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Dining and Nightlife: Tasty Traditions
People fly in from all over the world to sun and swim on the Riviera Maya, but they also come to sample culinary delights in the area’s superb, internationally themed restaurants. Beyond diversity that reflects several cuisines from around the world, you’ll also find richly flavored fare inspired by traditional Mayan cuisine’s aromatic complexity, bold textures and creative use of organic ingredients.
For total immersion in Mayan food and culture, book a table at Yaxche Maya Cuisine (mayacuisine.com). This upscale establishment is situated on the corner of Fifth Avenue and 22nd Street in the heart of Playa del Carmen’s upscale shopping district. In a sophisticated setting (beautiful black-and-white photographs of ancient Mayan pyramids adorn the walls), Yaxche (pronounced jag-shey) serves seasonal Mayan dishes based on locally sourced fish, meats, vegetables, hot peppers, mangos, chocolate and more. Reservations are suggested. Tel: (984) 873-3011.
At Ajua Maya in Playa del Carmen, you can feast on authentic Mayan fare such as fresh wild Mayan lobster and a range of Mayan-spiced vegetarian and meat-based dishes. The extensive tequila bar is superb, and live Latin music Monday through Saturday and Rock 'n Roll Sundays add to the fun. Located at Calle 4 Norte #128, between 5th and 10th Avenues. Tel: (984) 873-2523; ajuamaya.com.
At Frida, on the third floor of the Grand Velas Hotel in the Playa del Carmen area, soft lighting, ocean views and fine art on the walls combine to create an alluring atmosphere. Signature dishes inspired by Mexico’s culinary heritage include grilled flank filet with roasted cactus leaves, red snapper in zucchini flower sauce with huitlacoche (corn fungus) and chipotle chili pepper stuffed with cheese. With eight international restaurants located in the hotel, fine dining in the Grand Velas also includes the French restaurant Piaf, Asian-themed Sen Lin or the Spanish Cocina de Autor, which was lauded as one of the world’s “100 Best New Food & Drink Experiences” by Food & Wine magazine. Note: dinner reservations are required at all restaurants here. For more information on Grand Velas’ dining options, go to rivieramaya.grandvelas.com. To make reservations, e-mail conciergerm@grandvelas.com or call (866) 230-7221.
For authentic Mayan sweet treats, Mexican coffee, ice cream and impeccable desserts, Ah Cacao Chocolate Café on Fifth Avenue and Constituyentes in Playa del Carmen is a must-visit. (This bakery makes a great budget breakfast spot, too.) Here, chocolate lovers can also indulge in rich Mexican hot chocolate.
The ancient Mayans drank pure and blended fruit juices to stay cool and energized. Why not refresh yourself by continuing this tradition at Smoogus, a world-class juice bar on Fifth Avenue between Calle 6 and Calle 8? Choose from dozens of freshly made fruit juices and smoothies.
Regardless of where you dine in the Riviera Maya, you are sure to enjoy food, drinks and dining in an atmosphere of gracious hospitality.
Pac-Chen Cuisine
Two hours from the glittering coast, the microscopic village of Pac-Chen invites visitors to experience Maya life as it has been lived for centuries. In the center of the village — a few thatched stick buildings — is the open-air eating area. Electricity and gas do not run out here, so wood fires flicker beneath sheets of metal, creating small stoves. The women are preparing side dishes for the midday feast. In a nearby clearing, the men gather around a pib, a hole in the ground dug the night before. Under the ground is a big metal pan with a pig, covered with dirt and banana leaves, that has been cooking over hot coals for 12 hours already. The village shaman arrives to say a blessing. He waves sweet incense and chants in an ancient Mayan dialect as he circles the pib. Once the shaman finishes, the pot is raised from the earth and the food is served by young girls. Ahhh.
BEST RESTAURANTS
BEST FAMILY RESTAURANTS
Origenes Restaurante Authentic Mexican
38th Street and Flamingos, Playa del Carmen
Tel: (984) 873-2270
(Breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner and late-night desserts)
Tastes (Mayan, Mexican; children’s menu)
Esencia A Seaside Estate
Carretera Cancún-Tulum
Predio Rústico Xpu-Ha lotes 18 y 19, Xpu-Ha 77710
La Cueva del Chango Authentic Mexican and Mayan
38th Street, Playa del Carmen
Tel: (984) 147-0271
lacuevadelchango.com
MOST ROMANTIC RESTAURANTS
Naay Restaurant Gourmet Mayan, Mexican and other cuisines
Le Reve Hotel & Spa
Playa Xcalacoco Fracción 2ª
Playa del Carmen
Tel: (984) 109-5660
Asiana Pan-Asian cuisine
The Royal Playa del Carmen Resort
Tel: (800) 760-0944
realresorts.com/The_Royal_Playa_Carmen/
La Marea Authentic Mayan, Mexican and world fusion cuisine
Tides Riviera Maya Resort
Playa Xcalacoco Frac 7, Quintana Roo 77710
Tel: (800) 578-0281
Reservations: (984) 877-3000
Maktub Café Lebanese & Middle Eastern
Fifth Avenue between 28th and 30th Streets
Playa del Carmen
Tel: (984) 803-3886
BEST RESTAURANTS FOR PARTYING
Blue Parrot Beach Club Beachfront Mexican and eclectic food and beverages served from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and the legendary Blue Parrot Fire Show presented on the beach at 11:00 p.m. nightly.
Blue Parrot Hotel
Calle 12 Norte and the Beach
Tel: (888) 484-0161
blueparrot.com/beach-club/
Las Mañanitas Authentic Mexican
Fifth Avenue between 4th and 6th Streets
Tel: (984) 873-0114
Cenacolo Italian cuisine
Hotel QuintoSol
Fifth Avenue at 28th Street, Playa del Carmen
Tel: 1-800-327-7080
hotelquintosol.com
Tierra España Tapas and Spanish cuisine
Hotel Las Golondrinas
Avenida Constituyentes between 15th and 20th
Tel: (984) 803-0122
tierraespana.com
February 15 - February 22
February 20 - February 26
February 22 - February 29
February 24
March 8 - March 10
Ask for your free guide,
Experience Riviera Maya
at your hotel.
Click the magazine to read Experience Riviera Maya 2012.
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is produced for the
Riviera Maya Hotel Association
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