For people on the go, or for something healthy to eat during lunch time, there are a plethora of spots to choose from. Try a fresh bagel sandwich, a healthy chef salad, or a vegetarian wrap or sandwich, and you won't feel guilty when you decide to go for the burger on Sunday. Try hale and hearty turkey soup, accompanied by a small tostada teeming with crisp veggies, a Thai peanut wrap, or a fresh fruit smoothie. Either way any of these spots will have something for the health conscious customer. Not so concerned with your caloric intake? Try a delicious hot Ruben, or an Italian Panini and top it off with an ice cold cerveza.

Whether you are an avid soccer fan, love American football, follow the PGA Tour, keep tabs on tennis, or are a fanatic for Formula 1, there are plenty of places to sit back and watch a game or sporting event while here in Playa del Carmen. You can check a score, grab a burger and beer, or even place a bet; whatever type of sports fan that you are there are plenty of Sports Bars to choose from.

Many people on vacation love to splurge on good ole "surf ‘n' turf" as it is something that they don't have everyday at home. There are a handful of places to get great steak and seafood together in Playa del Carmen, but many places either specialize in one or the other. Although they are not listed in this section, if you are a steak connoisseur, we would suggest checking out the Argentinean section, as the Argentines really know their beef! As far as seafood is concerned there are some incredible spots for that as well. Most restaurants offer a daily fresh fish, which is always a good choice, and La Tarraya, which is located on the beach, is an awesome place for fresh seafood at affordable prices. In addition, they are the oldest restaurant here in Playa del Carmen so they are worth checking out!

Drunken shrimp, grilled chicken or arrachera, pastor with pineapple; these are just a few options that you have for the endless choices of tacos in Playa del Carmen. Are you a bit more adventurous? Try soft shelled crab, octopus, or carnitas (various parts of a pig; liver, eye, or kidney), and you can boast about your adventurous taco palette. Tacos are not only inexpensive, but they are available on nearly every street corner in Playa del Carmen so it is an easy fix when you are in the mood for tacos. Whether you choose to dine in or take out they are often accompanied by spicy salsas, lime, and fresh onion and cilantro. Either way you can't beat the flavors or the price.

Unlike the US or Canada bigger isn't always better so when it comes to pizza not every pizza joint is required to sell you a monster size all meat pizza. Here in Playa del Carmen thinly sliced pizza is sold by the slice at little kiosks all over town, and they just warm it, put it on a piece of paper, and voila you have a yummy snack to go. Most of the local pizza places only offer pizza by the slice, but you certainly can still get whole pizzas, and yes, there is even home delivery. There are 2 for 1 deals, American based chains, and yummy wood fired Italian pizza so if pizza is your thing, no worries there are plenty of delicious options to choose from.

For the last 27 years I have been traveling to Mexico and I have rarely ever deviated from eating Mexican food when visiting the different parts and coastlines of the country. Fresh seafood, guacamole, beans, fresh tortillas, salsas, and sauces have always been some of my favorite types of foods. When I first arrived in Playa del Carmen it was the first time that I had been to this part of the country. Not only was there all of my steadfast favorites, but also tacos pastor, grilled arrachera, and the Mayan influences; Cochinita Pibil (pork) and Pollo Pibil (chicken), which is baked meat in a tangy red sauce (achiote, garlic, sour orange), and sometimes served wrapped in a banana leaf. Another must try is the Mayan dish Poc Chuc ; flattened grilled pork steak with an orange marinade. Either way you taste it, the Riviera Maya has the best of both worlds when it comes to both Mayan and Mexican cuisine.

The Italians are one of the largest foreign resident populations here in Playa del Carmen, in close competition with the Argentineans, so much in fact that the northern part of 5^th Avenue is called the Italian Section or "Little Italy". In July and August our beaches, restaurants, and nightclubs and bars overflow with beautiful Italians coming on their annual holiday. Due to the strong Italian influences in Playa del Carmen there are tons of small cafes, pasta houses, pizza kiosks, and higher end restaurants with full table and bar service. Try an Italian ice cream or a creamy espresso, or just grab a slice of thin crust pizza, and you will agree that we LOVE having the Italians tastes and style in Playa del Carmen.

Peppered Sea Bass skewers, Pan fried shrimp in red wine sauce, delicate pastas in creamy sauces, or Red Snapper with Gorgonzola sauce are only a few of the choices you will have when dining from one of the restaurants listed in this category. One of our favorite spots is Ula Gula, which offers a wide variety of both steak and seafood dishes, and has a prosciutto salad to die for. Another great spot for a fancy cocktail and an appetizer of Sea Bass skewers is Diablito’s Cha Cha Cha located on “Fiesta Alley” on 12^th Street. Whether you are planning for appetizers and drinks, or want to have a full meal, these spots are great for groups, singles, or date night.

There is nothing quite like an ice cream cone on a warm day and here in Playa del Carmen everyday is warm so ice cream is always a good plan. Be adventurous and try one from a local stand or triciclo (stand on a tricycle); coconut, guayaba, and tamarindo are all local favorites. Really want to be a local? Try one with chile! Or try a creamy gelato or rich scoop from a Hagen Dazs Café. Either way you scoop it ice cream is the perfect compliment to a warm Caribbean day.

One of the best, and least expensive, quick local meals is grilled or rotisserie chicken. Most places offer a variety of choices of sides i.e. salsas, salads, beans, rice, and tortillas, and sizes i.e. ¼, ½ or a whole chicken, and they charge nearly nothing. It is well worth a try, and a great bang for your buck, and you certainly couldn't make it for the same price if you made if yourself!

Although there is only one true German restaurant in Playa del Carmen, Mannes Biergarten, we thought it deserved its own section for its pure novelty; German food in Mexico. Try their specialty of roasted pork, sauerkraut, and German fried potatoes and you will leave the restaurant full and satiated. Choose from a wide selection of beer and wine and don't forget to try their famous "Hausfusel".

Well, there is really only one Cuban spot here in Playa del Carmen, and that is Bodeguita del Medio located in the Paseo del Carmen shopping center right by the Cozumel ferry dock. They offer a variety of Cuban and Creole fare, tangy Mojitos, and of course Salsa music and lessons. So for some great people watching, a great minty refreshment, or to really shake your tail feathers, this Cuban hot spot is a favorite among Playa del Carmen locals and visitors alike.

Don’t feel like eating yet another taco or quesadilla? Go for a familiar favorite of a combo meal at Burger King or McDonald’s or a frothy frappuccino at Starbuck’s. The chain phenomenon has hit here full force, and you will often see more Mexican Nationals in the chains here in Playa del Carmen rather then foreign locals or visitors. But if you looking to fulfill a guilty pleasure or just want a fountain soda go ahead, we won’t tell anyone!

Traditional Mexican cantinas are usually found in more rural surroundings, and prohibit women and children from entering. They were originally designed for men to come together, to socialize, drink, eat botanas, listen to live music, and play dice. Modern urban cantinas have banished the restrictions on women visiting cantinas, but in many areas it is still viewed as improper for upstanding women of a community to be seen visiting a genuinely authentic cantina.

Coffee houses and cafes seem to be an integral part of every community, and Playa del Carmen is no exception. From the long standing local favorite of Java Joe's to some American based conglomerates there is a myriad of choices where you can grab a cup of Joe, a sweet treat, or a Panini on the run. Want to hang out and enjoy the afternoon perusing the internet? Try the Coffee Café on northern 5^th. Do you like to stick to routine and get that ooey gooey iced frappuccino? Well, even Starbucks has entered our realm. And finally if you need a good cup of Joe and the latest happenings on local gossip you MUST check out Java Joe's. Either way you brew it there are plenty of places to get jacked up on the bean while here in Playa del Carmen.

One of my favorite things to do while on vacation, or on any other day for that matter, is to go to breakfast. It seems so decadent to sip coffee, and have breakfast out, that some times it is a nice treat even during your regular work week. Whether you are a big eater and want a 4 egg omelet or scramble with all the fixing’s, or if you are more a fruit platter type of a person, there are plenty of quality places to have breakfast in Playa del Carmen. From bagels to vegetarian options there is something for everyone, and then some.

Being from soggy Seattle, in the past when we would come on vacation to Playa del Carmen, or other places in Mexico, you could not peel us away from the beach. There is nothing quite like sipping on a beer from an icy bucket of limey Coronas, or scooping up fresh guacamole with homemade chips. Some things never change, and this is still one of our favorite things to do when we have a day off. There are trendy beach clubs with the fancy beds for rent, or the more low key spots where you can throw your towel in the sand, but one thing rings true for them all; you can get the icy buckets of Corona, the fresh guacamole, and the cool breeze from the crystal blue waters of the Caribbean.

Who would have thought that living in Playa del Carmen, Mexico you would have so many choices for Asian food? Well, due to the fact that we are such an international community there is a little bit of everything. Great sushi, tasty tempuras, eclectic Thai food, greasy Chinese, we got it all. A Swedish owned Thai infused noodle house, a Belizean import for some great wonton soup, a typical Chinese greasy spoon, or a Chicago connection for some top notch sushi, you will not be disappointed at the choices that are offered to the visitors of Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya.

Here in Playa del Carmen it is a toss up between the largest foreign populations between the Italians and the Argentineans. Due to this fact there are scads of both Argentinean grills and Italian Pasta Houses scattered throughout Playa del Carmen. I was not aware that the Argentines were such beef experts, but that they are. I eat red meat only occasionally, and you could say that I am a little high maintenance when it comes to steaks. I like it not to rare, but medium rare, but not just medium, and certainly not well done, so I never expect to get it exactly right unless I cook at home. However, the Argentinean grill houses here in Playa del Carmen have proven me wrong. Whether it is a perfect rib eye, or grilled arrachera, when it comes to quality, the Argentineans have everyone beat.

Want some babbganush or hummus? Well, there are a couple of choices for Middle Eastern food here in Playa del Carmen, and they even come complete with Huka pipes and flavored tobaccos! Try a more trendy lounge style spot, or go for the small café with floor seating, and coming soon there will be Indian food available right on our beautiful Caribbean beach. As we have said a thousand times before, you can get anything you want in Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya.

We all remember our college days when 24 hour restaurants were a part of our weekly routine for late night snacks and caffeine fueled study sessions, and although those days have faded for some of us, there is still a place for 24 hour snacks! Whether you want breakfast at 2:00 PM or 2:00 AM there actually are a couple of choices here in Playa del Carmen. So go on and enjoy a late night caffeine and gab session with some friends and maybe it will make you feel like it is the good ole college days.