Restaurants in Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen, Mexico

I was really excited for my first full day in Playa del Carmen. I was on my own as the group was heading off on a day trip to see Chichen Itza.

Two years ago I went to Chichen Itza from Valladolid, a town I really enjoyed and had great sopa de lima there.

I do recommend going to see Chichen Itza but I’m not prepared to go back and see it again two years later.

I am prepared to gain a few pounds in the name of research.

So as the group went out Daniel from Blue Diamond offered to drive me into town and give me a quick layout of the city.

I was armed with names of restaurants in Playa del Carmen that people had offered up Facebook and Twitter and ate a light breakfast to ensure I’d be hungry.

Bring on lunch!

My first stop was with a recommendation from @Andres_Milagro: ask for El Cejas or the eye brow for the best ceviches ! Also amazing tuna empanadas.

 I had such high hopes for these Mexican antojitos because I really like Milagro in Toronto.

There were no tuna empanadas on the menu so I hesitantly ordered tiburon, only to find out later on that it was shark (I hope not the endangered kind) and it was really salty.  

The ceviche was really good and the staff was very nice but I would not come back here again.

Next up was a recommendation from Not in the Pink: Make sure you visit Ah Cacao! on Fifth and Constituyentes and try the Mayan hot chocolate.

They tried to warn me not to have it because foreigners don’t like how strong it tastes but I did it anyway. 

I probably would have walked by this place and never thought to go in.

There are a number of them around town and the idea of drinking something hot in 30C weather is beyond me.

But I ordered anyway and was so happy I did. If you’ve had Mexican chocolate with chili you will love this.

It was a warm, but not too hot cup of spicy-sweet velvety chocolate.

And while I was already full I had to make one last stop as I saw a posole restaurant Daniel recommended.

I have had posole many times but had forgotten how large of a meal it was.

I ate as much as I could so I wouldn’t offend the cook and then I waddled out of there.

I was pretty upset as I had hit a wall. I tried to walk it off. I was full but I had so many other restaurants I wanted to try.  

Finally I conceded that I was not going to be able to eat more. But it’s okay because in two days the group is heading to Tulum and I’ve already been there which means more food for me!

I just need to learn how to stretch my stomach so I can eat more than two lunches in an afternoon.

Disclosure: I visited Mexico with the assistance of the Mexico Tourism Board, but they did not request or require positive reviews or ask me to eat so much food for lunch!