Best Cheap Eats Playa Del Carmen (14 Places Under 7 USD)
Playa Del Carmen is a very popular beach destination in Mexico for tourists. Because of this, it is very easy to pay tourist prices for food especially if you are on 5th Avenue, the main tourist street in town. But even if you just walk a block or two from the main tourist street there are plenty of delicious, cheap eats in Playa Del Carmen.
So many visitors to Playa Del Carmen never go past 5th Avenue and pay way too much for their meals. But if you just do a bit of exploring you will find tonnes of good options. In this list, I will give you my top tips for local restaurants that have healthy options on a budget.
1. Ay Taco! 🌮
Ay Taco! is a more traditional taco truck that mainly does tacos al pastor. Tacos al pastor is a very popular type of taco throughout Mexico and you will see the vertical grilling meat that looks very similar to how shawarma is cooked.
The reason for the similarity is that Tacos al Pastor was actually created by Lebanese immigrants to Mexico. So it was the combination of Middle Eastern and Mexican cuisine that created Tacos al Pastor.
The Tacos al Pastor at Ay Taco! looked very good but we actually had the vegan tacos which were really good too. The vegan tacos come with grilled mushrooms and peppers topped with a little piece of grilled pineapple and guacamole.
They also have a selection of sauces on the table that are really nice and spicy. For 130 pesos (6.5 USD) you get 6 vegan tacos which is a really good deal. You also get the same deal for 6 Tacos al Pastor so all the tacos are very affordable and cheap eats in Playa del Carmen.
The location is just a couple of blocks from the main shopping street but is far enough out that it doesn’t get too crowded.
Menu 🍽️
See it here.
Opening Hours 🕐
Everyday 1 pm – 11 pm
Location 📍
2. Falafel Nessya 🥙
Falafel Nessya does really good falafel at a very reasonable price. The falafel pita is 80 pesos (4 USD) while a falafel plate is 115 pesos (6 USD). All the ingredients in the pita were super fresh every time we went and the falafel was also super tasty.
They also have a good range of homemade vegan sauces and paletas (ice popsicles) if you feel like dessert after your meal. They have a small seating area and are located right in the middle of the main tourist area. So it is a great place if you are looking for a healthy affordable meal in the city center.
Menu 🍽️
See it here.
Opening Hours 🕐
Everyday 1 pm – 11 pm
Location 📍
Calle 6 Norte entre avenida 10 y 15, Centro, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R.
3. Zenzontle 🌿
Zenzontle (Mockingbird) is a small restaurant that we stumbled upon while going for an afternoon walk. It is a chill place making healthy Mexican food and they have some of the best quesadillas and vegan tacos we have had in Mexico. The tortillas they make are homemade and you can really taste the difference. It is definitely not your standard taco stand.
Quesadillas only cost 45 pesos (2.5 USD) and vegan tacos 40 pesos (2 USD) per piece. They also offer them with shrimps but have mainly veggie options and no meat. The baked potato dish was 120 pesos (6 USD) and came with a salad and grilled pineapple. Everything we tried including the Agua de Jamaica was super good and rich in flavor.
Zenzontle is one of our favorite cheap eats in Playa Del Carmen. They only have a very small menu but the food is so good and cheap that I highly recommend getting out there. It is quite a way out of the city center near Playa 88. But this part of the beach is way nicer than the hotel zone so you should combine a beach trip with some quesadillas and tacos at Zenzontle.
Menu 🍽️
Only written on signposts and a blackboard at the restaurant.
Opening Hours 🕐
Friday to Tuesday 4 pm – 10 pm. Just a warning that the opening hours are not totally reliable as we turned up once and it wasn’t opened when it should be.
Location 📍
Calle 5 Nte 1939, Luis Donaldo Colosio
4. Tacos ALV (Authentic Mexican Vegan Tacos) 🌮
Tacos ALV is pickup or takeaway only but they are some of the best vegan tacos we have ever had. They are made by a local Mexican guy who has been a vegan for 8 years. The tortillas and all the salsas are homemade by the owner and the flavors he creates are so good.
All the tacos use soy for the filling and the flavors are bistec, chorizo and al pastor. We ordered two of each flavor and all were good but the bistec was our favorite. Each taco only costs 20 pesos (1 USD) and they are super filling for the price. Eating three tacos made us pretty full.
The menu also has burritos, burgers and tortas which we didn’t try. But they looked really good in the photos and I am sure they taste great.
Menu 🍽️
See it here.
Opening Hours 🕐
Tuesday to Sunday 1 pm – 10 pm
Location 📍
C. 17 Sur, Ejidal, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R. – it is located quite a long way outside of the center so if you don’t have a car or don’t want a long walk it will be best to order. The delivery fee is 50 pesos (2.5 USD) and you can order by whatsapp +529842155563.
5. La Chachalaca 🥪
La Chachalaca is an awesome little vegan cafe that is a great place to grab something for lunch. They focus on using organic produce in all their food and you can really taste the quality of their food.
We had a lentil sandwich for 70 pesos (3.5 USD) and although simple it was really good. The sandwich has sourdough bread and all the greens tasted super fresh and added really good flavor. They also have salads and a lentil burger so it is a small selection but healthy and cheap.
They also have a lot of other products for sale like cookies, kombucha, hummus, organic greens, chickpea chips etc. We tried a vegan chocolate chip cookie and it was really good. Super soft with a really nice texture. So if you are feeling like something sweet I can definitely recommend the cookies.
Menu 🍽️
See it here.
Opening Hours 🕐
Monday to Saturday 10 am – 6 pm
Location 📍
C. 1 Sur 187, entre 20av 25 Av. Sur y, Centro
6. Tropical Tacos 🌮
Tropical Tacos is a real cool taco joint that does unique tacos with many vegan and vegetarian options. A lot of the tacos are traditional Mexican favorites with a slight twist to them. Many of the tacos have sprouts and other toppings which makes them a bit healthier and different than your standard Mexican taco.
Nearly all of the tacos are 35 pesos (2 USD) which although not super cheap is good for the quality you get. Every taco we tried was super tasty and full of flavor and there is a really cool atmosphere so it is a good place to grab a couple of drinks too.
The location is another thing I really like about Tropical Tacos. They are located on 5th Avenue but outside the touristy area so it is a nice chilled atmosphere. The restaurant is also well-decorated and is always playing old-school rap and R&B. So it’s definitely not your traditional taco place but the tacos are awesome and they also have cocktails that looked really good if you feel like a drink.
Menu 🍽️
See it here.
Opening hours 🕐
Everyday 3 pm – 10 pm
Location 📍
Calle 5ta Avenida Calle 50 Norte y, Luis Donaldo Colosio
7. Pozol 🌽
Pozol is a traditional local drink but I think it deserves to be on cheap eats Playa del Carmen as it is really filling for a drink. The drink has been made in the South of Mexcio for hundreds of years. It is made by fermenting corn dough and then mixing it with water and cocoa to make a drink.
Because the fermented corn used to make the drink does not go off easily, it used to be taken on long journeys by pre-hispanic groups as a way to fuel themselves when they were away from home.
Today it is used as a way to cool off on a hot day in the Yucatan. You will see guys selling Pozol from their motorbikes all over town. The coolers are full of ice so the drink will be ice cold. We take our water bottle to the stand and 1 liter costs 30 pesos (1.5 USD).
The flavors you can choose from are coconut, cacao and sometimes cacauate (peanut). They will also ask if you want it sweetened or unsweetened. I would recommend getting at least a little sugar with the cacao (un poco azucar) as it can be bitter without some sweetness.
However, I really like the coconut flavor without any sugar. But it will all come down to personal preference so the best idea is to try it unsweetened and then add sugar after till it tastes good to you.
The drink will have a bit of a grainy texture due to all the corn in it. But it is a great and tasty way to cool down on a hot day and have a nutritious local drink.
Menu 🍽️
You can choose from cacao, coconut or cacauate (peanut) and the level of sugar you would like to add.
Opening hours 🕐
There are no official ones but you will most likely see carts between 8 am and 6 pm.
Location 📍
You will see carts with Pozol all over the place outside of the center. However, the greatest concentrations of vendors are along Avenida 30 and Avenida Benito Juarez.
8. El Fogon 🌮
El Fogon (The Stove) is a classic Tacos al Pastor restaurant with several locations around Playa Del Carmen. The restaurant is no secret and is the most famous taco restaurant in town. Their restaurants have large seating areas and if you come at a busy time there will be a lot of customers. Service is usually quite quick though as there are a lot of waiters rushing around serving everyone.
Tacos al Pastor is the most popular dish at El Fagon and cost 24 pesos (1 USD) per taco. But you can also get quesadillas, nachos or tortas (sandwiches) plus juices, cocktails and beers. If you are new to Mexico and want to experience a fairly traditional taco restaurant then El Fogon is a good place to start.
Menu 🍽️
See it here.
Opening Hours 🕐
There are three locations located along Avenida 30 which is a few blocks back from the beach. They each have different opening hours which you can see when clicking on the location links below.
Locations 📍
30 Avenida Nte. 354, Gonzalo Guerrero
Av. Constituyentes, Quintas del Carmen
9. La Cochi Loka 🐷
La Cochi Loka is a taco stand with a couple of locations in Playa Del Carmen that specializes in Conchinita Pibil tacos. Conchinita Pibil is a traditional slow-roasted pork dish that was made for centuries by the Mayans. Before the Spanish arrived the Mayans made the dish with a range of wild meat but the Spanish brought pigs with them so now it is made with pork.
It is prepared by marinating pork in strongly acidic citrus juice which makes the meat super tender. Annatto seed is also added which gives Conchinita Pibil its characteristic orange color.
Tacos at La Cochi Loka are only 20 pesos (1 USD) and taste super good. One of their stands is located right in the middle of town so it is fantastic value for money considering the location.
Menu 🍽️
See it here.
Opening Hours 🕐
Everyday 8 am – 12:30 am
Location 📍
Calle 10 Nte 27, Gonzalo Guerrero
10. Dona Paula Restaurant 🍲
Dona Paula Restaurant is a super traditional Mexican restaurant that feels like eating at a family home. It is also located in the Center so you won’t have to travel far from the touristy areas. They serve traditional Mexican food such as chilaquiles, mole, burritos, pozole etc. Everything looked good and at a great price but the dish that I came to have here was the pozole.
Pozole is a traditional soup that has existed in Mexico and Central America for thousands of years since before the Spanish arrived. The soup is made with hominy which is corn prepared in a special way that releases more of the nutrients. As well as a whole lot of spices and usually shredded meat such as pork or chicken.
The pozole at Dona Paula is one of the best I have ever tried and costs 90 pesos (4.5 USD) if you get the big size (grande). So if you are looking for a filling rich cheap eats in Playa del Carmen that feels home-cooked by a Mexican abuela (grandmother) you should head to Dona Paula Restaurant.
Menu 🍽️
See it here.
Opening Hours 🕐
Monday to Sunday 7:30 am – 11 pm
Location 📍
Centro, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo
11. La Antojera 🌮
La Antojera (The Graving) is another taco stand that does great Conchinita Pibil quesadillas, tacos and tortas. It doesn’t look like much with just a few stools to sit on next to the cook. But the Conchinita Pibil is so good and their tortas and tacos are huge for the price. A torta is 70 pesos (3.5 USD) while tacos are 25 pesos (1 USD) each.
They do have vegan options however when we went there the vegan burrito wasn’t very good. It was way too oily and fell apart while we were eating it so unfortunately, I can’t recommend you try that. However, if you are after some Yucatecan-style meat tacos, burritos, quesadillas and tacos this is a great place to go.
Menu 🍽️
See it here.
Opening Hours 🕐
Open 24 hours
Location 📍
10 Avenida Nte Calle 8 Norte &, Gonzalo Guerrero
12. Don Luca Juice and Snack Bar 🍹
Dona Luca Juice and Snack Bar is a tiny little shop that makes super fresh smoothies, juices, salads, acai bowls, sandwiches and coffee. We tried the Pesto and Mexicana Toast for 85 pesos (4 USD). Both were made with super fresh veggies and tasted great.
The juices that we tried were super good as well. Try the tropical one! Juices cost 55 pesos (3 USD) for a medium and 85 pesos (4 USD) for a large. We found a medium big enough for one person. It is a tiny shop with a very small seating area that you may have trouble fitting in if you are tall. But it is really beautifully designed and the owner has made great use of the tiny area.
So if you are looking for juice and a light healthy meal then we highly recommend Don Luca. It is also centrally located just a block and a half from 5th Avenue.
Menu 🍽️
See it here.
Opening Hours 🕐
Monday 9 am – 4 pm, Tuesday – Saturday 9 am – 8 pm, Sunday closed
Location 📍
Calle 6 Norte entre av.10 y av15, Centro
13. Tamales Ciencia Ficción 🫔
Tamales Ciencia Ficcion (Tameles Science Fiction) is a tamale cart that specializes in vegetarian and vegan tamales. If you have never had a tamale they are a traditional Mexican food consisting of steamed corn dough inside a corn husk. The corn dough is then flavored with a variety of ingredients including cheese, meats, vegetables, fruits, herbs and spices. Basically, whatever type of flavor that you want and they can be either sweet or savory.
You will see tamales being sold on the side of the road all over Mexico from large circular metal containers. There are such a wide variety of flavors and styles that you will always have to ask each time what they have. But we particularly liked Tamales Ciencia Ficcion because they had really interesting flavors as well as vegetarian and vegan options.
Tamales at Ciencia Ficcion cost 35 pesos (2 USD) per piece so they are a little more expensive than regular tamales which are usually around 25 pesos (1 USD). But they are worth the extra money so we recommend checking them out.
Menu 🍽️
See it here.
Opening Hours 🕐
Saturday to Monday 8:30 am – 2 pm
Location 📍
14. Marquesitas 🍌
Marquesitas are a traditional dessert to the Yucatan and you will see carts selling them everywhere at night time. They taste great and can’t be missed on a list of the best cheap eats in Playa del Carmen!
The marquesita was created in the 1930s by an ice cream shop owner who needed something sweet to sell in the “winter time”. So he created the marquesita and they can now be found throughout Mexico.
A marquesita consists of a crepe that is cooked and then rolled up and becomes super crispy. You can then choose your toppings with options such as nutella, banana, strawberry, cheese, kiwifruit and more. They are a great local dessert and cost about 60 pesos (3 USD) depending on what toppings you choose.
Menu 🍽️
You can choose between savory and sweet. Popular toppings are queso (cheese), nutella, banana, fresa (strawberry) and kiwi fruit.
Opening Hours 🕐
There are no set opening hours but you will see most of the carts start to set up in the afternoon until late at night.
Location 📍
You will see carts all over the city, especially in car parks, squares and touristy corners. So just walk down the street at night and you should see one.
That brings us to the end of my list of cheap eats in Playa del Carmen. There are so many places to eat in Playa Del Carmen that I am sure there are more I could add. If there are any you think should be added let me know in the comments below!
👉 NEXT: Read everything you need to know about Playa del Carmen in 2023, how to get there, where to stay and what to do here.
Travel, health and fitness fanatic. Co-founder of happyhealthynomads.
