La Cueva del Chango — Restaurant in Playa del Carmen

Finding this hidden gem was an adventure in itself! A local had steered me towards it, but despite walking past the location twice, its unassuming exterior managed to camouflage it perfectly. The moment I stepped inside, a wave of heat hit me, but thankfully, strategically placed fans provided a cool respite. I opted for a refreshing juice made on the spot with sweet pineapple and tangy orange – a perfect way to combat the Playa del Carmen heat.

Alberto, my server, was an absolute delight. He not only confirmed the glowing recommendation I'd received for the mole enchiladas, but his genuine enthusiasm for the dish was infectious. And boy, did it live up to the hype! The rich, complex mole sauce was a symphony of flavors, and the enchiladas themselves were bursting with tender, perfectly seasoned chicken.

Just when I thought the experience couldn't get any better, another gentleman, who I presumed to be the manager, approached my table. He'd noticed my attempts to get Alberto's attention (the delicious food can be quite distracting!), and with a warm smile, reassured me to simply let him know if I needed anything. This small gesture spoke volumes about their commitment to customer service – no feeling stuck waiting for one server, just attentive staff ready to ensure a seamless dining experience.

It became abundantly clear that exceptional customer service was at the heart of this restaurant's philosophy. The prices were refreshingly fair, especially considering the generous portions. The manager even offered a personal recommendation for dessert – crepes drizzled with decadent dulce de leche. Trusting his impeccable taste, I indulged, and was not disappointed. The combination of light, airy crepes and the rich, creamy sauce was the perfect ending to a truly exceptional meal.

My mission for authentic Mexican food had been accomplished in spectacular fashion. From the hidden gem location to the top-notch service and the explosion of flavors in each dish, this restaurant surpassed all expectations. It's a place that will undoubtedly hold a cherished spot in my Playa del Carmen memories, and I can't wait to return for another culinary adventure on...

Comida sabrosa, excelente servicio y un ambiente increíble. You must try La Cueva Del Chango.

When you walk up, not only are you greeted by an incredibly friendly hostess, but you are soothed by the frog/cricket soundscape and bubbling water fixtures that provide the soundtrack to the rustic tropical theme, with nature being seamlessly incorporated into structure and soundtrack of the restaurant itself.

I knew this place was going to special because a gentleman - who we later learned was Juan - greeted a familiar patron outside while the patron was hooking his bike to the multi-color bike rack just outside, even offering to assist out of concern of the patron’s espalda. He also noticed us sitting outside and checked to make sure we had been helped and were on the list. We were. From then on, I knew this is a community-minded restaurant and that I’d feel very at home in the Monkey’s cave (the translated name of the restaurant). I was right!

You sit down and peruse real OG menus - ones that feel nice to hold because of the quality of the printed pages. No QR code foolishness, which tells me that the restaurant is conscious that dining should be a form of connection between people and that purpose should not be disrupted from the start with cell phones.

Nuestro mesero, Alfredo, solamente nos da recomendaciones excelentes. Para beber, nos ordenamos, el sekere, manati, and coati. All delicious. Para comer, nos ordenamos guacamole, ancho chilli (with pistachios, sautéed shrimp and cream cheese), salad (with goat cheese, pecans and grapefruit), chicken mole, and sesame seed tuna. Todo fue excepcional. I would like to give a special shout out to the preparer of the chicken mole. I’ve never had such moist, tender chicken in my life. It’s as if the chef sat there and said if so much as one fiber of this chicken gets tough, you must start over. We had the crepes and carajillos for dessert, which capped off our fantastic dinner.

Muchas gracious por la mejor cena....

I recently had the pleasure of dining at La Cueva del Chango, a delightful Mexican restaurant tucked away in the bustling heart of Playa Del Carmen. With its colorful ambiance and warm, attentive service, La Cueva del Chango offers a genuine Mexican dining experience that is not to be missed.

One of the standout dishes I had the pleasure of trying was their amazing chicken tacos marinated in a smoky morita chili sauce. The chicken was tender and juicy, with the perfect balance of spice and flavor, and the homemade tortillas were soft and fresh. The morita chili sauce added a tantalizing depth to the dish, elevating the taco experience to a whole new level. The seasoning was truly amazing, bringing out the best in every ingredient and leaving a lasting impression on my taste buds.

To complement my meal, I indulged in their fantastic mango margarita. This concoction was a delightful blend of sweet, ripe mango and a zesty kick of tequila. What made it truly outstanding was the silky smooth texture that made every sip a pleasure to savor. It was a perfect pairing for the bold flavors of my meal, providing a refreshing counterbalance.

Another exceptional dish that I must mention is the chicken breast with homemade poblano-style mole sauce. This dish was a symphony of flavors and textures. The chicken breast was succulent and cooked to perfection, and the mole sauce was nothing short of divine. It was rich, complex, and exquisitely flavored with a unique combination of chilies, spices, and chocolate. The dish transported me to the heart of Mexico, as I tasted the love and passion that went into creating this culinary masterpiece.

If you find yourself in Playa Del Carmen and crave an authentic Mexican experience, I highly recommend a visit to La Cueva del Chango. Whether you want to dive into their mouth-watering chicken tacos or indulge in a memorable chicken breast with poblano-style mole sauce, La Cueva del Chango has something for everyone. Trust me, your taste buds...