Zapote Bar — Restaurant in Quintana Roo

The details, the atmosphere, the passion, the taste, the smell. Zapote Bar is a heck of an experience. It’s sophisticated, but at the same time sexy, relaxed and chill, you won’t want to leave! Now be aware it’s not a cheap night, you’re paying top NY/LA bar prices here, but keep in mind that Zapote is rated as one of the top 50 bars in North America and you’re getting a very unique experience and one of a kind ingredients, so if you’re on board with that, the bar will not disappoint.

We didn’t stay at the resort, but both resort staff and wait staff/bartenders were very accommodating to us visiting. The place had an amazing dark, candle-lit atmosphere. The music (while loud) was very cool, they had a dj that night and they seem to have live music on Fridays/Saturdays I believe, so the overall vibe was awesome.

Drinks: Cocktails were on point. We had the Jaguar (my pick of the night), Colibrí, Boa (my wife’s pick), the warm Irish coffee martini drink (excellent!) and 3 more that at that point forgot to jot down (oops, but we were there for like 3 hours and having a blast!). All very highly rated on our end, and the bartenders know exactly what they’re doing, they are experts and are passionate at their craft. If you sit at the bar (why wouldn’t you), the bartenders will explain to you anything and everything about your drink. Some are based off mystical Mayan legends and stories (i.e. The Colibrí) and others are twists of one or two classic cocktails that, when combined, just suit each other. Genius.

Food wise: the Pollo dish is more than excellent and probably the best chicken dish we’ve had (dare I say ever) so if in doubt just get that, it’s also a large shareable dish. Like the entire menu it’s a Mediterranean inspired style dish and just the right amount of heat. The sauces were excellent and chicken was cooked to perfection over fire. Nothing like it. I’m literally salivating typing this. The Ribeye was very nice, good seasoning, and cooked perfectly to a medium rare. All the appetizers and dips we had were excellent and you’ll love it if you fancy Mediterranean. We also overheard the lamb chops to be really great.

There is also a Blue Room for special guests that boasts a laboratory number of Mezcals, Tequilas and bitters. Very cool cozy speakeasy type hang out. But we’ll keep it on the DL (sshhhhh 🤫).

Overall, Zapote is worth all the hype and absolutely worth it due to the quality of drinks and food, top notch service, passionate and knowledgeable staff and the atmosphere.

Shout out to @DriftersJoint on IG for the recommendation and Salvador at the bar for treating us like we were regulars, even tho we’re from L.A. and first time guests. We will definitely be back and we’re already booking our next trip here. ¡Muchísimas...

The experience visiting Zapote Bar was amazing. The bar is located inside Rosewood Mayakoba, but finding the entrance was a bit tricky with Google Maps. However, the hotel staff were incredibly helpful and kind, guiding me to the correct entrance (it’s better to search directly for the hotel). A heads-up: the directions provided by OpenTable are incorrect, leading you to Tulum instead of Playa del Carmen, where the bar actually is.

Upon arriving, the first pleasant surprise was the stunning interior decor. It feels like stepping into a Yucatecan hacienda, with the space thoughtfully divided into three sections: a family area, the main salon, and an open kitchen. From the moment you enter, you feel at home. The service is outstanding—staff are attentive to every detail, making sure you have everything you need, and always offering friendly recommendations for both food and drinks.

Being part of the 50 Best Bars in North America, I had high expectations, but Zapote Bar exceeded them. The cocktails were incredible, featuring unique combinations that were perfectly balanced, made with high-quality spirits, and beautifully presented. While the drinks are a bit more expensive than in other local spots, the quality and craftsmanship more than justify the price.

The food was another highlight—far beyond what I anticipated. Every dish, from the appetizers to the main courses, was exceptional. The pastrami sandwich, in particular, was mind-blowing. Service was impeccable, with my water glass always full and the staff providing thoughtful recommendations.

If you’re anywhere near Playa del Carmen or Cancun, Zapote Bar is an absolute must-visit. It offers a delightful experience with top-tier food, drinks, and hospitality, making it well...

TL;DR - Didn’t get to try, but staff were fairly rude and gave mixed messages.

We were at the Rosewood beach area a little after 11pm and decided to have a cocktail before calling it a night. I called Zapote to see if they were still open. They close at midnight, but its the off season, so I wanted to check. A very grumpy man answered and told me that if we got there before midnight, we would have time for one drink (which is all we wanted).

So we rode our bikes to the main building, and got there at 11:45. The security guard called the restaurant to see if they were still open, and they confirmed we had time for one drink. We got to the bar at 11:50 and we could hear everyone in the back talking. A few minutes later someone emerged from the back looking shocked to see us. We asked if we could have drinks, and he checked his watch but said we could have beer if we ordered quick. I picked out 4 lagers (in bottles, not draught) to keep it simple. He went to get the beers but then decided to double check with someone. Then 3 men came out at 11:59 and told us the bar was closed and they couldn’t help us. I told them how we had called twice to see if they were open, to avoid that, and they all just had a blank stare… so we thanked them and left. I get not wanting to clean anything, but we could’ve just taken the bottles to go sit outside and thrown them away ourselves.

I knew we were pushing it time-wise, and that’s why I called to make sure it would be ok… whoever confirmed with us and the security guard on those two separate calls clearly didn’t communicate that to the staff. I stay at the Carlyle often, and this is not the level of service you’d expect with the...