Fuentes Culinary Theater at El Dorado Royale, courtesy Karisma Resorts

Social media’s popularity and the increased number of individuals traveling all over the globe have created an expectation in culinary quality rather than mere quantity when vacationing.  As a result, all-inclusive resorts everywhere have upped their culinary game and now provide more than uninspiring, bland buffet food–on-site organic gardens, Michelin-starred chefs, specialty dining experiences, molecular gastronomy, and AAA Four and Five Diamond Awards to all-inclusive resort restaurants are nothing new anymore.

Cancun and the Riviera Maya haven’t been left out of this loop; there are several notable all-inclusive resorts in these locations where foodies would be very satisfied with their choice of stay.  While the enjoyment of food can be a very subjective experience, here are several all-inclusive resorts in the area which have won acclaim and/or awards for their exceptional cuisine.

• Hotels Xcaret (Hotel Xcaret Mexico, Hotel Xcaret Arte, and La Casa de la Playa).  These resorts are synonymous with great food and Michelin star chefs.  Hotel Xcaret Arte has not one but two specialty restaurants and they are both run by internationally knows chefs (Encanta restaurant at Arte has a Michelin star chef that runs the kitchen).
• Grand Velas Riviera Maya:  This resort was the first all-inclusive to receive AAA’s Five Diamond Award for culinary excellence at Cocina de Autor.  Its restaurants are run by internationally-renowned chefs including a prior winner of Iron Chef.
• Royal Hideaway Playacar:  This resort offers a unique opportunity to communicate directly with the chef(s) while they are preparing a multiple course dining experience at Ventanas Chef’s Table.  Diners can also see the chefs preparing the food through glass panels as well as on a flat screen which features live close-ups of the preparations.
• El Dorado Royale. El Dorado Royale has an on-site 76,000 sq. foot organic greenhouse (the resort offers tours).  It also offers the Fuentes-Culinary Theater, a live cooking show which features five courses and wine pairings with live chef commentary.  The resort has also been known to host various culinary series throughout the year with live cooking demonstrations and wine pairing classes.
• Azul Beach Resort Riviera Cancun (used to be called Azul Sensatori):  This resort received the much coveted AAA Five Diamond Award for culinary excellence at Le Chique.  The restaurant was also recently awarded a Michelin Star, and that is a huge deal in the world of all-inclusive restaurants.  The restaurant specializes in “molecular gastronomy” where chefs blend principles of physics and chemistry to change the taste and texture of food.
• Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach Cancun.  This resort switched from a European meal plan to an all-inclusive plan in 2020.  All of their food is top notch, but two of their restaurants have “foodie” distinctions–Le Basilic has earned the AAA Five Diamond Award, while The Table restaurant is nine courses with wine pairings (for an extra charge).
• “Honorable Mentions”:  Both Unico 20 87 and Hyatt Ziva Cancun have had fairly consistent positive food reviews; Hyatt Ziva Cancun even has its own in-house microbrewery which produces three craft beers.  Atelier Playa Mujeres overall has great food–is you are a sushi/sashimi lover then don’t miss Takeshi restaurant.
• “Watch For”:  Keep your eyes on the new Tafer resorts–Garza Blanca Cancun and Hotel Mousai Cancun for culinary excellence.

Are you a foodie?  If so, what have you thought about your dining experiences at these or any all-inclusive resorts?