Mexican Restaurant & Restaurant & Food restaurant in Playa del Carmen

El Fogón

Experience authentic Mexican flavors at this beloved Playa del Carmen spot, rated 4.6/5. Enjoy delicious grilled dishes and a lively atmosphere. Visit El Fogón for a memorable meal.

4.6(11,918 reviews)
$
Mexican Restaurant · Restaurant · Food
El Fogón in playa-del-carmen

Vibrant 2-story restaurant offering slow-roasted pork tacos, pozole & other meat-based fare.

About El Fogón

This popular eatery in Playa del Carmen offers a vibrant dining experience, consistently earning a 4.6 out of 5 stars from nearly 12,000 reviews. Known for its authentic Mexican fare, the restaurant creates a lively, bustling atmosphere that's a hit with locals and visitors alike, even during off-peak hours. Diners appreciate the friendly service and the unique touches, such as the personal charcoal burners that keep grilled meats perfectly warm. While the flavors are generally praised, some mention preferences regarding meat preparation. With its affordable pricing, outdoor seating, and ability to accommodate groups, it's a go-to destination for a flavorful and engaging meal in the heart of the Riviera Maya.

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Restaurant Analysis

Restaurant Characteristics

Formula-Based Analysis

This restaurant has been analyzed using our formula-based system to help you understand its key features and match it with your dining preferences.

💰Price Range
Budget-friendly
🕐Meal Time
lunch
👥Group Size
Groups Welcome
🎭Atmosphere
Outdoor
🍽️Dining Style
Casual
Features & Amenities
Outdoor Seating
Cocktails
Beer
Wine
+3 more

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Why Travelers Love El Fogón

Sourced from recent guest feedback and verified reviews.

4.6 / 5.0(11,918 reviews)

This is our second time back at El Fogon! The place is always bustling, even in the early afternoon when most restaurants are still quiet. There was a lineup, but we got a table pretty quickly. Our server was super friendly. Last time we had tacos, so this time we tried their BBQ. It came with a small charcoal burner to keep the meat warm — such a nice touch! The flavor was great, but I found the pork chop a bit dry and the steak cooked well-done (I prefer medium-rare). Overall, we still enjoyed our meal — the atmosphere here is always awesome. Next time, we’ll probably try something a little less dry. After having this place recommended by two separate taxi drivers we decided to give it a try. A true locals place with legitimate great atmosphere we could not have been more pleased. We were delighted to see that it is a Michelin rated restaurant in 2024 but two months ago they received a new recommendation for 2025. The prices are super reasonable and the quality is excellent in both service and food..... Gents: Warning. The toilet (water closet) does not have a seat. Ladies: while we were there, being a naturally curious person I took time to check the ladies room and you are awarded a seat! I was with my wife and son's girlfriend who actually asked me to check the conditions. Both restrooms were actually very clean so no real worries. Oh, and gents. We have a urinal...adding ammunition to the "seat up or seatl down dilemma. We will be returning. No doubt about it. You owe it to yourself to give it a try. Also NOTE. There is more than one location in town. Authentic spot loved by locals as well as tourists! We tried their pastor, sirloin and skirt steak tacos. Highly recommend skipping the “la gringa” options and go straight for normal tacos. Their Pastor tacos were so good!!! Get multiples of them 🔥 (without cheese)

Find the Restaurant

Where to Find Them

30 Avenida Nte. s/n, Centro, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico

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Opening Hours

Closed Now
Monday12:00 PM – 3:00 AM
Tuesday12:00 PM – 3:00 AM
Wednesday12:00 PM – 3:00 AM
Thursday12:00 PM – 3:00 AM
Friday12:00 PM – 3:00 AM
Saturday12:00 PM – 3:00 AM
Sunday12:00 PM – 3:00 AM
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Recent Reviews

Nick W.

November 8, 2025

This is our second time back at El Fogon! The place is always bustling, even in the early afternoon when most restaurants are still quiet. There was a lineup, but we got a table pretty quickly. Our server was super friendly. Last time we had tacos, so this time we tried their BBQ. It came with a small charcoal burner to keep the meat warm — such a nice touch! The flavor was great, but I found the pork chop a bit dry and the steak cooked well-done (I prefer medium-rare). Overall, we still enjoyed our meal — the atmosphere here is always awesome. Next time, we’ll probably try something a little less dry.

Scott H.

October 26, 2025

After having this place recommended by two separate taxi drivers we decided to give it a try. A true locals place with legitimate great atmosphere we could not have been more pleased. We were delighted to see that it is a Michelin rated restaurant in 2024 but two months ago they received a new recommendation for 2025. The prices are super reasonable and the quality is excellent in both service and food..... Gents: Warning. The toilet (water closet) does not have a seat. Ladies: while we were there, being a naturally curious person I took time to check the ladies room and you are awarded a seat! I was with my wife and son's girlfriend who actually asked me to check the conditions. Both restrooms were actually very clean so no real worries. Oh, and gents. We have a urinal...adding ammunition to the "seat up or seatl down dilemma. We will be returning. No doubt about it. You owe it to yourself to give it a try. Also NOTE. There is more than one location in town.

Alexandra C.

November 8, 2025

Authentic spot loved by locals as well as tourists! We tried their pastor, sirloin and skirt steak tacos. Highly recommend skipping the “la gringa” options and go straight for normal tacos. Their Pastor tacos were so good!!! Get multiples of them 🔥 (without cheese)

Joe P.

May 26, 2025

Food here was a joke & our server who i never got the name of was also brilliant. We was recommend here by locals & there were also only locals in here. The food was so tasty even though it didn't look great it tasted fantastic. The price paid was great too & we ended up paying less than £20 per person. Considering I had two drinks as seen by the size I think that's good going. I would be careful ordering a taco dish though as that's the price paid for one, so make sure you order a few! The potatoes dish is a jacket potato loaded. So don't expect loaded fries. Definitely recommend eating local cuisine here. & continues to hit my opinion, if it looks bad from the outside, it never is, it's probably better than the shiny looking place.

Patric V.

August 11, 2025

Amazing food , good ambience , if you are looking for authentic taquieria experience. This is it in playa del Carmen, a bit away from the walking street Avenida 15. But not too far . Highly recommend, good prices. Ordered more than we could finish as the food was so delicious.

What to Expect

Features and amenities that make El Fogón special

Outdoor Seating

Cocktails

Beer

Wine

Coffee

Family Friendly

Groups Welcome

Practical Information

Everything you need to know before you visit

Payment Options

Credit Cards
Debit Cards
NFC/Contactless

Parking

Free Parking Lot
Free Street Parking
Paid Street Parking

Accessibility

Wheelchair Accessible Entrance
Wheelchair Accessible Seating

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