Once upon a time, a small beach town in what most of us call paradise began to grow and grow. That beach town became a new start for many and a booming opportunity for many others who saw that Playa del Carmen had the potential to become one of the most beautiful, thriving and enchanting cities in the world. After Chicago, Toronto, London, Miami, Cabo San Lucas and Seattle, Thompson Hotels have decided to set foot in our paradise after they discovered that "je ne sais quoi" in Playa del Carmen.
Thompson boasts two locations in Playa, each with its own unique experience:
- Thompson Playa del Carmen is located on 5th Avenue, ideal for those who want to be in the midst of the buzz and vibrancy of the Downtown area
- Thompson Beach House sits on the beach at the corner of 8th Street, the perfect spot for beach lovers searching for that ocean breeze, stunning views and feet in the sand
While Thompson Hotels also encourages guests to experience Playa del Carmen's local restaurants and bars as they are not "all inclusive hotels", they also host 3 of the finest restaurants in the city, all signed by world famous Mexican Chef Pedro Abascal.
C-Grill, Thompson Beach House (8th Street and the beach)
This restaurant is located on the spectacular downtown white sand beach of Playa del Carmen. Imagine having dinner and a cocktail with your loved one, your group of friends or your family while looking at the turquoise crystal water of the Caribbean Sea and feeling this perfect ocean breeze. After dinner, why not end the perfect evening by walking straight from your table to a walk on the beach... This, ladies and gentlemen, is C-Grill.
Chef Pedro Abascal created a fresh Mediterranean-inspired menu and
has chosen the most responsible local farmers, fisherman and suppliers in the area. The menu focuses on wood oven-fired seafood and vegetables.
Heirloom Tomatoes (feta cheese, cucumbers, kalamata olives, red onions, garlic chips, lemon vinaigrette)
Mezze (hummus, tzatziki, babaganush, cucumber, pita bread)
Salmon Carpaccio from Chile (dill, greek yogurt, mixed greens, honey mustard vinaigrette)
Shrimp and artichoke in tomato sauce
Catch of the Day (Served with sauces: tamarindo, spicy chimichurri, lemon butter with capers, tropical relish, spicy oil)
Wagyu NY Strip (Served with roasted garlic)
Side dishes (Fire-roasted whole beet with greek yogurt. Grilled asparagus with feta and balsamic vinegar. Tabouleh: couscous, peppers, red onions, parsley, cucumber, mint, lime and olive oil. Potatoes Brava: baby potatoes, scallions, bacon, spicy aioli, parmesan and truffle oil.)
Tapioca in a jar (coconut milk, raspberry jam, coconut crumble, citrus gelatin)
From a fabulous lunch or dinner on the beach, to a cozy cocktail with your toes in the sand, C-Grill is an outstanding local culinary experience experience you don't wanna miss. A perfect way to connect with the the beach life of Playa del Carmen.
Catch, Thompson Downtown Playa del Carmen (Corner of 5th Avenue and 12th Street)
A rooftop view you could only dream of: Breathtaking 360 degree views from sea to city, sunset and drinks, live music, DJs, special events... but most of all, delightful cuisine designed to blend with Mexican Caribbean flavor: seafood, raw bar, rolls, cold and hot menu, grilled section and even a kids menu! The menu was created with sharing in mind: a "streaming, sharable style of dining", so you can experience every bit of it with your friends and family, and try something different with every visit.
Sitting on the 5th floor of the Thompson Playa del Carmen, gazing at the stunning panorama and experiencing a culinary adventure through an audacious menu will make you realize just how much Playa del Carmen's culinary scene has stepped up its game.
Catch's fresh and delectable menu was inspired by their New York restaurant and adapted to our beach town. This is why every meal blends a sense of refinement, ocean flavors, colors and exquisite scents.
Tartar Trio (salmon, hamachi, tuna, American caviar, wasabi, crème fraîche)
Truffle Sashimi (tuna, hamachi, chili oil, ponzu, American caviar, shaved black truffle)
Grilled Octopus (crispy potatoes, sofrito, garlic aioli)
Picaña (charred spring onions, chimichurri, roasted potatoes, kabayaki sauce)
Wagyu on a Rock (yuzu soy, garlic oil, sea salt, sesame)
"Hit Me" Chocolate Cake (liquid "Klondike", roasted white chocolate, ice cream, brownie and devil's food)
After dining, or if you're just wondering where to spend a night of dancing under the stars, looking over the city lights with a touch of ocean breeze, live Djs and a wide selection of cocktails, wine and champagne... Catch might be just right for a night of entertainment in paradise. Visit their website to find out more about their menu, events throughout the week and weekends.
Cinco, Thompson Downtown Playa del Carmen (12th Street between 5th and 10th Avenue)
Just across from Catch on the same unbelievable rooftop of the Thompson Playa del Carmen, Cinco welcomes a breakfast and lunch crowd. This eatery is only open during the daytime so you can appreciate a clear and perfect view of the turquoise Caribbean Sea from above. Chef Pedro Abascal created a special morning-a-day menu during the week, as well as a fabulous brunch menu for the weekends.
Lunch or brunch at the upscale Cinco is idyllic, or you can just go to spend the day. The special weekend menu has been carefully crafted with high end ingredients in order to make your brunch a flavorful and outstanding experience.
Eggs Benedict
Smoked salmon (from Chile) served on a French baguette and scrambled eggs
Oysters served on chamgane
Wagyu cheeseburger with french fries
Cinco's brunch features an impressive option... Bottomless mimosas for $25 USD!! A perfect addition to an already fantastic weekend set-up.
Be as passionate or as healthy as you wish when choosing from Chef Pedro Abascal's extensive menu, featuring everything from artisan Mexican bread basket, classic chilaquiles or crab enchiladas, to local fish tacos, lobster tostadas and delightful smoothies.
The three restaurants of the Thompson Hotel in Playa del Carmen are a great and smart way to have an upscale local culinary experience with fresh ingredients from local suppliers. This experience, topped with entertainment, movie nights (Thompson Beach House), dancing, cocktails and breathtaking views, take Playa del Carmen's restaurant scene to a whole new level!
BuyPlaya Food Blogs are a great way to discover what is out there in Playa del Carmen. Whether you're just here on vacation or permanently living here in paradise, follow us to discover the city's hidden gems, trendy hotspots, traditional cuisine and can't miss restaurants. Our photos will show you just what you're missing out on so you can plan your next meal in Playa.
Special thanks to Thompson Playa del Carmen and Margot Tovar for welcoming BuyPlaya foodies for such an amazing experience.
Andrea Ruiz Perron was born and raised in Montreal by a Mexican
mother and a French Canadian father. She studied cinema and photography
in Argentina and Montreal, and has now been living in Playa del Carmen for a
total of 6 years. Both her Mexican and Canadian roots are an important
influence on her identity and how she perceives the world through her
photography and writing as the content creator for BuyPlaya Real Estate
Advisors www.buyplaya.com
Follow me on Instagram: http://instagram.com/andreita_ruiz/