If you are looking for tacos, Playa del Carmen has an abundance of amazing tacos joints. Now to pick who has the best tacos in Playa del Carmen is a loaded question. Everyone has their favorite little local Playa del Carmen taco joint and they swear it’s the best taco in town.
So we’ve asked locals and ex-pats where they think the best tacos in Playa del Carmen can be found and put together the ultimate Playa del Carmen taco guide.
1. El Fogon
It’s hard to beat the flavors of a good al pastor taco. The succulent pork and crisp, fresh toppings make the tacos at El Fogon some of the best in all of Playa del Carmen. While you can’t visit without ordering a couple of their signature al pastor tacos, we also recommend their other flavors, especially chorizo and queso fundito (we like it topped with chorizo).
Each Al Pastor taco comes dressed with fresh cilantro, onion, and pineapple, which adds a burst of flavor to the meat. Grab a few ice-cold beers, and you have yourself a delicious meal you won’t soon forget. Oh, and it won’t break the bank either! Each Al Pastor taco is only 17 pesos, less than $1 USD. Don’t forget to tip the servers. Make sure to read our tipping in Mexico guide for help navigating what to tip in Mexico.
El Fogon is always our first meal and last meal when in Playa del Carmen. We always spend the month of February in Playa del Carmen and EASILY eat at El Fogon 15 times over that month. If you ask us, it’s the best restaurant in Playa del Carmen, and it’s nice on the wallet too.
- Hours: Daily 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM
- Five locations in Playa del Carmen:
- 30th Ave & Constituyentes (Calle 18), Across from Mega (grocery store) close to 5th Ave for tourists to reach, this is our favorite location mix of locals & tourists
- right by the Cozumel ferry & on 5th Ave – mainly tourists and the newest location
- 30th Ave & Calle 32, this is our second favorite location, more of a locals & ex-pat location (read more about being in living in Playa del Carmen)
- 30th Ave & Calle 6 Bis – across from Walmart
- Av Luid Donaldo Colosio & Paseo del Pedregal – far from central Playa del Carmen and for tourists to reach
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. Birria de la 30
If you’re interested in tasting a local delicacy during your trip to Playa del Carmen, then make sure to stop by Birria de la 30. They’re known for their slowly-stewed birria tacos, made from fine beef cuts. In addition to their taco menu, they serve grilled quesadillas with meat and corn.
All tacos come with different sides and sauces, so you can customize each one with a flavor that suits your palette. Go for spicy or stick with fresh toppings of onion and cilantro – the choice is yours! They often sell out, so it’s best to go a few hours before closing.
- Hours: Daily 8:30 AM – 9:30 PM
- Address: 30 Avenida entre 34 y 38
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.
3. Don Sirloin
Don Sirloin is a taco chain in Mexico. They put a modern spin on a traditional taqueria. As their name implies, Don Sirloin makes a great steak taco, which you have to option of being served on corn or flour tortillas and with or without the cheese. We always get the corn tortillas without the cheese. They have a pretty solid Al Pastor taco too. We usually do a mix of Pastor and Sirloin tacos.
Besides tacos, their extensive menu has all the traditional dishes you know and love, like nachos, burritos, quesadillas, and even fajitas. And if you’re traveling with picky eaters, you’ll be happy to know they also serve burgers. There are three locations around Playa, which means you are never too far from delicious gourmet steak tacos during your trip!
- Hours: Hours vary by location
- 3 locations in Playa del Carmen:
- 10 Avenida Norte, between Calle 12, Calle 14
- 30 Avenida Norte between Calle 32 y Calle 34
- Avenedia Constituyentes & Calle 25
Related Article: Complete Playa del Carmen Guide
4. Taquerias el Ñero Juarez
Get ready to sink your teeth into the savory beefy goodness that is a suadero taco. At Taquerias el Ñero Juarez, you’ll find cheap, flame-grilled tacos made from tripe, chorizo, pork, cheese, etc. However, the star of the show is their suadero taco (which is a unique cut of steak found in this area).
For those adventurous eaters, this is one of the best places to get unique tacos in Playa del Carmen. At El Nero, you’ll find beef tongue tacos, snout tacos, beef head tacos, and many more interesting cuts of meat made into tasty tacos.
This no-frills joint looks more like a grab-and-go street food stall, with lots of seating inside and out for customers. The place is mostly visited by locals, which can only be a good sign when you’re on the hunt for an authentic meal.
- Hours: Daily 4:00 PM – 1:00 AM.
- Address: 45 Avenida Norte & Benito Juarez (right on the corner next to Domino’s)
5. Los Aguachiles
If you’re looking for a taco joint in Playa del Carmen that’s a little more upscale, consider a trip to Los Aguachiles. They have multiple restaurants all over Mexico, including a place in Cancun, Tulum, and two branches in Playa del Carmen. Their menu takes a more modern spin on traditional flavors, with many of their tacos coming with unique toppings like pickled and fried vegetables.
Do yourself a favor and order either the camaron (shrimp) tacos or the Pescado al vapor (steamed fish). Their menu also has tons of other fresh seafood options to try, as well as a creative cocktail and dessert menu. There are three locations in Playa del Carmen, and you can’t go wrong with either.
- Hours: Hours vary by location
- 3 locations in Playa del Carmen:
- Avenedia Constituyentes & 1 Avenida Norte
- Calle 34 Nte Centro & 25 Avenida Norte
- 10 Avenida Sur – located in Plaza Paraiso Caribe but Budget car rental
6. La Cochi Loka
Located just a couple of blocks from the ocean is La Cochi Loka, an adorable pink food stand. They are famous for their cochinita pibil (marinated and shredded suckling pig) tacos. The menu is simple – you can only choose corn or flour tortillas, although the variety of toppings and sauces will ensure that you can customize the tacos to your liking.
Best of all, La Cochi Loka is open 24 hours a day, which means you get succulent cochinita pibil tacos coming home after hitting the bars or first thing in the morning.
- Hours: 24 hours a day.
- Address: Calle 10 between Ave 5 & Ave 10
Must Read: Our full guide to renting a car in Cancun
*When looking for the best price and biggest selection of hotels, check prices on Booking.com. They are the best option and have a great cancelation policy.*
7. Las de Asada
Off the tourist trail, you’ll find some of the best tacos in Playa del Carmen, surrounded by green trees and lush foliage. Las de Asada is a scenic but casual café where you can indulge in a little Mexican cuisine. They serve ten different types of tacos grilled fresh right on sight (go for the al pastor). If you’re in the mood for something more unique, you can also try their Mexican-style pizzas, which come with unique toppings made with different taco ingredients.
Las de Asada is also a great place to come for drinks. Their margaritas come extra large and strong, especially considering the price you pay them!
- Hours: Daily 1:00 PM – 11:00 PM
- Address: 115 Avenida Nte & Calle 16
8. Tacos Don Chava
Tacos Don Chava is the perfect mix of modern and traditional. The place is quite trendy, attracting hip locals and visiting tourists. While many people come for the atmosphere, most stay for the mouthwatering selection of freshly grilled tacos.
They specialize in four different types of tacos – Carna Asada (beef), Longaniza (sausage), Bistec Cerdo (pork steak), and Al Pastor (grilled pork). Don’t forget to wash it down with an ice-cold beer or refreshing glass of white wine. You can choose to dine in their casual seating area, or you can opt to order from the food truck outside.
- Hours: Daily 5:30 PM – 1:00 AM
- Address: Mision de San Jerónimo 412b, Mision del Carmen
9. Carnitas Teresita
Cheap, authentic, and filling are just a few words to describe the tacos served at Carnitas Teresita. This casual mom-and-pop taco stand gets rave reviews, especially for their carnitas. They also happen to be one of the only restaurants that serve kastacan tacos, which is a mix of fried pork skin and juicy meat.
You won’t find any special toppings or unique ingredients here. The meat is served on a warm corn tortilla and sprinkled with chopped onions, cilantro, and a wedge of lime. Sometimes, the most simple ingredients are the best!
- Hours: Wednesday to Monday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Address: Calle 1 & Avenida 20
Related Article: Must Visit Cenotes in Mexico
10. El Silao Del Paisa. Carnitas Y Barbacoa De Borrego
This casual, sit-down restaurant is a pork lover’s paradise. They roast all their meat in a fire pit outside the restaurant and serve a wide selection of mouthwatering porky products. The carnitas and barbacoa are out of this world and can be ordered as individual tacos or, if you’re extra hungry, by the kilo.
If you’re eager to try something else on the menu, we recommend the Carne consome, quesadillas, or the flautas. The restaurant may be a bit on the outskirts of the city, but the journey to eat these tacos is well worth the adventure.
- Hours: Daily 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM
- Address: Benito Juárez lote 18 manzana 36, Nueva Creación
11. El Gran Taco
The name of this taco restaurant says it all. Considered by many to serve the best tacos in all of Playa del Carmen, El Gran Taco is a colorful and lively spot known for its gourmet dishes. They have two types of tacos on the menu (carnitas and guisado), although they also serve numerous other items, including paella, chilaquiles, and quesadillas.
However, their crispy fried flautas are mind-blowingly good. They come drenched in an aromatic green salsa and sprinkled with cojita cheese and cilantro.
- Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM.
- Address: Calle 41 Sur, across the street from Centro Maya shopping center
12. La Floresta
If you’re on the hunt for the best fish tacos in Playa del Carmen you’ll find yourself at La Floresta. La Floresta is a buzzing open-air restaurant specializing in seafood tacos catering to locals and tourists. Their menu (also in English) consists of shrimp, marlin, crab, or fish tacos, which are battered and fried and served fresh on a warm flour tortilla.
The fried fish tacos are so good that you won’t even need to dress them up with any toppings, although a squeeze of fresh lime and a hearty scoop of handmade pico de gallo never hurts. You can also try their flavorful habanero salsa if you crave that spicy, burning feeling with your food. If tacos aren’t enough to satisfy your appetite, you can also try their mixed seafood ceviche, which is large enough to share with the entire table.
- Hours: Daily 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
- Address: Calle 14 & Avenida 50, right on the corner
13. Chela de Playa
Chela de Playa is one of the more unique taquerias on this list. Not only are they known for their innovative Mexican cuisine, but they also serve all their own beer on tap! As one of the only craft breweries in Playa del Carmen. Chela de Playa makes its own Kölsch, IPA, and Porter beers, which are brewed just around the corner at Playa del Carmen Brewery.
All of their beers pair very nicely with any of their tacos. If you can’t choose which brew to try, opt for their sample so you can taste a little of each one. Besides tacos and beer, Chela de Playa also has burgers, desserts, and a bunch of shareable appetizers. They also have a few different options for vegetarians and vegans, including their cauliflower bites, mushroom tacos, and pub-style nachos.
- Hours:
- Tuesday to Wednesday 2:00 PM – 11:00
- Thursday to Saturday, Monday 2:00 PM – 1:00 AM
- Sunday 2:00 PM – 12:00 AM.
- Address: Calle 38 Nte & Calle Flamingo
Related Article: Best Burgers in Playa del Carmen
14. Tacos Gomez
Don’t be fooled by its hole-in-the-wall appearance. Tacos Gomez has some of the best tacos in Mexico if you’re a fan of the unique and bizarre cuts of meat. The tripe and “nasty bit” tacos are highly rated as some of the best in Playa – even by people who wouldn’t normally order such ingredients!
For those who aren’t feeling as adventurous, you can always opt for more traditional flavors like sirloin and al pastor tacos as well.
For the price (16 pesos per taco), you could easily eat your way through the entire menu to see which ones you like most.
- Hours: Daily 6:00 PM – 2:00 AM
- Address: Calle 2 between Ave 15 & Ave 20 across from Parque Portal Maya
15. Taqueria El Ingrato
If you’re looking for a quick meal, stop by the Taqueria El Ingrato. This no-frills outdoor food truck just has a few plastic tables and chairs, but their deliciously grilled meat tacos are noteworthy enough that people just eat them standing up.
The menu may be limited (they only serve tacos), but what they make, they make it very well. Order a couple of pollo tacos, top them off with some raw onions and a squeeze of fresh lemons, and enjoy one of the best street tacos in Playa del Carmen!
- Hours: Daily 8:30 AM – 12:00 AM
- Address: Calle 40 & CTM on the corner next to Soriana Supermarket
16. Tacos De Carnitas Del Tío
Just thinking of the tacos from Carnitas Del Tío is alone enough to make your mouth water. While this casual taco joint doesn’t have the fanciest menu, they do make some amazing tacos from simple ingredients. The carnitas tacos are clearly the biggest hit, as they come piled high onto two soft flour tortillas.
You can top your tacos off with different sauces, include pico de gallo and spicy. Grab a few slices of fresh lime, and you have yourself a cheap and savory meal.
- Hours: Daily 7:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- Address: Calle 38 & Avenida 30 on the corner
Where do you think the best tacos in Playa del Carmen can be found?
Places in Mexico to Visit Before or After Playa del Carmen
If you’ve got more time to explore Mexico, there are some amazing places in Mexico nearby you should check out. If you can’t make it on this trip, consider them on your next trip. Make sure to check out some of our other Mexico articles to fuel your wanderlust.
Top 10 Things to do in Isla Holbox – Travel Guide 2023
We love Isla Holbox Island, which is located just off the northern coastline of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. We have been visiting Isla Holbox for the last 7 years and just…
5 Things you Should Know BEFORE Renting a Car in Cancun
We think the best way to see Mexico, especially the Yucatan Peninsula, is to drive it yourself. Without a car, you’ll be confined to overpriced, basic packaged tours with hordes…
Ultimate List Of The Best Cenotes in Mexico
When you think of Mexico, you instantly think of the gorgeous white sandy beaches and turquoise waters. But what if we told you there is even somewhere cooler to swim…