Best Restaurants Over the Highway in Playa del Carmen: Hidden Gems Guide
The best restaurants "over the highway" in Playa del Carmen offer authentic Mexican food at 60-220 pesos per plate, Cocina Casera Don Rodrigo (100-200 pesos, traditional mole/cochinita), Los Tacos de Pablo (60-120 pesos, best value street tacos), and Restaurante Yucatan (110-220 pesos, panuchos/lime soup). "Over the highway" means inland from tourist zones where locals eat and prices are authentic. These hidden gems on Avenida 20, 30, and 35 are worth the short journey from downtown.
Top Restaurants Over the Highway
Cocina Casera Don Rodrigo
Location: Avenida 20 Sur, between Calles 14 and 16, Inland area
Phone: +52 984-206-7890
Cuisine: Traditional Mexican home cooking
Hours: 10am-10pm daily
Price Range: 100-200 pesos per plate
Specialties: Mole negro, cochinita pibil, tamales, pozole
Atmosphere: Family-run, colorful, authentic local vibe
Why Choose: Best traditional Mexican food, excellent value, real local experience
Mercadito Local Playa
Location: Avenida 20 Sur and Calle 20, Inland
Phone: +52 984-206-8765
Cuisine: Contemporary Mexican street food
Hours: 12pm-11pm Tuesday-Sunday, Closed Monday
Price Range: 120-250 pesos per plate
Specialties: Tacos, ceviches, fresh seafood, craft cocktails
Atmosphere: Modern local marketplace vibe, open kitchen
Why Choose: Quality ingredients, local focus, innovative Mexican cuisine
Los Tacos de Pablo
Location: Avenida 30, between Calles 16 and 18, Inland
Phone: +52 984-206-5432
Cuisine: Authentic street tacos
Hours: 11am-10pm daily
Price Range: 60-120 pesos per plate
Specialties: Carne asada tacos, al pastor, fresh salsas
Atmosphere: Casual, no-frills, busy with locals
Why Choose: Best value, authentic tacos, incredible fresh ingredients
Restaurante Yucatán
Location: Avenida 35, between Calles 12 and 14, Far Inland
Phone: +52 984-206-3210
Cuisine: Yucatecan specialties
Hours: 11am-10pm daily
Price Range: 110-220 pesos per plate
Specialties: Panuchos, sope, lime soup, slow-roasted meats
Atmosphere: Traditional Yucatecan decor, family-friendly
Why Choose: Authentic Yucatecan food, excellent value, local favorite
La Ruta del Marisco
Location: Avenida 25, between Calles 20 and 22, Inland
Phone: +52 984-206-4444
Cuisine: Fresh seafood
Hours: 12pm-11pm daily
Price Range: 150-300 pesos per plate
Specialties: Whole grilled fish, seafood cocktails, ceviches
Atmosphere: Casual, bright, popular with locals
Why Choose: Freshest seafood, reasonable prices, excellent quality
Budget-Friendly Gems (Under 150 pesos)
Comedor Económico El Carmen
Location: Avenida 15, between Calles 26 and 28
Hours: 8am-4pm Monday-Saturday
Price: 80-130 pesos
Style: Casual Mexican lunch counter
Taquería La Península
Location: Avenida 30, between Calles 30 and 32
Hours: 5pm-11pm daily
Price: 60-100 pesos
Style: Street tacos, grilled meats
Quesadillas Doña Rosa
Location: Avenida 20, between Calles 32 and 34
Hours: 9am-8pm daily
Price: 50-90 pesos
Style: Fresh homemade quesadillas and tamales
Local Markets with Food Stalls
Mercado 28
Location: Avenida Tulum, between Calles 28 and 30
Hours: 7am-7pm daily
Price Range: 40-120 pesos per meal
Experience: Authentic local market with multiple food vendors, fresh fruits, and international products
Mercado Urbano Playa
Location: Avenida 40, between Calles 12 and 14
Hours: 10am-8pm daily
Price Range: 80-150 pesos per meal
Experience: Modern market with high-quality vendors, cleaner than traditional markets
What "Over the Highway" Means
Geography: The main highway (Federal Highway 307) divides Playa del Carmen. Tourist restaurants cluster on the beach side; local restaurants are inland.
Characteristics: Lower prices, no English menus, authentic Mexican cuisine, family-run establishments, fresh ingredients from local markets.
Best For: Adventurous eaters, budget travelers, those wanting real local experiences, people seeking authentic food.
Tips for Dining Over the Highway
Language: Many restaurants have no English menus. Learn basic food words or use a translation app.
Hours: Many close between 2-5pm for afternoon siesta. Lunch (1-3pm) and dinner (7-10pm) are peak times.
Payment: Many are cash-only. Have pesos ready. ATMs are available nearby.
Safety: These are safe, family-oriented neighborhoods. Go during business hours and use common sense.
Transportation: Taxi from beach costs 50-80 pesos. Ride-sharing apps work well. Buses run along Avenidas 20 and 30.
Food Categories Over the Highway
Authentic Mexican
Cocina Casera Don Rodrigo and Restaurante Yucatán offer genuine Mexican home cooking not found in tourist areas.
Fresh Seafood
La Ruta del Marisco provides excellent quality at half the price of beachfront restaurants.
Street Food and Tacos
Los Tacos de Pablo and various taco stands offer the best value and most authentic experience.
Contemporary Local
Mercadito Local Playa combines local ingredients with modern techniques.
Price Comparison: Beach vs. Over the Highway
Beachfront Restaurant: Fish fillet 350-500 pesos + drinks + tip = 500-700 pesos total
Over the Highway: Whole grilled fish 200 pesos + fresh juice 30 pesos = 230 pesos total
Savings: 60-70% less expensive for similar or better quality
Recommendations by Visit Type
First Time Over the Highway
Start at Mercadito Local Playa - still upscale but authentically local. No language barrier, good food quality, reasonable prices.
Budget Travelers
Hit the markets or Los Tacos de Pablo. 60-100 pesos for satisfying meals.
Food Adventurers
Cocina Casera Don Rodrigo and Restaurante Yucatán for real traditional food experiences.
Seafood Lovers
La Ruta del Marisco for fresh catch at local prices.
Local Secrets
Ask Your Hotel/Host: They know the best neighborhood spots. Most have favorite local restaurants.
Follow Locals: Where are the lunch crowds? That's where good food is.
Market Exploration: Walk through markets, see what looks fresh, ask vendors for recommendations.
Facebook Groups: "Playa del Carmen Dining" and expat groups share current favorites and new openings.
Combination Dining Strategy
One special beachfront dinner: Sunset, ocean views, celebrate something (400-600 pesos)
Regular meals over the highway: Breakfast, lunch, casual dinners (100-200 pesos each)
Weekend markets: Fresh food shopping, market meals (50-100 pesos)
This balanced approach gives you the best of both worlds at good value.
Conclusion
Some of Playa del Carmen's best food exists away from the tourist zones. Over the highway restaurants offer authentic cuisine, excellent value, and real local atmosphere. Whether you're seeking budget meals or genuine Mexican cooking, these hidden gems deliver exceptional experiences for a fraction of beachfront prices. Take the short journey inland and discover where locals actually eat.
Related Playa del Carmen Guides
Restaurant over the highway? List your business on ExpatsList.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does over the highway mean in Playa del Carmen?
What are the best local restaurants in Playa del Carmen?
Are restaurants over the highway safe in Playa del Carmen?
From Buenos Aires, Argentina
| 
Living in Playa del Carmen, Mexico Buenos Aires roots, Playa del Carmen life. Sharing travel stories and connecting with the expat community along the Riviera Maya.
View Full ProfileFound this helpful?
Join the conversation. Share your own tips, experiences, or questions with the expat community.
Your blog could reach thousands too
More Blogs About Playa del Carmen
Report an Issue
Help us improve our listings
Report Submitted
Thank you for helping us maintain quality listings. We'll review your report shortly.
Submission Failed
Something went wrong. Please try again.
Sign In Required
Please sign in to report an issue. This helps us follow up on your report if needed.
