With all of the restaurants in Riviera Maya, you may feel overwhelmed by the choices if you don't read up about them before hand. You'll find everything from touristy restaurants to local haunts that serve authentic Mexican cuisine. Most of the restaurants in Riviera Maya are located in Playa del Carmen along or near Quinta Avenida (Fifth Avenue).

In general, dress is casual in Riviera Maya, but many restaurants will not allow bare feet, short shorts, or no shirts. For dinner at more upscale restaurants, wear trousers or a skirt or dress instead of shorts. Most restaurants serve lunch and dinner daily unless otherwise stated.

La Parrilla

Mexican Grill
On Quinta (5th) Avenida and 8th, Playa del Carmen
This international favorite serves fabulous salads, flambé desserts and coffees prepared at your table. Enjoy Mexican, international, vegetarian and seafood dishes. Live Mexican music every night.

Karen's Grill and Pizzeria

Pizza and grill
Playa del Carmen
Enjoy grilled seafood, pizza, grilled meats at this popular lively restaurant and bar hangout. Live music each evening.

Java Joe's

International Café
Quinta (5th) Avenida between 10 & 12, Playa del Carmen
Arguably you'll find some of the best coffee in Riviera Maya here. Taste their espresso, cappuccino, gourmet coffees, ice-blended mochachinos. Munch on pastries, cakes, sandwiches, bagels, and boxed lunches.

Limones

International
Playa del Carmen
Dine on a terraced garden surrounded by candle-lit tables and fountains as you enjoy international cuisine.

¡ Sabor !

Natural Food Café
Quinta (5th) Avenida between 2nd &4th, Playa del Carmen
Flavor is not lacking here. A well-established natural food café and a favorite with the locals. Relax and enjoy the delicious homemade pastries and coffee as the owners personally attend to you.

Zulu Lounge Thai

Quinta Avenida, Playa del Carmen
Think you wouldn't get good food at a Thai restaurant in Mexico? Think again! World-renowned Thai chef and cookbook author Ora Anekananda personally created the delicious and distinctive menu. He even trained the kitchen staff to create these unique and artistically presented Thai dishes. On the back patio, enjoy an interesting cocktail and a round of billiards.

Don Emilione's

Seafood, Vegetarian, Mexican & Italian
Quinta (5th) Avenida Norte No. 7, Playa del Carmen
You'll find something for everyone's tastes. Of course seafood is their specialty, since they're so close to the water, but you can also enjoy vegetarian, Mexican and Italian dishes. People watch as you dine under an umbrella outside on 5th Avenue. At night, listen to live jazz inside in the café.

Le Bistro

French; Bar & Live Music
2nd Street between 5th and 10th Avenues, Playa del Carmen
Dine in this charming and distinctive casual French Bistro. Enjoy delicious seafood, grilled food and vegetarian delights.

Pancho's Mexican Cafe

Mexican, Italian, International, Seafood; Bar
Quinta (5th) Avenida & 12th St, Playa del Carmen
For a fun and casual atmosphere head to this beachfront contemporary Mexican eatery. Don't miss the flambés and surprising flaming Spanish Coffee.

Tarraya Restaurant and Bar

Seafood
Playa del Carmen
Here you'll find the delicious entrees that satisfy the most discriminating palates. As you sit at the bar drinking a cold cerveza, observe the fishermen's arrival. They're delivering the tasty fresh seafood you enjoy at your table.

Blue Lobster

Seafood and Grill; Bar & Live Music
Quinta (5th) Avenida between 4th & 6th, Playa del Carmen
Enjoy steak and grilled seafood in a quiet candlelit setting.

El Tukan Maya

Mexican; Bar & Live Music
Calle 14 between 6th & 4th, Playa del Carmen
This restaurant and bar offers a breakfast-buffet and scrumptious fare in a pleasant atmosphere. Taste the exclusive international and national specialties: seafood, grilled foods, and vegetarian. For a taste of the Caribbean sample the exotic drinks and a collection of over 80 varieties of tequila.

El Provensal

French
Quinta (5th) Avenida between 12th & 14th, Playa del Carmen
Owners Marie Claude and Christian Lemaire come here from the French Riviera via Montreal, Canada. After running two other establishments in Canada, you know they are well versed in French cuisine. Dine under an amphitheater-style palapa roof as you enjoy French Mediterranean cooking - the French Riviera in the Mayan Riviera.

Jazzy Cat

International
6th St. between 5th & 10th Ave, Playa del Carmen
Savor delicious prime rib roast, traditional oven baked lasagna, creative salads, homemade pastas, creative starters and decadent desserts. Try a selection from the collection of imported wines, top-shelf liqueurs and unusual martinis.

T´Amo Da Morire Ristorante Italiano

Italian; Restaurant, Bar & Live Music
On the Zocalo (town square), one block from the pier opposite the park, Playa del Carmen.
Enjoy views of the beach as you feast on reasonably priced and appetizing Italian dishes. They serve salads, pastas, seafood, and beef. Because it is not on the ground floor, you may miss this lovely restaurant. As you come from the ferry dock, look for the sign on the left as you turn onto the Zocalo.

Lazy Lizard

Mexican and International; Bar
Quinta (5th) Avenida between 2nd & 4th; Playa del Carmen
Watch passers-by as you dine at this street-side café that offers a diverse menu of Mexican and International dishes.

Señor Frog's

Mexican; Bar & Live Music
Beach Front by the dock, Playa del Carmen
Señor Frog's is a must if you're in Mexico. Enjoy international, seafood, grilled food as you listen to live reggae and sing-a-long with karaoke. For excellent food and a great party atmosphere be sure to stop here. Don't forget to buy a t-shirt!

Media Luna

Quinta (5th) Avenida between 8th & 10th, Playa del Carmen
Fresh homemade pastas, crepes, seafood and delicious desserts.