9 Best Tacos in Playa del Carmen, Mexico
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, and spoke to several friends of mine who’re locals in Playa Del Carmen.
In this guide, I will share the best taco in Playa Del Carmen by ranking, a list of cheap tacos in Playa Del Carmen, the best tacos by category, and much more.
If you’ve never been to Playa Del Carmen, you should know that this city is very walkable; you can easily walk to every taqueria on this list.
This is a complete in-depth Playa del Carmen taco guide!
El Fogon
Famous for being the best taco spot in Playa Del Carmen and the most well-known restaurant in the city, El-Fogon is an absolute taco staple.
The restaurant’s colorful decor and the taqueria’s unpretentious style attract many to El Fogon. Consistent flavors, well priced, and standing the test of time are what make El Fogon #1.
Expect traditional Al Pastor, Sirloin steak, and several other classic tacos. Also, make sure 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
Los Tarascos
Los Tarascos has received some serious recognition in the last few years for its tacos, and it’s easy to see why.
Classic tacos, fajitas, gringas, Los Tarascos has it all with a simple flair. They’re most known for their small Al Pastor tacos that many say give El Fogon some competition.
Los Tarascos is also an unpretentious spot for tacos; if you’ve noticed a theme here, it’s these places where locals eat where the best tacos are 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
Birria de la 30
As soon as you approach this taqueria, you will smell the fragrant smell of the birria consume being served to guests.
Birria Tacos are different than Tradition Tacos. Birria is a dish with meat stewed for several hours in several Mexican spices; this consume, or soup, is then eaten with tacos.
The corn tortilla is then splashed with some of the consume and heated on a hot oven top; this adds flavor and color to the corn tortilla. As you eat your Birria Tacos, pouring some extra consume onto your tacos is tradition.
Birria de la 30 is the spot to visit for some Birria Tacos while you take a break from the traditional kind!
I enjoyed the various complimentary side garnishes they serve here; you can add 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
Taquerias el Nero
This is the place to come if you want to eat the most traditional tacos among locals. If you google El Nero, you’ll quickly notice the high reviews; locals love this place.
You can try it all here, from chorizo, steak, pastor, and many other cuts like intestines, brain, tongue, and more. The Mexican people do 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 it, cheap and delicious, my favorite combination.
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!
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 a favorite in Playa Del Carmen. They’re also well known for being the main competitor to El Fogon, though I’d argue they’re different.
As you can tell by the name, the best tacos here are their sirloin tacos; other flavors are pastor, arrachera, chorizo, and more. There are two different locations in the city to visit.
I recommend ordering a margarita or two here; they’re great!
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 also plentiful here.
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. Los Hjos de la Birria is 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/bistec tortas with cheese here are also a favorite; I recommend trying it!
By the way, my favorite diner in Playa Del Carmen is next door, Los Bisquets Obregon; I highly recommend you visit some morning!
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
Taqueria Viva Mexico
Taqueria Viva Mexico is another local favorite; you cannot walk by this place without smelling the aroma of various types of meat being cooked.
The place reminds you of a street-cart taco stand; simple and efficient. The lunch menu here changes daily, and they only sell the freshest cuts.
I enjoyed the carne asada tacos here which I had several times. Besides the excellent tacos, I highly recommend their freshly squeezed juices and fajitas here!
I only visited this taqueria several times because I walked by it several times, so eventually, I tried it and was hooked.
After discussing the place with friends who were locals, they then told me it was one of the best tacos in Playa Del Carmen.
Address: Av. Constituyentes s/n, Gonzalo Guerrero, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico
Hours: 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM
El Ingrato Tacos
Known for its 10 different flavors of street tacos, El Ingrato is known for its fast service and cheap tacos.
There aren’t many places to sit here; despite being a restaurant, El Ingrato is more of a street taco place; you grab and go or eat in and leave shortly.
This is the place you come to eat cheap, delicious tacos before rushing to the beach after.
You know you’re eating authentic street tacos when you eat on a plate covered with plastic wrap in Mexico.
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, in my opinion, others might argue otherwise.
That’s exactly why I’ve added a list of other notable best tacos in Playa Del Carmen spots to consider besides the list above.
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
La Cochi Loka – Known for their various pork tacos
Jarritos Y Cazuelas – Known for a wide variety of meat and seafood tacos
Best Cheap Tacos in Playa Del Carmen
While most of these taco spots in this list are on the cheaper side, I’m sure some of you would prefer a list of cheap taquerias in Playa Del Carmen; well, this list is for you!
El Fogon
Taquerias el Nero
La Chochi Loka
Taco MX
Best Tacos in Playa Del Carmen by Category
Now that we’ve covered the best tacos in Playa Del Carmen and the cheapest tacos, time to discuss the best tacos by category.
As I mentioned earlier, traditional taco filling isn’t just the main meat choices like Al Pastor, Steak, and Chorizo. Playa Del Carmen is known for its seafood; seafood tacos are also big 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:
With the two Birria taco spots on this list, choosing one is tough. 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 amazing 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 who’re visiting with limited time. These are the top 3 best taco tours in Playa Del Carmen.
Playa Del Carmen Taco and Beer Tour
The Taco Tour in Playa Del Carmen
Food to Try at Taco Spots in Playa Del Carmen (other than tacos)
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; they’re sold at most taquerias in Playa Del Carmen.
Tortas – Mexican sandwich on a roll with guacamole, meat, tomato; make sure you get Oaxaca cheese
Gringas – Meat in a flour tortilla with cheese, simple and delicious
Mexican Nachos – Tortilla chips with meat and Oaxaca Cheese
What Food is Playa Del Carmen known for?
Playa Del Carmen is known for many foods, besides the tradtional Mexican foods like tacos, tamales, tortas, gringas, empanadas and more.
Seafood is quite significant here; it makes sense since Playa Del Carmen is a beachside town.
Dishes like Mexican ceviche, grilled octopus, crab meat tacos, calamari, and much more are all sought after in Playa Del Carmen.
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 run on a cash society, so always have cash; some places only take cash, and besides that, others sometimes have their machines down, 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 quicker.
- Try Other Foods: Look, I LOVE tacos, but my trip to Mexico wouldn’t have been complete if I didn’t try the other foods I gave a chance. Order a dish or two you’ve never tried when visiting a taqueria!
Once you need a short break from tacos, make sure to view my guide below of the best restaurants in Playa Del Carmen.
Planning a trip to Playa Del Carmen? Make sure to use this How to Get Playa Del Carmen from Cancun Airport guide.
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