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La Cueva del Chango

4.4 (491 reviews)
ModerateEastern Mexican
Closed • 8:00 am - 2:00 pm
Updated over 3 months ago

La Cueva del Chango Photos

LA CUEVA DEL CHANGO ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Romantic
Moderate noise
Good for kids

Recommended Reviews - La Cueva del Chango

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Reviews With Photos

Elizabeth M.

This is easily one of my favorite restaurants in Playa Del Carmen. I've been a few times but I seem to always forget to take photos of my food. The photos here are when I had the eggs with chaya, mushrooms, spinach, cactus, poblano, turkey ham, Oaxaca cheese, and potatoes. Mind you, these came with warm tortillas and we were given chips and salsa to start... all under 200 pesos! I was so full and so happy. To be honest, I didn't care for their juice on this day but absolutely love their mango lassi. Pay attention if paying by card because one time when I went to pay, the lady selected the tip then handed me the card reader to pay without mentioning that she had done that or asking me what I wanted to do. I didn't say anything because she cheated herself and selected less than I was intending to tip so I let it go out of pettiness. I have to admit that it's the only time it has happened but still worth mentioning. I'll definitely go back and highly recommend a visit.

Angie B.

Beautiful place! It's an oasis!! The food is so fresh and good and the service is kind and let me linger. I made my way in because I wanted the vibes. The trees and the little stream that wonders through. (There is an underground cenote in the front that is beautiful ) This is a good place to be.

Restaurant entrance
Evan F.

Loved the vibe of this restaurant and luckily we had outdoor seating (at night) making for a really awesome dining experience. We started off with cocktails, then ordered a bunch of shareable dishes for the three of us...chalupitas, a spinach salad, enfrijoladas with black beans, shrimp in plantain sauce and red recado served with rice and finally a slice of flan for dessert. Everything was bursting with flavor, and some things went a bit beyond our normal spice level tolerance, but they were all fun to try! Would love to return and sample other menu items!

Fresh squeezed juice Jugo de Naranja y jugo verde
Elizabeth R.

This place is hands down a favorite! The place is stunning! Makes you feel like you are dining in the middle of the jungle while also offering a sweet romantic setting. But we are here to know about the food and the food was just nothing short from perfect. Our different waiters offered great suggestions for the menu items and these did not disappoint. We also came right as they opened because it's a popular spot for breakfast. Their juices are freshly made to order and their salsas are also made fresh each morning which gives this place a powerful and delicious aroma. Their menu has more than enough choices and at the end you finish with a conchita that's also made fresh. They strive to make their food as "artesanal" /organic as possible and you can really tell with each bite. Looking forward to visiting again.

Modified shrimp and cheese quesadilla (does not include rice)
Polly S.

We went for lunch with a kiddo and he enjoyed the "tree house" atmosphere and pond with turtles in the middle of the restaurant. No kids menu but they tried to accommodate his request for a cheese and shrimp quesadilla by making some modifications to tacos. Guacamole was just okay, nothing outstanding but the 3 different salsas was nice. I had the ajillo style fish fillet which came with rice vegetables and a salad side. Ajillo is a garlic butter and I definitely enjoyed this dish. Also of note - they do a fantastic Bloody Mary. The best I had during our time in Playa del Carmen.

Blake H.

Service and food and ambiance are hard to beat at La Cueva del Chango. I had sesame/pepper tuna. Cocktails were on point and it's such a unique and beautiful setting for dinner. Recommended!

Kitchen
Ryan H.

Must try: Chili Ancho, Chicken Enchiladas with Mole, and a Bohemia Cerveza! Why: Chili Ancho was very unique to me, which was a recommendation and I loved it! Made with Bell Peppers stuffed with Pistachios, Shrimp, Cream Cheese, and Pineapple in Tomato Sauce. Very flavorful! I was also craving mole so had the Chicken Enchiladas with Mole, which was delicious and filling. They stuffed lots of chicken in them and plenty of sweet and slightly spicy mole. Washed it all down with a Bohemia beer. Yum! Notes: Neat jungle themed restaurant with a pond of fish and turtles! I sat next to the pond, which was also next to kitchen so it was great to see the food getting prepared. Hostess and servers were excellent - friendly, helpful, and attentive. I also loved seeing the workers have a good time, joking with each other professionally. They seemed happy working together! Excellent food and dining experience, and I'd like to come back for breakfast and lunch.

Chili rellenos
Ross S.

First day in the area and was recommended to try this for its atmosphere and menu. As others have mentioned you're basically eating in the jungle. Menu is top notch. We had to wait about 15 minutes for a table but was efficient and right on time. Our service was great and the food was extremely good. The only negative was the chips for the ceviche and guacamole were not the best. They were just ok. They brought fresh baked banana bread around as an up sale feature but it was fresh and delicious. Well worth it to track this site down.

Ambiance
R M.

Amazing food and service and ambiance The servers are extremely friendly and speak perfect English The food is delicious and they can make whatever you want for you. They had enchiladas on the lunch menu only but they made them for us ....

It's hard to say which was of greater influence on our experience-the incredible food or the amazing atmosphere. There's a creek running through the floor, a waterfall, several semi-secluded spaces and all under the unparalleled jungle canopy. Low basket lighting and string lights above and if you're as lucky as we were-you'll have a great breeze and 78 degree weather! We shared the chicken mole + guacamole and soaked up every bit of this gem

Chilaquiles
Glenn M.

We did breakfast and lunch here last year. It was our choice for breakfast on our first day this year. We enjoyed fresh orange juice, a quinoa bowl, and tasty chilaquiles. The back courtyard is a very quiet and scenic place for a delicious breakfast.

Great salsas

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1 month ago

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10 months ago

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3 months ago

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8 months ago

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2 years ago

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9 months ago

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7 months ago

It was great the Moulenaous was awesome some the atmosphere and service was beyond compare!

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3 years ago

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11 months ago

The Poblano Cream soup was amazing! I can't even describe it! An amazing culinary experience!!!

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1 year ago

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7 months ago

One of my favorite Mexican restaurants in Playa. Great service and cool atmosphere too.

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3 years ago

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1 year ago

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9 months ago

Great atmosphere. Vegetarian options. We ate dinner here but looks like they have an amazing breakfast/brunch too.

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1 year ago

Food is overrated,, I had the fish of the day and there was not too much flavor, blend on my point of view . service was great,

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2 years ago

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9 months ago

Amazing vibe, greatest chilaquiles, juices and crepes. Fantastic service fair prices, my favorite..,

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5 years ago

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1 year ago

Good food and good service. Very reasonably priced as well. One of the best we tried in Cancun.

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Page 1 of 13

La Cueva del Chango Reviews in Other Languages

El Fogón

El Fogón

4.6(1.3k reviews)
1.5 km•Centro
•$

After visiting all three El Fogón locations in Playa del Carmen, I can confidently say they're all…read morefantastic. The service is quick, the prices are incredibly reasonable, and the food is consistently delicious. Before your meal even arrives, you're served a plate of fresh radishes, cucumber, and lime wedges, plus a selection of toppings including tomatoes, onions, and both a green and red salsa. Unfortunately this location didn't give us the cactus like the other locations did. The red salsa was my favourite, it paired perfectly with the tacos and had just the right amount of heat and flavour. The standout for me was the al pastor taco. The meat was incredibly flavourful with crispy edges, a smoky char, and the perfect balance of savoury spice and sweet pineapple. It was easily one of the best al pastor tacos I had in Playa del Carmen. I also tried the sirloin taco and the chicken breast plate, both of which were excellent. The portions were generous, everything tasted fresh, and the quality was impressive, especially for the price. El Fogón absolutely lived up to the hype. If you're looking for authentic, delicious tacos and grilled meats that won't break the bank, this is a must visit. I loved it so much that I ended up eating at all three locations and every visit was just as good as the last.

We had a fantastic meal at El Fogón in Playa del Carmen! The atmosphere was fun, lively, and felt…read morevery authentic. The service was outstanding, and everyone made us feel welcome. My wife and I shared the chicken fajitas, which were excellent. My friend ordered the al pastor fajitas, and his wife had the pork chops--everyone agreed the food was delicious. The guacamole was fresh and amazing, and every dish was flavorful and generously portioned. If you're looking for authentic Mexican food with excellent service and a great atmosphere, I highly recommend El Fogón. We would definitely come back!

Photos
El Fogón - View from interior towards the corner intersection.

View from interior towards the corner intersection.

El Fogón - Nopales

Nopales

El Fogón - Strawberries smoothie

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Strawberries smoothie

Axiote - Mezcal tasting pairing

Axiote

4.4(280 reviews)
0.2 km•Gonzalo Guerrero
•$$

Axiote Cocina de México was an incredible, beautiful restaurant, and one of the highlights of our…read moretrip--a perfect reminder to get out of the hotel and experience the local fare. The space is warm and completely unpretentious--wood, simple tables, an open kitchen and a palapa-style roof. Nothing about it screams "fine dining," and that's part of the charm. The perfectly prepared food does all the work. We chose the tasting experience, and bite for bite it was outstanding. The fried mushrooms were perfect, the fish ceviche was awesome, and the beef tongue was cooked beautifully. And don't be afraid of the grasshoppers--seriously. Yummy. Even ingredients I normally don't gravitate toward, like black beans, were used so thoughtfully that I enjoyed them. The drink pairings were equally impressive--tequila, beer, wine and espresso--and each one genuinely complemented the course it accompanied. We were basically the only guests that evening, and our waiter turned that into a wonderfully personal experience. He patiently answered every one of our many "American questions" about the ingredients, preparation and pairings, never making us feel rushed or out of place. A sincere thank-you to him, the cooks--who my partner and I gave a standing ovation to--and the entire team for making the evening so memorable. My one tiny suggestion? Cloth napkins. With that many courses, sauces and textures, the paper ones felt a little out of step with the quality of the food. But when the napkin is your biggest criticism, they're doing something right. And then there's the value. For an experience of this quality, the price was remarkable. Our total was about $320 including tip for the full tasting experience and pairings for two. We have spent more than twice that on comparable special-occasion dinners at home, so Axiote felt not just exceptional, but genuinely budget-friendly for what you receive. Axiote is relaxed, confident, welcoming and absolutely worth leaving the resort for. Go hungry, ask questions, trust the kitchen--and yes, eat the grasshoppers.

Great experience last Friday night at this Michinlin Bib restaurant. So glad I stopped by this…read moreplace is bomb and super not pretentious! Wish I got the tasting menu but I opted for 3 of the specialties instead and they were delicious... Tasting menu is best value tho! I got the raw trout sashimi thing and it was by far the best plate of the meal (first dish/appetizer) , then got the shrimp flautas (good not amazing) then I got the trout loin for the entree (good not amazing) Skinny marg was perfect and so was the waitress! Would recommend and go back but like I said I would for sure do with the 6 or 8 course tasting menu!

Photos
Axiote - Inside

Inside

Axiote - Course 5 of tasting menu - beef tongue

Course 5 of tasting menu - beef tongue

Axiote - Tomate - mezcal, cucumber, parsley, tomatillo, worm salt

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Tomate - mezcal, cucumber, parsley, tomatillo, worm salt

La Perla Pixan & La Carbonería - CRICKETS, don't hesitate!!

La Perla Pixan & La Carbonería

4.3(184 reviews)
0.1 km•Gonzalo Guerrero
•$$

This place is amazing from the food to the staff! We came in with our 2 year old who was asleep…read morethey accommodated her and my wife to make her comfortable while she slept and the service was above and beyond and the food was the best food I have eaten while here definitely recommend!

We were wanting a "smaller" lunch and I had read that this place was awesome, so we decided to give…read moreit a try. It helped that it was pouring rain and most of the restaurant was under cover, unlike a lot of spots, so it was perfect. We were seated quickly and helped shortly after. Service was...interesting. Felt like we had the hardest experience with communication here, which is fine, as Americans that is our fault. Things like they have a porn star martini ( my fav) as a mocktail so I asked if it was possible to add a shot of vodka. They initially recommended the espresso martini which I did not want so I was just opting for water and he pushed the original option on me then charged be $20 for it, which was insane. They also pushed sales hard here, it felt a little off...like we just wanted to enjoy a meal and at the end we're hounded to try their mezcals. BUT food came quick and effeciently so no major complaints there, just be aware. As for the food, it was incredible. Again with the communication, we pointed and asked for the beet carpaccio....they brought out beef carpaccio WHICH thankfully we both eat meat because honestly, it was freaking incredible. We didn't even say anything about the mix up because it was a highlight. They brought it out under a glass smoker, it had a cream sauce, and rosemary, lime, cheese, it was just perfect. We also had the corn which was super unique, the tuna appetizer which had SO MUCH FLAVOR, and the fundito which was on par with everywhere else in the area. It ended up being more food than we planned but it was incredible in flavor, whoever the cook is does a great job of marrying flavors because it was an incredible meal. Be ready for the communication gap, but know you won't eat anything bad here.

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La Perla Pixan & La Carbonería
La Perla Pixan & La Carbonería - HUAUZONTLE WEATHERED

HUAUZONTLE WEATHERED

La Perla Pixan & La Carbonería - Dulce de leche

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Dulce de leche

La Cueva del Chango - easternmexican - Updated October 2026

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