El Jardin - Playa del Carmen

Amazing food, great service! We were the only ones there on a Fri morning. It was beautiful and the food was freshly made right where you could watch. Live music on Fri nights.

Great food and service! The owners are AMAZING, gracious, informative and inviting. They embrace their restaurant like you are an invited guest into their home. The food was delicious, the surroundings beautiful and so tranquil. Totally worth the block and a half walk off of 5h. Best meal I've had in Playa.

First off, this place doesn't look like much from the street (probably a good thing) but once you enter, you realize that most of the seating is outdoors in an amazing multi-level courtyard. We had an excellent meal starting with the best tasting tortilla chips I've ever had (real corn flavor with just the right amount of salt) and their Mole was also excellent. The best meal we had on our trip by far. Will definitely go back,

I simply cannot express how perfect El Jardin was for our private party of 50 persons. It was a last minute decision to find a private venue for my Dad's 65th birthday party in Playa Del Carmen. Initially, we had planned it in the resort and I was told by several different party planners that finding a private venue in Playa would be a great challenge. It just so happened that our planner, Susan from Uno Events (she's excellent!) made one last call to a lovely woman named Paula, owner of El Jardin Restaurant. Miraculously, their charming garden setting space was available. Paula provided excellent communication in the planning process- offering extensive menu options and precise price quotes. When we arrived to El Jardin, the pictures online did not do this place justice. Just a five or six minute walk from our hotel, (The Royal), our party was able to walk to the birthday party instead of jumping in different taxis. Perfect location! What made it even more special is its masked setting behind a stone wall. Walk through the big wooden door and surprise! You're surrounded by a hidden garden oasis! Our guests were given an authentic Mexican experience just by that moment alone. They all asked me "How did you find this place?!" Thanks to Susan, I did! I arrived with family members a few hours before the party to make sure all was in order. I could tell how seriously Honza and Paula took this job, and how much thought they put into it. Making sure this party was perfect was as important to them as it would be if they were hosting their own family. They essentially lent their space to us and allowed us to make it ours. We were given full freedom to personalise and customize this surprise party for my Dad. When our group arrived at 7 PM everything was perfect. The mariachi played on cue as my Dad walked in, the colorful decor hung from the trees (string lights, mexican flags and lanterns), welcome drinks awaited each guest, and Paula stood welcoming us while looking stunning in her fuscia gown. Her husband Honza was also there with a big smile to see us in. As hordurves were passed, our guests had access to a full open bar. Shortly thereafter, Paula was on the stage with her huge personality to introduce herself and explain the menu. She is simply a force of nature! A natural on stage and a true entertainer. Our guests got such a kick out of her. I loved that she wore a gown, it made us all feel like we were honored guests in their incredibly special place for the night. Paula also sang a personalized birthday song to my father on stage! It was like a cabaret performance! Beautiful and funny all at once. This meant so much to us that she went out of her wayto do this for him. Dinner was excellent. Our first course was an out-of-this-world mango ceviche, followed by a tomato soup garnished with avocado.We then had a choice between a traditional pork stew, chocolate mole chicken or a grouper steamed in banana leaf. The food was AMAZING! All of our guests had nothing but great things to say about El Jardin's homemade cuisine. After dinner, we moved a few of the tables out of the way and created a dance floor. We danced the night away to a fantastic live cover band called Fusa Band (these guys were ROCKIN). What we loved most about El Jardin was the stage - we performed an unofficial "roast" before dinner which allowed guests to stand up on stage with the mic and say a few jokes about my Dad and end their performance with a toast. This beats clinking a glass and standing up at a chair to make a toast any day!. I felt like we were in a small comedy club with amateur comedians. Hysterical, unforgettable moments!! Made the night so much more festive. We truly could not have asked for a better night. If you plan on having a large group of 50 people or less, this is the place for you. My only tip is to bring or request a few floor fans to help keep the air circulating. Other than that, you will not find a more special place or more thoughtful hosts to host your private event in Playa Del Carmen!!!! THANK YOU, Paula and Honza, for an UNFORGETTABLE night that we will NEVER EVER forget!!!!

This is The cuttet little place In playa to have lunch or breakfast. We had a fantastic ceviche and the most amazing molè I have ever tasted. The personnel deserves 5 stars by themselves. It will be my first place to go when back in playa