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    Alux Restaurant

    3.5 (402 reviews)
    Ultra High-EndMexican, Bars
    Closed 5:30 pm - 11:00 PM

    Alux Restaurant Photos

    ALUX RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Romantic
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed
    Good for groups

    Recommended Reviews - Alux Restaurant

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    Reviews With Photos

    Mely S.

    Super grata experiencia en Alux! El lugar, la comida y servicio 10/10. Abigail fue nuestra mesera y si tienen la oportunidad de visitar este lugar pidan que los atienda ella. Fue muy amable y nos explicó los platillos a la perfección, aparte de que sus recomendaciones fueron excelentes. Nosotros pedimos: El pulpo en salsa de cacahuate Betabel asado Langosta sarandeada Filete de res en vino con champiñones Y de postre el pan de elote con nieve de cajeta Todo, absolutamente todo estuvo exquisito. El lugar es hermoso y lleno de magia! Such a wonderful experience at Alux! The place, the food, and the service were all 10/10. Abigail was our server, and if you have the opportunity to visit this place, be sure to ask for her. She was incredibly kind, explained the dishes perfectly, and her recommendations were excellent. We ordered: * Octopus in peanut sauce * Roasted beet * Sarandeado lobster * steak with red wine sauce and mushrooms * And for dessert, corn bread with a cajeta ice cream Everything--absolutely everything--was exquisite. The place is beautiful and full of magic!

    Denice R.

    My review for Alux is for a combination of service, food, ambiance, and history. The most impressive reason to visit Alux, in my opinion, is to be held by a cenote in this way. I'm told this restaurant is the only way to experience a cenote in this way in Mexico. Dining inside of a cenote is a much different experience than diving or snorkeling in a cenote. For me, these spaces are truly spiritual experiences. I'm told that the government owns this property and allows Alux to do business there. (take this as you may given how things in Mexico work) It's not a low-cost dining experience but you can definitely get out around $50 - $60 U.S.

    Rich R.

    This was a fun experience eating inside a cave/cenote. I was worried at first that the food would just be average and lean on the experience, but the food was even better! I definitely recommend swinging by Alux if you are in Playa del Carmen.

    Drinks
    Rachel L.

    A very cool dining experience! The restaurant is situated inside the cave. A bat flew right by me as I was heading to my table. There's also pockets within the cave you can explore during dinner. The restaurant is big! Service was great and attentive. They have some table side dessert and drink options. Those are always fun. The food was good, nothing out of the world but I enjoyed it. Decently priced compared to Canada/USA, but on the higher side in Mexico. Easy to retrieve a taxi on the way out as the restaurant isn't really close to any resorts or hotels.

    Interior
    Gary M.

    January 28/2015: Dinner with the Fifth Wheel Traveler's! This is the 2nd most unique restaurant where I've ever had a meal! The restaurants & ambiance was incredibly unique so it's worth viewing the pics. The service was slow. Our server "Carla" was very pleasant & explained everything well but the service was slow nonetheless. My dinner mates complained about food that wasn't hot. This was not a cheap meal, ($3,142.00P/$220.00) Cdn for a couple! Our appetizer was the homemade bread basket ($150P/$10.00Cdn) which included a couple of different butters as well as dried crickets & course salt. Crickets didn't have much taste to them & the butters were bland. The other appetizers were the Cauliflower Variety ($420P/$30.00Cdn) & the Beet Salad ($420P/$30.00Cdn) both were good but not fantastic as they again lacked flavour to me. My main was the Alux house burger ($590P). This was delicious. It was a good size burger with bacon, fried, breaded Brie cheese, caramelized onions & coffee mayo. Superb burger. A super interesting restaurant but I would not do-over as the menu lacked variety & I found the appetizers were the weak link of the meal.

    Mouthwatering Appetizer. Sadly, i Do not recall what it was called on the menu...
    Kassie B.

    ONLY REASON for the 4 stars is that we All ordered Filets: ALL 3. Were Super tough to cut & Chew. Great flavor plating was a ~True Work of Art~ and all that was on the plate was tasty as well! Our Cocktails were Most Definitely a Mixologist's Gourmet Concoction from the Skinny Margarita to the Carijiilo!! The Ambience ~TOO DIE FOR~ DEFLY make it one of your stops. You WILL REGRET IT IF YOU DO NOT TAKE THE TIME!!! And take friends with you!!!

    Drinks were ok
    Patty N.

    We paid almost $200 for a lobster - which is ridiculous. $75 for a New York steak. Make sure that when you order lobster & steak be sure to ask the price because that's how they get you they just tell you market price but don't tell you exactly how much- Not cool that they take advantage of the tourists. Plus it was hot AF inside - I've been to Michelin star restaurants that don't overcharge like that. I'm Very disappointed.

    Communication from the restaurant...

    DO NOT GO HERE THEY WILL SCAM YOU AND NOT RETURN YOUR MONEY. We booked via open table for a Sunday at 6PM we then sent a message to make it 8:30, they said no problem. We got dressed up headed out only to be turned away telling us there was a private party. We asked about dietary restrictions in person and they said no problem. I looked on their menu and didn't see a full vegan option so I asked again and see the screenshot. I have opened up a ticket with OpenTable as when I first contacted Alux Restaurant Bar & Lounge they said that I need to get refunded by Open table and that is completely false. This place is a total scam. We never ate, we never made another reservation, we were turned away via their fault, not letting us know they had a private party, and this is how you treat customers. Charging over $300 when we were sent away... never ate any food... never made any new reservations... please save yourself the hassle... they just want your $. All I wanted was my money back, it's not that difficult. Again, I never ate there, never made another reservation they did for the same time the next night to our surprise. TOTAL SCAM!

    Entrance to restaurant

    Food itself was decent but overpriced and service was horrendous. Only plus was the vibe and scenery

    Great Presentation!!
    Wesley S.

    Overall good experience. This is a one and done place. Go for the ambiance and cool experience to eat inside of a cenotes. The food was better than expected. We had the sea bass risotto and it was really good. Service was good they are very nice and accommodating. But say over priced!!! $180 for 2 apps.... 2 drinks and 1 entree.

    Audrey L.

    One of the coolest restaurants I've ever been to! It was my grandpa's 80th birthday so we decided to surprise him here. First, you walk down this staircase into the underground cave. You walk through the path and see these little alcoves where individual tables are set up! We get to our area and it's this larger space in the cave with a whole table set up for the 20 of us. It took awhile to take our order naturally. Since I can only find this drink in Mexico, I had to order a Fresca. We started with bread and butter for the table. There were two butters served with the bread. One a lime butter I believe and the other with crickets on top. I wasn't daring enough to try the crickets but thought it was cool to offer since it's traditional for the cuisine. For the meal, I ordered the catch of the day which was a sea bass over their Parmesan garlic risotto. It was so delicious!! A couple people ordered desserts which were all made table-side with fire. The whole experience was super entertaining while still being delicious! Definitely a great place to come for a special occasion!

    Kate Z.

    This local delight is worth the price! Erick did an excellent job making sure we had a wonderful experience and encouraged us to explore the caves. The ambience is a rewarding adventure for those willing to leave the table. Our surf and turf dinner exceeded expectations with some fantastic sides and excellent steak. The best, however, was the unexpected joy of dessert. This goat cheese mouse delight was paired with a flaming vodka sauce and covered in a dark chocolate shell. My husband and I prefer less sweet chocolate and this perfectly fit the bill. Highly recommend this once in a lifetime experience!

    My wife standing outside of Alux's front entry. One of the best date night experiences we've had in our 30 years together.
    Jeff W.

    A once-in-a-lifetime experience! I took my wife here tonight for dinner and it was one of the best, most unique and romantic dining experiences we've ever had. The outside of the Alux is classy but unassuming. However, once you enter the courtyard area it feels like you are entering another world. Once down the steps and into the reception area you are mesmerized by the ambiance and vibe. Earlier on the day I was contacted by one of the staff members who offered special secluded private seating for a reasonable additional fee. It was WELL WORTH the investment. We sat in what was called Boveda Secreto and my wife was greeted with rose petals all across the cavern floor. It set the tone for an amazingly romantic night. Our server, Karla, was an absolute sweetheart. She provided A+ service including providing us with a terrific wine pairing for our meal. She even helped my wife walk in her high heels from the bathroom back to our table since the ground there is a little uneven at spots (it is a cave after all). Last but certainly not least--the food and drinks were AMAZING. We had the fresh oysters for the appetizer which was tasty and including superb accenting sauces and flavor. The cocktails were equally amazing and were uniquely flavorful and refreshing. The main course for us was the coconut sauce salmon and the fresh catch of the day (sea bass). Both were incredibly flavorful and beautifully prepared. We have had the benefit of dining and many prestigious and terrific restaurants across the world (Paris, Tokyo, Montreal, etc.) and would rate our experience at Alux as a TOP 5 dining experience in our 30 year history together.

    Octopus appetizer

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    Highly recommend... it's an experience. Drinks, food and atmosphere were outstanding! Service was impeccable

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    Axiote - Course 5 of tasting menu - beef tongue

    Axiote

    4.4(280 reviews)
    2.0 kmGonzalo Guerrero
    $$

    Great experience last Friday night at this Michinlin Bib restaurant. So glad I stopped by this…read moreplace is bomb and super not pretentious! Wish I got the tasting menu but I opted for 3 of the specialties instead and they were delicious... Tasting menu is best value tho! I got the raw trout sashimi thing and it was by far the best plate of the meal (first dish/appetizer) , then got the shrimp flautas (good not amazing) then I got the trout loin for the entree (good not amazing) Skinny marg was perfect and so was the waitress! Would recommend and go back but like I said I would for sure do with the 6 or 8 course tasting menu!

    Okay, where do I start…read more I made a reservation about a month before our trip, they were already pretty booked so I made a 4:45pm. I somehow missed that the coursed meal doesn't start until 6...and we didn't realize until same day. They couldn't rebook us until 9PM but told us to swing by early to see if they could get us in AND THEY DID. It was a Christmas miracle. And I'm glad they did because the whole experience was about 2.5 hours from start to finish. The place isn't very big, but is beautiful inside. They have an awesome bar and and open kitchen so you can see everything. It's a really neat place. We were seated pretty quick once they got the table cleaned, and then were greeted by our waitress. When we told her we were there for the 8 course meal, they switched waiters on us, and then the upselling started. Right off the bat they tried to talk us into a cocktail...when we were doing a pairing with our meal. It took them a little time to get the meal going, and then between courses was a little hit or miss. Sometimes it was free flowing and sometimes it took 10-15 minutes to get our next dish. The food. We were a little nervous we would leave still a little hungry but I assure you, you will not. For ~$100USD each, you get so much food, and a drink with every course. It was fantastic and so worth it. Here were the courses and pairings (that I can remember lol): 1. We started with the dips - a bean dip with cheese sauce and guacamole with crickets. Very classic, very well done. The crickets added a nice, nutty flavor. I was a huge fan of the beans with their blue corn tostadas, so much flavor. They also had a third dip that was pumpkin seed based, it was good but not as memorable. Their hot sauces came out with this course. It was paired with a house mezcal (with salts, cucumber, and orange) that was incredible and smooth. 2. Shrimp ceviche which was super refreshing and flavorful. They paired this with sparkling wine. 3. Sea bass with a cream sauce and grapefruit. I'm not a huge fishy flavor person - my first bite had all three compnents and I thought it was delicious. My husband just had fish as his first bite and thought it a little fishy, but once we added everything else he agreed it was great. Three small pieces, so it was a nice course. Paired with a sauv blanc. 4. Roasted tomatoes in a mole sauce. A nice veggie course. I thought they were cooked well, nothing super fancy. Paired with a Chardonnay. 5. Cooked shrimp with potatoes. My husband called this a "filler" course - there wasn't much to it. The sauce had some greens in it but it was just something light and easy to serve. Can't remember the pairing here. 6. THE CARROTS. MY FAV THING. OMG. Literally so fresh, the perfect texture, and the sauces. I could have eated a whole bowl with this one. Paired it with a red blend. 7. Cow tongue. I forgot a photo. I was starting to get drunk, I'm sorry. Paired with a red wine. This was tender, the sauce was delicious. If you're not used to beef tongue, please don't let it scare you. It was amazing. 8. Dessert. Also amazing. I think it was paired with a sweet red but....a little drunk here...we got a cheesecake which was more on the savory side, super unique, and so delicious. I was a huge fan. We also got a passion fruit custard and I'm a SUCKER for passion fruit. This was phenomenal. The food was INCREDIBLE. And such an amazing experience. And now the loss of a star. I hit on the service a little, but there was also some upselling which we don't love, especially at what is supposed to be michelin recognized. We often try Michelin recognized when we travel and the upselling was unexpected, I undertsand the culture down here, but still. ALSO we LOVED the house mezcal so much we asked for another shot ($280 pesos/shot). When we got the bill, the waiter upcharged to one of the most expensive mezcals on their menu ($520 pesos/shot) and refused to change it. We spent $60 on two shots after paying for our 8-course meal. It honestly was SUCH a dissapointing end to our meal and felt so icky. Be very careful with the service here.

    Photos
    Axiote - Inside

    Inside

    Axiote - Mezcal tasting pairing

    Mezcal tasting pairing

    Axiote - Tomate - mezcal, cucumber, parsley, tomatillo, worm salt

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    Tomate - mezcal, cucumber, parsley, tomatillo, worm salt

    La Perla Pixan & La Carbonería - CRICKETS, don't hesitate!!

    La Perla Pixan & La Carbonería

    4.3(184 reviews)
    2.3 kmGonzalo Guerrero
    $$

    This place is amazing from the food to the staff! We came in with our 2 year old who was asleep…read morethey accommodated her and my wife to make her comfortable while she slept and the service was above and beyond and the food was the best food I have eaten while here definitely recommend!

    We were wanting a "smaller" lunch and I had read that this place was awesome, so we decided to give…read moreit a try. It helped that it was pouring rain and most of the restaurant was under cover, unlike a lot of spots, so it was perfect. We were seated quickly and helped shortly after. Service was...interesting. Felt like we had the hardest experience with communication here, which is fine, as Americans that is our fault. Things like they have a porn star martini ( my fav) as a mocktail so I asked if it was possible to add a shot of vodka. They initially recommended the espresso martini which I did not want so I was just opting for water and he pushed the original option on me then charged be $20 for it, which was insane. They also pushed sales hard here, it felt a little off...like we just wanted to enjoy a meal and at the end we're hounded to try their mezcals. BUT food came quick and effeciently so no major complaints there, just be aware. As for the food, it was incredible. Again with the communication, we pointed and asked for the beet carpaccio....they brought out beef carpaccio WHICH thankfully we both eat meat because honestly, it was freaking incredible. We didn't even say anything about the mix up because it was a highlight. They brought it out under a glass smoker, it had a cream sauce, and rosemary, lime, cheese, it was just perfect. We also had the corn which was super unique, the tuna appetizer which had SO MUCH FLAVOR, and the fundito which was on par with everywhere else in the area. It ended up being more food than we planned but it was incredible in flavor, whoever the cook is does a great job of marrying flavors because it was an incredible meal. Be ready for the communication gap, but know you won't eat anything bad here.

    Photos
    La Perla Pixan & La Carbonería
    La Perla Pixan & La Carbonería - HUAUZONTLE WEATHERED

    HUAUZONTLE WEATHERED

    La Perla Pixan & La Carbonería - Dulce de leche

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    Dulce de leche

    Porfirio's Playa del Carmen - 2 big steaks

    Porfirio's Playa del Carmen

    4.1(221 reviews)
    1.5 kmCentro

    Saw this had great OpenTable reviews but didn't want to commit to a reservation, so we checked it…read moreout while exploring. We were also considering a steakhouse nearby...but when in Mexico, right? Glad we did--this ended up being the best meal we had all week (even compared to our resort). Food: great. Service: standout. Amii and Santi were the perfect balance--attentive without hovering, quick, and clearly in sync. They made everything easy. Highlights: - Hot stone seared New York strip -- fun, interactive, and really flavorful - Street-style al pastor for two -- fall-off-the-bone and worth it - Marinades + salsas were so good we asked for more - Drinks were a surprise win--especially the curated cocktails We walked in, but I'd recommend a reservation for busy season, we didn't have to wait but they had a lot of patrons in comparison. The vibe was awesome - from the modern cantina style to the liver performers that weren't cheesy and 1000% on point. We stayed all week at a private resort, if it were closer, we'd have gone back again. Would absolutely recommend

    We came here for my birthday dinner, and it was such a fun spot to celebrate. Honestly, we were…read moreexpecting it to be a lot more expensive based on the vibe and presentation but it was surprisingly affordable for what you get. We ordered the steak (medium) because that's always our go-to and it was really good. Cooked properly with a nice sear on the outside and still juicy inside. Solid, reliable choice. We also tried the charred octopus, and this one was a bit of a miss for us. It leaned more on the soft side and felt slightly overcooked. We were hoping for more of that tender-with-a-slight-char texture contrast. You can never go wrong with French fries crispy, well-seasoned, and perfect for the table. For dessert, we got the chocolate cake, and wow !! the slice was huge. Definitely shareable. It was rich, moist, and indulgent. We couldn't even finish it, which says a lot because we tried. Overall, it was a great birthday dinner spot lively atmosphere, good food, and better value than we expected. I'd definitely come back, especially for another celebration.

    Photos
    Porfirio's Playa del Carmen - Churros

    Churros

    Porfirio's Playa del Carmen - Chocolate cake

    Chocolate cake

    Porfirio's Playa del Carmen - World Cup

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    World Cup

    Alux Restaurant - mexican - Updated June 2026

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