9 Best Tacos in Playa del Carmen for 2024
Are you looking for the best tacos in Playa Del Carmen? I’ve got you covered with this complete guide for everything you need to know about the best tacos in Playa Del Carmen!
Before visiting Playa Del Carmen for the first time, I made it my mission to find the best taco spots in Playa Del Carmen. I researched forums, watched videos online, and spoke to friends who live in Playa Del Carmen.
In this guide, I will share the best taco restaurants in Playa Del Carmen, the best street tacos in Playa Del Carmen, and much more.
If you’ve never been to Playa Del Carmen, you should know that this city is very walkable. Getting to any of these taco restaurants in town is easy.
Later in the article, I included categories for the best tacos in town, including fish tacos, which are famous in Playa due to the many seafood restaurants in Playa Del Carmen.
El Fogon
Famous for being the best taco spot in Playa Del Carmen and the most well-known restaurant in the town, El-Fogon is an absolute taco staple.
The restaurant’s colorful decor and the taqueria’s unpretentious style attract everyone to El Fogon. Consistent, well-priced flavors and standing the test of time make El Fogon #1.
Expect traditional taco meats like Al Pastor, Sirloin steak, and other meat cuts. Also, I recommend you try the gringas and tortas here stuffed with Oaxaca cheese.
On the side, complimentary hot sauces, pico de Gallo, and onions are served at each table.
Address: Location 1 – Location 2 – Location 3
Hours: 12:00 PM – 3:00 AM / Hours vary by Location
Birria de la 30
As soon as you approach this taqueria, you smell the fragrant smell of the birria consume being served to guests.
Birria Tacos are different than traditional tacos, so if you’ve never had them, you’re in for a great surprise!
Birria is a dish with beef and goat meat stewed slowly in Mexican spices for several hours. The result is this rich consume/broth-like liquid that tastes just heavenly!
The corn tortilla is then splashed with some of the consume as it’s heated on a hot oven top; it soaks up the consume and adds a great flavor to the tacos.
As you eat your birria Tacos, pouring some extra consume onto your tacos is tradition or you can dip your taco in the consume as you eat it like a soup as well.
Birria de la 30 is the spot for some birria tacos in Playa Del Carmen. If you haven’t tried birria tacos, seriously, you’re missing out. You may never see traditional tacos the same!
The restaurant also had complimentary side garnishes to change your palate as you dined away, or you can add one or two of them to your tacos!
Address: 30 Avenida Nte. 4, Tohoku, Centro, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico
Hours: 8:00 AM – 9:40 PM
Los Tarascos
Los Tarascos has received some serious recognition in the last few years for its tacos in town, and it’s easy to see why.
Classic tacos, fajitas, gringas, Los Tarascos has it all with a simple flair. They’re known for their small Al Pastor tacos that many say give El Fogon some competition. Try both and see what you prefer!
Los Tarascos is also an unpretentious spot for tacos. If you’ve noticed a theme here, it’s these restaurants where locals eat the best tacos in Playa Del Carmen. A bonus about this taqueria is that they’re open late.
Address: 30 Avenida Nte. 354, Gonzalo Guerrero, 77720 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico
Hours: 2:00 PM – 2:00 AM
Taquerias el Nero
This is the place to come if you want to eat the most traditional tacos among locals in town. If you Google El Nero, you’ll quickly notice the high reviews from locals. Locals love this taqueria.
There are many types of taco meats, from chorizo to steak, al pastor, and other unique meat cuts like intestines, brain, tongue, and more. The Mexican people say any meat can be thrown on a corn tortilla and made into a taco.
After my initial visit to El Nero, I went back many times. I get why the locals love the place. It’s cheap, the service is fast, and the tacos are delicious, my favorite combination.
In the late evening, the restaurant does run out of a few popular meat cuts, so if you’d like to try the most popular options here, it’s best to come before 8:00 PM, even though they’re open late.
Besides the unique flavors, the best part of El Nero is how cheap the tacos are. You can eat tacos for as little as 15 Pesos here, that’s around $1 US.
Address: Av Benito Juárez LB, Centro, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico
Hours: 4:00 PM – 1:00 AM
Don Sirloin
Famous for its various beef-cut tacos, Don Sirloin is another taco chain favorite in Playa Del Carmen. They’re also well known for being El Fogon’s main competitor, though I’d argue they’re different taquerias in many ways
As you can tell by the name, the best tacos here are their sirloin, and the restaurant is most known for its beef cuts. However, they do serve classic flavors like al pastor and chorizo.
Don Sirloin is slightly more expensive than El Fogon, which is another reason I favor El Fogon over them. There are two different locations in the city to visit, and the tacos are really good. It’s worth a visit!
I recommend trying a margarita or two here, they’re great and pair excellent with any tacos here.
Address: Location 1 – Location 2
Hours: 11:00 AM – 1:00 AM / Hours Vary by Location
Los Hjos de la Birria
Located just a short walk from the main Playa Del Carmen ferry dock is Los Hjos de la Birria, yes, you guessed it, another Birria taco spot!
The Birria consume portion here is generous, the tacos are perfectly crispy, just like a Birria taco should be, and the garnish options are plentiful.
Having only had the chance to visit once when I was in Playa Del Carmen close to the end of my trip, I regretted not coming here earlier, the tacos were exceptional.
Los Hjos de la Birria is truly underrated and has one of the best tacos in Playa del Carmen.
Address: 30 Av. Sur 43, esquina 1ra sur, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico
Hours: 8:30 AM – 9:30 PM
El Chuleton
Not known by many, El Chuleton is another one of those places mostly famous to locals.
El Chuleton serves authentic, affordable, delicious tacos, tortas, fajitas, and more.
While I love their tacos here, El Chuleton is my favorite place in Playa Del Carmen for guacamole and chips. They serve a delicious and generous portion; the chips are always fresh here.
The steak tortas with Oaxaca cheese are also a must-try. If you haven’t tried a tortas sandwich before, you’re missing out.
By the way, my favorite diner in Playa Del Carmen is next door, Los Bisquets Obregon. I highly recommend you visit some morning, they serve a delicious Mexican breakfast at affordable prices.
Address: Av. 20 entre Constituyentes y, C. 16 Nte. Bis, Centro, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico
Hours: 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM
La Cochi Loka
La Cochi Loka is popular amongst all, both locals and tourists, due to its central location in town. Also, with their fun, colorful pink-themed restaurant, it’s hard to walk by and not be curious about what they sell there!
The taqueria is most known for its authentic pulled pork, which they offer on a soft corn tortilla taco, crispy tostada, or even in a delicious torta sandwich topped with avocado and tomato.
They’ve also got chicken tacos are as well, but their not nearly as famous for those as their pulled pork tacos.
Visiting the taqueria with friends who recommended it to me, I had the assumption the place may lack authenticity due to its prime central location, but I was thankfully wrong. The tacos and tortas are great here!
Address: C. 10 Nte. 27, Gonzalo Guerrero, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico
Hours: 9:00 AM – 1:00 AM (Next Day)
El Ingrato Tacos
Known for its 10 different flavors of street tacos, El Ingrato is famous for its fast service and affordable cheap tacos. It doesn’t get more local than this taqueria right here.
There aren’t many places to sit here, despite being a restaurant, El Ingrato is more of a street taco place if anything. You come, you eat and you leave within the next few minutes. A proper hole-in-the-wall type place, my favorite.
This is where you come to eat cheap, delicious tacos before returning to the beach.
You know you’re eating authentic street tacos when you eat on a plate covered with plastic wrap in Mexico. Traveling around Mexico, this was always an indicator to me that I was dining at a true local taqueria.
Address: Av. Constituyentes 280, Gonzalo Guerrero, 77720 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico
Hours: 3:15 PM – 12:45 AM
Other Notable Taco Spots in Playa Del Carmen
Playa Del Carmen is full of taquerias, and while these are the best tacos in Playa Del Carmen, there are still many other tacos restaurants in Playa Del Carmen to consider!
That’s why I’ve added a list of other notable best tacos in Playa Del Carmen spots to consider below. After all, how does one get tired of tacos or Mexican Food, for that matter?
Un Taco Mas – Taqueria known for its traditional tacos and fajitas
Taco Mx – Modern taqueria known for their unique tacos
AY Taco – Known for their Al Pastor tacos, burritos, and tortas
Jarritos Y Cazuelas – Known for a wide variety of meat and seafood tacos
Best Tacos in Playa Del Carmen by Category
Now that we’ve covered the best tacos in Playa Del Carmen, it’s time to discuss the best tacos by category in town!
As mentioned earlier, traditional taco filling is usually pastor, steak, and chorizo, but Playa Del Carmen is famous for its seafood, so seafood tacos are a thing here!
Best Street Tacos in Playa Del Carmen:
The best street tacos in Playa Del Carmen are outside the Super Aki (large grocery store) on Avenida 30 and Calle 40 streets.
Best Fish Tacos in Playa Del Carmen:
La Floresta is on the outskirts of the city center but is worth the visit if you’re looking for the best fish tacos in Playa Del Carmen! Also, make sure to try Crab Tacos here, they are delicious!
Best Birria Tacos in Playa Del Carmen:
Choosing one is tough with the two amazing birria taco spots on this list. I highly recommend trying both Birria de la 30 & Los Hjos de la Birria.
But Birria De La 30 is slightly favored by locals, from what I’ve heard.
Playa Del Carmen Taco Tours
Overwhelmed by all these fantastic taquerias in Playa Del Carmen? A taco tour in Playa Del Carmen may be ideal for you to attend!
Having attended one tour, I enjoyed it and would recommend it to those visiting with limited time. These are the top 3 best taco tours in Playa Del Carmen to consider!
Playa Del Carmen Taco and Beer Tour
The Taco Tour in Playa Del Carmen
Other Food to Try at Taco Spots in Playa Del Carmen
Before coming to Playa del Carmen, I’d never tried tortas or gringas. Fajitas, and quesadillas, were both familiar to me, but not tortas and gringas.
After trying them, I couldn’t believe I’d never had them! You must try both a tortas sandwich and a gringa, they’re sold at most taquerias in Playa Del Carmen.
Tortas – Mexican sandwich on a roll with guacamole, meat, and tomato. Make sure you get Oaxaca cheese inside.
Gringas – Meat in a flour tortilla with cheese, simple and delicious.
Mexican Nachos – Tortilla chips with meat and Oaxaca Cheese.
Tips for Eating Tacos in Playa Del Carmen
Here are a few tips I’d suggest you follow to make the most out of your taco experience in Playa Del Carmen:
- Have Cash Always: Most restaurants in Mexico operate on cash, so always have cash with you. Some restaurants only take cash, and besides that, others sometimes have their machines down due to internet outages. Always have cash!
- Learn some basic Spanish: This goes a long way; knowing a few basic words will allow most employees to pick up on your order faster.
- Try Other Foods: Look, I LOVE tacos, but when visiting Mexico, I highly encourage you to try the many different foods besides tacos! Order a dish or two you’ve never tried when visiting a taqueria!
Once you need a short break from tacos, view my guide for the best restaurants in Playa Del Carmen.
What food is Playa Del Carmen known for?
Playa Del Carmen is known for many foods. Besides the traditional Mexican foods like tacos, tamales, tortas, gringas, empanadas and more.
Seafood is significant in Playa, from grilled octopus, Mexican ceviche, fish tacos, calamari, popcorn shrimp, and much more! It makes sense since Playa Del Carmen is a beachside town, after all!
Is Playa Del Carmen expensive to eat?
It depends on where you eat. You can expect to pay around $4 to $7 US at a local restaurant for a meal.
But prices rise in restaurants along the main 5th Avenue Street, and eating out will cost around $15 – $20 US a person.
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