Santa Teresa and Malpais Restaurants

Alma Restaurant

There are so many good restaurants in the area now that it’s easy to overlook one, but definitely have a meal at Alma. The owner/chef is from Chile, and has experience in 5-star restaurants before moving to Santa Teresa and designing this romantic and cozy restaurant. The menu is a fusion of sushi and various international flavors. Personally I eat very little red meat, but I always order the Thai Steak here, which is a filet sliced thin with various Thai spices. Simply amazing food.

Tres Restaurant

Many restaurants didn’t survive in this spot in Santa Teresa, but master chef Jan, from Germany, has proved that all it takes is amazing food to keep people coming back. Tres also has regular parties and special events that are typically packed with the owners of various hotels in the area. The food is not only incredibly delicious, but healthy as well, often with raw dishes and usually a raw soup. Very highly recommended. Tres’ phone # 2640-0219.

Restaurante Azucar

Restaurante Azucar is perhaps the best kept secret as far as food goes in the Malpais, Santa Teresa area. Cuban master chef Norbis wins the prize for best sauces, best hamburger, and best ice cream on the peninsula. A true food artist, ask Norbis to make a “chef’s choice” dish… something off the menu, and he’ll do something incredible if he has the time. Try the fish with avacado sauce (shown in the photo). This is as good as food gets, and very affordable. Azucar is located poolside in Frank’s Place, right at the crossroads of Malpais and Santa Teresa.

The Belgian Bakery

An instant success when it opened, the area’s new bakery has chocolate eclairs, bagels, and all types of french pastries. Their breakfasts are great too… scambled eggs with sides of fruit and of course with their various baked goods. Every one of us who lives in the area has been overjoyed that this place opened after a couple years of rumors of such a bakery being conceived for the area. A must-go place for planning your ultra-decadent beach picnic. The bakery has a name, but I just don’t remember what it is. It’s just north of the Playa Carmen Mall and the crossroads.