All-inclusive resorts used to be associated with cafeteria-style food in taste as well as presentation.  That is no longer the case; there are many all-inclusive resorts which now have Michelin star chefs, chefs which have won numerous culinary awards, or those who are just plain excellent even without a plaque or medal to show.

For those foodies out there that enjoy a great meal on vacation and don’t care if you have to pay an extra cost, here’s some info for you.  Here are some of the all-inclusive resorts in Cancun/Riviera Maya area of Mexico that I’ve come across that have such a culinary experience waiting for you; most do have an extra cost, but there are a few which will give resort guests a discount (if the restaurant is open to the public as many of them are), or dinner for free if they are staying more than a certain number of nights at the resort.

Here are a few to consider for your next vacation; if you don’t find your favorite one in this listing, let me know so that I can include it as well:

• Le Chique.   Located at Azul Beach Resort Riviera Cancun.  This Mexican restaurant is currently one of the most unique and well known specialty restaurants at an all-inclusive in this area of Mexico.  It is known as one of Latin America’s top 50 restaurants and has won a AAA Five Diamond Award–that adds up to one of the “best of the best”.  Look forward to “modernist cuisine/molecular gastronomy”–that means applied science is a key ingredient to food prep; food is deconstructed and then reconstructed to look like something else.  For example, your margarita will be a bite-sized sphere you can pop in your mouth for an explosion of flavor.  This restaurant serves 12 courses along with the availability of wine pairings.  It is open to the public for $150 p/person; guests of the resort get a discount and will pay around $110 p/person.
• María Dolores.  Located at ATELIER Playa Mujeres.  This Mexican restaurant is described as “haute cuisine”–this basically means that high quality ingredients are meticulously prepared and presented in the French fashion.  This restaurant has won a AAA Four Diamond Award.  Food is ordered and paid for by item, just as in any other restaurant.  Guests of ATELIER have their first dinner free if they are upgraded to INSPIRA staying 7 or more nights.  Upgraded INSPIRA guests who want to dine here more than once, or those upgraded guests staying 6 or less nights will receive a 50% discount.  Other resort guests will have to pay p/menu item.  This restaurant is open to the public.
• Fuentes Culinary Theatre.  Located at El Dorado Royale.  This Mexican restaurant consists of an open kitchen with a live cooking show, there are several large TV screens for guests to see in detail what the chef is doing.  There are 5 courses; each course begins with a discussion of the food item, each individual item is then brought to your table for consumption.  Wine or spirit pairings are available.  This culinary theater is an extra cost which is currently running around $45 p/person including wine/spirit pairing.  This restaurant is open to the public.
• Cloud 9.  Located at Royalton CHIC Cancun.  This one’s new (July 2023) so there is not much information out about it.  This special dining experience consists of 7 courses, and I’m assuming you can get available wine pairings.  I have read that Diamond members get this dinner for free, while others have to pay an extra cost (the last I read it was around $80).  There are two seatings, one at 6:30 and the second at 8:30.  I don’t believe this one is open to the public.
• Awaken Your Senses.  Located at Hard Rock Riviera Maya.  This is advertised as a multi-sensory dining experience with video projection, interactive touch table, scent synchronization, and surround system.  Guests are presented with six courses; each course is supposed to represent a different place in the world with surrounding dining room walls showing projected pictures of the destination.  There are two seatings, one at 6:30 and the second at 8:30; dinner lasts 90 min..  Dinner costs $150 p/person.  Look for it at the Heaven lobby on the 2nd floor. If you want to book it in advance, email to vacationplanners@hrhrivieramaya.com.
• Xaak and Encanto.  Both special dining experiences are located at Hotel Xcaret Arte.  Xaak is an extra charge ($120 p/person without wine pairings), while Encanto is included in the all-inclusive price of your stay (without wine pairings).  Xaak offers 8 courses, while Encanto offers 10 courses.  I’ve eaten at Encanto and it is well worth your time!

That’s just a starter for you…any I forgot?  Any restaurant you’ve eaten at during an all-inclusive vacation which blew your gastronomical mind?  Let us all know in the comments below.  Bon appétit!

I almost forgot–below is a very short video of what Fuentes Culinary Theatre was like several years ago; the format hasn’t really changed but some of the interior space has been updated.