INKA Cocina Peruana — Restaurant in Playa del Carmen

A Taste of Peru in Paradise — Inka in Playa del Carmen is a Must-Visit

If you’re looking for an unforgettable dining experience in Playa del Carmen, look no further than Inka. This gem of a restaurant brings the vibrant flavors of Peru to the heart of the Riviera Maya, delivering an explosion of taste, warmth, and authenticity that will leave you planning your next visit before you’ve even finished dessert.

From the moment you step inside, you’re greeted with a cozy yet elegant atmosphere that perfectly blends tropical charm with Peruvian culture. The decor is thoughtfully curated — colorful textiles, rustic wood accents, and subtle nods to Peru’s rich heritage create a space that feels both inviting and refined. It’s the kind of place where you can linger for hours, savoring each course as you soak in the lively yet relaxed vibe.

But let’s talk about the food — because Inka truly excels in the kitchen. The menu is a love letter to traditional Peruvian cuisine, with every dish prepared with fresh, high-quality ingredients and an obvious passion for culinary artistry. The ceviche is a must-try: the fish is impeccably fresh, marinated to perfection in zesty lime juice, and balanced with just the right amount of spice. It’s bright, bold, and bursting with flavor, transporting you straight to the shores of Lima with every bite.

The lomo saltado is another standout, with tender strips of beef wok-fried with onions, tomatoes, and spices, served alongside crispy golden fries and perfectly fluffy rice. The combination of textures and flavors is nothing short of addictive, and the portion size is generous enough to satisfy even the hungriest of diners.

For seafood lovers, the aji de gallina and the tacu tacu con mariscos are absolute delights. The sauces are rich and creamy, with just enough heat to keep things interesting, while the seafood is cooked to succulent perfection. Every dish feels like it’s been crafted with care and respect for tradition, while still embracing a modern twist that keeps things fresh and exciting.

Of course, no meal at Inka would be complete without a Pisco Sour — their version of Peru’s iconic cocktail is perfectly balanced, with just the right amount of citrusy tang and a silky, foamy top that makes it almost too pretty to drink. Almost.

The service is another highlight: the staff are warm, attentive, and genuinely passionate about sharing the magic of Peruvian cuisine with their guests. They’re more than happy to offer recommendations, explain dishes, or chat about the flavors and techniques that make Peruvian food so special. It’s clear that they take pride in what they do, and that energy is infectious, making the entire dining experience feel even more special.

Whether you’re a seasoned lover of Peruvian food or trying it for the first time, Inka is a culinary adventure that shouldn’t be missed. It’s a place where every dish tells a story, every flavor sings, and every visit feels like a celebration of life and culture. If you find yourself in Playa del Carmen, make sure Inka is on your list — your taste buds...

I really hate giving bad reviews, especially when I know how tough it is to run a restaurant and when the owners are really quite wonderful

And the owner is wonderful, she makes you feel like a friend and is so warm and inviting. My partner and I entered after he’d just come from boxing so he was shirtless and didn’t have a shirt, but she kindly waved it away as we were starving

The atmosphere is also lovely, and everyone seemed happy to be there, but perhaps I came on an off day…

I’ve been to Peru before many times so it’s not as if I’m clueless as to what Peruvian food tastes like

The first red flag on any menu for me is a lack of vegetables. I asked which dish has a little more veggies and she directed me to the chaufas but I didn’t fancy rice. Another option she said was to take out the meat in some dishes and replace with vegetables, but I wanted protein and didn’t want to pay 380 pesos for something worth 100. There was no option to add a few vegetables on the side despite the overpriced dishes.

In the end I don’t know how I was persuaded to take the spaghetti and chicken milanese (she recommended it as delicious but it was literally just spaghetti and breaded chicken… there’s nothing Peruvian about that so I was highly disappointed as soon as I saw it, and knew I shouldn’t have taken the recommendation)

My partner ordered the Lomo saltado which looked better but still had more of an oriental taste feel to it. Like I said maybe I ordered wrong but there wasn’t anything Peruvian about the flavours. It felt like cocina food at high end prices

I went to order a lemonade but the owner (admittedly she’s a great sales woman) recommended the chicha for us both - which was not disimilar to Jamaica water. Except it was 100 pesos! Which is quite ridiculous for something that is usually half the price

When the bill came it was $70US (over 1000 pesos) and that’s what made this even worse

For what??!! Yesterday we spend less than that at Maki Mori for some of the best, most freshest sushi I’ve had… and now for this mediocre meal I could have made at home I was shocked to be charged this much

380 pesos for bland spaghetti and breaded chicken. If the food is good I’m more than happy to pay but this was really disappointing

The mosquitos had a much better, filling meal than us as they ate us alive. The owner did offer insect repellent but by then I had no space left to be bitten and just wanted to go home

Wonderful staff and atmosphere, overpriced and bland food (that we tried). And we were SO excited to go here after seeing all the good reviews.

So sorry to the owners for leaving this review but I wanted to be honest and we were really very upset by...

We just came back from our second visit to Inka Cocina Peruana during our one-week trip to Playa del Carmen. We first came here five nights ago and decided then that we would definitely return for a second visit before we flew back home. I’ve been looking forward to this meal all week and so glad we could come here again for our last night. It’s the only place we’ve visited more than once during our trip.

The food is delicious. We visited Peru a few years ago so we’re familiar with dishes like ceviche and lomo saltado. The food here was as good if not better than any of the food we had in Peru. The lomo saltado, made with beef fillet, is so savoury and delicious. Even the rice on the side was flavourful and seasoned perfectly. One thing to note is the portions are quite generous. Come hungry or with more than two people so you can order a few things to share.

The drinks are equally tasty. The Italian wine list is very well curated. Both nights we had a Barbera d’Asti (not listed on the menu but recommended by Sandra), served slightly chilled, which was so good.

The service is as good as the food. Sandra and her husband handle the service and they work hard. You can tell they are passionate about their business and are very lovely, gracious, wonderful hosts. In fact, the first night we dined there, we saw a couple struggling to get into their airbnb which was next door to the restaurant. Sandra took it upon herself to help them out: she was with them for a good 15 minutes, conversing with the airbnb hosts on behalf of the couple who who spoke no Spanish or English. In the end she helped them get into their place and shortly after they settled in they came downstairs to eat in the restaurant. They were clearly very grateful for her assistance. She’s just a genuinely kind and hospitable person.

Finally, the atmosphere of the restaurant is lovely. Small and intimate outdoor seating on a very cute patio, not right on 5th avenue but close enough to the action that you get some great people watching and a lively atmosphere.

There are a lot of tourist traps in Playa del Carmen (many with questionably high ratings on Google), but rest assured this place isn’t one of them. The food, service, ambiance and overall experience are as good as any similar restaurant I’ve gone to in Toronto where I live. Come to this restaurant and you will not regret it. Thank you so much Sandra for a lovely experience (x2). We will certainly return if we ever find ourselves...