The 7 Best Cheap Eats in Playa del Carmen, Mexico

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Cheap eats in Playa del Carmen is what you seek? Well, you’ve come to read the right article! One of the qualities that makes Mexico so loveable is that it’s so easy to eat delicious food for very little money, especially when searching for cheap eats in Playa del Carmen.

When visiting a resort town, it can be a little trickier to find affordable places to eat on a budget, but it’s still possible! At times, the abundance of choices can make it more challenging to decide where to eat. Puerto Vallarta has some great places to eat

Finding cheap eats in Playa del Carmen is part of the adventure of exploring this vibrant city.

My best tip for finding cheap eats in Playa del Carmen is to explore away from La Quinta Avenida, as there are many cheap eats in Playa del Carmen just waiting to be discovered.

If you venture a few blocks away from La Quinta, you’ll notice that the restaurants, along with their prices, immediately become more affordable. 

Another great spot for cheap eats in Playa del Carmen is the local market, where you can find a variety of inexpensive meals.

If you’re not up for intrepid exploration, I’ve put together this list of my favorite cheap places to eat in Playa del Carmen, but it is by no means exhaustive. 

When searching for cheap eats in Playa del Carmen, be sure to try local street vendors for an authentic experience.

These locations will serve as a starting point, but you should allocate time in your Playa del Carmen itinerary to explore additional options!

Many local markets and food stalls in Playa del Carmen offer cheap eats for those on a budget.

For your convenience, I’ve plotted each of these restaurants on the Google map below, so you’re never left wondering where your next snack is coming from.

You might also like:

• Best Things To Do In Playa del Carmen
• An Epic 5 Day Playa del Carmen Itinerary
• The Ultimate Guide to Tipping in Mexico

For a true taste of the region, explore all the cheap eats in Playa del Carmen.

Cheap Places to Eat in Playa del Carmen

1. Don Sirloin – A Top Choice for Cheap Eats in Playa del Carmen

Avenida Constituyentes between Avenida 20 and 25 (also various other locations) 

In my opinion, Don Sirloin serves the best tacos in Playa del Carmen. Their specialty, as you can probably imagine, is sirloin tacos. You won’t find better cheap eats in Playa del Carmen!

If you’re looking for more cheap eats in Playa del Carmen, consider trying the various taco stands around town.

They also offer arrachera, pastor, and chicken tacos, but none of them are as delicious as the sirloin. 

The menu also includes other favorite Mexican foods, including quesadillas, fajitas, charro beans, and even burritos.

Three sirloin tacos and a beer will set you back about $150 MXN ($7.50 USD), including a tip. This is definitely a cheap eats in Playa del Carmen!

Note: some locations accept credit and debit cards, and others don’t (Constituyentes does!).

2. El Fogón

Avenida Constituyentes between Avenida 20 and 25 (also various other locations) 

El Fogón is one of the most popular taco spots in the city and is often touted as serving the best tacos in Playa del Carmen. 

In conclusion, there are plenty of options for cheap eats in Playa del Carmen that cater to every taste.

I remain loyal to Don Sirloin on that front. However, you can definitely find tasty fare at El Fogón. 

My personal favorites are the fajitas or the chorizo tacos. 

If you visit El Fogón after 7pm during high season (November – March), expect crowds. It’s not uncommon to see a large group of people waiting on the sidewalk for their chance at a table, especially at the main location on Constituyentes. 

Fortunately, they’re conveniently located just half a block from Don Sirloin. Just sayin’! 

Expect to spend about $150 MXN ($7.50 USD) for a meal for one. Also, they accept credit cards at El Fogón.

Bonus Money Saving Tip: You get more for your money at taco restaurants when you order in bulk. You can order 200g, 500g, or even 1 kg of your chosen taco meat, and it will come with tortillas, charro beans, as well as salsas and fixins. If you can’t finish everything, package it up and save it for the next day!

Don’t forget that some of the best cheap eats in Playa del Carmen are found in unexpected places, so keep your eyes open.

3. Tacos El Ñero

Avenida Benito Juarez and 45 Avenida Nte. 

This taquería doesn’t look like much from the outside. In fact, it doesn’t even exist during the daytime. 

The tacos are grilled on mobile carts on the sidewalk, and the plastic tables and chairs are set up inside a covered courtyard. 

But don’t let the DIY appearance fool you, the tacos are fantastic, and the place is usually crowded as a result. 

You’ll never have to wait long for a table, though, as the service is exceptionally speedy (a rarity in the Riviera Maya).

For those seeking cheap eats in Playa del Carmen, sampling street food is a must-do experience!

If you’re looking for a truly authentic Mexican taquería experience, this is where you’ll find it. This is definitely a cheap eats in Playa del Carmen!

You can choose from classic taco cuts, such as suadero, maciza, pastor, lengua, and more. 

An average meal here (3 tacos and a soda) will run you $100 MXN ($5 USD) or less, and they accept cash only. 

A word of warning: The tacos at El Ñero are very greasy– if you’re not accustomed to greasy food, you might experience a rumbly stomach after eating here.

4. Pizza Renzo

Avenida 10 Nte, between Calle 6 and 8 

Pizza Renzo is just as delicious as it is cheap. At $20 MXN per slice, you can easily eat your fill of tasty pizza and still have money left over for a beer. 

This is ultimately a carryout spot, but they have a couple of tables in front and more in the back garden. 

The garden is peaceful, except for the multitude of massive iguanas eyeing up your meal. Beware of them: I was once a victim of an iguana-run pizza heist.

Renzo is cash only. Nonetheless, this is definitely a local favorite and a cheap eats in Playa del Carmen!

5. Wichoos

Calle 4 between Avenida 15 and 20 

Wichoos is a small, unassuming seafood restaurant with kitschy decor and tasty food. It’s by far one of the best cheap eats in Playa del Carmen. 

In my opinion, the highlights of the menu are the ceviche and the sopa Azteca. Sopa Azteca is a blended tomato-based soup to which you add fried tortilla strips, cheese, avocado, salsa, and other fixins. If you’ve never tried it, do so ASAP!  

Wichoos also offers fish tacos and filets of fish, both of which are quite good.

The only downside to eating at Wichoo’s is that they aren’t licensed to serve alcohol, so you’ll have to settle for water or soda. 

A meal for one will run you about $150 – $200 MXN ($7 – $10 USD). They don’t accept cards at Wichoo’s, so be sure to bring cash.

6. Lonchería Los Machacados

Avenida 45 Nte and Calle 3 bis Sur 

This friendly antojito restaurant is one of my favorite places to eat in Playa del Carmen. The only annoying thing is that they don’t open until 5pm! 

What is an antojito, you ask? Antojitos are corn-based appetizers (though a few of them can serve as a full meal). Tacos and tostadas are both considered antojitos, along with dozens of other items.

When you think of cheap eats in Playa del Carmen, Don Sirloin should be at the top of your list!

Los Machacados serves an assortment of traditional Mexican antojitos, including sopes, salbutes, tostadas, and empanadas, among other dishes, including a soap of the day, tortas, and smoothies.

The service is good, but it can be slow because the place is often very busy. It’s well worth the wait, though! 

Each antojito item on the menu costs $18 – $20 MXN ($1 USD), and they are quite large, so 2 or 3 items are sufficient for a full meal. Expect to spend about $75 MXN per person. 

Like most traditional antojito shops, Machacados is cash only.

7. Cafe Andrade – A Hidden Gem for Cheap Eats in Playa del Carmen

Avenida 20 and Calle 8 Nte 

You could easily walk by this unassuming cafe without ever giving it a chance. In fact, that’s what I did for the first 4 months I lived in Playa del Carmen. 

It wasn’t until one day, in search of a caffeine fix, that I decided to give it a try.

Aside from great coffee, Cafe Andrade has an extensive menu featuring just about every traditional Mexican dish you could ever want. You’ll find things like chilaquiles, enfrijoladas, enchiladas, huevos a la Mexicana, and more! 

The food is good, and the service is excellent. This is definitely a local’s spot, and I have spotted many repeat customers during my visits. 

You can expect to spend about $150 – $200 MXN ($8 – $10 USD) per person for a complete meal, and they do accept credit cards.

Looking for tips on how to distinguish a delicious Mexican restaurant from a crappy one? Check out my post on How to Find the Best Tacos in Mexico. 

Try these places out! That way you’ll have a basis as to which cheap eats in playa del carmen are just phenomenal, and you’ll be able to compare new finds! If you have any particular places you’re thinking need to be on this list of restaurants of cheap eats in Playa del Carmen, please send the name and location of the restaurant to hello@janineintheworld.com.