Tacos and Cheap Eats
Asadero el Pollo Estillo Sinaloa
Serves one of the best roasted chickens. Eat in or take out.
CH Butcher Shop
This is a real butcher shop with excellent meats to take home and cook. It also has excellent and inexpensive cooked Arrachera and steak lunch and dinners. This place gets rave reviews from locals and deserves it. The menu is limited, mostly to Arrachera and meats by the kilo to take out (para llevar).
Chicharroneria y Carnitas Teresita
Maybe it should be called Little Terry's Pork Place. This little hole-in-the-wall has a few tables and sells meat by the kilo to go. It has Chicharrones (fried pork skin), Kastakan (fried pork skin and meat), Buche (fried pig stomach) and Maciza (lean soft pork meat) and more. Prices are low and the people are friendly.
Dona Juanita
Really lovely, little place that serves breakfast and "comida del dia" (lunch) at low prices. Great service, clean and food is presented on Talavera pottery. A little off the beaten track, but well worth a visit.
Dona Mary
This is a good place for a cheap Mexican dinner. The women only speak Spanish and most of the food choices are made with chicken. If the food looks a bit strange, it is because it is the real deal. Authentic Yucatecan light fare. If something looks good on the next table, just point and say how many you want.
El Fogon
Tacos al pastor. Fantastic!! Makes everyone's favorite list for legitimate Mexican food at a good price. Everything here is excellent, the beers are cold and the Frijoles Charros (bean soup) is something to dream about. You might have to wait for a table, but it is worth it.
El Faisan y el Venado
Lots of locals eat here, especially for lunch. You will find many of the Yucatecan specialties here that are served at Yaxche, but much less expensive. Recommended are the soups, Carne Ahumada and the Panuchos Cochinita. This is a large and clean place with excellent service.
El Jurado (Mixiotes y Huaraches)
El Jurado is best spotted from their orange awning noting "Mixiotes y Huaraches". Serves excellent huaraches, which is a thick tortilla, about a foot long and 5" wide, served open with a choice of toppings, usually cheese and meat. An excellent, inexpensive meal. Frosty cold beers!
El Pastorcito
Grilled meats, tacos al pastor and Arrachera. One of the best!! Wonderful Frijoles Charros (red bean soup). The mixed grill for two will feed 4 normal people. Not open until 5 P.M., it attracts a regular local crowd.
Food Carts at the Zocalo
These carts are there in the morning and leave when they are sold out, usually before 11:00 A.M. Tacos and sandwiches (tortas) of pork, chicken, beef and shrimp, with great hot sauces. Go to the cart with the biggest crowd, telling you which is the best. Great breakfast for $2 to $3. Amazing fresh squeezed orange as well.
Makech
Good, cheap, real Mexican lunches as well as fresh juices and aguas.
Pizza Pazza
This place has awesome slices of pizza and seems to be popping up outlets all over town.
Pozoleria Mi Abuelita
This small and friendly Posole house has a small menu but specializes in pork and Chicken Posole, which is quite tasty. It is accompanied by a three-tiered plate of chips and chiles and additions, and for $50 Pesos, is a very good bargain.
Breakfast and Sandwich Shops
La Cueva Del Chango
This place is a little out of the way but well worth it. Generally regarded as Playa's standout breakfast destination. Homemade Granola served with fresh fruit and yogurt. Eggs with cheese and Chaya, served with homemade tortillas. Excellent Chilaquiles. Fresh squeezed juices and great coffee. They are also open for lunch and dinner. Hand-built by the owners with great funky style. A Perfect way to start the day. Also open for excellent lunches and dinners.
La Ceiba
Local place with excellent Chilaquiles, egg dishes and Tortas. Huge smoothies and large portions at excellent prices. Well recommended by locals. After lunch or breakfast, visit DAC, the excellent fruits and vegetables, specialty items and artisan breads. Try buying some of the local goat cheese, it rivals French Chevre.
Tropical
Wonderful Chiapas pressed coffee, some of the best we have had. Fruit plates, killer fresh/healthy juice drinks, eggs and Mexican plates. Good service, great people watching. Also open for lunch and dinner.
Tortas Alejandra
Small place that makes the BEST Tortas (sandwiches) we have ever had. They are huge and the rolls are super soft to absorb all the great flavors. Great for the beach, day trips or the plane flight home, you won't be disappointed. 20 combinations and fresh juices/sodas available.
Restaurants
Ah Cacao
Coffee, chocolate and ice cream, what more does one need in life? Air conditioned indoor seating as well as patio tables. Truly the best brownies ever!
Babes Noodle Bar
Many regulars swear by this Thai/Swedish influenced noodle bar. Great spring rolls, meatballs, Pad Thai, cold beer and good tropical drinks.
Byblos
At night, this adorable French Bistro is decorated in white with little white lights and candlelight. Highlights include starters such as garlicky Escargot and French Onion Soup. The menu is rotating so expect different offerings for entrees such as grilled Grouper, Veal Chop with wild mushrooms or seared Tuna. Wine list, cocktails and delicious desserts. If you go, jump in and don't hold back. Open for pre-fix, inexpensive lunch as well.
Carboncitos
American owned but run by local Mexicans. Tacos al pastor, grilled meats, shrimp. Excellent service, great drinks, small but good wine list. In the tourist zone but cool. Good for families and groups of friends. They also have a finished roof top area that is great for receptions. Highly recommended.
Cocteleria El Pirata
This is another Pescaderia where the fish comes in fresh every day and it fills up around one in the afternoon. All seafood, the Ceviche is the best in town as is the whole fried fish. Walk next door to pick out the fish you want from large chest coolers. The house specialty is Salpicon, a fish stew full of shrimp, scallops and squid in a delicious red sauce. Reasonable prices and a true local flavor. Some waiters can speak English. Very cold beer. Beware of the vinegary Habaneros.
El Asador de Manolo
It serves Mexican and Argentinean specialties, delicious grilled meats, and Empanadas. The prices are reasonable and the service is good. Great steaks, short ribs, and the fish filet in Chile sauce is excellent.
Fusion
It serves Mexican and Argentinean specialties, delicious grilled meats, and Empanadas. The prices are reasonable and the service is good. Great steaks, short ribs, and the fish filet in Chile sauce is excellent.
Fusion
Wonderful spot overlooking the ocean. The food is always very good, and the staff very friendly. The beach tables have been expanded since the beach was enlarged, and they have good (but not too loud) music every night. Very romantic, dining and dancing on a candle-lit beach.
Glass Bar
This is a white tablecloth fairly expensive restaurant that is worth the price. Great for people watching and the octopus Ceviche is to die for. Very extensive wine cellar for oenophiles.
La Kalaka
Opened in 2008, good service, great food, wine list. The menu varies, but Everything is always excellent. Small, only eight tables.
La Pummarola
Wood fired pizzas, excellent salads, pasta dishes, specials and rotating wine list. This is a real bit of Italy in Playa, and after 9 P.M., you may hear only Italian being spoken. A great family place for dinner or an intimate table for two. **NOTE** The pasta tends to be very al dente, you might want to ask for a little extra cooking time.
La Tarraya
Overlooking the beach, the location is a great and the restaurant is a throw back to the old days of Playa. Traditional Mexican fare with an emphasis on Seafood. Cold beers, strong Margaritas and rock bottom low prices will leave you pleasantly surprised. Wine available as well.
Las Cazuelas
Four tables and a chalk board menu, but do not be deceived. Miguel is from Spain, and he makes the best Paella in Playa, and he is also one of those lovable characters that make casual dining an adventure of the spirit. Various Spanish tapas in the evening and a varied menu that changes with what is available in the markets. The seafood is always fresh and done impeccably. Reasonable and friendly, this rates 4 stars for the Paella alone.
Los Aguaschiles
Inexpensive Seafood tacos of high quality, cooked healthfully (not fried). Choice of corn or flour tortillas as well as crispy tostadas and bib lettuce (healthy wrap). Newly expanded and freshened up, this open air place has some of the most interesting seafood in town. Cold beer available.
Manne's Biergarten
More than just a German pub. Wednesday night is rib night and Friday's is pork roast. Closed Tuesdays.. A full menu of Mexican and German favorites, Manne's has been a favorite of the Playa regulars for years. Newly instituted and very popular is their carved roast beef dinners served on Sunday nights. Watch out for the house made Tequila!
Patio 8
Large open air restaurant in the heart of Playa. This restaurant serves up savory contemporary dishes in a hip, lively surrounding. Creative Mexican Cuisine, signature cocktails, beer and wine.
Sur
Another fine Argentine grill just off 5th Avenue, this is a beautiful place with a nice bar. Good food, extensive wine list with street side dining and upstairs as well. Good for people watching.
