We celebrated my wife's birthday at HA', the Michelin-starred concept by Carlos Gaytán inside Hotel Xcaret, and I'll be straight about it. The service? Exceptional. Easily the highlight of the night. Attentive without being overbearing, thoughtful pacing, and they made the occasion feel special from start to finish. The food... didn't live up to the same level. Visually, every dish was stunning. You can tell a lot of intention and technique goes into the plating. But once you actually taste it, things fall off. Course after course, flavors felt muted, disconnected, or just not memorable. Nothing was bad, but very little was crave-worthy. Standouts were limited. The wagyu tartare and crab had moments, but even those didn't fully deliver on flavor. The oxtail had the depth you'd expect, but by that point it felt like an exception rather than the standard. Desserts were creative, but again leaned more interesting than satisfying. For a one Michelin star experience, you expect precision in flavor first, presentation second. Here, it felt flipped. My take (and this is opinion): HA' is trying hard to be elevated and artistic, but it's missing the soul and punch that makes a tasting menu truly memorable. Especially at this level, "beautiful but forgettable" isn't enough. Would I go again? Probably not. Was it worth experiencing once? Yes, mainly for the service and the setting. read more

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This place was breathtaking! From the decor to the food, my husband and I loved it all. We were excited to go to a Michelin star restaurant while we stayed at La casa de la playa. The multiple dining course experience felt so fancy and each time a new dish came over we were fascinated by the artistry and attention to detail the chefs put into making each dish. We also had a variety of wines that would accompany each dish. Whenever I am back at the resort, I'll definitely come again and definitely recommend coming here if you're in the area! read more

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This beautiful one Michelin star restaurant is by far the best option of all the Xcaret restaurants. We just spent four nights at Hotel Xcaret Arte and this was our first night's dinner and we had a fantastic experience. It is nine courses and the chef did a wonderful job creating the menu. I was happy to hear that he has another restaurant in Anaheim. Our server was extremely friendly and everything came out very fast however allocate at least 2 - 2.5 hours. Inside is also really modern and a beautiful way to spend the evening. They also have an extensive wine selection. read more

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4.5 Stars This was a great spot at Xcaret Mexico (not Xcaret Arte). Loved the food here. Everything was very good. Service was very nice. We started at the bar upstairs with welcome drinks and were brought downstairs for the dining portion. read more

A beautiful, wonderful experience. The dining, the food, the atmosphere, there are just no words. Do yourself a favor and do not eat before. The plates may be small, but after the 7th plate you do get full. We did the pairing with the wine, which just further elevated the experience. The waiter and sommelier we had were amazing and attentive. He was also kind enough to bring a shawl as the place is cold. My first Michelin star experience and I am so glad I had it here. The details, the flavors, everything about it made me feel like royalty. read more

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This Michelin star meal was one of the top ones I have been to. From arrival, to food and exit, everything was phenomenal. The staff is so attentive and personable, restaurant is gorgeous with water fountains all over - hence the name HA'. They started me with a welcome drink, which was a star! And then all 9 courses were delicious, thoughtfully prepared and delivered. My server Jorge did an amazing job with explaining each course and how to eat it. He checked on me frequently and made sure I was comfortable and did not lack anything. The passion fruit cocktail was out of this world. They even brought a birthday dessert - so sweet and a going away macarons! Attaching the menu, restaurant and pics of the food in order of the courses. read more

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We got to visit Ha during our recent stay at the La Casa de la Playa resort by Xcaret and the experience blew our minds. The service from the beginning to the end was top notch and we even received a personal welcome from the chef himself. We really enjoyed the beautiful decor, the light ambiance, beautifully presented dishes and drinks and most importantly, the exquisite food. They went over the entire tasting menu at the very beginning and they even offered to replace some of the proteins we preferred not to try. They replaced the beef tartare with amazingly delicious watermelon appetizer and substituted duck dish with chicken. The entire meal took about three hours and we enjoyed every minute and every bite. read more

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Excellent execution and the FOH staff went above and beyond! Are server had my menu signed by the kitchen staff and the Chef de Cuisine came out and thanked us for coming in and took a picture with me and my wife. Highly recommend this property and restaurant. XCARET MEXICO was my best VACATION YET! read more

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Gorgeous restaurant, flawless service, superb food. Contemporary Mexican at its finest. Pricy - I wouldn't recommend the mocktail pairing at that price point, but the food was certainly worth the cost. read more

Had an amazing pre birthday dinner here! The inside was so beautiful decorated and really set the tone for the meal. All the courses were exceptional and paired well with the wine. It was my first time trying Mexican wine and they were pretty good! Everything was so intricate and would be hard to go into detail of each dish because they were all so multidimensional. I would definitely return on my next trip to riviera maya. read more

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We were staying in Cancun and heard about a Michelin star restaurant located at the Xcaret hotel. We called a taxi for the 36 mi drive and it was with it! Chef Carlos Gaytán is an artist with flavor and presentation. Inside the restaurant is decorated with a "water" theme, water in Mayan is translated Ha'. Our meal was served by 2 waiters and with a Sommelier pouring and explaining each paired wine, all of which came from Mexican vineyards. My favorites among the 9 courses were the Escamoles (ant eggs) and the Beignet with truffle sauce. Every wine complimented the dish well. The plates are small, one or two bites, but by the time we were finished, we were stuffed! Every plate was an explosion of flavor and texture. For a Michelin star meal, I thought the prices were reasonable, and less than you would pay in LA. I think this is a must stop when in Cancun! read more

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This is the Michelin star chef at the hotel Xcaret Mexico. When you walk in you see water all over and a huge fountain in the middle. It is very aesthetically pleasing place. We were seated and given welcome cocktails. They were a mint blackberry gimlet of sorts. Refreshing to say the least. They bring a menu of 9 courses , but do not be fooled it was actually 10! With pairings of wine. I recommended not drinking each glass because our group did and it was a lot. Some of the most amazing dishes we receieved were the Wagyu with charred avocado and yogurt sauce, the mushroom beignet with fresh shaven truffle, and the ant eggs cup with greenery and fresh edible flowers. Each dish had such a unique taste and although it is small portions you end up being very full. Once leaving you receive a gift bag with the menu and a box filled with a macaron. What a delight! read more

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We visited Ha on our most recent trip to Playa Del Carmen. This was an experience we booked through La Casa De La Playa. Ha is a Michelin star restaurant located at Hotel Xcaret. It's a restaurant you need to pay extra for if you're a guest at Hotel Xcaret and Arte. In my personal opinion, I'm not sure if this restaurant is 100% worth subbing another restaurant on the property for, as while the food and the wine tasting was awesome, so is the rest of the food on the properties. I think what you receive here is the extra finesse in plating, but overall, for a Michelin star restaurant, I was expecting a little bit more. There were some dishes in the tasting we weren't 100% blown away by. I hope this helps if you're deciding how to plan out your trip meal reservations! read more

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Being a self proclaimed foodie I have always wanted to try a meal from a star Michelin chef. I finally had the chance to do so while vacation in Playa Del Carmen Mexico. Inside the Xcaret Resort there's a restaurant named Ha which is Mayan for water. Eating at Ha does have an additional cost. The restaurant is ran By Chef Carlos Gaytan who also happens to be the first Mexican chef to earn a Michelin star. The restaurant Ha, has also earned a 5 diamond award. Since the name itself means water the entire restaurant had a concept of water through out. You're also allowed to interact with the water. As soon as you're seated there's a welcome note that was written and signed (then duplicated) by the Chef Carlos Gaytan. You're also handed a bag to store your marsh during dinner. You then get the menu so that you can see the course offerings and a welcome beverage. The two appetizer that get brought out are artichoke hearts and then a fruit compote (not on the menu). I should also mention that each plated course is accompanied with either wine or beer all from different regions of Mexico that complement is meal. First course: venison with chipotle with onion ash and a corn Mexican truffle. The presentation of the Mexican truffle over the venison was splendid. It did not taste gamey at all and yes I've had wild meats before. Second course: bouillabaisse this is the fish stew but used with fish common to Mexico. Third course: Tikin Xic this was one of my favorite courses. I haven't tried this dish before. It is a common Yucatán dish meaning dry fish. The fish is marinated with achiote. It's served with a banana purée and a white butter sauce with hints of habanero. All of these flavors together complemented the fish so well. As soon as you bit the fish, everything just melts in your mouth. Fourth course: Trufa this is cauliflower with black truffle, cilantro oil and Eureka lemon. Fifty course: Foie Gras with red fruits Sixth course: Pastor, this one was considered the "main heavy" meal. This was the traditional classic tacos al pastor with a twist. Also my favorite one. Seventh course: Marquesita, this is a Mexican dessert native to the Yucatán region. Best way to describe it would be a crepe rolled liked a taco. Filled with truffle foam, cheese and chocolate. It's an acquired taste, maybe something you need to grow up eating but very tasty. Eight course: Sak, this is a charcoal ice cream with pear, yogurt and mascarpone cheese. After all of these we still got some chocolate troubles at the end. All in all this was for sure an awesome experience. I will definitely try this again and other Michelin star chef restaurants. The food is definitely next level. read more

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A 9 course tasting menu for both of us. Interesting take on gourmet Mexican cuisine by a Michelin starred chef. I have been to a number of these types of high end tastings and this was about mid average in complexity and taste. Several dishes were unique and delicious while others (talking about you - black truffle w begnies completely missed the mark. Overall worth the cost. read more

I had an absolutely beautiful experience from start to finish. The food was delicious, the service was attentive, and the staff were all incredibly welcoming. Everything felt thoughtful and elevated. I'd definitely come back again. read more

Excellent experience on our last night in Mexico! It never disappoints! Ha' is a Michellin star restaurant in hotel xcaret which serves a total of 9 dishes each paired with a drink (non alcoholic or alcoholic). Ha' means water and the interior definitely follows this theme. The service is spectacular! The waiters explain what each dish brings and were nice enough to include a special dessert for me when I mentioned I was celebrating graduating from a masters in public health. read more

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The crown jewel of Hotel Xcaret's culinary collection, Restaurante HA' features the talents of Carlos Gaytán, and although he will forever remain the first Mexican Chef to receive a Michelin Star for his "Mexique" in Chicago it is with all the trappings of a luxury resort that HA' aims to achieve so much more. Defined as "Water" in the Mayan language, a sense of flow established on arrival and continuing through an immersive space surrounding a cylindrical glass fountain, guests are seated on plush banquettes abutting crisp linens, the service gratuitously pleasant such that no want or need goes unfulfilled. Not included in Hotel Xcaret's all-inclusive package, and open to the public via reservation only, HA' suggests a seven-course menu complete with Wine or non-alcoholic pairings, an opening volley of Lemongrass and Lime afloat on Aloe refreshing the palate alongside raw Hamachi and a flash-fried Artichoke Amuse. Combining French technique and the finest ingredients with Mexican Sauces and Spices, while many courses also implement elements of modernism, Venison Tartare makes a grand entrance thanks to scoops of Liquid Nitrogen-frozen Huitlacoche before dissolving into a kaleidoscope of flavors, the King Crab to follow equally mesmerizing thanks to fresh Peas and Salmon Roe dancing around delicate Panna Cotta. Indifferent to the pairings, both versions a bit steep in comparison to Haute Cuisine that outpaces HA's price point, course three arrives as confit Duck tucked in a small package surrounded by superlative Pipian plus a hint of mint while the Yucatan's love of grilling sees a floret of Cauliflower complimented by Coriander and preserved Black Truffles. Served at a pace customized to each table's preference, neither to brisk nor lingering, sweeter Beverages begin to arrive as plates grow more rich, Chef Gaytan's Mi Cuit Foie Gras with Red Fruit Mole as good as one will find anywhere in Paris before Al Pastor arrives in a deconstructed but entirely delicious form. Blessed by unrivaled access to Ingredients, plus ideas cultivated across Mexico's rich history, Dessert sees traditional Chilate matched to a textbook Marquesita enlivened by Truffle Foam prior to Coconut Milk Horchata accompanying a Mascarpone Meringue spiral atop Pear Ribbons and Charcoal Ice Cream. Charged extra for Espresso, bold Beans from Chiapas sipped slowly over Ice with Mignardises including distinctive Bon Bons and Truffles, it is after settling the bill that guests are sent on their way with pleasantries and a signed menu, plus a boxed a boxed Alfajor and a new understanding of modern Mexican Cuisine. read more

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Wine, food and service oh my! This little hidden gem of a Michelin Star restaurant is brilliant! My husband and I were staying at the Xcaret resort in Playa Del Carmen and decided to go all out for dinner and boy am I glad we chose HA. The restaurant is beautifully decorated in a modern style which makes the place zen and tranquil. The service is out of this world! I was so impressed how the wait staff is so beautifully orchestrated and work together to ensure a flawless experience. Each course is explained with such eloquence. The restaurant is happy to accommodate any dietary restrictions and asked a few times prior to serving the courses if there are any allergies. I am a vegetarian and they were happy to adjust the dishes to ensure I was able to take advantage of each course. It is impossible for me to remember what each dish was; however, I am including a number of pictures that will definitely tell a story. My husband and I were amazed by how flavorful everything was! The menu changes often, so get ready for a culinary journey that will have your tastebuds on the edge of their seat. I was very hesitant about the wine due to the fact that Mexico is not well known for their grapes; however, they collaborated with vineyards in California to create some of the most amazing wines I have ever had! If you are visiting Playa Del Carmen and are looking for an amazing place to eat, look no further than HA. You will not be disappointed. Thanks for an amazing first night at the Xcaret! read more

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This was my 1st 5 Diamond restaurant experience with a Michelin star chef. Carlos Gaytan and I can safely say it has been one of the most amazing experiences I have had. Straight down to the architecture in the restaurant to the service and even the colors, plate presentation, complex flavors and wine, beer, and tequila pairings. They all hit very high marks. This would be a 10/10. This experience will run you 150$ per person but it's worth every penny. I'd pay 150 just for the Pastor Taco at the end. Thank you. Also the menu changes every 6 Months. Which is cool. Everything is so well thought of and the serves explain the plates and pairings. Beautiful experience. read more

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We stayed at La Casa de la Playa and they invited us to go to the experience at HA. It was a such great experience. The food was incredible. The service was great and the architecture was amazing. 10/10! Thank you. read more

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Absolutely the worst " fine dining" experience I've ever had. Chef Carlos Gaytan you really need help with your dishes, maybe Aaron Sanchez could lend you a hand. Where do I begin? There's just so much going on with each and every dish. The flavors are bland and the textures feel awful. Within hours all of my food came up! While we were dining my wife was feeling sick to her stomach. The best part of this restaurant were all the wines and that's about it. For being the only restaurant at Hotel Xcaret that you have to pay for, it is by far the worst one. I'm so disappointed as I had high expectations for this place. This restaurant is probably one of the reasons why I do not like fine dining, high expectations, extremely low outcomes. Obviously it doesn't take much to earn a Michelin star. read more

Ha' - Our menu of awful food. - Mexican Near Me - Playa del Carmen, ROO

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It is truly a gorgeous restaurant, and the entire menu is well curated with its storytelling, fusion of flavors, and the drinks and desserts that accompany them. The presentation was also stunning and carefully selected, from the plates to even the wine glasses, to bring out the full impact of complimentary yet distinct flavors. The service was amazing and carefully timed, and they even surprised my boyfriend's younger brother with a sauce he kept raving about! It was so good that he joked that he wanted to "inject it into his veins!" From the outside, you cannot see anything due to the curtains, and it feels like you are walking into an underground water installation. We were also presented with gifts and desserts to go in beautiful packaging. The restaurant and chef really thought of every aspect of the fine dining experience, and I really enjoyed their aesthetic, food and drinks, and overall experience. It was also my significant other's mother's first time in a Michelin-starred restaurant, and we were really happy that she enjoyed herself so much. I will never forget our time here, and we would love to come back again! read more

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Amazing experience . If you are into the art of food and to explore your pallet you have to come here during your trip . Keep in mind the plates are not American size but more French sizing . It is an 8 course with Mexican wine parings which was such a delight . They do use uncommon flavors which don't be alarmed . The chef is 5 star Michelin rated and it's worth every dollar . Price range is $150 per person and additional cocktails are not included . The name comes from the Mayan word "water" read more

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The experience at Ha' included the best chili relleno I have ever tasted, inventive sauces, local fish, and excellent wines, and impeccable presentation. The service was excellent. Our group of 10 included one gluten free diner, one vegan, and one vegetarian, and they catered to their needs with no issues. One thing to be aware of is that it is a 3 hour experience, so some of us were totally sunbaked by the time we got there after a day at the beach, and were about to pass out from exhaustion on the last couple dishes. The dessert course which included pineapple/ white chocolate and Greek yogurt cleverly prepared was also a favorite. My favorite aspect of the meal was the "home cooked" simplicity of all of the dishes. There are no overpowering scents or flavors, and the local meats and vegetables shine through. The presentation is the icing on the cake, but does not imply that the dishes themselves are over complicated in their flavor profiles. I would highly recommend this dining experience if you are visiting the area. read more

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This is an excellent restaurant experience. Surprised to be the first to review it. I have quite a few Michelin stars under my belt and I'd say pretty safely this is a minimum 1 star experience. Probably even 2 star with a slightly more ambitious menu and a little more experience service wise, although the waiters were doing a great job. Shouldn't be a surprise as the head chef, Carlos Gaytan propelled Mexique in Chicago to their first star. Our main server spoke pretty good English, but when they found out my wife spoke Spanish, we got much more detailed descriptions of the food. Definite plus. We opted for the 7-course menu with pairing. The meal actually is really reasonably priced. I believe it's around $80 for the food without pairing. They threw in a couple extra courses. They also took us to the bar near the middle of the meal for a palate cleansing interlude from their head mixologist who created us an amazing mezcal sorbet on the spot w liquid nitrogen. I would give a course by course review but slightly short on time. Just going to post pictures and maybe come back to it later. Suffice it to say, if you're in Cancún and want fine dining, this is where it's at. read more

The presentation of the food was pretty cool, the food taste was a mixed of overpowering flavors, the flavors for my palate didn't go together. The worst part was that 30 minutes into dinner I started to get sick, couldn't eat more after The beet mole (pink mole) that was so heavy on the stomach. The manager came to ask how was it and I mentioned that I got sick. She brought tea. But for the price we payed they at least should've give me back the money for my dinner, not just a cup of tea. Very disappointed for a Michelin star restaurant. read more

NEVER again! This is from someone who was going for the third time. Unbelievably, the hostess insulted us. May not even come back to Xcaret. Unfortunately, we are not 'elite' so they didn't care. The only way I can do anything is to speak with my money and tell everyone else to avoid this place at all costs! read more

This place was AMAZING. Even walking in was an experience as it looks like a suspended concrete steps that form a ramp when you walk down. You receive an expert explanation for every dish and wonderful wine/cocktails to boot. We ended up ordering the welcome cocktail at the end too because we enjoyed it so much. It was mix of red wine, whiskey, and hibiscus. read more

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Just a flash in the pan small tasting portions not with the price, I would not recommend unless you are in the whole wine pairing

Best food i ever ever EVER had in my life In all seriousness this is literally the best food i have had in my life forget the price forget that its in mexico its a must try if you time extra cash Each bite/ each sip of wine will blow your mind away starting from the very first bite Yess im freaking serious message my ass ask me how good it was ill call you back read more

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Amazing experience, well worth every penny. My five sense were confused by the parade of flavors, smell and textures partnered with the exceptional service by well trained waiters that will hold your hand through this amazing experience. read more

Ha' - chileatole con trucha salmonada - Mexican Near Me - Playa del Carmen, ROO

Beautiful restaurant located inside the Xcaret hotel in Playa Del Carmen. The food and customer service was stellar. Although we stayed here and everything else was included this restaurant is the exception. You will pay an additional $127 per person. It was a wonderful and romantic experience. read more

Ha' - Mexican Near Me - Playa del Carmen, ROO

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Awesome tasting menu at a great price vs US dollar. The space lacks a bit of ambience but otherwise amazing dinner, great service and awesome food. (Xcaret hotel location) read more

We stayed at Xcaret Hotel and have always wanted to try a Michelin Star Chef, so we took advantage that there is one here. You might want to watch the show "Chef's Table" on Netflix to give you an idea of what to expect. Also, you need to be an adventurous eater, as you'll eat all kinds of strange and interesting foods and delicacies, along with wine pairings. The staff brings out each dish that are small tastings, presented in unique and creative ways (think fog from liquid nitrogen, things "plated" on top of coral, seashells, over hot coals. I don't want to spoil all the surprises, but it sounds like their menu will have many new creations seasonally. It was such a fun experience, and my husband and I had a blast. It does cost about $100/person, so it's a splurge. It is one of the experiences that is not included in the "All Fun Inclusive". We had 8 food courses, each with a wine pairing, so we felt it was worth it for the whole experience. read more

The service was excellent. However we were not impressed with the menu. The set menu presentation of each course was beautiful but taste wise fell short. They made accommodations to the food allergies and restrictions our group had. I had the full menu. But the courses fell short either underwhelming or overwhelming. Our party was not happy when we found out the delicious tasting escamoles was... ant larvae. We wished they had been more upfront with what the dish protein was. The two dessert courses was also a little off. The passion fruit and a chocolate course were just okay. Not spectacular. We expected more from a Michelin star chef. We now know it is now worth a Michelin star. The wine pairings were great other than the port at the end. I was most disappointed no cocktail or coffee was offered to me. As I to enjoy a after dinner coffee. For the price of the dinner, we were also charged $17 usd for 4 bottles of water, when we could have had regular water from other Restaurants for free. Just wasn't worth it for the experience. read more