Axiote

This place is the best. Inventive menu. Some of the best Mexican food I had on my trip. Duck tacos, guacamole, cochinita pibil, octopus, mole, amazing corn tortillas… yum! The margaritas were spot on. Half a block off 5a Avenida. Prices were affordable for the quality.

There are a lot of options for dining in Playa but this one is absolutely worth it. The décor is adorable and the atmosphere chill. Just off 5^th Ave to avoid the crowds. And the food is incredible. We really enjoyed our meal and cocktails and couldn’t believe how cheap our bill was!

Best steak I’ve had in Playa. The flavourful guacamole was also very different with different tortilla chips with little fried crickets which tasted like fried shallots. Probably a good idea to stay away from seafood as my friends have said it isn’t fresh like a lot of restaurants in Playa.

Great food at a reasonable price. I had the fish and avocado taco, poblano pepper stuffed with shrimp and octopus and lastly for dessert, chocolate mole truffle. Skip the taco. The other two were awesome.

Great restaurant! Loved everything we ordered: Fish & avocado tacos, Octopus mole, Chicken & Sausage, rice with mole, apple & cucumber salad (refreshing and light)! Great ambience and easy to find.

I didn’t even eat here. I’m giving it a one star review because you can’t list yourself as «vegetarian» on Unilocal if you only have 1 «vegetarian» option — and it’s a crab dish.

A different kind restaurant just off the main strip! Its focus on innovative dishes and warm services is fully reflected in our visit
really enjoyed our tacos and main dishes, and the portions are huge. we couldn’t finish 2 apps + 2 mains
would return again when I’m in the mood for intimate & more upscale dinner in Playa

Absolutely amazing food, and we were personally served by chef Xavier. The best Mexican food I’ve ever had, and top 5 for best meal of my life.
Ask the chef to serve your group and let him WOW you with his creations!

Axiote was probably my favorite meal while in Playa de Carmen. Located just a block or so off of the busy 5^th Avenue, Axiote is a spot that while it caters to the tourists, makes you feel that the cuisine is authentic.
We had a large group of 7 and they were great in accommodating us without a reservation. They pulled some tables together right in front of the door (this is an open air concept) and we had a great experience.
A range of salsas come to the table and listen carefully to the explanation as these range from hot to wildly hot! The chips that come are large pieces of both blue and yellow corn that you break off pieces to dip into the salsas.
We started with a range of appetizers, from ceviches to guacamole (you can get this with or without the crickets) The daring in our group loved the traditional preparation but this girl did her best to eat around them! We also had the cochinita pilbil which was also amazing.
Entrees ranged from tacos and tortas to beautifully prepared and presented fish and pork dishes (I wish I spoke Spanish so I could do justice to the amazing food that was prepared for us!) And leave room for some of their delicious home made desserts as they are the perfect finish for your meal.
They did a great job in finding us wine that was both delicious and affordable as well as the cocktails were also quite tasty. The service at this restaurant is amazing, and while only one in our group spoke Spanish, it was not an issue as the servers go out of their way to make sure you get what you want.
And just wait until the bill comes! You will be amazed that you had such a great night out for such a reasonable price.
If you are in Playa de Carmen and want a special night out, be sure to stop into Axiote. It will be your favorite night of your stay!

Great Mexican restaurant for an intimate dinner with a group of friends while in Playa Del Carmen. It was our favorite restaurant in the area so I highly recommend. It seemed strange to us that so many restaurants on or around 5^th street were not Mexican food, so Axiote stands somewhat alone as an option for high quality local cuisine. See my pictures for the dishes that I had and liked, but I am sure there are many other good ones.
I recommend calling ahead to make reservations if you are worried about a wait. I do not know if it has particularly busy evenings (e.g. Friday), but we had 11 people so we didn’t want to take any chances.

Great restaurant and bar. I’m not familiar enough with Mexican cuisine to speak to its authenticity, but I can say that the food here is clearly being made with a real passion and a desire to produce quality, interesting dishes. Sauces and spices were on point. We had escamoles (ant eggs and larvae) which was a unique experience and certainly not something that was showing up on he menu at most of the surrounding places.
The bar was also laudable both for inventive mixology (I had a mescal, vermouth, tamarind, and chile number that was savory, tangy, and potent) as well as having local microbrews on tap and in bottle (I got to try an oxacan Belgian style ale that was a great interpretation of the style, fruity with some kolsch-​like pear esters that kept it refreshing in the heat.)
Prices were reasonable for a restaurant on the tourist strip.
Service was excellent and our server knowledgeable about their food and their drinks, including providing some really interesting background about the sourcing of some of their ingredients and the inspirations behind their cocktails.
So, all in all, a good, «foodie» place, a great place for cocktails, and maybe the only place in PDC if you’re looking for a choice between multiple microbrews.

I chose to eat at Axiote because the logo looks like the Unilocal burst. Kidding. Kind of.
But seriously, this was the best meal we had while staying in Playa del Carmen for four nights. We called ahead to make a reservation but it was pretty empty on a Saturday night. Really hope more people venture off the beaten Quinta path and realize what they’re missing.
The menu is made for sharing and between six of us, we ordered about ten different dishes. I honestly loved them all but would urge you not to leave without trying the duck, cochinita pibil and lengua (beef tongue) tacos, fresh tuna from Ensenada, and even the green apple salad with tomato, apple, cucumber, avocado, spirulina, sunflower seeds and chia. So unique and different. We had to end on a sweet note so went with the carrot flan and chocolate cake, which were both delicious. Even the chips and salsa were a step above the rest. You can tell it’s all authentic and made in house.
For sips, we tried a couple different cocktails. I started with the Ayciau with bourbon, basil, strawberry and pepper, then went to a mojito like concoction that I forget the name of… They also have plenty of beer and wine. You won’t go thirsty!
As I mentioned, it was pretty empty so the staff was super attentive and friendly. Our plates were changed regularly and glasses promptly filled. The ambiance is really nice, as the restaurant is essentially a large palapa with an open kitchen and small bar setup. It’s super intimate yet casual and comfortable.
At the end of our meal, I was shocked to see the bill. About three times less than what you’d pay for this kind of quality in the States. When all is said and done, do yourself a favor and eat at Axiote to get a real taste of Mexico away from the craziness!

Axiote is a wonderful and authentic stop amongst the loud and typical tourist fare in the area. The food was freshly prepared and Chef Stone is right there putting the finishing touches on dishes!
The space is rather small so be aware if you are brining a group of six or more. We dined on a variety of dishes. You should definitely not come here and plan to get a beer because the Mezcal and specialty cocktails will be plenty. There’s always time for a beer once you leave this culinary wonderland.
I highly recommend the fish tacos. They looked amazing but tasted like no other fish taco I’ve ever had. The apple salad was my favorite starter. I think the most amazing creation was the rice serving with a poached egg on top. It was presented in a way that you knew that a top chef was creating the experience.
If you are seeking a wonderful meal in PDC, DO NOT miss Axiote!

Small place. Interesting food (grasshopper and ant eggs). Super friendly staff.

**GOOD MODERN MEXICAN CUISINE NEAR 5TH AVENUE**
Decided to have dinner here after reading Unilocal reviews.
Glad we did.
(Note: their logo reminds me of Unilocal’s)
AMBIANCE
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No outdoor seating, but the interior was nice.
Sat against the wall and it was fairly quiet and romantic.
No problem for walk-​ins on weeknights.
FOOD
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SALSA AND CHIPS
Lovely sauces, but watch out for that habanero.
RATING: ⁴⁄₅
CEVICHE ROJO DE PESCADO Y MEZCAL
Sounds good, right? And it was.
Fresh, creative and modern without missing a beat with taste.
RATING: ⁵⁄₅
CONCHINITA PIBIL
Simple and delicious with the seasoned pork.
The avocado slices, cilantro, bean sauce, and queso were nice touches.
RATING: ⁴⁄₅
RIBS
Cooked for hours and it tasted like it.
Nicely flavored and seasoned.
RATING: ⁴⁄₅
DESSERT
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BUNUELO DE VIENTO
It was my birthday, so it was complimentary.
It was a plain crunchy fried fritter in the shape of their logo.
Nothing special.
No chocolate or dipping sauces.
RATING: ³⁄₅
COCKTAIL
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PINATA WITH MEZCAL
I like anything with mezcal and this one was nice.
RATING: ⁴⁄₅
STAFF
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Efficient and friendly.
Bartender was good.
Nicely priced, too.
Dinner for 2 around $ 50 USD.
OVERALL
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It’s not on the 5^th Avenue strip, so we liked it better.
I was able to dress up here without getting stares.
Ideal for dates, groups, and nice dinners.
RECOMMEND.

Este es un lugar para personas que aprecian la calidad de una buena comida, tanto de productos como de elaboración. Me acerque a la entrada y no había hostess pero se acerco Xavier en persona a recibirme. Me sugirieron un agüita de Jamaica muy refrescante. El menu es muy original y me decidí por una sopa de tortilla, la sopa se veía diferente a lo que estoy acostumbrado pero al probarla todo cambia, esta tan buena que hasta me comí el aguacate (que por cierto no me gusta). Seguido pedí la pesca del día el cual estuvo muy bueno, me dijeron que era pez burra con una linda presentación y muy buen sazón. Rematé con un postre de zanahoria, el mesero me dijo que era suavecito, pero no suave como un pan sin embargo me explico que la consistencia era parecido al brownie, aunque no fue problema por que esta buenísimo bañado con una salsita dulce y polvito de frambuesa obvio con un café americano. El precio lo vale si buscas calidad sin importar la cantidad. Un lugar que debes visitar aunque sea una vez en tu vida.

The best restaurant we’ve been to in Playa so far! Just a block away from 5^th Avenue, this gem of a restaurant was delicious :) and serves the not so typical 5^th Avenue dinner fare. I also learned the chef formerly worked at Grand Velas hotel in Playa del Carmen, a five diamond hotel before opening this place a little over a year ago.
Homemade white corn and blue corn tortilla with various sauces ⁵⁄₅ — green sauce is very spicy; orange sauce was my favorite
Duck tacos ⁵⁄₅ — 5 melt in your mouth tender tacos
Tortilla Soup ⁴⁄₅ — tasted better with a bit of side sauce in it
Ribeye with Axiote Sauce ⁵⁄₅ — had a bite from my husband’s plate — perfectly seared meat that was well seasoned with grilled vegetables
Catch of the Day ⁵⁄₅ — well seasoned fish with a bit of a vinegar side — was delicious and not dripping in butter or sauce. Loved it because you could taste the fish! Kind of a small portion though.
The owner of the restaurant was incredibly nice!
Will definitely return when we come back to Playa.
My only suggestion is to work on the bill system. Took us a while to get our bill.
Just go — you won’t be disappointed!

Before writing this review, I quickly glanced through the previous comments about Axiote and learned the the chef of Axiote was the Iron Chef of Canada winner chef Xavi!!! It all makes sense to me now when I think back about the super creative dishes we devoured last night!
To start, we ordered the shrimp ceviche (155 pesos) marinated in coconut water and avocado! Genius blend of favors!
The beef tongue tacos (80 pesos) were so tender and included a delicious creamy sauce.
The tortilla soup was flavorful and rich. Nice presentation.
Our server gave us some great recommendation and he did not disappoint.
The prices are reasonable too! I heard they have some great lunch specials too. I would definitely go back which is why I give it 5 stars!
Note: There’s mosquitos flying around and they have spray in the bathroom if you need it.

We weren’t sure where to go in Playa del Carmen and many locals told us different places. We are so glad We decided on Axiote! Everything was delicious Homemade Salsas, Cochinita Pibil Tostados, Grouper and Pork Belly Tacos were all amazing! Great service and couldn’t have chosen a better place!
*Also was the most affordable dinner on our vacation!

Overall wonderful experience. The staff were credibly and the décor was very nice. We are the shared plates: shrimp & pigs ear tacos, duck tacos in basket, octopus, and one more dish I can’t remember the name of. We also had the trout appetizer.
ALL ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS. The shrimp and pigs ear tacos were probably my favourite as they were incredibly flavorful and not overdone. The octopus was tender and well balanced with the beans and cactus. The trout was fresh and light to start, perfect for a hot day with a great balance of flavors. I honestly don’t think you can go wrong here.
Highly recommend.
Note: Mosquitoes were out so wear bug spray

En realidad en Playa de Carmen existen pocos lugares con buena calidad de comida y con precio razonable, Axiote es una gran sorpresa, cumple con todo lo que uno busca en un destino turistico, el ambiente muy tranquilo, precio razonables, comida excelente, servicio muy cordial y la comida insuperable, fusion bastante interesante que al probarla realmente se disfruta.

A new restaurant serving modern Mexican small plates in a sophisticated, yet accessible setting. We came here in search of tamarind margaritas for a pre-​dinner cocktail and ended up changing our dinner plans to eat here.
The bartender makes the best Tamarind Margaritas ever! I saw him use a couple fresh squeezed limes per drink. The special worm salt lined rim added the perfect touch. Yes that’s right, worm salt. It did not taste like worms… if worms had a taste. I had 3 of these wonderful drinks. Clearly the worm factor wasn’t a deterrent.
The food was very fresh, packed with vibrant flavors, and visually beautiful. My favorite was the Shrimp Aquachile. I ate a lot of ceviche on my trip, but this one had the flavor complexity and elegance that made it #1 in my book. The Octopus Zarandeado and Shrimp with Smoked Pork Ear Taco were also standouts.
Other notes:
–Drinks take a while since the bartender carefully makes each one from scratch, no mixers here.
–The open kitchen is well-​appointed and beautiful.
–The staff was proud to point out that Chef Xavier Pérez Stone won Iron Chef Canada 2014.

La buena comida de mar es estándar en Playa del Carmen. No se espera menos y todo nuevo restaurante que abra debe traer algo más que buena comida a la mesa. Axiote lo consigue. El lugar encuentra un punto medio entre la comodidad de la palapa playera y el restaurant de cocina de autor. El menú es sencillo pero de una frescura y sabor espectacular. Pedí un platillo para curiosear y terminé ordenando dos más. La trucha de morelia a la lima deja sin palabras. La tostada de chicharrón adobado y la de atún impresionan. Atención al puré de aguacate que acompaña ciertos platillos. Pónganlo al tope de sus prioridades turísticas cuando estén en playa.

Pues con eso de que pura personalidad vive en Playa del Carmen, nada más y nada menos que Xavier Pérez Stone, el maravilloso chef mexicano que ganó Iron Chef 2014 este mismo año en Canadá, tomó la maravillosa decisión de abrir un restaurante en mero Playa del Carmen.
Es cocina mexicana de autor, lo que viene siendo, una fiesta al paladar sazonada y a partir de ingredientes mexicanos, el menú es súper exótico, un manjar de dioses. Tiene poco de haber abierto y ha sido todo un éxito hasta ahorita. Te recomiendo que busques la primera oportunidad para celebrar lo que sea que venga y hagas tu reservación, porque como puede que llegues y haya lugar, puede que esté llenísimo, mejor vete a la segura.
Es otra cosa en cuanto a presentación, ingredientes, pero sobre todo, el sabor. Los precios están muy acorde a la calidad de cocina y platillos que encontrarás y el servicio ni qué decir. Todos traen la camiseta bien puesta, es una súper opción si tienes ganas de algo súper original y mexicano.
Un restaurante simplemente excepcional, si buscas una experiencia muy nice al mejor estilo mexicano, debes ir y dejarte impresionar por tan deliciosa comida, bebida, calidad. Es un winner, sin duda.