Because Playa's Food Scene Has an Argentine Accent Too
You can start the day with chilaquiles, have ceviche by the Caribbean for lunch, and finish with an Argentine parrillada for dinner. That mix is exactly what makes eating in Playa del Carmen so interesting.
The influence of Playa's Argentine community can be found throughout the city, from restaurants specializing in grilled meats to casual spots serving empanadas, milanesas, and choripán.
So if you're ready for something different after several days of Mexican food and seafood, these are some Argentine restaurants in Playa del Carmen worth adding to your list.
El Che y El Güey | Start With Empanadas
You don't need to begin this food route with a massive steak dinner.
El Che y El Güey offers a much more casual introduction through Argentine empanadas, making it an easy choice for a quick lunch or your first stop before continuing around Playa.
The best strategy?
Order a few different flavors and share.
That way, your first empanada doesn't accidentally become the end of the food crawl.
Best for: snacks, casual lunch, and sharing empanadas.
El Patio de la Milanesa | Because Argentina Isn't Just About Steak
Next, give another Argentine classic its moment.
As the name suggests, El Patio de la Milanesa puts milanesas at the center of the experience, making it a good choice when you want Argentine flavors without immediately going for another steakhouse.
Classic, Napolitana, or served with different toppings, milanesa also reflects the strong Italian influence found throughout Argentine cuisine.
Best for: a casual lunch and serious milanesa cravings.
Fuego Santo | When the Grill Is the Main Event
Now we're ready for the parrilla.
If you're looking for an Argentine grill in Playa del Carmen, Fuego Santo is one of the names currently worth considering.
This is the kind of meal you shouldn't rush. Order grilled meats, add a few things for the table, and give yourself enough time to make lunch or dinner the main event.
If you're traveling with friends, sharing different dishes makes it easier to explore more of the menu.
Best for: long lunches and dinner with friends.
El Diez | An Argentine Classic on Fifth Avenue
If you want to combine Fifth Avenue with Argentine food, El Diez is one of the city's established options.
The brand says its Playa del Carmen location dates back to 2007, and it currently maintains its restaurant around Fifth Avenue and Calle 30. Its concept revolves around Argentine grilling alongside empanadas and other familiar favorites.
It's also an easy option if you're already exploring Downtown and don't want to travel far for dinner.
Best for: dinner after walking along Fifth Avenue.
De Local | For a More Relaxed Argentine Meal
De Local gives you another option when you're craving Argentine flavors in a casual setting.
It works particularly well when you want to sit down for a proper meal without necessarily turning the evening into a formal steakhouse dinner.
Think of it as the kind of stop you can easily add between other Playa plans or use for a relaxed meal with friends.
Best for: groups and laid-back meals.
El Choripán | When You Want Something Quick
Some dishes don't need a long introduction.
Chorizo + bread + chimichurri.
El Choripán brings one of Argentina's most straightforward street-food favorites into the route and gives you a more casual alternative to a full restaurant meal.
Sometimes you don't want reservations, multiple courses, and two hours around a table.
Sometimes you just want choripán.
Fair enough.
Best for: casual food and an easy bite.
Amore Mio | One More Stop for Empanada Lovers
If one empanada earlier wasn't enough, Amore Mio Empanadas Argentina gives you a good reason to have another.
Empanadas are particularly easy to fit into a day exploring Playa. Stop for one as a snack, turn several into lunch, or order different fillings to share.
You don't always need a formal meal to explore another side of the city's food scene.
Best for: a quick bite while exploring Playa.
How to Build Your Own Argentine Food Route
Don't try to visit every restaurant in one day.
A much more realistic mini food crawl could look like this:
Empanada → shared milanesa → walk around Playa → parrilla for dinner.
Or spread the experience throughout your vacation. Have empanadas one afternoon, save the grill for another night, and keep choripán in mind for when hunger unexpectedly returns after dinner.
And always check current opening hours, menus, and availability before heading out. Playa del Carmen's restaurant scene changes frequently.
Discover Playa Through the People Who Made It Home
Mexican and Caribbean flavors are essential to Playa del Carmen's identity.
But they aren't the whole story.
The city has also developed an international character through communities that have made Playa home, and its Argentine influence is one of the easiest—and most delicious—to discover around a table.
Start with an empanada.
Try a milanesa.
Share a parrillada.
And if you're still hungry, finish with choripán.
Want to keep discovering Playa del Carmen through food? Follow our blog for new food routes, restaurants, and flavors around the city, and find us on social media to discover your next stop without always ending up at the same places.
