Jungle GastroBar — Restaurant in Playa del Carmen

An Unforgettable Jungle Dining Experience in Playacar!

Our experience at Jungle Gastrobar was nothing short of amazing. I had the beef tongue, and my wife enjoyed the New York steak—both dishes were exceptional. For appetizers, we chose the Diablo Shrimp and the charred tuna, which were also incredible.

The shrimp was perfectly cooked—tender and full of flavor. The chili aioli was simple yet perfect, with just the right amount of heat to complement the shrimp without overpowering it. The charred tuna, however, was the standout. It was absolutely divine, with a Mayan-inspired spice blend made by charring ingredients, grinding them, and incorporating the mixture into the tempura. The tuna was quickly grilled and seared to perfection, served with a garlic aioli that tied everything together beautifully. It was easily my favorite dish, which says a lot given how excellent everything else was.

My wife’s New York steak was presented on a sizzling plate with a generous serving of grilled vegetables. While I didn’t taste the steak, the vegetables were perfectly cooked—crunchy, flavorful, and beautifully seasoned. The beef tongue, which can be tricky to prepare, was done right. It was tender enough to cut with a fork and packed with the deep, rich beef flavor you expect from this cut.

For drinks, I had a mezcal-based cocktail that was delicious, and my wife’s passion fruit margarita was just as impressive. Their cocktail menu is extensive, and I’d highly recommend exploring it.

One of the most memorable aspects of our visit was the outstanding service. Our server was attentive, friendly, and clearly passionate about the food. She took the time to explain each dish as it arrived, detailing its preparation and ingredients, which added a wonderful layer of appreciation to the meal. Her enthusiasm and knowledge elevated the experience to a whole new level.

The ambiance of Jungle Gastrobar is like nothing else in Playacar. From the moment you walk through the rustic portal of sticks, you’re transported to a jungle paradise. The restaurant is open on one side, with the lush greenery of the jungle stretching out before you. It feels like dining alfresco in the heart of nature, even though you’re still in Playacar. The setting adds an indescribable magic to the experience.

This was easily one of the best dining experiences I’ve ever had in Mexico. If you’re staying in Playacar and want an unforgettable meal, Jungle Gastrobar is the place to go. It’s a perfect spot to pair with a bit of shopping before or after, and it’s well...

Jungle GastroBar has incredible food in a beautiful location; it should be a must for anyone in Playa Del Carmen, not just Playacar. We were sad to have discovered it toward the end of our trip; we definitely would have eaten there more than the two times we did had we known how fantastic it was.

Our steak was perfectly cooked and arrived literally sizzling. I’ve been dreaming about the ribeye with a passion fruit reduction on pico de gallo and guacamole ever since we had it. And the carbón de atún dish was memorably delicious. I seriously considered extending our vacation to further eat our way through their menu.

A major plus is that the staff there is fantastic. We ate at the bar and interacted with them quite a bit. They were friendly, funny, and accommodating.

The ONLY downside I can think of is that it can be very hard to find! Some reviews note that it’s hidden in the back of a shopping center — but currently, their location on Apple and Google Maps has them on the other side of Playacar, so we initially went to a different area with a smaller shopping center. It’s in the biggest shopping center, Plaza Playacar, right across from Hotel Riu Playacar. There is a display near the road with several signs, but not one for them. Walk past the escalators and into their location; you’ll be...

My family and I vacationed in Playa del Carmen this past week. Most of the food at the all inclusive resort was underwhelming, even the Mexican cuisine. So we went to Jungle Gastro Bar, which is hidden in the back of a street mall. This place was a culinary highlight; in fact, we went there two nights in a row. In total, we tried nine different items from their menu. All of them were heavily influenced by local flavors and/or ingredients, and each plate was orchestrated amazingly well. My favorite was the Chicharrón de Rib Eye con Guacomole. It literally stopped me in my tracks. The staff was polite and welcoming, and the atmosphere was extremely pleasant and comfortable. I hope my future travels bring me back here so I can try the rest of...