mexican food. They serve a fantastic complmentary bowl at the table with chips-- that is a marinaded carott, onion, garlic, pepper concoction which is great, esp. the carrots.

You can see a big bowl of it right on their FB page:
https://www.facebook.com/DonCafetoTulum

They always have live music even at breakfast and lunch, as well as dinner. Love that place. FAjitas are good. Fish is good and always fresh. Avoid the gringo platers and go for the authentic good stuff.

emd3

On the beach, we always have good food at Ziggys Beach Club. Great stretch of beach there too.

emd3

We have eaten at Hechizo in Tulum, which is a more chi-chi place in Tulum, serious chef, small place. Very good. An evening experience, not good for a quick meal. Worth it. reservations are a must, way before you want to go...

emd3

SOOOOO many restaurants in Playa del C, it is hard to know what to recommend unless you ask for a particular type of cuisine. For French, Byblos. Extremely fresh, fantastic chef, her husband is the waiter and bartender. Quiet, lovely, and always fresh food, extensive menu and very French. Fantastic, love it.

For adventurous food ie Mexican, (this is not text mex, it is creative) try Axiote. Cool thatched roof place just off 5th Ave (most places off of 5th ave are better than hose on 5th. Be adventurous when ordering drinks and entrees. It will be good. Dessert called key lime pie is not key lime pis, and it is mysteriously fantastic. Great aged tequilas, reposados and anejo, collection here.

Also like Casa del Agua, down by the zocalo on 5th Ave. Only restaurant on 5th that we really go back to often.

Best IMO, don't miss it if you have one dinner in Playa, is PLANK. Also just off 5th Ave. FANTASTIC, all meats and fish are cooked on salt planks or cedar and are very flavorful, understated and very very good. They have a fabulous brunch also on Sat and Sun, very good value. YUM.

sf7307

Thanks for what look like great choices. If anyone has others, I'm all ears!

zootsi

Haven't been to Tulum in a few years but here are a few good ones I remember- La Malquerida (the best), Don Cafetos (local hang out), El Capitan, Charlie's (live entertainment)

sf7307

Just reporting back:

Don Cafeto's - loved it. The food was good, the entertainment and vibe great. emd, we loved the marinated veggie bowl. $35 for two including two margaritas.

Cafe Banana - very good breakfasts, and a great ribeye for dinner. Dinner probably $60 for two but we shared the ribeye.

Los Aguachiles - good seafood tacos. Cheap - couldn't have been more than $20 for two, including drinks.

La Vagabunda in PdelC very good. We were actually surprised since it's right on 5th avenue and we figured everything would be just so-so (but we were hungry and it was there). About $40 for two including drinks.

Ice cream in Tulum Pueblo (Campanella Cremerie) - VERY good.

Restaurant at La Zebra Hotel - very good, but service at lunch was very slow. About $65 for two.

Hartwood in Tulum was full every night we were there, so we'll have to go on a return visit.

maried11

Carvoncitos is by far my fave in PDC. You must try. Just off of 5th ave and bear the ferry. Best Mexican I've had in any Mexican destination (been to many and over 40 times if you total them all).