Cafe Ole is a quaint restaurant located on a corner just across from the entrance to the Omni resort. It is open daily and has a variety of menu choices for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. One breakfast favorite of ours was the restaurant's "Cafe Ole breakfast special": thin crepes filled with a variety of fresh local fruit, covered with yogurt and granola, and served with a drizzle of honey. Something else which has contributed to Cafe Ole's popularity in downtown is the "all-you-can-eat ribs" special on wednesday nights. In addition, the restaurant is known for its freshly made desserts, which vary regularly according to the mood of the owner/chef who creates these delectable goodies.

Be sure to treat yourself to a meal or two at Cafe Ole and don't forget to try dessert.

Just outside the gated entrance to Puerto Aventuras next to the Pemex gas station, there is a small wooden Fish Taco Cart that sells its namesake: fried fish soft tacos. When you're in the mood for a snack or a simple lunch on the go, stop by the cart and buy two fish tacos and a coke. There are over a dozen toppings to spice up your tacos. Be careful! The spice level is not labeled and certain toppings can catch you off guard if you have a low tolerance for hot foods. However, with a little caution, the end result is absolutely delicious and well-worth the inexpensive price. Just stand at the small snack bar where the toppings are located, take a few bites of your taco, and compliment it with an ice cold sip of coke. You will enjoy every bite.

The Pub is a great place to hang out morning, noon, or night. Located in the center of the Puerto Aventuras harbor area, The Pub is a perfectly situated casual environment for meeting friends and relaxing by the water. In the morning, choose from a variety of Mexican breakfast specialties, which you can compliment by a freshly made cappuccino or cup of coffee. During the day, sample one of their many available dishes (sandwiches, fajitas, fresh fish platters, etc) with an ice cold beer or soda. At night, experience some of the local talent with live musical performances and a broad selection of enjoyable dinner fare.

The food, the ambiance, the location, and the price all make The Pub a pleasant venue for a rendezvous at any time of day.

While wandering around the harbor area in Puerto Aventuras, you will pass by Trebol, a restaurant/bar with a flat-panel tv on the outside wall visible from the outdoor tables. This is a great location for a fun, casual evening with friends, or a night of watching a televised sporting event. Frederico, one of the owners, is a very friendly, welcoming individual who will take good care of you. This restaurant offers good food in a somewhat modern setting - Sandy was heard to state that Frederico’s tortilla soup was the best she’d ever tasted. The caprese salad (fresh mozzarella & tomato) is also a great starter to a meal. The menu offers well-prepared seafood and chicken dishes with subtle European style, but if it’s beef or a burger you’re looking for, we would suggest going back to Chicago (see above).

Even if you simply want a place to drink a beer with friends and cheer on your favorite baseball/basketball/football/soccer team, Trebol is the place in Puerto Aventuras.

Chicago is one of the best restaurants in Playa Del Carmen. Located on 6th Street between 5th and 10th Avenues (right next to Mambo Cafe), it is by far the best place to go for steak in Playa. The restaurant owners, a couple originally from chicago, import only the best quality angus beef from the US, and then prepare it in such a way that will make you a regular at this restaurant. As an appetizer, be sure to order a bowl of queso fundido with either roasted red pepper & garlic or chorizo. It is outstanding. Depending on the evening, Dalia also offers a delicious salad with strawberries and carmelized onions in a light vinagrette dressing. For an entree, you will not be disappointed with any of the selections - we highly recommend the pork, the ribs, the kebab (chicken/beef/shrimp - or any combo), the filet mignon (with blue cheese), etc. Basically everything that we have tried on the menu is fabulous.

Stop by Chicago and tell Dalia that Sandy & Jen sent you! She will laugh, and you will be treated to a fantastic meal.

When walking around Playa Del Carmen, stop by the little unnamed empanada stand located on 10th Avenue between 1st and 4th Streets. It is a tiny blue stand comprised of a counter no more than 4 feet long and 4 worn wooden barstools. An elderly Mexican woman who speaks no English spends her time behind the counter kneading and shaping dough into empanada shells, then stuffing them with either chorizo (sausage) or cheese. She then deep-fries the empanadas in a large pot, and sells 6 for about 30 pesos. Along the counter, she has set out several small bowls of freshly made green and red salsas, as well as a bottle of tabasco sauce, for patrons to season their empanadas.

These inexpensive little treats are a delicious sample of locally made fare that can be enjoyed while you continue your walk down 10th or 5th Avenues in Playa Del Carmen.

La Parilla is a popular local restaurant in the heart of downtown Playa Del Carmen on the corner of 5th Avenue and 6th Street. The chefs at this award-winning restaurant prepare an array of traditional Mexican cuisine using a large outdoor grill. The melted cheese and beef appetizer (queso fundido) is an outstanding start to what will be an enjoyable meal. The grilled fajitas is also one dish which will not disappoint. A local mariachi band wandering 5th Avenue often visits the restaurant during dinnertime and livens things up among restaurant patrons with a musical performance.

For a fantastic culinary experience, visit Media Luna on 5th Avenue between 8th and 12th Streets. The menu is influenced by Mediterranean and Asian flavors, with a wonderful selection of appetizers, salads, and main courses. One of our favorite dishes is a salad made of tossed greens, sauteed squash, caramelized onions, bacon, pine nuts, and goat cheese. This colorfully decorated locale has a perfect view for watching the lively 5th Avenue scene while sipping on a frozen margarita. The weekend brunch fare and the daily dinner specials are also well worth sampling.

Enjoy Media Luna when you want to treat yourself to something unusual and flavorful.

La Lunita is a treasure that is well worth discovering. Tucked away in the quiet community of Akumal about 15 minutes south of Puerto Aventuras, the restaurant opens up directly onto the sandy beach. This is the perfect place to enjoy a romantic candle-lit dinner and take in the sun set over a breathtaking ocean view. The meal will be a creative culinary delight, especially if fresh shrimp or fish is among your selection. We recommend complimenting your dinner with one of the fine wines offered at the restaurant.

La Lunita is an excellent venue for a quiet romantic evening. Take the time to savour the flavors and appreciate the beauty of this place. It will be truly memorable.