Don Mario — Restaurant in Playa del Carmen

After an abysmal experience at another Italian restaurant last night I tried Don Mario. I was really hoping that Italian food here wasn't as bad as my initial experience, Don Mario did not disappoint. I felt like I was back in Milan! The service was quick, helpful, and friendly. Even though they were packed the server engaged us in conversation, and quickly provided us everything we needed to enjoy our meal without having to be asked. The food was incredible! My wife and I shared a caprese salad, I had a pizza and my wife had the special ( a seafood risotto). The salad was delicious! The mozzarella was soft, cool, and very fresh,, the tomatoes were bursting with flavor,, and the pesto was very well balanced.. there was a delicious infused olive oil on the table as well as a fantastic balsamic.. The pizza was truly Italian style. Thin crust, just the right amount of sauce and cheese. The salami was thinly sliced and was ample but not ridiculous. Probably the most well balanced pizza I've had since I left Italy. The risotto was to die for! Truly the highlight of the meal. You could tell the risotto was homemade, the sauce was a well balanced tomato base bursting with flavor, and the seafood was ample but not over powering. Very well balanced dish! Fernando I believe was the waiters name, and he and the whole staff worked together to provide a beautiful experience! Thank you! We...

Date of Visit: November 20 - December 2

My family and I recently dined at Don Mario Restaurante Pizzeria in Playa del Carmen, and we had an unforgettable experience!

Ambiance: The atmosphere overall is cozy with a beach vibe. Whether you are sitting outside or sitting inside, every view is great. It has to feel of an old style Italian restaurant. You have a view of the cooks in the kitchen, and you also have a view of the cooks, making the pizzas and the wood fired oven.

Service: 5/5 ⭐️ The absolute friendliness, and attentiveness of the staff was great! They do speak English and Spanish as well. We really enjoyed the service that we received here so much that we ate here four times out of the two weeks that we were in Mexico.

Food: We ordered different dishes on all our visits the flavors are very authentic, the fresh made pasta, fresh salads and fresh juice were amazing! The fresh pasta was so delicious, you also get two different kind of bread to start garlic bread and a flatbread. The presentation of your meal is clean and the portions are large.

They are a busy restaurant but we never waited for a table, service is very welcoming. This restaurant is perfect for a family dinner, romantic, friends night or a day after the beach when you wanna have a warm hearty fresh meal.

I can’t wait to go back! I definitely think this is one of the top 5 restaurants in...

The Worst Experience ! These Last Sunday I went to have wine and dinner whit my boyfriend there , as I suggested the place I was pretty sure was a OK place to spend a lovely night... until the waiter first inappropriately was stearin at my breast , then was dropping the dishes in a rude way and the cherry on top was when we order or dinner we decide do change the arrachera for another dish , change that we did in no more than 2 minutes whit the waiter was next to us as or waiter was going inside the restaurant... 5 minutes later he arrived to the table saying it was impossible etc , the way that he say it make me feel uncomfortable and I say you know its ok just I told my man I actually want another waiter to continue giving us service no drama just I feel really awkward, so I asked nicely to another waiter my request and that's when things got weird the waiter approach and start arguing whit us at some point after 5 minutes later he raising his voice he decide to leave, the table next door talk to us they where form Canada and they were shock whit the stupid situation. I WIL NEVES COME BACK EVER, AND AT SOME POINT YOU CANT HAVE IN SERVICE SOMEONE THAT MAKE YOU FEEL LIKE HE CAN HIT YOU OR...