
La tarraya
A legendary beachfront restaurant in Playa del Carmen since the 1970s, offering fresh seafood, great prices, and your toes in the sand.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Best Time
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La tarraya

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A legendary beachfront restaurant in Playa del Carmen since the 1970s, offering fresh seafood, great prices, and your toes in the sand.
Arrive Early for Prime Seating
Visit before noon to secure the best front-row seats on the beach.
Cash is King
This establishment is cash-only, so be sure to bring pesos.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Seafood
Price
$
Address
Calle 2 Nte 2, Centro, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico
Website
facebook.com/tarrayaplaya/Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Oceanfront Dining on the Sand
Dine with your toes in the sand, enjoying fresh seafood and ocean breezes. A true beach paradise experience.

Authentic Aguachile
Savor this traditional dish of raw shrimp marinated in lime juice, known for its fresh and zesty flavor.

Generous Portions of Fresh Fish
Enjoy generously portioned, freshly caught fish, often served whole and breaded to perfection.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Arrive Early for Prime Seating
Visit before noon to secure the best front-row seats on the beach.
Cash is King
This establishment is cash-only, so be sure to bring pesos.
Weekend Specials
Don't miss out on the special dishes offered during the weekends.
Embrace the Wait
Freshly prepared food takes time; relax and enjoy the view while you wait.
Tips
from all over the internet
Arrive Early for Prime Seating
Visit before noon to secure the best front-row seats on the beach.
Cash is King
This establishment is cash-only, so be sure to bring pesos.
Weekend Specials
Don't miss out on the special dishes offered during the weekends.
Embrace the Wait
Freshly prepared food takes time; relax and enjoy the view while you wait.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
La Tarraya is a long-standing beachfront institution in Playa del Carmen, praised for its incredibly fresh seafood and unbeatable prices in a prime location right on the sand. While many rave about the quality of the food and the relaxed beach vibe, some reviews mention slow or inattentive service and suggest that the atmosphere can be negatively impacted by loud music.
"This place is awesome! Quality meets an awesome price and location. I've been here many times and compare it with other places.
Some rewies complain about the waiting time. Yeah then go to MC Donald's. Fresh food needs time to be prepared.
You will enjoy fresh seafood directly at the beach. Don't miss the special dishes on weekends.
My favorite seafood place in Mexico :)"
Thomas Scheiling
"overprice poorly serve dishes.
Horrible service. Run down place.
warm drinks, for the beer we had to ask for ice.
the ceviche is not what many shows in pictures. The breaded fish was so thin that we had to remove the bread in order to taste the fish. rice was cold and the salad was just lettuce with no dressing.
if you want fries with your burger you have to order them at 100 pesos for a very small amount.
overprice horrible menu."
Julio Mella
"Location is really nice on the beach. The atmosphere is destroyed by a steady stream of very bad bands playing their setsp for a tip.
Service is "fine". Not overly friendly but that's understandable with all the tourists around.
The food is not good. Stick to the drinks and the guacamole."
Tom Festa
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
La Tarraya is known for its fresh seafood, served right on the beach at affordable prices. It's a historic spot in Playa del Carmen, popular since the 1970s.
Yes, La Tarraya operates on a cash-only basis, so be sure to have pesos with you.
To secure prime seating on the beach, it's recommended to visit before noon.
The restaurant primarily operates on a first-come, first-served basis, especially for beachfront seating.
Popular recommendations include Aguachile, fresh fish (like Tilapia or Pescado Frito), and Ceviche.
Yes, they serve drinks like Margaritas and Micheladas, which are noted as being large and reasonably priced.
While the beachfront setting is great for all, some reviews mention bands playing, which might affect the ambiance for some.
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Featured in these publications
The Top Restaurants In Playa Del Carmen, Mexico
La Tarraya has been serving food with the same simple formula since backpackers first arrived here in the 1970s. The no-frills laminated menu offers the breaded catch of the day with tomato, onion and avocado salad as well as tacos and lobster in season, accompanied by ice-cold Dos Equis beer served at simple wooden tables with plastic chairs on the best stretch of sand in Playa. Looking for somewhere to stay?
PLAYA DEL CARMEN RESTAURANTS
Just north of that is a little seafood restaurant that’s been around forever…it’s called LA TARRAYA. Run by a local family, this restaurant is decorated in a nautical theme and serves up the most amazingly fresh seafood daily!. The margaritas are huge, the beer is cold, and the best part is you can keep your toes in the sand while you eat and drink. (Note: This place closes around 8:30pm daily.)
10 Best Restaurants for Ceviche in Playa del Carmen
La Tarraya is the place for ceviche and is a favorite among tourists and locals alike. With your feet in the sand, you can order an array of seafood such as fajitas, fish tacos, and shrimp cocktails. But the best part is having a front-row seat to the fisherman bringing in their daily catches as well as the Mariachi bands that are happy to serenade you, especially if you offer tips.
17 Best Restaurants in Playa del Carmen with a View (2024)
A beachside restaurant in Playa del Carmen that’ll steal your heart, right alongside its breathtaking ocean view. You’ll feel as if you’ve stepped into a paradise where the sand meets the sea, and the food meets your cravings. Your senses will dance with delight as you savor their mouth-watering ceviche and grouper with garlic and butter that has been praised by many.
5 Riviera Maya Restaurants Offering Tables With Caribbean Views
One of the OGs of the Playa del Carmen restaurant scene, La Tarraya has been around since 1968. Situated on the white sand at Calle 2, this Playa icon with its idyllic Caribbean setting is a top choice after a day in the sun and surf. The charming servers have been around for years and are pros at providing efficient and friendly service.
Things to See and Do in Playa del Carmen, Mexico
If you´re on a bit of a tight budget, then pay a visit to Lido, La Tarraya or Yan and Ten’s, where you’ll still get amazing service, just for a fraction of the price. If expat life is more of your style, then head on over to Wah Wah´s where they have live bands, a weekly cookout and free sun loungers every day.
Restaurants in Playa del Carmen
THE RESTAURANT THAT WAS BORN WITH THE TOWN, proclaims the sign. The wood hut doesn't look like much, but there are tables right on the beach, and the owners are fishermen. The catch of the day is so fresh it's practically wiggling.
The best local seafood restaurants in Playa Del Carmen Mexico
It has been around for years in Playa Del Carmen and is one of the last beachfront restaurants from the old days. This restaurant is not fancy, gourmet or offer large portions. It is basic with fresh seafood and good cheap drinks.
Playa del Carmen restaurant recommendations
La Tarraya (on the beach)– We understand this beachfront restaurant is the oldest restaurant in Playa, for good reason. It is frequented mostly by locals. Great food, very inexpensive and relaxed service.
19 Mejores restaurantes en Playa del Carmen
Entré de casualidad a Cheester mientras esperaba que mi anfitrión de Airbnb viniera a abrir la puerta… y qué agradable sorpresa : las porciones son enormes, por lo que se puede compartir fácilmente con 2.
10 Best Playa del Carmen Restaurants
This seafood restaurant that fronts onto the beach close to the Parque Los Fundadores. The wooden interior gives a clue to its age. It has been here since 1968 but the wonderful view is ageless.
Dining Playa del Carmen Restaurants To Eat
The place is nothing fancy with plastic tables and chairs and no frills service, but you are right on the beach so the views are amazing.
Playa del Carmen Dining Guide
La Tarraya Beach Bar: No frills plastic tables in the sand kind of place offering fresh fish off the boat & cheap drinks.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit