Sea Olive Restaurant — Restaurant in Playa del Carmen

We had an excellent experience at this restaurant, twice! We stayed the week of Feb 20-27, 2023. I am celiac and I am severely reactive to gluten -- I cannot even have cross contamination (at the molecular level), without getting sick. We booked our trip through a travel agent that places Celiac patients and she worked closely with the hotel before we arrived. The first few nights were a bit bumpty, but after a conversation with the resort management, things improved greatly.

The highlight of the entire dining experience were our two dinners at Sea Olive. I have been a popular food blogger for many years and have eaten in a LOT of restaurants in the Boston area and well beyond and I can say that this was one of my best meals... in a LONG time.

Chef Michell went above and beyond when developing each of my courses for both nights. The food was incredible, the flavor combinations were impeccable and the actual food presentation was absolutely gorgeous. Best of all, I did not get sick from the food he made!

Full disclosure: I did have some minor gluten exposure issues at our final restaurant (The Brasserie). While the chef insured that the food would be safe, the dishes that I was offered did not live up to the meals cooked in the other restaurants (specifically, Sea Olive, Mesitzio (mexican), and the Italian restaurant). And, within 36 hours of eating there I started having some of my typical exposure symptoms (mine are neurological and GI) and they are still flaring, nine days later. All that being said, I would still go back and eat here and would most likely eat ALL my meals at Sea Olive because it was THAT good! I've attached some of the dishes I was given as well as some of my dining mates (not GF).

Also, a shout out to Managers Jazmin and Alma, who really made me feel confident in the restuarant staff in several of the restaurants and helped me communicate effectively with the cooking team. Thank you!!! Especially to...

My family and our friends had the most incredible and memorable dining experience at the Sea Olive last night! Our server, Ezequias, was so gracious, friendly and welcoming. He was super attentive to all of our requests and made sure that all of our dietary preferences were taken care of. Chef Roberto prepared the most exceptional food and by far the best meal we have had at The Fives resort. We were so impressed that we asked to meet him in person, and he came out and we took some photos with him 😊 He was so lovely and humble. The outstanding service we received here, combined with the exquisite food and ambiance, made the Sea Olive the best dining experience we have had at the resort. We will definitely be...

First at all. The experience we had was fantastic. We are pretty basic palate people. But we truly enjoyed all the food. We were a group of 14 people celebrating my mom's birthay.and staff did their best to sit us all as close as possible. The appetizers are not for everyone but this is Mediterranean food. So If you only like cheese burgers and buffet food. Go there. All the seafood was fresh and really good presented. The chef made special Mexican appetizers and desserts for all of us to celebrate my mom's 60s birthday. All the team sang Las mañanitas and I have never seen my mom...