2 Best Restaurants in The Riviera Maya, Mexico

The name says it all at this New York–inspired restaurant where entrées are grilled on wooden planks or Himalayan salt blocks. The smoky flavors of cedar, maple, hickory, and oak come through in signature dishes like grilled salmon or beef filet in mushroom sauce. Sides of roasted cauliflower and grilled asparagus are served in mini cast-iron skillets, and flatbreads are topped with Brie cheese, cherry tomatoes, and arugula leaves. Cocktails such as the Margarita Golden add smolder to your meal. This is the place to celebrate birthdays, as the entire staff will burst out in song with cake and sparklers.

Follow your nose to this Mexican grill house, where locals gather for some of the best-tasting steak in town. The open-air restaurant is filled with the sounds of mariachi music blaring from the radio, and a mounted bull's head hangs above the plastic tables and chairs. The main draws are the huge cuts of beef, pork, and chicken served with baskets of corn tortillas, baked potatoes, and ripe avocados. This might just be the tastiest arrachera (skirt steak) you'll find on your vacation. There is a second location on Calle 1ra Sur.