Best Restaurants in Playa del Carmen with Kids (or Without!)

A family of four stands smiling in front of a on-site lagood at Hotel Xcaret.
Photo Courtesy: Michael Nappo

Best Restaurants in Playa del Carmen for Kids

If you’re interested in dining at one of the best restaurants in Playa del Carmen for kids, you’ve come to the right list! We have compiled the most kid-friendly restaurants in Playa del Carmen, all of which were recommended by real parents. Whether you are looking for authentic Mexican flavors, kid’s menus and highchairs, or somewhere romantic for a date night, you are sure to find something on this list that meets your family’s needs. There are a number of amazing things to do in Playa del Carmen with kids. Make one of them enjoying local flavors at one of the best family-friendly restaurants in Playa del Carmen! 

Zitla

Three tacos rest on parchement paper, all include chicken, avacado, and other toppings from Zitla, one of the best restaurants in Playa del Carmen with kids.
Photo Courtesy: Zitla

Live music usually fills the corridors of Zitla, a restaurant that claims to be more than a mere dining establishment. At Zitla, serving authentic cuisine is a lifestyle, and the attentive service speaks to this fact. Parents should definitely start with a margarita before proceeding to the delicious food menu. The menu does include kid-friendly options, though there is no specific kid’s menu. Youngsters have the opportunity to play in the adjacent playground while they wait for their food, however! Between burgers, Gober tacos, and a marisco tower, you’ll never run out of tasty options here. The playground coupled with a festive environment, makes Zitla one of the best Playa del Carmen restaurants for kids!

Trattoria del Centro

Inside Trattoria del Centro, one of the best restaurants in Playa del Carmen with kids, featuring blue and white colors, as well as tropical plants.
Photo Courtesy: Trattoria del Centro

Trattoria del Centro is Playa Del Carmen’s very own Italian restaurant, as well as one of the best family-friendly restaurants in Playa del Carmen. It maintains its authenticity right down to every last detail, including the waiters who will speak to you in Italian as desired. Though the restaurant serves Italian favorites like tagliatelle, mussels, and arugula salad, many come here for one reason: the pizza. Kids will enjoy getting their hands dirty with Neapolitan-style Margherita pizza or trying more innovative pies with broccoli, prosciutto, or sausage. Everything on the menu is shareable, which works well with families who enjoy mixing and matching! 

RELATED: Try these Restaurants in Cancun with your Family

Saffron

The patio seating outside of Saffron, one of the best restaurants in Playa del Carmen with kids, which is a dock resting on tranquil waters.
Photo Courtesy: Saffron

Saffron, the Banyan Tree’s signature restaurant, serves authentic Thai cuisine. It overlooks a lagoon on one side and the hotel’s swanky lobby on the other, simultaneously offering two diverse dining experiences based on guest’s preferences. Bring the whole family, and you can chow down on spring rolls, banana fritters, and other appetizers before the main courses of green curry or pad Thai. If you choose to sit outside, be warned: mosquitos usually swarm the area. Either way, you are in for a treat at one of the best kid-friendly restaurants in Playa del Carmen! As you munch on scrumptious Thai food, you will also be spoiled by the amazing view overlooking the tropical mangroves! Saffron is also great for date nights.

Osteria de Roma

Inside Osteria de Roma, one of the best restaurants in Playa del Carmen with kids, featuring cozy seating and an open kitchen.
Photo Courtesy: Osteria de Roma

Next on our list of the best Playa del Carmen restaurants for kids is Osteria de Roma. Here, escape the crowds at a hidden gem, which is frequented happily by locals in the area. The relaxed, osteria-style restaurant welcomes diners after a day at the beach with no pretenses, which is why it’s particularly equipped for messy or finicky children. Dine on gnocchi, spaghetti and meatballs, chicken Francese, or traditional Neapolitan-style pizzas. We promise that each plate is tastier than the next! Whatever you choose, kids will sop up every last delicious bite and beg for more. Luckily, the dessert selection is admirable – if you have no room for tiramisu, you’d surely miss out if you didn’t take some to-go!

Punta Bonita

Inside Punta Bonita, featuring a long table and numerous colored bolws decorating the wall behind the table.
Photo Courtesy: Punta Bonita

Overlooking the Caribbean Sea, Punta Bonita offers a laid back atmosphere and consistent Mexican hospitality. Considering the restaurant is usually overrun with families by the early evening, it’s also a great place to bring children. The kid’s menu is pretty extensive and includes smaller portion sizes for tacos, empanadas, and tostadas, while the adult’s menu focuses on roasted pig and octopus enchilada. For dessert, everyone can try some of the amazing churros or the Snickers cheesecake while they cozy up by the firepit. Both the family-friendly ambiance and the delicious Mexican fare make Punta Bonita one of the best Playa del Carmen restaurants for kids!

Click here to Find the Best Resorts in Mexico for Families.

Lara Y Luca

Inside Lara Y Luca, one of the best restaurants in Playa del Carmen with kids, featuring intimate wooden tables, and yellow accented walls.
Photo Courtesy: Lara Y Luca

Lara Y Luca offers families a bit of everything, making it one of the most family-friendly restaurants in Playa del Carmen. The restaurant specializes in international cuisine, and its menu has both old classics and new favorites. Its large menu offers appeasing diners with a variety of taste buds. Though it’s open all day, many families enjoy coming here for breakfast. Everyone in your family will be allured by the smell of croissants and fresh coffee emanating from the restaurant’s on-site bakery! Kids can enjoy pancakes, eggs benedict, avocado toast, and a variety of other pastries. Then, there are also more filling options for parents, like chilaquiles or croquettes. Those traveling with infants and toddlers will also be happy to know that Lara y Luca accommodates younger diners with high chairs

Also, read: 9 Best All-Inclusive Resorts In Playa del Carmen For Families

Chiltepin Marisquillos

Inside Chiltepin Marisquillos, featuring a vibrant dining area with a number of patrons, colors, and activity.
Photo Courtesy: Chiltepin Marisquillos

Chiltepin Marisquillos is next on our list of kid-friendly restaurants in Playa del Carmen. This small seafood restaurant has an absolutely standout menu! The ambiance is fancy, yet welcoming, even incorporating a small kiddie pool for children to splash in while the food is being prepared. We recommend you start with some complimentary nachos, and then continue to main dishes like shrimp and steak tacos, grilled octopus, and tuna ceviche. Kids will especially appreciate the fish fillet and tostadas. Plus, the margaritas alone are enough to please thirsty parents on vacation! When dining in paradise, there is no better place than Chiltepin Marisquillos after a long day exploring or at the beach.

Kaxapa Factory

Several dishes from the menu at Kaxapa Factory, one of the best restaurants in Playa del Carmen with kids, including many breakfast items like eggs, croissants, and fruit.
Photo Courtesy: Kaxapa Factory

Next on our list of the best Playa del Carmen restaurants for kids is the Kaxapa Factory. It’s warm and intimate ambiance is its biggest selling point, especially for families! The restaurant contains a total of 35 tables, which is why it’s usually a go-to for families searching for a casual Venezuelan meal in Playa del Carmen. Here, kids can share cheese balls, arepas, and tequenos, while parents dine on pabellón criollo or traditional cachapas. The menu also includes a range of homemade Venezuelan juices, which the entire family will love (and, even better, they’re healthy). In addition, families with specific food requirements will appreciate that Kaxapa Factory offers gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options. From freshly squeezed drinks to traditional Venezuelan fare, families are sure to love Kaxapa Factory, one of the best restaurants in the  Riviera Maya!

RELATED: Top Things To Do In Playa del Carmen With Kids (Off-Resort)!

Best Restaurants in Playa del Carmen for Date Nights

Looking for a date night while in Playa del Carmen? We have compiled a list of great options for you to enjoy a romantic night together! Reserve one of the resort babysitters and enjoy one of the best restaurants in Playa del Carmen for couples! Get a taste of paradise, while enjoying a little adult time. You can’t go wrong with any of the best restaurants in Playa del Carmen for date nights on this list.

The Traveler’s Table

Please inside The Traveler’s Table taking pictures of a large cauldron emitting food smoke.
Photo Courtesy: The Traveler’s Table

The Traveler’s Table is a unique communal dining experience – and rated as one of the best restaurants in the Riviera Maya! Showcasing flavors and techniques from the Mayan empire, the 5-course meal is shared with a group of like-minded travelers from all over the world. While it may not be the best for young kids, adults will find it’s the perfect opportunity to step outside of their comfort zone and make some new friends, in addition to sampling international gastronomy. Dishes rotate here, but are usually a blend of Spanish, Middle Eastern, and African influences. Plus, enjoy an evening accompanied by interactive storytelling and superb wine pairings! This is certainly one of the best restaurants in Playa del Carmen for couples looking for a date night while visiting.

Harry’s Steakhouse & Raw Bar

Inside Harry’s Steakhouse & Raw Bar, featuring a classic dining area with large windows.
Photo Courtesy: Harry’s Steakhouse & Raw Bar

Harry’s Steakhouse & Raw Bar appeals to meat lovers, as well as those with sophisticated palates. Enjoy your meal together in an elegant dining room with an upscale menu! While this is one of the best restaurants in Playa del Carmen for couples, the restaurant remains accessible to families looking for a nice evening out. There is no specific kids menu, but kids will be just fine eating from the regular one, which includes cheeseburgers, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, surf-and-turf, or empanadas. Adults should try the Japanese Wagyu for a taste of real excellence! To top it off, cotton candy is brought to your table at the end of the meal. From beginning to end, you will find that Harry’s Steakhouse & Raw Bar is one of the best Playa del Carmen restaurants!

RELATED: 10 Best Family Resorts in Playa del Carmen (Including All-Inclusives!)

Cassa Ceviche

A plated meal at Cassa Ceviche, featuring fresh ingredients and two sauce options.
Photo Courtesy: Cassa Ceviche

Cassa Ceviche boasts fresh, Peruvian cuisine and is one of the best restaurants in Playa del Carmen for date nights. Most of the cuisine here is seafood-centric or experimental, so young children who are picky eaters may not have the best time here. Adults certainly will, however, as the menu features some of the most unique dishes in Playa del Carmen. Enjoy scrumptious fare like octopus with avocado mousse, Mayan ceviche with crickets, and seafood paella, among a few options available at Cassa Ceviche. Then, for dessert, try the homemade chocolate cake. Your palate is certainly in for a treat when dining here! Finally, with so many seafood options, you can’t go wrong dining at Cassa Ceviche.

Where to stay in Playa del Carmen with kids: 10 Best Family Resorts in Playa del Carmen (Including All-Inclusives!)

Happy Eating & Exploring in Playa del Carmen!

Two kids sit on poolside chairs, laughing at The Fives Azul Beach Resort Playa del Carmen.
Photo Courtesy: Amy Brackett

We hope this list of the best restaurants in Playa del Carmen with kids, as well as the best restaurants in Playa del Carmen for date nights, helps you plan your off-resort meals while in the Riviera Maya. From Venezuelan fare to authentic flavors for special date nights, you will love dining in this stunning city nestled in the Riviera Maya. There is no better place to basque in the sun, toast a tropical drink, and relax on the beach! But, at the end of the day, you can be rest assured a great meal awaits your family by using this list of family-friendly restaurants in Playa del Carmen. Happy eating!

All About Playa del Carmen With Kids: Important Information You Need To Know

BOOK THESE EXCITING TOURS IN PLAYA DEL CARMEN:

*This was NOT a hosted experience. However, this post may contain affiliate links that may earn us a small commission, at no additional cost to you. Affiliate links in no way inform the hotels, sights, products, or other recommendations included in our articles. All opinions and recommendations expressed here are that of the attributed author.

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Families Love Travel Team

The Families Love Travel Team has a zest for life and an even bigger passion for globetrotting! Comprised of real-life travel professionals, we work hard behind the scenes to provide dynamic solutions for adventuring with children. Our enthusiastic team understands the challenges that often accompany traveling with kids and is committed to making Families Love Travel an inclusive space to convey these experiences.