Photo courtesy Ha’ @ Hotel Xcaret Mexico
Luxury all-inclusive resorts in Riviera Maya embrace fine dining with Michelin-starred restaurants
Hands up those who remember when dining at an all-inclusive resort meant endless buffets and an occasional themed dinner. Thought so… there’s a lot of us!
But wait, there’s good news for travelers to the best luxury resorts in the Mayan Riviera. Over the past decade, the all-inclusive resort experience in this beautiful part of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula has undergone a remarkable transformation, elevating itself to a whole new level of luxury that’s comparable to the best Caribbean destinations.
Those days of simple buffet lines have been replaced by sophisticated amenities such as personalized butler service and elegant Bali beds. But the most significant change is in the culinary programs, with three all-inclusive resort restaurants in Mexico now boasting Michelin stars.
Michelin Stars on the Riviera Maya
While the concept of Michelin-starred chefs collaborating with all-inclusive resorts isn’t entirely new, the inclusion of the actual resort restaurants into the Michelin Guide is nothing less than groundbreaking.
The recently released 2024 Michelin Guide Mexico recognized these all-inclusive restaurants in Riviera Maya for their culinary excellence. These restaurants, located in some of the region’s most exclusive resorts, can now consider themselves part of the prestigious Michelin network, further shifting the perception of what all-inclusive dining can be.
So sit back and start planning your gastronomic adventure to these Riviera Maya Michelin Star restaurants.
Riviera Maya Michelin Star Restaurants
Cocina de Autor Riviera Maya @ Grand Velas Riviera Maya, Playa Del Carmen
Located at the Grand Velas Riviera Maya in Playa Del Carmen, Cocina de Autor Riviera Maya has earned a prestigious Michelin star for its creative, ever-changing menus that spotlight local ingredients.
Top menu items? Try the spider crab with jackfruit or roasted pork with black garlic. Both showcase the restaurant’s commitment to culinary innovation, while the honey used in several dishes is sourced from the resort’s very own Melipona beehives.
Visit the resort’s dedicated restaurant page here.
Le Chique @ Azul Beach Resort, Puerto Morelos
Another Riviera Maya gem is Le Chique, located within the Azul Beach Resort. Heralded as one of Latin America’s top 50 restaurants, Le Chique’s Michelin star confirms its place among the elite.
This plush resort restaurant near Puerto Morelos specializes in experimental gastronomy, where dishes are as visually impressive as they are flavorful. Our favorites? Go for the foie gras parfait encased in green passion fruit, or the delicious bruleed bone marrow with escamoles, just a few examples of Le Chique’s fun and theatrical approach to Mexican cuisine.
Find out more at www.karismahotels.com/lechique.
Ha’ @ Hotel Xcaret Mexico, Playa Del Carmen
It’s back to Playa Del Carmen for the third dining option on our list of Riviera Maya Michelin Star restaurants to earn recognition from the world’s most prestigious culinary awards group. Rounding out the Michelin-starred experiences, Ha’ is located at Hotel Xcaret Mexico and marries Mexican flavors with French techniques to create an entirely unique fusion of fascinating food.
Popular menu items include mushroom beignets served with cauliflower crisps and truffle sauce, along with filet mignon topped with house-cured ikura, both showing off the restaurant’s innovative culinary style. You can also opt for an extensive wine pairing which features selections from Mexico’s thriving wine industry.
Find out more about these and other delicacies being served at one of the Riviera Maya’s best all-inclusive resorts with a visit to www.hotelxcaretmexico.com/en/ha-restaurant/.
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Bryan Dearsley is a luxury lifestyles writer, a prolific traveler, and a Co-Founder of the Riley network of luxury lifestyle websites.