Cancun/ Riviera Maya: 14 Best-Rated Restaurants To Explore

People from all across the world travel to Riviera Maya to enjoy an unforgettable vacation. But what makes this even more special besides its beautiful beaches, historic treasures, and amazing nightlife - it’s their delicious delicacies!

You can find plenty of amazing places, from small vendors to fancy restaurante in Riviera Maya, to satisfy the thirst of your palate. But what do you eat at these authentic restaurants or food joints??

Ummmmm????

Confused??

Worry not!

We have listed some of the most authentic Riviera Maya dishes you must not miss on vacation. 

So, without any further ado, let’s get started! 

1. Elote Esquites

🔺 Either steamed or roasted, dressed with the toppings of your choice. 
🔺 The best way is to have it slathered in cream, cheese, and chili.

Best Place - 
There are several amazing vendors in Parque de lad Palapas downtown on Avenida Tulum after 4 in the evening.

2. Yucatecan Sikil Pak

🔺 Ground up Pepitas (pumpkin seeds), habanero chili, cilantro, lime juice, roasted tomatoes and onion
🔺 Quick and easy to prepare, this spicy, nutty dip is best to enjoy with tortillas or fresh vegetables. 
🔺 The name “Sikil P’ak” comes from the Mayan words “sikil,” meaning pumpkin seed, and “p’ak,” meaning tomato.

Best Place - 
Taquería Paquita Comida Yucateca in Playa del Carmen is the best street vendor. Here, you can enjoy Sikil P’ak as an appetizer or a dip with the rest of your meal from 7 - 10 AM every day besides Wednesday.

3. Motulean Eggs

🔺 A most traditional breakfast dish originated from Yucatán. 
🔺 Flavorful with fried eggs, a bed of fried tortillas, black beans, tomato sauce, ham, cheese, and peas.
🔺 It has a combination of all the contrasting ingredients.

Best Place - 
Although it is originally from Motul, Yucatán, it is very popular among every corner of this tourist oasis. 

4. Ceviche

🔺 Commonly served with shrimp, fish, octopus or snails.
🔺 Ceviche’s marinade ingredients include salt, lime, onion, chili peppers, avocado, and cilantro (coriander).
🔺 Quite popular among foreigners and locals alike.

Best Place - 
From Cassa Ceviche to Mariscos la cueva del pez maya, there are many amazing places to enjoy delicious ceviche in Playa del Carmen. 

5. Cochinita Pibil

🔺 Characterized by its Mayan influences and unique ingredients, such as achiote, a condiment that gives the pork its distinctive red color.
🔺 The recipe uses the traditional preparation method, in which the pork is roasted in an underground oven.
🔺 This stew has a unique and unrepeatable flavor, somewhat earthy, smoky and sweet.

Best Place - 
Merida might be THE place; however, Taqueria Honorio in Tulum honors this delicious option. 

6. Tikin Xic Fish

🔺 Pronounced “teekeen sheek” 
🔺 In Mayan, Tikin means “Dry thing,” and Xiik Ala “Fish Fin” could be translated as “Dry Fish.”
🔺 The whole fish is marinated in a vibrant achiote paste made from crushed annatto seeds. 

Best Place - 
The absolute best place for Tikin Xic Fish is the restaurant at the Posada Del Mar hotel. Besides, Playa Lancheros and Playa Tiburón are also amazing spots but quite touristy.

7. Poc Chuc

🔺 Signature dish of the Yucatán.
🔺 Pork is prepared in citrus marinade and cooked over a grill.
🔺 Often served with a side of rice, pickled onion, refried beans, and avocado. 

Best Place - 
Tutul-xiu in Ticul is the best place to enjoy Poc Chuc. However, you can find this amazing dish on the menus of the restaurants in Riviera Maya.

8. Arrachera

🔺 Refers to skirt steak.
🔺 Steak marinated in Mexican spices, grilled to perfection, and served in tacos or fajitas! 
🔺 A popular dish in Mexico, becoming increasingly popular in the United States.
🔺 This prized cut is sourced from the belly area of the cow, offering a perfect balance of tenderness and rich marbling.

Best Place - 
EL CHULETÓN, Sonora Prime Playa del Carmen, and El Fogón are the three most popular spots in Playa del Carmen for trying out the best Arrachera in Mexico. 

9. Chilaquiles

🔺 Originated to use “day old” tortilla chips 
🔺 Tortilla is baked, if not bathed, in salsa  (green or red) with onions, crème, cheese, beans and either chicken or a fried egg on top for protein.
🔺 You may find different versions of it anywhere you try!

Best Place - 
La Organica and Petit Lafitte are the best places to find delicious chilaquile in Playa del Carmen. However, Casa de Corazon is most famous for this dish in Soliman Bay.  

10. Lime Soup

🔺 The flavor of the lime in this delicacy is sweeter and more aromatic than acidic.
🔺  Chicken soup flavored with fiery habanero, cinnamon, clove, cumin, oregano and tangy limes.
🔺 It is accompanied by pieces of fried corn tortilla. 

Best Place - 
Try this amazingly healthy and delicious soup at The Viceroy or La Cueva del Chango. Don’t forget to reserve your table in advance!

11. Guacamole

🔺 An avocado-based dip, spread, or salad
🔺 Mashed avocados, tomatoes, onion, cilantro, lemon juice, and jalapeño pepper, seasoned with salt and pepper. 
🔺 Served with tortilla chips at every Mexican restaurant.

Best Place - 
From Agave to El Fogon and Restaurant Frida to Zitla Playa, there is no place in the entire Mexico that doesn’t serve their trademark dip - Guacamole!

12. Artisan Ice Cream

🔺 Hand-made ice cream made by the artisan, giving it the traditional taste.
🔺 Flavorsome, and widely available from local stores, fancy-brand parlors, and street vendors
🔺 Served in cones (made from a crunchy wafer), tubs, or Styrofoam cups.  

Best Place - 
Playa del Carmen is a hub of restaurants and ice cream studios that offer the best of this Artisan Ice Cream. Each place may offer it uniquely, including Jessie Gelato, Amorino, or PIACERE Gelato Artesanal. 

13. Kibi

🔺  Offers a fusion of Mediterranean and Mexican cuisine.
🔺  Made from rough ground wheat and filled with different meats, cheese and mint, then fried.
🔺  Served with pickled onions and habanero pepper.

Best Place - 
There are so many amazing Riviera Maya, Mexico restaurants where you can enjoy delicious Kibi, including Quinto, Kibi Kibi Restaurant, Restaurante Chaká, and Le Chique Restaurant.

14. Tamales

🔺 Made of masa (a dough made from nixtamalized corn), which is steamed in a corn husk
🔺 Wrapping can either be discarded before eating or used as a plate.
🔺 This delicacy has over 600 variants, ranging from fillings like different meats, salsas, vegetables or fruits. 

Best Place - 
It may be hard to name a few of the best restaurants in Riviera Maya, as every place has a different flavor of this Meso-American delicacy.

15. Churros

🔺 Made with choux pastry dough piped to fry in hot oil 
🔺 The piping bag has a unique large closed star tip for creating its twisted shape.
🔺 Bit like doughnuts, though they are more crispy.
🔺 Eaten as they are, dipped in hot chocolate or rolled in cinnamon sugar.

Best Place - 
From street vendors to fancy restaurante, you can find Churros all over Mexico. 

16. Empanadas

🔺 Flavorful beef filling encased in starchy dough.
🔺 Serve with a side of garlic green beans, a simple salad, or salsa
🔺 Fried or baked, whatever your preference, you can find them. 

Best Place - 
El Sudaca in Tulum, El Sudaca in Playa del Carmen, and many more. The number of the best restaurants in Riviera Maya, Mexico, is endless.