La Cueva del Chango

We loved this restaurant so much we ate here twice during our 2 weeks in Playa del Carmen. I also ate here 5 years ago and remember it being just as nice then. There were so many delicious options on the menu as well as huge vegan choices. The restaurant is nestled in beautiful trees and gardens and the restaurant itself is beautiful. Delicious food at reasonable prices with great service.

This was such a beautiful spot to dine. We had breakfast here and everything was fresh and flavorful. We tried the chilaquiles, fresh juice, coffee, and they gave us fresh conchas. Super yummy and fresh. Side note…We love spicy food and most places claim to have spicy salsa, but it’s not really all that spicy to our palates. This place has a salsa so spicy it made me cough. Literally a little drop was too much. I’ve never had anything so spicy that challenged me! 🤣🤣

What a cool restaurant! It really feels like you're eating in a jungle. You definitely get the authentic vide from this place. It's a must while visiting Playa.

Me and my friends were there for dinner on a Saturday night. The location is amazing and the atmosphere is very jungly. There were animals hoping on the trees around. My friends loved the food, my dish was not amazing, the meat was dry and the salad was nothing special either. I would definitely try another time.

Went there several times for a breakfast, place looks really nice, atmosphere is very warm, service is great. For breakfast they offer many options, they also serve banana and chocolate bread which I would recommend. Also their juices are yummy…

What a great restaurant and atmosphere. I cannot say enough good things about the food, staff and atmosphere. The menu has a good variety in all price ranges. Do yourself a favor and try for yourself.

Very nice well decorated pleasant place to take your time and enjoy your food. Been there twice in a week and everything was delicious. From the varied type of chilaquiles, to the fish, french toast and the outstanding house breakfast eggs, there is a wide variety of plates to enjoy. The mixed juices are interesting and fresh and the service is first rate. Part of the decoration are colorful paintings from local artists that are for sale.

Completely blown away by the authentic Mexican food and the vibe of this place. So romantic and relaxing. Had a lovely start to our day here. Service was also impeccable!

Loved the vibe of this restaurant and luckily we had outdoor seating (at night) making for a really awesome dining experience. We started off with cocktails, then ordered a bunch of shareable dishes for the three of us...chalupitas, a spinach salad, enfrijoladas with black beans, shrimp in plantain sauce and red recado served with rice and finally a slice of flan for dessert. Everything was bursting with flavor, and some things went a bit beyond our normal spice level tolerance, but they were all fun to try! Would love to return and sample other menu items!

No tengo fotos pero fui con mi familia y a todos les gustó su platillo, yo pedí pollo en mole y estaba muy rico, los platos están muy bien servidos para que una persona quede más que satisfecha y las bebidas también muy buenas. No teníamos señal de internet pero ahí en el lugar tiene Wifi que nos proporcionaron sin problemas

This place is hands down a favorite! The place is stunning! Makes you feel like you are dining in the middle of the jungle while also offering a sweet romantic setting. But we are here to know about the food and the food was just nothing short from perfect. Our different waiters offered great suggestions for the menu items and these did not disappoint. We also came right as they opened because it's a popular spot for breakfast. Their juices are freshly made to order and their salsas are also made fresh each morning which gives this place a powerful and delicious aroma. Their menu has more than enough choices and at the end you finish with a conchita that's also made fresh. They strive to make their food as "artesanal" /organic as possible and you can really tell with each bite. Looking forward to visiting again.

We went for lunch with a kiddo and he enjoyed the "tree house" atmosphere and pond with turtles in the middle of the restaurant. No kids menu but they tried to accommodate his request for a cheese and shrimp quesadilla by making some modifications to tacos. Guacamole was just okay, nothing outstanding but the 3 different salsas was nice. I had the ajillo style fish fillet which came with rice vegetables and a salad side. Ajillo is a garlic butter and I definitely enjoyed this dish. Also of note - they do a fantastic Bloody Mary. The best I had during our time in Playa del Carmen.

It's hard to say which was of greater influence on our experience-the incredible food or the amazing atmosphere. There's a creek running through the floor, a waterfall, several semi-secluded spaces and all under the unparalleled jungle canopy. Low basket lighting and string lights above and if you're as lucky as we were-you'll have a great breeze and 78 degree weather! We shared the chicken mole + guacamole and soaked up every bit of this gem

Must try: Chili Ancho, Chicken Enchiladas with Mole, and a Bohemia Cerveza! Why: Chili Ancho was very unique to me, which was a recommendation and I loved it! Made with Bell Peppers stuffed with Pistachios, Shrimp, Cream Cheese, and Pineapple in Tomato Sauce. Very flavorful! I was also craving mole so had the Chicken Enchiladas with Mole, which was delicious and filling. They stuffed lots of chicken in them and plenty of sweet and slightly spicy mole. Washed it all down with a Bohemia beer. Yum! Notes: Neat jungle themed restaurant with a pond of fish and turtles! I sat next to the pond, which was also next to kitchen so it was great to see the food getting prepared. Hostess and servers were excellent - friendly, helpful, and attentive. I also loved seeing the workers have a good time, joking with each other professionally. They seemed happy working together! Excellent food and dining experience, and I'd like to come back for breakfast and lunch.

Amazing food and service and ambiance The servers are extremely friendly and speak perfect English The food is delicious and they can make whatever you want for you. They had enchiladas on the lunch menu only but they made them for us ....

First day in the area and was recommended to try this for its atmosphere and menu. As others have mentioned you're basically eating in the jungle. Menu is top notch. We had to wait about 15 minutes for a table but was efficient and right on time. Our service was great and the food was extremely good. The only negative was the chips for the ceviche and guacamole were not the best. They were just ok. They brought fresh baked banana bread around as an up sale feature but it was fresh and delicious. Well worth it to track this site down.

This spot is a must-try! My family and I went multiple times during our two week trip to playa del Carmen and it was great each time. I love that they have so many vegetarian and vegan options, as that's not always easy to find in this area!

We did breakfast and lunch here last year. It was our choice for breakfast on our first day this year. We enjoyed fresh orange juice, a quinoa bowl, and tasty chilaquiles. The back courtyard is a very quiet and scenic place for a delicious breakfast.

I had chilaquiles and it was absolutely phenomenal. I had it for the first time 4 years ago and it was delicious then, and it's just as delicious now. They have great service and the restaurant is really clean and the decor is top notch. I loooove this restaurant!

Food: Chili Ancho split as an appetizer was yummy. The Stuffed Chicken could have been warmer but flavor was good although not as spicy as I expected from the stuffing. The Sesame Seared Tuna was a little over done for just searing both sides as requested but the cucumber salad and potatoes that came with it were tasty. The ambiance is nice being tucked under the trees with some parts covered by palapa to protect if raining. The service was good even though they changed servers on us midstream.

50 minutes wait but the foods and services were excellent once you got in. Chilaquiles was out of this world! We'll be back next time.

La Cueva del Chango is my favorite restaurant in Playa del Carmen. I've been 3 or 4 times and my go-to are the tamarind and mole sopes. I usually switch between which is my favorite, but this time around, the mole was definitely my favorite! The vibes of this place are amazing and the service is always really great. I highly suggest making a reservation beforehand so you're not waiting for too long. It's a great place for great food and good pics!

This restaurant was our first stop when we landed in Mexico, and it did not disappoint! It seems like it is nestled in the jungle, surrounded by lush green plants and leaves. The jungle vibe is strong, but it's a great thing. We ate under the shaded patio that resembled a mushroom. There is a fish/turtle pond in the middle of the restaurant. The food was excellent. We got a taste of authentic Mexican. The staff was attentive and kind, and did their best to explain what the Mexican dishes were. They accommodated our large group without a reservation and the food came out quickly. This was definitely a unique experience and we would visit again!

Muy rico desayuno y un excelente servicio. Vale la pena la espera. El lugar está increíble lleno de árboles y naturaleza a tu alrededor.

Let me start by saying its very hard to find high-quality restaurants in Playa del Carmen. Tourist traps etc. We were able to find La Cueva de Chango, which translate to the cave of the monkeys, the reason is, there was a family of monkeys. That used to actually live your. The place is an absolute gem and a true must go if you're in the area. The ambience is super cool a little bit dark but you feel like you're in the middle of a jungle so it's very interesting and adds to the experience. The service and attention to detail was on point 5/5!!!! I will rate the food as follows Appetizers- Salsas 5/5 Guacamole 5/5 Chicken Tacos 5/5 (not pictured) Stuffed chili 5/5 Dinner- Mole Enchiladas 5/5 Chicken Mole 5/5 Dessert- Flan 5/5 Carmel Crepes 5/5. They use mexicaN Carmel know as cajeta. If you're looking for memorable experience while in the Mexican Riviera, this is your number one spot to go. I applause the ownership. I'm hoping they have other restaurants that I can try.

Awesome breakfast spot that offers a lot for the money! Excellent service. Romantic spot that you can enjoy the outdoors & vibes! It's on our list for breakfast every trip in Playa del Carmen.

Outstanding restaurant!!! Lots of food choices and a page just for vegans. The best atmosphere and they have lots of fans going for a great breeze. Kind of tucked away and sitting in the back is beautiful. Great food, service and environment! Attached are some pictures of the vegan enchiladas Also the guacamole and all the sampler salsas and peppers are worth going for alone

Oh my goodness. Where do I start!!! This was the cutest restaurant we have been to as a family on any travels. Ever. It's like walking into a fairytale jungle with fun details everywhere. We couldn't decide where to sit because every section was adorable and picturesque. Now on to the amazing service we got. This gentleman explained everything in detail and gave us personal suggestions that were spot on. We have a child with many allergies and he was very accommodating in making sure she was comfortable ordering something she could eat. We had seated tuna, chicken mole, tacos and a cheese relleno made for our girl with lots of food allergies. The tuna steak was so big, we all ate from it and still had leftovers. It was delicious and coated perfectly with sesame seeds. My chicken mole was one of the best I have ever had. The chicken was so tender and perfectly cooked to compliment the delicious mole sauce. I wish I knew how text please make that at home but I guess I'll have to come back here again. One thing I forgot you mentioned...,, when we sat down, I told my family I needed bug spray because mosquitos love me and it had been raining so much during our trip, I had them everywhere. The server overheard me and came over with some organic bug spray made from essential oils that smelled so good! Talk about great service. Thanks for a lovely and memorable night for our family.

Atmosphere is top notch! We enjoyed our brunch in the jungle. Not pictured is the poblano soup and is was delish.

Great food Service is always Excellent Chilaquiles, Chile relleno, Enfrilojadas Excellent

Must try in Playa del Carmen. Enjoyed a great breakfast and coffee and a friendly visit from the Chango

Visited on a Mon night & the ambiance with the hanging lights & jungle feel is super chill & relaxing. Wear bug spray if your prone to mosquito bites. It's located on a tree lined strip with a few other restaurants & with quick access to the 5th St walking area. We were seated quickly & the wait staff were pleasant & efficient. We ordered a couple of freshly made juices; ginger passion fruit & guava as well as a mango papaya. Neither had sugar when they arrived at our table so we sent it back so sweetner could be added. The guacamole & chips were the best we've had in playa del Carmen. For the main course we ordered chicken enchiladas with mole sauce, the mahi mahi with mole sauce & a side of sweet plantains. I'm a huge fan of enchiladas with mole sauce but sadly these had no flavor. Both the chicken & the sauce were very bland. & The black beans on the side were salty. The fish had better flavoring but still nothing incredible. The meal was definitely disappointing. Would only return for their (sweetened) juices & guacamole. But since every palette is different, I encourage you to give it a try!

The restaurant has a cute outdoor patio with nice ambiance. The service was fine and the food was tasty. They had great drinks.

We planned to go to Playa Del Carmen for the day, and we were recommended to have breakfast here. It ended up being one of the best meals we had our entire trip. The restaurant is decorated in this cute jungle theme, and the food was delicious. They offered some fresh bread before the food arrived, and the banana bread was moist and some of the best I've ever had. A must try. The crepes were amazing. We tried the ones with shredded chicken, and it came multiple salsas to try with it. The empanadas with Oaxaca style cheese were also a big winner - perfect cheese to use for an empanada. A must stop when you're near 5th Avenue.

Super delish you cant go wrong with this place plus the drink menu is good too. Ordered the chilequile daily special which was steak, cooked perfectly the way I asked. The fresh squeezed drinks were good. The ambiance is one of a kind as well, really cool outdoor. The service was alright, nothing spectacular but not bad.

Amazing brunch place. Was recommended to us by our AirBnB host. Food and service was great. Parking can be difficult over the weekend. Highly recommend the chilaquiles, chaya and the flan.

Food was ok. Service was great! This place felt too gentrified for my taste but it was decent. Wish it had been more authentic. The ambiance of the restaurant is very unique and pleasant.

The food was delicious! I loved the decor, it was very original. The prices are average for that area.

The atmosphere alone is like eating in the tropical forest...oh, maybe because you are. For a respite from the business of 5th avenues hustle and bustle, I stopped in for a late lunch. To my delight, they had sopes on their menu which I had a hard time finding in other local restaurants. They were delicious and fresh! The condiments come in cute clay pots with little wooden spoons and the service was top notch. The price reflects the quality ingredients and the touristy price tag of being in Playa del Carmen. Would go back!

Amazing food and great ambiance! Dishes were delicious. I came here 3 times and enjoyed most items on the menu. The only thing I didn't like was the breakfast chicken empanadas. The chicken was a bit dry. I do appreciate that they have lactose free options for milk/ lattes. Their juices are very refreshing. Great for hangovers if you will haha. Their chilaquiles were very flavourful. Most of their dinner menu items were amazing. Highly recommend the stuffed peppers.

Food, service, ambiance and price are excellent. Will definitely return again when in PDC!

We came the Monday after Christmas and thoroughly enjoyed our meal! I forgot to snap pics but we had French toast, chilaquiles, omelet, enchiladas and plantain. Every plate was empty by the end of the meal! The kids did not enjoy the French Toast because it was probably healthier bread than they are accustomed to having, but the adults loved it! We also did mimosas with grand Marnier and fresh OJ and apple juice. You can tell the juices are fresh also. We arrived around 10:30. You can tell this place is popular. There were quite a few people waiting outside when we left around noonish.

We loved this place, it was perfect! Food was delicious! It was nice eating outdoors and soaking the home cooking all in. The fresh juices were super good!

Top notch. Cooked fresh, great ambiance and very reasonably priced. Every place tries to cater to foreigners with Americanized food. The chicken soup was worth the trip alone. Great guacamole breakfast lunch and dinner.

Just stumbled upon this place on a night out from the resort we were staying at and we were so lucky. The food was absolutely amazing. The service was amazing. They were very knowledgeable. I can't say enough about the ambiance. Such a beautiful exterior. Will def recommend it to anyone visiting and will be going back.

Great ambience and cool location down the street from the beach! Chilaquiles and all the sauces to choose from were delicious. We tried the chipotle and the popular or traditional sauces with eggs on top but you can also add chicken if you are really hungry but portions are generous. The coffee was also delicious and they have good juice options as well which I will recommend the green juice because you'll leave stuffed. Enjoy and keep supporting business outside your resort!

This place is a hidden gem in playa del carmen service is awesome... they have natural juices food is delicious they have all kinds of stuff from soups fruit salads breakfast... its a must try... the day we went was kinda busy but for sure they are fast they sat it inside next to were they cook I asked to be moved since it was hot there and with out a hesitation they did... as soon as there was another open table available.. they start off with 3 different salsas all delicious... i would suggest this place 100%

I had the pleasure of dining at this restaurant during the recent trip to Cancun. This place was a highlight of our trip. The restaurant is beautiful - it feels like you are in a jungle, eating in the nature. The place is a lot bigger than it looks from the outside and was packed when we got there. It was my first time trying Chilaquil,m and my dish was amazing. My husband got the shrimp in a creamy sauce, for which I forgot the name, but his meal was divine. I loved their habanero sauce - it was so good. I ordered just some sauce to go for home! The weight staff is so nice and helpful. Even though they didn't speak much English, and my Spanish is limited, they made sure to communicate with us, so we got exactly what we wanted. Do yourself a favor, and check this spot out!

Despite rave reviews, I found the enchiladas to be OK. We started with jugo Guyabana which was excellent: light, airy, and just sweet enough. I ordered the Chicken Enchiladas with Salsa Verde (they were sadly out of Mole). The tortillas were just OK, not super fresh or chewy. The salsa verde was super acidic and fairly flat/non complex in aromatics. And the chicken inside was also just OK: Not sticky on the bite but also not marinated or juicy. Overall I'd pass on this place and just find a more local looking joint for better enchiladas.

I cannot get over this place! All their food is amazing. Had their chilaquiles and they had the perfect amount of spice. Another time I had their special of the day, which was an omelette with shrimp, it was probably one of the best omelette's I have had. It came with a side of chilaquiles, which is the perfect amount for the size of the omelette. They also have carrot and banana cake pastries. You will n out be disappointed. Staff is very attentive and friendly to their customers. Their house made juices are amazing!! You can tell they're made to order. A place to visit when you're around Playa del Carmen.

"Friendly service, amazing fresh juices but the food is definitely overrated" Service: 5 stars Juices: 5 stars Food: 3 stars Ambiance: 4 stars We came during Christmas holiday for breakfast/ brunch due to the reviews and also a local guy that recommended here. It was a long wait but I'm sad to report that the food was very mediocre and was not worth the wait. The ambiance setting is tropical/ jungle, so it was a good environment to dine in. Our server was great, her English was amazing and she gave us the recommendations. She recommended the mole but it was super sweet, nothing like the mole I was used to. However I also learned that the mole they serve here is from Pueblo which is supposed to be on the sweet side, while the mole from Oaxaca, which is the kind that I'm used to, contains less sweet and is more savory. Now lessons learned. However, besides the sweetness, the dish also lacked salt and flavor. However, I would highly recommend their fresh juices, I had a "Mayan detox green juice", which was heavenly. The final verdict: cool experience but skip it if you have to wait for a long time

Great food and great service. Really cool ambience. We didn't see the monkey but certainly enjoyed the food and atmosphere! The fresh pan dunce in the morning is must!!

Pretty cool place. Lush interior and a little dark, at least dark enough for me to miss the fish pond in the middle and fall right in . Anyway, after shaking off the embarrassment we had some delicious sopes and a mezcal cocktail. Delicious food, friendly staff, and tranquil setting (but no monkeys and no cave.)

Definitely one of the spots I hit up every time I'm in Playa. The menu is extensive. Tons of choices for breakfast lunch and dinner and all excellent. Definitely recommend any of the enchiladas and fish or shrimp dishes. The outdoor restaurant is beautiful and the service is always excellent and very attentive. This round I had the shrimp with cilantro cream sauce and it was super good. They always serve a bunch of yummy house salsas as well. Definitely a well refined spot to try when your in Playa!

Food is fresh and delicious and don't skip the green juice (yummy). Typically you will have to wait for a table since it's a local favorite. Prices are good and atmosphere is typical for PDC. Only reason they don't get 5 stars is service which is likely the cause of always being so busy. But not enough not to give them a try. We eat here at least once during our trip to PDC. I reviewed this prior to visiting just this morning and now I'd give them a 5 rating. Previously we had a good experience but felt the time and attention to the customer for the actual service was lacking. That was not the case today. Service was exceptional and food matched. Definitely a staple for us. I also appreciate the timely response from management.

Best in Playa! Excellent ambiance, service was top notch, drinks were good, prices reasonable and the food was just perfect

This little spot is really yummy!! The food options were great & delicious! Service was awesome as well. Would definitely come back again!