Playa del Carmen Restaurants
Click on any photo on this page to enlarge it for a full view.Playa del Carmen has enough restaurants to satisfy every taste and budget. Besides great local Mexican food, you'll find outstanding Italian, Argentinian, French, Japanese, and other international cuisines. Fresh seafood, sushi and vegetarian meals can easily be found in Playa del Carmen.
There are several great coffee shops for a mocha cappucino kickstart, and you don't even need to leave your beach chair to enjoy lunch while watching the vibrant Caribbean Sea. Wherever you stay in Playa del Carmen, there will be more dining options within walking distance than you will have time to experience during your stay.
The following Playa del Carmen restaurants are recommended by ILovePlaya:
Coffee Shops
Java Joes serves steaming hot coffee, cappucinos, and lattes along with croissants and rolls. Grab an outdoor table, or take your coffee to go and enjoy it on the beach while watching the morning sunrise. Java Joes serves fresh milk with coffee.
Java Joe's is on Calle 10 between 5th and 10th Avenues.
Java Joe's Website
Service can be a little bit slower than Joes, and they serve powdered creamer, but the cups are larger.
Cafe Sasta is located on 5th Avenue between Calles 8 and 10.
Breakfast
Cafe Tropical serves delicious breakfast omelettes along with a nice variety of fresh, blended juice beverages. A streetside table on the upper level offers a nice view of 5th Avenue coming alive as the sun rises early in the morning.
Cafe Tropical is located on 5th Avenue between Calles 8 and 10.
Lunch
La Playa means: beach. Beachside hotels and restaurants serve lunch right at your lounge chair. Otherwise, just walk along the beach, grab a table in the sand, and enjoy lunch and a bucket of chilled beer while letting the sounds and sights of the sea take over your senses.
Dinner
Live, relaxing music at a table under the palapa. Friendly, attentive service and a large menu of fresh Angus Beef dishes, Mayan cuisine, fresh salads and seafood prepared at your table. Ajua is a delight at reasonable prices.
Recommended: Mayan Lobster and Mayan Coffee, both prepared tableside.
Ajua is located between 5th and 10th Avenues at Calle 4.
Ajua's Online Menu
Extremely popular restaurant featuring delicious Thai Cuisine.Recommended: Crab Rolls, Pesto Noodles and the Mojito cocktails.
Babe's Noodles is located on Calle 10 between 5th and 10th Avenues.
Babe's Noodles second location is at 5th Avenue between Calles 28 and 30.
Babe's Online Menu
A lively restaurant serving large portions of Mexican Dishes. This very popular restaurant serves a fabulous Mexican Coffee, too.
Recommended: Mexican Plate.
Las Palapas Hemingway is located on 5th Avenue between Calles 12 and 14.
Authentic Mexican Restaurants
Very reasonably priced Mexican restaurant, just a short walk from 5th Avenue.
Recommended dish: Steak and Chicken Mole plate served with rice, beans, guacamole and tortillas for about $6.50.
El Serape is located on Juarez Avenue and Calle 20.
Cheap, authentic, right off of 5th Avenue and serves food well past midnight. I'm not sure if this is the actual name. It's located right across from the Mambo Cafe.
Recommended dish: Tacos al Pastor Plate.
Tacos el Rey is located on Calle 6 between 5th and 10th Avenues.
Want the best Mexican food...walk a block or two off of 5th Avenue and stop by one of the many small Taqueria's for Tacos El Pastor. You haven't had Mexican food until you've tried them, and the prices are very low!
Some of the employees at restaurants located outside of the tourist zone don't speak English. Print the Dining Out Spanish Phrases to take along with you!
Walk over around the Zocalo (Main Square) in Playa del Carmen and sample fresh fruits, sweets and delicous tamales from the streetside vendors.
The Main Square is located near the Ferry Pier just off of 5th Avenue and Juarez.
More Restaurants
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Dining in Playa del Carmen |
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| Restaurant | Location and Info | ||
| Aca Los Tacos | 5th Avenue and Constituyentes Authentic Mexican. |
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| Alux Cave Online Menu |
On Juarez Ave about 5 blocks west of Hwy. 307 Romantic restaurant uniquely located inside of a cave. Live music, dancing. |
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| Apasionado | 5th Avenue and Calle 14 Live Jazz in the evenings. Dancing. |
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| Asadero el Pollo | 20th Avenue and Calle 2 Cheap place for roast chicken. |
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| Aquimichu | Calle 38 towards the beach Authentic Mexican. |
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| Biergarten | Calle 4 Between Avenues 10 and 15 | ||
| Blue Lobster | 5th Avenue and Calle 12 Popular, upscale restaurant for live lobster. |
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| Bip Bip | Constituyentes Av. towards the beach | ||
Blue Parrot |
Calle 12 on the beach Casual dining right on the beach. Outdoor dancefloor and DJ in the evenings. |
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| Buenos Aires | Calle 6 between 5th and 10th Avenues Argentinian steakhouse. |
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| Byblos | Calle 14 between 5th and 10th Avenues Quaint, charming romantic French Restaurant. |
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| Cafe Corazon | 5th Avenue between Calles 28 and 30 Coffee shop. |
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| Caffee Roma | Juarez Avenue, between 5th Avenue and the beach. Italian. |
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| Cafe de la Luna | Calle 4 between Avenues 10 and 12 | ||
| Cafe Zol | Constituyentes Ave. between Avenues 10 and 12 | ||
| Carboncitos | Calle 4 between 5th and 10th Avenues Authentic, local Mexican food. |
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| Carlos & Charlies | Plaza Peseo del Carmen-near the Ferry Chain restaurant and bar. |
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| Casa Mediterranea | 5th Ave between Calles 6 and 8 | ||
| Crepes Factory | 5th Ave between Calles 24 and 25 | ||
| Chicago Don Jose | Calle 6 between Aves 5 and 10 Argentinian dishes. |
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| China City | HWY 307-one block North of Constituyentes Chinese. |
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| Chuchi's Deli | 1st Ave between Calles 12 and 14 | ||
| Cocteleria el Paisano Veracruz | West of Highway 307 on Juarez Avenue Authentic Mexican. |
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| Da Bruno | 5th Ave and Calle 12 Popular Italian restaurant. Recommended dish: Mahi-Mahi. |
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| Diaz 100% Tacos | 15th Avenue between Calle 1 Sur and Juarez Authentic Mexican. |
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| Don Emilione | 5th Ave between Juarez and Calle 2 Full, varied menu. |
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| Dona's Empanadas | 15th Avenue between Calles 2 and 4 Authentic Mexican. |
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| Dona Mary | 30th Avenue and Calle 28 Authentic Mexican. |
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| Dr. Taco | 10th Ave between Calles 8 and 10 Popular place for tacos. |
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| El Almendro | Calle 4 between 5th and 10th Avenues Mexican dishes and seafood. |
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| El Asador Online Menu |
10th Ave between Calles 24 and 26 Argentinian Cuisine. |
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| El Cejas | Calle 24 between 25th and 30th Avenues Authentic Mexican. |
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| El Chino | Calle 4 between 10th and 15th Avenues Authentic Mexican. |
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| El Emporio | Calle 33 between 3rd and 5th Avenues Argentinian Cuisine. |
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| El Faisán y El Venado | Highway 307 near Juarez Avenue Authentic Mexican. |
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| El Fogón | Highway 307 near Juarez Avenue and, 30th Avenue near Calle 4 Authentic Mexican. |
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| El Gusto Jarocho | 30th Ave between Juarez and Calle 2 Authentic Mexican. |
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| El Oasis Mariscos | Calle 12 between Aves 5 and 10 Legendary around Playa for inexpensive Shrimp Tacos. |
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| El Ole | 5th Avenue between Calles 28 and 30 35th Avenue between Calles 30 and 32 Authentic Mexican. |
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| El Pastorcito | 30th Avenue between Calles 28 and 30 Tacos Pastor and local Mexican fare. |
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| El Pirata | Between Calles 10 and 12 on the beach Located at the Costa del Mar beach hotel. |
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| El Santuario | 15th Avenue between Calles 12 and 14 Authentic Mexican. |
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| El Tacolote | Juarez Ave between 5th Ave and the beach | ||
| El Trapiche | 5th Avenue and Calle 28 Traditional Mexican food. |
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| Enosteria | 5th Ave between calles 28 and 30 Italian and Mexican food with a wine and cocktail bar. |
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| Fujiyama | 5th Ave between Calles 6 and 8 | ||
| Glass Bar | 5th Ave and Calle 12 International. |
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| Giallo Limone | 5th Avenue and Calle 28 Italian, French and seafood. |
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| HC de Monterrey | Calle 1 between 20th and 25th Avenues Argentinian restaurant. |
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| Hong Kong | HWY 307, South of Juarez Chinese. |
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| Hot Baking Company | Calle 10 between Aves 5 and 10 Popular place for coffee and fresh, baked cinnamon rolls. |
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| Idea Pasta | 5th Ave between Calles 12 and 14 | ||
| Jaguar | 5th Ave between Calles 2 and 4 | ||
| Jardin Limones | 5th Ave between Calles 6 and 8 Pretty, romantic setting in a tree-filled courtyard. |
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| John Grays | Calle Corazon-5th Avenue and Calle 14 Casual dining. |
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| Karen's Pizza | 5th Ave between calles 2 and 4. Pizza, live music, dancing and 2x1 drinks. Karen's is currently closed, with no further info at this time. |
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| Kartabar Online Menu |
1st Ave and Calle 12 | ||
| Kabuki Sushi | Calle 8 between 5th Avenue and the beach Uh, sushi! |
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| La Adelita | Calle 10 between 5th and 10th Avenues Authentic Mexican. |
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| La Bodeguita del Medio | Paseo del Carmen Mall Cuban dishes. |
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| La Cabaña | Constituyentes-between 5th Ave and the beach | ||
| La Diez | 10th Avenue and Calle 8 Restaurant/bar with your own beer taps right on your table. |
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| Las Cacerolas | 15th Avenue between Calles 4 and 6 Authentic Mexican. |
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| La Caprichoza | 5th Avenue between Calles 12 and 14 Mexican. |
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| La Carreta | 30th Avenue and Calle 28 Authentic Mexican. |
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| La Casa de Piedra | Calle 6 between 5th and 10th Avenues, and 35th Avenue between Calles 30 and 32 Authentic Mexican. |
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| La Casa del Agua | Corner of 5th Avenue and Calle 2, upstairs Pretty, romantic restaurant with seating overlooking 5th Avenue. |
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| La Cueva de Changa | Calle 33 between 5th and 3rd Avenues Playa regulars rave about the breakfasts as well as the restaurant's jungle-like surroundings. |
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| La Floresta | West Side of Highway 307 Favorite spot of locals and regular visitors for shrimp and fish tacos. Very inexpensive and non-touristy. |
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| La Parilla Online Menu |
5th Avenue and Calle 8 Very popular Mexican restaurant. |
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| La Pummarola | Between Calles 38 and 40 on Calle Flamingo Pizza and Italian. |
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| La Rucola Online Menu |
Calle 26 between 5th and 10th Avenues Italian and Seafood. |
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| La Siesta | 1st Ave between Calles 12 and 14 | ||
| La Taberna | Corner of 10th and 4th Authentic Mexican. |
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| La Tasca | Constituyentes between 10th and 15th Avenues Spanish Cuisine. |
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| La Tarraya | Beachfront between Calles 2 and 4 | ||
| La Vagabunda Online Menu |
5th Ave between Calles 24 and 26 | ||
| La Bamba Jarocha | 30th Avenue and Calle 36 Authentic Mexican. |
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| Las Brisas | Calle 4 between 5th and 10th Avenues Seafood. |
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| Las Delicias | 5th Ave and Calle 22. Traditional Mexican dishes. |
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| La Hora Feliz | 5th Ave and Calle 26. Italian. |
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| Las Mañanitas Online Menu |
5th Ave between Calles 4 and 6 | ||
| Le Bistrot | Alhambra Hotel-8th Street and the beach Mexican. |
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| Los Almendros | 10th Avenue and Calle 6 or 8 Authentic Mexican. |
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| Los Comerciales | 5th Ave and Calle 24 | ||
| Los Rancheros | 5th Ave between Calles 4 and 6 Live mariachi music in the evenings and ocean views from a rooftop patio. |
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| Los Tulipanes | 5th Ave and Calle 4 | ||
| Magdalena's Grillhouse | 1st Avenue and Calle 26 | ||
| Mama Natura | 5th Avenue, north of Constituyentes Fresh foods and vegetarian items. |
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| Makech | 1st street south near 10th Avenue Authentic Mexican dishes. |
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| Maktub Cafe | 5th Ave between Calles 28 and 30 Mediterranean cuisine. |
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| Mama Natura | 5th Ave between Constituyents and Calle 20 | ||
Media Luna |
5th Ave between Calles 12 and 14 | ||
| Nativo | 30th Avenue, north of Constituyentes Mexican breakfast. |
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| Nubambu | Calle 8 between 5th and 10th Avenues Thai food. |
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| Pancho Villas | Calle 10 between 5th Avenue and the beach. Traditional Mexican. |
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| Pescador Mexicano | Calle 10 between 5th Ave and the beach | ||
| Pizza Pazza | Several locations around downtown Playa Pizza by the slice. |
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| Playasia Online Menu |
5th Ave and Calle 12 (Former site of Pancho's, then Frida Bar) Owned by Blue Parrot, featuring sushi, Japanese and Pan-Asian dining. |
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| Renzo's Pizza | 5th Avenue between Calles 24 and 26 Pizza, Italian. |
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| Rincon de Playa | 5th Ave and Calle 14 | ||
| Ristorante Ambasciata D'Italia | 5th Avenue and Calle 24 Italian restaurant. |
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| Ristorante L'Espresso | Constituyentes between 10th and 15th Avenues Italian. |
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| Rolandi's | Paseo del Carmen, near the ferry. Italian restaurant. |
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| Segafredo Expresso | Paseo del Carmen Mall Coffee shop. |
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Señor Frogs Online Menu |
Next to the Ferry Dock Dancing at night, live music on occasion. |
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| Señor Tacombi Web Site |
Calle 12 between 5th and 10th Avenues Authentic Mexican food served out of a spiffed-up Volkswagon van. Open 24 hours. |
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| Sol Food | Calle 8 between 5th Avenue and the beach |
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| Sun'n Sand | Calle 4 between Aves 15 and 20 | ||
| Sur | 5th Ave and Calle Corazon | ||
| Sushi Ken | Calle 24 between 5th and 10th Avenues Japanese. |
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| Sushi-Tlan | 5th Ave and Calle Corazon | ||
| Tacos Arabe-Isreal | Corner of 15th Avenue and Calle 10 Authentic Mexican. |
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| Tango Taco | Calle 10 between 10th and 15th Avenues Mexican food. |
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| Tequila Barrel | 5th Ave between Calles 10 and 12 Popular watering hole with large selection of liquor. |
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| Thai Mid | Constituyentes and 10th Avenue Thai food. |
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| Tropicalito | 10th Avenue between calles 6 and 8 Authentic Mexican. |
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| Tuliapanes | 5th Ave between Calles 14 and 16 | ||
100% Natural |
5th Ave between Calles 10 and 12 Very pretty and popular, offering good vegetarian dishes. |
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| Ula Gula | 5th Ave and Calle 10 | ||
| Viva la Vaca | 5th Avenue between Calles 6 and 8 Argentinian. |
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| Yaxche Online Menu |
Calle 8 between Aves 5 and 10 Upscale, pretty and romantic featuring Mayan cuisine. |
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| Xo-tic | 5th Ave and Calle Corazon | ||
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Notable Restaurants in Playa del Carmen that have closed: |
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| Restaurant | Location and Info | ||
| Captain Bob's | Captain Bob's closed 2006. 5th Avenue between Calles 12 and 14. |
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| Da Gabi | Da Gabi Restaurant closed 2006. 1st Avenue and Calle 12. |
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| Tintos y Tapas | 5th Ave between calles 28 and 30 Spanish wine and tapas bar. |
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Registered members of the ILovePlaya Travel Forum have access to links for discount coupons at several Playa del Carmen restaurants.
