Although we all LOVE tacos, there’s more than just traditional Mexican cuisine to enjoy while visiting Playa del Carmen. Due to a heavy Italian influence in the city, there’s also a great bunch of pizzerias to same during your trip. Here we share our top 5 restaurants for grabbing a slice of pizza.
Trattoria del Centro
Calle 26 entre Avenida 5 y Avenida 10
When it comes to pizza, it’s normally the toppings that are the star of the show. Now don’t be fooled, at Trattoria del Centro, you’ll receive a generous portion of toppings on your pizza, but it’s the freshly stone-baked dough that guarantees that every bite is a taste sensation. I don’t know about you, but when I look forward to eating the pizza crust as much as I do the next slice, it must be great!
My top secret tip is to also ask a waiter for their special ‘aciete con ajo’, their house blend of garlic-infused oil. It’s a tad on the strong side, with an almighty garlicky kick that will keep the vampires away, but it’s delicious for dunking those crusts into.
Trattoria del Centro offers a range of yummy pizzas, with traditional tomato-based ones, but also pizza blancas, which are on a white base. I highly can recommend the Sfiziosa, which comes piles with fresh prosciutto, mushrooms, and truffle oil.
For a restaurant that’s as central as it is, Trattoria is also reasonably priced for a meal, and they offer a range of great Italian wines to accompany your meal. Also, be sure to check out their delicious fresh plates of pasta and risottos on the menu too.
With it’s pretty fairy lights, quaint outdoor ambiance and delicious food, this Playa favorite is a great choice for pizza with friends, family, or even as a great date night venue!
Don Chendo
Calle 24 y Avenida 30
If a Chicago-inspired deep-dish pizza is more of your thing, then you’ll NEED to take a trip to Don Chendo’s. Away from the tourist area that is 5th Avenue, and up on the quieter, more local area of Avenida 30, this small but cute eatery is the to-go choice for a fully loaded pizza pie.
Each pizza comes topped with fresh and yummy ingredients, and with lashings of Chendo’s own secret tomato sauce. Plus, they are big enough to share – one pizza pie is enough for 2 people (or sometimes even 3!)
On Fridays, Don Chendo also makes a range of pizza with gluten-free ingredients, so that if you have a gluten intolerance, you can still enjoy their delicious pizzas.
The restaurant also has a great range of other pasta dishes, but you can’t make a trip to Don Chendo without ordering a special deep-dish pizza.
Sabrinas
Avenida Constituyentes entre Avenida 10 y Avenida 15
Avenida CTM entre Avenida 20 y Avenida 25
For a yummy thin crust pizza, you can check out the wide range available at Sabrina’s. They have two locations in Playa, one on Ave Constituyentes, the other over on CTM.
Stacked with toppings, this is a favorite of playa locals for its great flavor and reasonable pricing. It’s not the fanciest of places, next to a busy road, but is a great eatery for a quick bite with friends.
As well as delicious pizzas you also need to try their incredible range of pastries and amazing coffee, making this a great spot no matter what time of day you visit.
On Friday’s you’ll struggle to get a table or even a take-out pizza from here, as they offer a great 50% off promotion on all pizzas, making a delicious Italian treat even more favorable.
Osteria del Roma
Calle 6 entre Avenida 20 y Avenida 25
You can’t think Italian in Playa del Carmen without considering Osteria del Roma. While the real star of the show here is the gnocchi, their pizzas are also delicious too.
The pizza dough feels a bit more rustic than other restaurants this list, and each pizza comes served on 2 long platters, with one pizza easily being enough for two people to share. The ambiance of this restaurant is charming, with a cute outdoor terrace and patio lights.
Don’t forget to save room for the yummy Nutella dough balls available for dessert!
La Famiglia
Calle 10 y Avenida 10
Right in the heart of downtown, you’ll find La Famiglia. This Italian-owned restaurant is another top contender with Playenses when it comes to the best thin crust.
With a range of toppings to choose from and a great vibe in the restaurant, you won’t go wrong here when you grab a slice. Plus you can order for collection and delivery too, to enjoy the great tastes at home.
Top Tip
In most restaurants in Playa del Carmen, you can take food ‘para llevar’ (to take away). If you order and enjoy a large meal but can’t quite finish it all, they’ll gladly wrap up the leftovers for you to take home.
For pizza at home, check out apps such as Rappi, which can deliver from a range of Italian restaurants in the area. It also helps if you don’t speak so much Spanish as the ordering process is in whichever language you configure!
Keeping Kids in School
As you enjoy the Riviera Maya on your vacation, can you take a moment to consider how you can help the children that live in the local area.
Many students struggle to be able to continue their education, as unlike in other places, high school education here is not free. Often families can struggle with the admission fees, along with the resources, uniforms, and other costs needed to continue with their education.
The great news is it costs less than $2 USD per day to help to keep a student in high school. KKIS is a non-profit charity that works hard with the local community to keep students in school.
So next time you stop for a slice of delicious pizza, why not think about how you can pay it forward to help the Playa del Carmen community.