Top 5 Restaurants in Playa del Carmen That Expats Love

Expats in Playa del Carmen have discovered exceptional restaurants that offer comfort food, quality dining, and authentic international cuisines. These are the top five restaurants beloved by the expat community.

Top 5 Restaurants Expats Love

1. La Cueva del Chango

Location: Calle 38 Nte. Mz. 4-Lote 3, Zazil-ha

Operating nearly 20 years, La Cueva del Chango offers a lush, tropical vibe with its own mini waterfall, fishpond, exotic birds, and green surroundings. Known for excellent breakfast and their signature mole dish, this restaurant captures the essence of expat dining in paradise.

Website: lacuevadelchango.com

Price Range: $$$

2. Don Chendo

Location: 30 Avenida Nte, C. 24 Nte & Gonzalo Guerrero

Features Playa del Carmen's only Chicago-style deep-dish pizza and Italian entrées. Open Mon-Sat 3:00 PM-10:50 PM; Sun 3:00 PM-10:00 PM. This is a favorite among expats seeking comfort food and hearty Italian cuisine.

Website: don-chendo.com

Price Range: $$

Hours: Mon-Sat 3-10:50 PM, Sun 3-10 PM

3. Papa Charly

Location: Calle 30 Nte LB, Gonzalo Guerrero

Daily menu at $6 USD includes starter, main course, and beverage. Vegetarian and vegan options available. Papa Charly offers excellent value for budget-conscious expats seeking affordable, quality meals.

Facebook: papacharly.pdc

Price Range: $$ (Daily menu $6 USD)

4. Manne's Biergarten

Location: Calle 4 Nte S/N, Centro

Specializes in hearty and authentic German food and beer. Notable for Sunday roast offerings. Perfect for expats craving authentic German cuisine in a welcoming biergarten atmosphere.

Facebook: ManneSusie

Price Range: $$

5. Los Tabernacos

Location: Calle 10 Entre 10 Y, 15 Avenida Nte

Quebec sports bar featuring ice hockey broadcasts and poutine. A favorite among Canadian and North American expats. Perfect for watching games while enjoying home-style comfort food.

Facebook: LosTabernacos

Price Range: $$

Why Expats Love These Restaurants

• Diverse cuisine options satisfying various tastes
• Quality food at reasonable prices
• Friendly atmospheres welcoming to expat community
• Familiar comfort foods from home countries
• Strong connections to local expat social scene
• Reliable service and consistency

Dining Tips for Expats

Many restaurants offer lunch specials and happy hour pricing. Building relationships with restaurant owners often leads to better service and special deals. Join local expat groups on social media for restaurant recommendations and meetups. Most restaurants accept both cash and card payments. Tipping 10-15% is customary for good service.

Finding Your Favorite

These restaurants represent the diverse dining scene that makes Playa del Carmen special for expats. From Italian pizza to German beer to Canadian comfort food, you'll find culinary reminders of home alongside Mexican and international cuisine.