Rockas Jamaican Kitchen
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While vacationing in Playa del Carmen to celebrate my sister's birthday, we decided to have dinner outside of our resort. After reading some amazing reviews, we chose this restaurant. We called ahead to confirm if a reservation was necessary, but they assured us it wasn't. The place was charming, and we opted to sit outside. The service was great, and we started with drinks--a rum punch and a Long Island. Both were well-made, and the rum punch, crafted with Appleton rum, was good, though I've had better. Unfortunately, the food didn't live up to the hype. The honey BBQ jerk wings had a good flavor, but they were incredibly spicy--perfect if you love heat, but a bit much for me. We also ordered the lobster, which was extremely dry, tough, and rubbery. My sister couldn't eat it and was very disappointed. I ordered the oxtail, and while the portion was generous and the meat fell off the bone, the flavor was lacking. The rice was mushy--I prefer it more grainy--and it was missing seasoning. The salad was nice, though I wish there had been more avocado, and the plantain was served cold. They did surprise us with a birthday ice cream sandwich cake and song happy birthday. While they do have other menu options, I'd recommend anyone considering this place to decide for themselves. Would I return? Probably not--there are so many other dining options nearby to explore.
Awesome food and great service Al fresco. Rockas is Asian/Jamaican inspired and tasty! We had Jerk wings and Rasta Pasta (one with shrimp and one with lobster/shrimp). Both were delish. No complaints at all - wonderful meal and setting. Can't give it five stars only because they won't let you pay with CC. Says so clearly upon entry, but make sure you have cash. Prices are about what you'd find in the states.
Now I know why this place is rated so high. It's is cash only so be prepared. Had about a five minute wait and worth waiting much longer. Started with the beef patties and the avocado tuna tar tar. Both were seasoned and perfectly. My entire was the jerk chicken and it was fall off the bone and Amazing. My wife had the Rasta pasta with shrimp and it was so good we are planning on going back for more before our trip is over. My daughter had the Alfredo pasta and it was also great. This place is truly a gem and the outdoor space is just an amazing vibe. A must try
If you ever find yourself in Playa Del Carmen-do yourself a favor and check out Rockas! Cute little spot not too far from all the action with a crazy playlist-you might feel like dancing and food that is well seasoned and delicious! The service was fast and I'm not sure why there weren't more people here-gotta change that! The jerk chicken was seasoned perfectly and the cabbage! Such a great meal. When I'm back in the area I will definitely go back! The owner was there and came over and chatted-put this one on your list! Sorry-
I came last year August with a group of 10 friends. We had a great time. Service was good, the owner gave us a recommendation for a hookah lounge that we went to the next day and had a ball! I definitely recommend this place and will be back later on this year. Just a reminder It is cash only!
The food was simply amazing. The service was as if I was in a Royal Kingdom. The ambience is laid back. You truly feel like you are home and welcomed with love. I have watched this restaurant for 2 yrs. They have maintained a 5 star the whole time. Believe me. You are going to get more than a 5 star service & food. I HIGHLY recommend you to stop by when in PDC and enjoy the BEST Jamaican food you will ever have in PDC. Thank you once again;)
This place was such a gem on our vacation to Cancun for my honeymoon. My husband had the jerk chicken dinner and he loved it so much we came back again for our last night in Cancun. I had the Rasta Pasta dish with jerk chicken and the second time I had the jerk chicken wings and mac and cheese. I LOVED both dishes but the pasta was amazing. The service was quick and our waiters were very attentive and checked on us numerous times. The vibe there also very Jamaican and there were fans outside that blew to keep us cool, as it gets really hot in Cancun. I would highly recommend this place if you are looking for variety outside if tacos and traditional Mexican food.
This place was amazing. The ambiance was great and I like the inside/outside feel to the restaurant. The host/services were attentive and everyone made sure I was okay and answered my questions about the menu. I can honestly say I was so surprised that Mexico did Jamaican food justice!!! It was delicious. The jerk chicken was seasoned and cooked perfectly. The rice and peas were good and I was impressed by the Mac n cheese. Their house made limonde was so refreshing. I was so glad that I decide to go with my gut and come get some great food at this establishment. When in Playa it's my recommendation to come try it out and get some great food.
My partner and I came here on our last night in Playa del Carmen before flying back to the States. The restaurant was easy to get to (only a short walk from the hotel) and was a nice change from the resort experience. Service: The service was great! Even though we didn't have a reservation (oops), there was minimal wait time to be seated and then the wait for the food was nothing unexpected considering how busy they were. I only speak/understand a bit of Spanish, but that wasn't an issue since the staff were able to serve in both languages. Whew. Food: I definitely over-ordered lol, but it's hard not to when the menu and pics look so good! Two of us shared (and "mostly" finished) the jerk chicken tacos, mac and cheese, dumplings, beef patties, and kale salad. If/when I come again, I would probably skip the dumplings (I was excited to try "street food" but they turned out a bit dry for my liking) and downsize the salad. Environment: Loved the music and the ambiance of Rockas, and I was pleasantly surprised to see the Canada memorabilia. The only downside (though perhaps not in their control) is when the street performers came by; they were objectively good, but their music and the music/sounds in the restaurant were conflicting so it sounded like one was trying to overpower the other. Excellent experience all around and I would be keen to come again the next time I'm in the area.
After a wonderful day at the beach, I walked over to Rockas for dinner, beautiful decor and good vibes, the staff is extremely informative, honest and attentive. I was disappointed with the rum punch , it tasted like juice. I enjoyed the jerk chicken , rice & peas & plantains. The salad, nope. They take cash only btw.
Loved this place! Heard about it in a YouTube video, so we knew we wanted to check it out while on vacation. We easily made reservations on Facebook (recommended because they are packed), and arrived on time for dinner. The hostess was so nice and even remembered my name when we arrived. We were seated and they later moved us closer to a fan because it was so hot that night, which was appreciated. My husband ordered the Rasta pasta with chicken and shrimp and I ordered the jerk chicken, sweet plantains and mac and cheese. Everything was amazing and the chicken was so tender. I wanted more of my husband's Rasta pasta, so I will definitely order that next time. Also the drinks were good. The chef came out and talked to us for a while, and we complimented him on the amazing food. This place is great, the service is amazing, and the food is fire!
6 months ago
My best friend saw Rockas on TikTok and made it a "must-try" for our trip to Playa del Carmen, so we had to check it out. I suspect there may have been a management or ownership change since the videos we saw, as the experience felt a little different than expected, but the team there is working hard. When we arrived with our party of 8, we were greeted by a very pleasant staff who did a great job accommodating our large group. As for the food, it was a bit of a mixed bag, but there are definitely some highlights: Garlic Shrimp: This was absolutely on point. I honestly should have ordered a second plate, but I didn't want to be greedy! Rasta Pasta: Packed with flavor and a solid choice. Jerk Chicken: The star of the show. I could have easily just eaten this for my entire meal. Oxtail: This was a bit of a disappointment; it had good flavor, but the meat was tough rather than falling off the bone. We did have a few hiccups with dishes taking a while to come out, but the owner came over to apologize and personally explained that they were understaffed due to some last-minute call-outs. She was a very nice lady, and we were totally understanding of the situation. If you decide to give them a try, I would 100% recommend starting with the garlic shrimp and going for the Rasta pasta with the jerk chicken. We appreciated the hospitality and the effort the team put into making our large group feel welcome! read more
7 months ago
We recently vacationed in Playa and just had to make a stop at what has quickly become one of our favorite local restaurants. Especially when we were looking for a place to celebrate some very exciting family news! Rockas serves a delicious menu of food inspired by both Jamaican and Caribbean influences, with (of course) a dash of classic Mexican cuisine too. From their appies to our delicious meal, nothing disappointed. What put this latest experience over the top, though, was the kind and amazing service we received. When they found out our special occasion, they celebrated right along with us and brought out a special treat too. Simply amazing! And of course, you can't beat the Calle 38 jungle vibe and outdoor seating here. Definitely worthy of 5 stars or more! read more
19 days ago
While vacationing in Playa del Carmen to celebrate my sister's birthday, we decided to have dinner outside of our resort. After reading some amazing reviews, we chose this restaurant. We called ahead to confirm if a reservation was necessary, but they assured us it wasn't. The place was charming, and we opted to sit outside. The service was great, and we started with drinks--a rum punch and a Long Island. Both were well-made, and the rum punch, crafted with Appleton rum, was good, though I've had better. Unfortunately, the food didn't live up to the hype. The honey BBQ jerk wings had a good flavor, but they were incredibly spicy--perfect if you love heat, but a bit much for me. We also ordered the lobster, which was extremely dry, tough, and rubbery. My sister couldn't eat it and was very disappointed. I ordered the oxtail, and while the portion was generous and the meat fell off the bone, the flavor was lacking. The rice was mushy--I prefer it more grainy--and it was missing seasoning. The salad was nice, though I wish there had been more avocado, and the plantain was served cold. They did surprise us with a birthday ice cream sandwich cake and song happy birthday. While they do have other menu options, I'd recommend anyone considering this place to decide for themselves. Would I return? Probably not--there are so many other dining options nearby to explore. read more
Awesome food and great service Al fresco. Rockas is Asian/Jamaican inspired and tasty! We had Jerk wings and Rasta Pasta (one with shrimp and one with lobster/shrimp). Both were delish. No complaints at all - wonderful meal and setting. Can't give it five stars only because they won't let you pay with CC. Says so clearly upon entry, but make sure you have cash. Prices are about what you'd find in the states. read more
Now I know why this place is rated so high. It's is cash only so be prepared. Had about a five minute wait and worth waiting much longer. Started with the beef patties and the avocado tuna tar tar. Both were seasoned and perfectly. My entire was the jerk chicken and it was fall off the bone and Amazing. My wife had the Rasta pasta with shrimp and it was so good we are planning on going back for more before our trip is over. My daughter had the Alfredo pasta and it was also great. This place is truly a gem and the outdoor space is just an amazing vibe. A must try read more
5 months ago
We got ourselves the grilled jerk shrimp and the jerk chicken meal and a side order of Mac and cheese. I was super hungover so I just had a couple bites of everything. My boyfriend enjoy it. Staff was super nice and very attentive. read more
If you ever find yourself in Playa Del Carmen-do yourself a favor and check out Rockas! Cute little spot not too far from all the action with a crazy playlist-you might feel like dancing and food that is well seasoned and delicious! The service was fast and I'm not sure why there weren't more people here-gotta change that! The jerk chicken was seasoned perfectly and the cabbage! Such a great meal. When I'm back in the area I will definitely go back! The owner was there and came over and chatted-put this one on your list! Sorry- read more
11 months ago
I came last year August with a group of 10 friends. We had a great time. Service was good, the owner gave us a recommendation for a hookah lounge that we went to the next day and had a ball! I definitely recommend this place and will be back later on this year. Just a reminder It is cash only! read more
The food was simply amazing. The service was as if I was in a Royal Kingdom. The ambience is laid back. You truly feel like you are home and welcomed with love. I have watched this restaurant for 2 yrs. They have maintained a 5 star the whole time. Believe me. You are going to get more than a 5 star service & food. I HIGHLY recommend you to stop by when in PDC and enjoy the BEST Jamaican food you will ever have in PDC. Thank you once again;) read more
The service was Great! Ambience Great! Food was DELICIOUS!!! I could eat this everyday! I had the Rasta Pasta with shrimp and chicken. They skimped me on the chicken but it was still soo darn good. Bursting with flavors and spices! Also, it's cash only! read more
2 years ago
This place was such a gem on our vacation to Cancun for my honeymoon. My husband had the jerk chicken dinner and he loved it so much we came back again for our last night in Cancun. I had the Rasta Pasta dish with jerk chicken and the second time I had the jerk chicken wings and mac and cheese. I LOVED both dishes but the pasta was amazing. The service was quick and our waiters were very attentive and checked on us numerous times. The vibe there also very Jamaican and there were fans outside that blew to keep us cool, as it gets really hot in Cancun. I would highly recommend this place if you are looking for variety outside if tacos and traditional Mexican food. read more
1 year ago
3 years ago
This place was amazing. The ambiance was great and I like the inside/outside feel to the restaurant. The host/services were attentive and everyone made sure I was okay and answered my questions about the menu. I can honestly say I was so surprised that Mexico did Jamaican food justice!!! It was delicious. The jerk chicken was seasoned and cooked perfectly. The rice and peas were good and I was impressed by the Mac n cheese. Their house made limonde was so refreshing. I was so glad that I decide to go with my gut and come get some great food at this establishment. When in Playa it's my recommendation to come try it out and get some great food. read more
My partner and I came here on our last night in Playa del Carmen before flying back to the States. The restaurant was easy to get to (only a short walk from the hotel) and was a nice change from the resort experience. Service: The service was great! Even though we didn't have a reservation (oops), there was minimal wait time to be seated and then the wait for the food was nothing unexpected considering how busy they were. I only speak/understand a bit of Spanish, but that wasn't an issue since the staff were able to serve in both languages. Whew. Food: I definitely over-ordered lol, but it's hard not to when the menu and pics look so good! Two of us shared (and "mostly" finished) the jerk chicken tacos, mac and cheese, dumplings, beef patties, and kale salad. If/when I come again, I would probably skip the dumplings (I was excited to try "street food" but they turned out a bit dry for my liking) and downsize the salad. Environment: Loved the music and the ambiance of Rockas, and I was pleasantly surprised to see the Canada memorabilia. The only downside (though perhaps not in their control) is when the street performers came by; they were objectively good, but their music and the music/sounds in the restaurant were conflicting so it sounded like one was trying to overpower the other. Excellent experience all around and I would be keen to come again the next time I'm in the area. read more
2 years ago
After a wonderful day at the beach, I walked over to Rockas for dinner, beautiful decor and good vibes, the staff is extremely informative, honest and attentive. I was disappointed with the rum punch , it tasted like juice. I enjoyed the jerk chicken , rice & peas & plantains. The salad, nope. They take cash only btw. read more
5 years ago
Loved this place! Heard about it in a YouTube video, so we knew we wanted to check it out while on vacation. We easily made reservations on Facebook (recommended because they are packed), and arrived on time for dinner. The hostess was so nice and even remembered my name when we arrived. We were seated and they later moved us closer to a fan because it was so hot that night, which was appreciated. My husband ordered the Rasta pasta with chicken and shrimp and I ordered the jerk chicken, sweet plantains and mac and cheese. Everything was amazing and the chicken was so tender. I wanted more of my husband's Rasta pasta, so I will definitely order that next time. Also the drinks were good. The chef came out and talked to us for a while, and we complimented him on the amazing food. This place is great, the service is amazing, and the food is fire! read more
1 year ago
You can't go wrong this place. It's in Downtown Playa Del Carmen. It has rave reviews on yelp and google and it definitely lives up to the hype. Great customer service, fresh/ authentic food, and a great vibe. What I Ordered: Rice & Peas: 10/10 Get this you will not be disappointed it was honestly one of the best , no it is the best jamaican rice i've ever had in my life. Coconut Shrimp: 8/10 it was really good but it needed some savory accent. The coconut and the sweet sauce that it comes with on the side was a little too sweet for my liking, but overall the food was freshly made! Shrimp Rasta Pasta: 9/10 Yoo this was delicious. Great flavor, has the right spice! It was missing something to make it a knock out i'm not sure what that is lol.. Overall this was a great experience! So glad I came! The Chef is so attentive & the staff is great! This restaurant has been Tamied ® read more
5 years ago
The best food we had in Playa Del Carmen! We ordered the Chef's special which was a shrimp and pasta dish, their menu item Jamaican Brown Stew Chicken, and their Mac n Cheese. Unfortunately for us, they sold out of the the Jerk Chicken, which is testimony to how delicious it probably is. As for our dishes....Amazing!!! The best pasta with shrimp I've ever had. It was perfectly seasoned and the pasta was cooked to perfection. I'm craving now as I type this. The Jamaican Brown Stew Chicken was outstanding. It kinda had reminents of mole. And as for the Mac n Cheese, it's a must try. On our 2 visits there we met the owners/Chef, and they could not be nicer people and they are part of what makes this place a must try. Rockas Jamaican Kitchen has rightfully earned its 5 stars and we feel lucky to have ran into this place during our vacation. read more
11 months ago
Found this place on yelp and super conveniently it was beside my hotel. Upon entry everyone was super friendly and welcoming. The place is somewhat small (but all of the restaurants in playa are) so it was at capacity when I got there. I was able to sit at the bar and order some of the best beef patties I've ever had. Seriously. They weren't dry at all. Super spicy and flavored. Later a table opened and I moved to it. Food was on point. The chef even came out and played some tunes to keep the vibes flowing. Thanks for showing me nothing but love and feeding me. read more
4 years ago
Listen! Don't walk ... RUN! This place is a hidden gem. We celebrated my fiancés birthday here. He is a BIG fan of jerk flavors. The food was amazing. Fresh! He was so pleased! Which is hard to do Bc he himself is a chef. I've never seen him so happy about his food! I order a drink & it was great! Unfortunately I ordered the wrong item but.. it was still fresh & delicious. The staff were over the top! Oh My Gosh! The staff! Great customer service! Thank you for having us! Everything was perfect. Thank you to the chef for his service! What a great guy! His wife was awesome too! Ps. The Spring Rolls! Loved!!!!!!!!!! Like I said.. DONT WALK.., RUN! I wish you guys were in the USA! Also ... Thank you to our amazing Utah waiter, sorry I didn't catch your name. But keep that great service up! You're a natural! read more
1 year ago
A very kind gentleman helped me get my bearings to find the bank and give good advice about the area and directions. Turns out my friend is Mexican; but Salt Lake City raised and a five star waiter at ROCKAS. They opened at 4pm & are cash only. Affordable but not cheap, Rockas is owned by a Jamaican husband/chef and his Canadian wife. It was nice to pass by before they opened and see the staff eating together like family. Rockas is the only contemporary Ital food from what Ive seen in Playa. Only thing you can carry out is patties, with the rest of the extensive menu dine in only. The ladies next to me had Rasta pasta, another couple of plates and kale salad. They chatted happily about for everything was delicious...take pics with all the cute waiters delicious lol. Decent bar. I had a pair of spicy, juicy delicious, seasoned beef patties. Glad I made the carne exception to try them. read more
4 years ago
Came here for dinner we had drinks, Rasta pasta, wings, and fish Tacos. Everything was cooked to perfection. We loved the past and we plan on coming back to try other items on the menu. Our server Danny was awesome and knowledgeable of the menu. read more
4 years ago
What an incredible disappointment. The first time was very good. Last night was a complete farce. Arrived with a large group and we were running late, and texted them to let them know. Well, never received a warm welcome, and it went down hill from there. I was advised it would be "family style" and I agreed, but was leary of it. It was a total rip off. And they would not do seperate checks. I expressed concerns about 1 check for 20 people, and was told they would divide it into 3-4 checks which seemed reasonable. When the check arrived it was chaos and hostile.Marvin, the owner, complained to the group he was losing money and called us a bunch of "entitled white people"! read more
2 years ago
Amazing food and great service. We had to wait a bit for the table so try to make a reservation if possible. Very popular spot in Playa del Carmen read more
3 years ago
3 years ago
Deserves its five star rating. Note, the current name is Rockas Beach Town Grill. I was worried we were in the wrong place until Stephanie came over and introduced herself so we knew we were in the right place. Food was great! Mellow ambiance. Beautiful area, surrounded by trees and plants. Overall, very good pick for dinner. Bring cash, pesos or USD, to pay. Also, Mac and cheese was epic. And we're from Iowa, where great Mac and cheese abounds! read more
3 years ago
The food was very good Jamaican food. The spice level in the Rasta Pasta did not disappoint. The service was to notch and the reggae music was just right for the restaurant. We will be coming back when we revisit Playa del Carmen read more
3 years ago
3 years ago
Love love love this place. Great food, Great customer service. Nothing but vibes here. #Funtimes read more
5 years ago
Excellent service! The red snapper escovitch! Is the absolute BEST! Roberto was our server he made sure to communicate with Stephanie (co-owner) regarding our reservation. Please don't sleep on the jerk chicken. Go early because the good stuff runs out Stephanie and Chef Marvin are the best! read more
1 year ago
Okay guys this is the absolute most authentic jerk chicken that I have had in years. It was tender juicy and succulent. Steph and Marvin absolutely know what they're doing. I'm in Playa del Carmen Heaven the best jerk chicken of my life. If you get here please come on down and support. They know how to do it so right you won't even need the sauce. Thanks guys for the love read more
3 years ago
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More info about Rockas Jamaican Kitchen
Calle 38 Nte and Calle Flamingo
Lote 2
77720 Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo
Mexico
Gonzalo Guerrero
Directions
984 277 9119
Call Now
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Rockas Jamaican Kitchen - caribbean - Updated July 2026
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