Playa Del Carmen and Tulum Mexico Real Estate | Taco Treasures of Playa del Carmen

Taco Treasures of Playa del Carmen

Last week, I decided to go on a mission that was both delicious and nostalgic: revisiting my six favorite taco joints in Playa del Carmen. With my camera in hand and my appetite fully charged, I spent several days indulging in the best tacos this city has to offer. Every stop was a reminder of why I love Playa’s food scene so much — full of flavor, tradition, and that unbeatable local charm.

We kicked off our taco tour at Parrilleros Playeros, known for their Tacos Norteños Mañaneros. This spot is perfect for breakfast and lunch, open from 8am to 3pm, Tuesday through Sunday. We tried a little bit of everything: tacos de chicharrón de pork belly, barbacoa norteña, frijol con veneno, and their newest item — the taco de cochinita, which was unbelievably good. Honestly, every bite was bursting with flavor. If you go on the weekend, don’t miss the freshly handmade tortillas — they’re absolutely to die for. And here’s a bonus: they’re the only taco spot in town with air conditioning! You’ll find them at the corner of 45th Avenue and Av. Constituyentes, and rumor has it they’re opening a second location soon across the highway. They also do catering, which is great to keep in mind for any upcoming fiestas.

"Frijol con veneno" taco & "chicharron de pork belly" taco

"cochinita & barbacoa Norteña" taco

Next, we visited San Carnitas, our go-to place for — you guessed it — carnitas. They’ve got a few locations, but we went to the one on Av. Constituyentes and Diagonal 70. As soon as we sat down, they brought us a little plate of homemade chicharrón with salsas — such a nice touch and incredibly tasty. We ordered tacos de carnitas with handmade tortillas, asking for them maciza (leaner meat with less fat), and they were everything we hoped for. They’re open every day from 7am to 11pm, and they even serve alcohol if you’re in the mood for a cerveza with your tacos.

Handmade chicharron

"Carnitas maciza" tacos

Our third stop was El Grand Taco, located across from Centro Maya on Calle 41 Sur. This place specializes in tacos de guisado, and the variety is impressive. Our personal favorites are the mole poblano and the mole verde (also called mole pipián), both homemade and full of flavor. Portions are generous, and they also serve massive, delicious flautas. Honestly, their whole menu is worth exploring. They’re open from Tuesday to Sunday, 8:30am to 4pm.

"Mole Poblano & Mole Verde" tacos

The fourth spot on our list was Silao, our favorite destination for barbacoa de borrego — sheep tacos. These are cooked over a wood fire, which gives them a uniquely smoky and deep flavor. We asked for our tacos maciza again for less fat, and they were absolutely perfect. Silao’s menu is surprisingly extensive, with soups, quesadillas, carnitas, and more. They serve alcohol, and they’re open every day from 7:30am to 4pm.

"Barbacoa de borrego, maciza" tacos

Then we made our way to Un Tacos Más, a beloved local spot that’s been around for over 20 years. Located on 45th Avenue just north of Av. Constituyentes, this place is famous for its tacos de guisado. We’ve been ordering the same two items here for years: the cochinita taco (which is phenomenal) and the milanesa de pollo taco. They never disappoint. Their salsas are also amazing — the kind you remember long after the meal is over. They’re open every day from 6am to 2pm, but go early because the cochinita and milanesa tend to sell out fast.

Mole & chicken milanesa tacos (they ran out of cochinita so we had the mole tacos)

We wrapped up our tour at Birria de la 30, a local favorite located on Av. 30 between Calle 36 and 38. It’s so popular you’ll probably find a line when you get there, but it’s totally worth the wait. Their birria is rich, flavorful, and comforting. If it’s your first time, I recommend starting with a taco de birria without cheese so you can appreciate the flavor on its own. Then go for a quesabirria or a cazuela de birria. It can get pretty hot inside, so takeout is also a solid option.

Birria taco

I’m so glad we took the time to revisit all these amazing spots. Each one is a small, local business with a lot of heart — and they all serve up tacos that are truly memorable. If you’re in Playa del Carmen and love tacos as much as we do, you’ve got to check them out. You’ll leave full, happy, and already planning your next bite.