Going out for breakfast on vacation is one of our favorite things. Because let’s get real: Breakfast at home (if it even happens) is quick and on the go. If you’re looking for the best breakfast in Playa del Carmen, here are our top picks.
On our last four trips, we went out for breakfast in Playa del Carmen EVERY DAY. Now that we have children, our meals out are planned around nap time, and breakfast is the one meal we can always count on working with that schedule.
Where to Find the Best Breakfast in Playa del Carmen
1. Ojo de Agua
This laid-back breakfast eatery originally hails from Mexico City and has now become one of the hottest places in Playa del Carmen for breakfast. Their breakfast dishes are made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Best of all, they’re served all day, so you can enjoy a sweet or savory breakfast no matter what time you visit. Do yourself a favor and order the chilaquiles, which we believe to be the best in town!
You’ll also notice that their fresh juice menu is almost as extensive as their food menu. There are dozens of flavors available, from freshly pressed apple and ginger juices to antioxidant-rich sweet and savory green smoothies.
This is honestly one of our favorite restaurants in Playa del Carmen. We probably eat here 3-4 times a week when we stay for a month. View Menu
Have ultimate freedom and visit all the best restaurants in Playa del Carmen with your own rental car! Don’t worry – It’s safe (we’ve rented 20+ times), the roads are good, and it’s easier than you think! We always rent from Discover Cars, it’s easy & they have the best prices.
2. La Cueva del Chango
Surrounded by lush vines and tropical foliage, La Cueva del Chango will have you feeling as if you’re dining in the middle of the jungle (although you’re only just a stone’s throw away from downtown Playa del Carmen!). Their outdoor patio provides an escape from the heat, while the rustic and laid-back atmosphere allows you to unwind while you enjoy a delicious breakfast.
You really can’t go wrong with anything on La Cueva del Chango’s menu. They have fruit salad, quinoa bowls, empanadas, crepes, and French toast. However, their chilaquiles are nothing short of spectacular, especially with their wide variety of hot sauces. Chipotle chili with red tomato sauce, pasilla chili with green tomato sauce, and recado rojo sauce with habanero are just a few of the most popular chilaquiles dishes they serve.
Try and avoid going on the weekends from 9 am-1 pm. There is often a long wait for a table. View Menu
3. Chez Celine
If you’ve had your fair share of Mexican food, then spot by the adorable Chez Celine French bakery for your filling of sweet and savory breakfast treats. The vibe here will remind you of dining on the street corner in Paris, with French-inspired pastries, strong espressos, and even hand-baked bread and baguettes.
They have a wide variety of traditional breakfast dishes, such as omelets, bagels, and fresh fruit with yogurt. You can also opt for one of their more French-style dishes, such as croissants with bechamel sauce, Nutella crepes, or homemade profiteroles.
We suggest going before 9 am; there is always a wait after that. No matter what time of day, you will see people waiting for a table. If you don’t want to wait for a table, go in the side door, and here you can order items to go. View Menu
Explore Playa del Carmen with a local guide on this walking food tour that brings you to some of the best taco stops you would never find on your own.
Learn how to cook authentic Mexican dishes in a local’s home. Start at a local market to pick out fresh ingredients. Vegan & Vegetarian options.
This tour packs a ton into one day, and it includes tequila! Visit the famous Chichen Itza ruins, swim in a cenote, visit Valladolid, and more.
4. Amate 38
Regional cuisine is king at the rustic-chic restaurant of Amate 38. Tucked in the shadows of a wooded jungle, this charming eatery focuses on high-quality ingredients that are cooked using traditional methods (such as charcoal grilling and fire cooking).
While on the smaller side, Amata 38’s breakfast menu is packed with delectable choices such as omelets, scrambled eggs, and chilaquiles. Unlike other breakfast restaurants in the Playa, Amata 38’s dishes are made with unique, locally sourced ingredients made right on the Peninsula, like Valladolid sausage, fried plantains, chaya, and fresh crumbled cheese. If you miss breakfast hours, you can also stop by for lunch or dinner. View Menu
5. La Ceiba de la 30
Located in the heart of downtown Playa del Carmen, La Ceiba de la 30 is a great place to stop for a hearty breakfast. Start your day with one of their milkshakes, lassi shakes, or freshly pressed juices before moving on to one of their hearty entree choices. They have wraps, sandwiches, salads, and specific breakfast items like pancakes, crepes, and chilaquiles.
Some of their most popular breakfast items are Nutella and fresh fruit pancakes. Their cakes are super light and fluffy and piled high on a plate before being smothered with a rich, creamy hazelnut spread and topped with strawberries. It may not be the healthiest breakfast option on the menu, but it’s sure one of the tastiest!
6. La Brioche
Playa del Carmen has its fair share of French-style cafes and bakeries, and La Brioche is arguably one of the best. They have tons of pastries that are baked right in-house, all of which you can order at the counter to take with you to the beach or back to your hotel. You can also choose to sit outside on the terrace or inside in the café (which can be a nice break from the heat outside).
Choose from dishes like sandwiches, salads, wraps, and egg dishes for breakfast. They also have a great selection of fresh juices. However, you can also get a strong cappuccino or americano if you prefer something more caffeinated. They also offer free kids’ meals with paid adults! View Menu
7. 100% Natural Playa del Carmen
Do you crave something healthier during your stay in Playa del Carmen? Then stop by 100% Natural, an outdoor restaurant focused on fresh fruits and vegetables and locally sourced ingredients. Sandwiches, salads, and bruschetta are just a few savory items on the menu, which sweet tooth addicts will love the acai yogurt bowls (our favorite!), fruit parfaits, and pancakes.
It’s centrally located on 5th Avenue, although the lush open-air courtyard gives the entire restaurant a more secluded, local vibe. The restaurant also offers several options for vegetarians and vegans, so everyone in your group will have no problem finding something tasty to order. View Menu
8. Choux Choux Café
As one of the more modern and trendy restaurants in the Playa, Choux Choux Café delights both locals and visitors with its eclectic decor and artistic atmosphere. With massive light-filled windows and an abundance of lush plants scattered through the dining room, Chouse Choux Café is one of the coolest and most aesthetically pleasing hangout breakfast places in town.
Their menu is also very impressive, with a wide range of sweet and savory breakfast dishes for all types of tastes. They also have many options for vegans and vegetarians, including granola bowls, salads, avocado toasts, and fresh veggie sandwiches. Even if you aren’t hungry, we recommend coming to Choux Choux Café for their amazing coffee drinks.
If you’re a nomad living in Playa del Carmen, this is a great spot to work for a few hours and meet other nomads. View Menu
9. Zenzi Beach Bar and Restaurant
Nestled right on the sandy shores of the ocean, Zenzi Beach Bar and Restaurant boasts one of the best views in all of Playa del Carmen. Wiggle your toes in the soft sand and unwind underneath the swaying palm trees while indulging in breakfast favorites like spinach omelets, burritos, and chilaquiles.
We are not going to lie; they don’t have the best breakfast in Playa del Carmen, but they have the best breakfast view. A few items we do recommend are their Zenzi breakfast sandwich, which is made with tuna salad, smoked salmon, and an egg omelet. Wash it down with a home-brewed energy juice, milkshake, or smoothie, and you have yourself a great start to the day!
If you can’t make it to Zenzi Beach Bar and Restaurant for breakfast, then make sure to come by for evening drinks, where you’ll have front-row tickets when the sun sets. View Menu
10. Capitan Sandwich
Tucked away on the quiet end of 5th Ave sits Que Huevos, one of our top choices for a good breakfast in Playa del Carmen. It’s really close to the Elements, where we usually stay.
This laid-back café spills out onto the street corner and is bustling with activity day and night. Although you’ll find some tourists dining here, Capitan Sandwich is a popular hangout spot with the locals, thanks to its chill vibe and reasonably priced menu.
They offer breakfast combos for $175 pesos, which include juice and cafe and a choice of select entrees (omelet, hotcakes, egg sandwich, chilaquiles, etc.).
Their breakfast menu features many eggy dishes, such as chilaquiles, egg tacos, rancheros casserole, and eggs benedict. Other non-egg breakfast options include bacon pancakes, chia smoothies, and avocado toast. Their coffee is also perfectly balanced and guaranteed to jump-start your day with that much-needed boost of caffeine.
My go-to item on the menu is the stack of hot cakes with strawberry jam, blackberry jam, Nutella, strawberries, pear, banana, walnuts, and maple syrup. It’s amazing, trust me!
11. Tropical
The bizarre and eclectic décor inside Playa del Carmen’s Tropical is just one of the reasons to visit this quirky breakfast spot. Located smack dab in the middle of 5th Ave, this vibrant restaurant is busy at all hours of the day – especially during breakfast!
Start with a bowl of yogurt, croissant with jam, or pancakes with fruit or bacon. You’ll also have the choice of savory breakfast items, like veggie omelets, Mexican benedicts, or smothered chilaquiles.
If you’re leaning towards more savory lunch-type items, you can also choose from their menu of sandwiches, quesadillas, and even hamburgers. We also recommend stopping by at night when the liquor is flowing and the music is thumping. The bustling vibe and strong cocktails make it one of the hottest places for nightlife in Playa del Carmen!
Their made-to-order smoothies are delectably refreshing and blended without added sugars, flavorings, or syrups. Try the signature Tropical smoothie (papaya, pineapple, watermelon), the Anti-flu (grapefruit, pineapple, celery, guava), or the Green Ecstasy (spinach, parsley, cucumber, pineapple). They also have several super juice combinations with Chaya, ginger, and mint for an extra antioxidant boost to help you continue with your day. View Menu
12. Nativo
If you’re looking for delicious food, fresh-pressed juices, and tropical vibes, then look no further than Nativo. There are a few locations in town. The main tourist one is located in the heart of downtown, just a few blocks from the beach.
We love the thatched roof building, island-style décor, and the impressive juice and smoothie bar with dozens of flavors to choose from. The ground floor is the juice bar, while the second-story open-aired dining room is the place to grab a meal and people-watch.
There’s a decent mix of American and Mexican favorites, all of which are made fresh to order. Their breakfast menu comprises traditional dishes like fruit bowls, hotcakes, omelets, chilaquiles, soups, and salads. One word of advice—come hungry. The dishes here are massive and can usually be shared between two people.
13. Café Orange – Temporary Closed
As one of the more affordable breakfast joints on this list, Café Orange is not to be missed during your visit to Playa del Carmen. Indulge your sweet tooth with an order of crepes, hot cakes, or French toast, or opt for something more savory with chilaquiles, eggs benedict, or huevos motulenos. Vegetarians can also order veggie sandwiches, wraps, or waffles.
Their beverage menu is also just as impressive, with a wide array of teas, all-natural juices, coffees, and cold drinks. If you come for lunch, you can also take advantage of their lunch set menu, which is considerably cheaper than any restaurant you’ll find on 5th Ave! The entire place is very laid back, and it’s common to see remote workers (free wifi!) and leashed dogs (pet friendly!) sitting at the tables next to you.