Top Mexican Foods to Try at an All Inclusive

Heading down Mexico way? Then know your onions – or rather your cebollas  – when it comes to chowing down. Try these top bites at the best all inclusive Mexican resorts.

21st century comida

The very best all inclusive resorts have moved far and away from tired buffets and now offer an incredible choice of gourmet cuisine. Resorts know we are no longer satisfied with run of the mill holiday food. We want to experience the chosen destination for its culture, and its flavour. Mexico is no exception and some resorts offer a wonderful taste of authentic Mexican fare. You’ll need to know a few facts first though, before you pull up your chair to the table.

Tex-Mex or just Mex?

Real Mexican food is not exactly what most of us think of. We love the hearty flavours of Tex-Mex – it’s our go-to snack and sports food. But how many of us know our frijoles from our fajitas? Or a chipotle from a bowl of chili-con-carne? There’s a real difference between a dish smothered in Monterey Jack, and the delicate taste of white, delicate queso fresco. Here are just some real Mexican dishes you might find. Discover the true taste of Mexico. Then let’s take the authentically Mexican route, and see what’s on the menu at some discerning Mexican all inclusive resort restaurants. Enjoy!

Chilaquiles: A little like Nachos, but no yellow cheese! Shredded chicken and sour cream cover these corn tortilla chips, a tasty alternative to Tex-Mex.

Elotes: A tougher corn on the cob treat, with mayo, lime and spices for flavor.

Mole: A sauce, a marinade, a full on flavor, sometimes containing as many as twenty different ingredients.

Pozole: A sort of stew, simmered for ages, either with meat or vegetables, and can be pork or chicken. Fresh toppings are added at the table.

Tacos al Pastor: Yes, it’s a taco, but traditionally eaten as street food, shavings of tasty meat cupped in a corn tortilla and topped with lime, pineapple, cilantro, sour cream, or fresh finely cut onion.

Grand Velas, Riviera Maya

Rated with Five Diamonds by the AAA, you just know that the Check PricesGrand Velas Riviera Maya is going to be just as good for food at dinner time as it is for relaxing the rest of the time. Arty food is on the menu with a visit to their Frida restaurant, named after acclaimed Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. Described as Mexican Fine Cuisine, you can bin any thoughts of Burritos, and instead look forward to mouthwatering and authentic Mexican cuisine, prepared by chef Ricardo de la Vega.

Breaded fried cheese in black bean sauce, with cilantro pureé and fresh street’style potato chips, Yellow fin tuna “al pastor” with grilled pineapple, onion, salsa and cilantro salad, duck in two textures with colorful mole and garbanzo pureé with nuts. Enhance your dining experience with mouthwatering desserts, such as as churros and rompope custard, hibiscus atole, three-texture Mexican rice pudding with cinnamon sauce, puffed rice and cacao butter.

Royal Hideaway Playacar, Riviera Maya

There’s not a children’s menu or highchair in sight at the Check PricesRoyal Hideaway Playacar, as it’s strictly an adults-only resort. A very grown up experience  awaits at the superb choice of dining facilities in this resort – there are six restaurants to choose from – and you will get a chance to taste authentic Mexican, as well as other fusion foods. But, it’s the real taste of Mexico that we’re checking out. Pull up a chair in their Spices restaurant, and taste the finest in Mexican and Caribbean flavours, with an emphasis on the freshest seafood available. Wash it all down with fine wine accompanied by swathes of blue from the outstanding Caribbean views.

Excellence, Playa Mujeres

Another adults only resort, this time in a dramatic setting, on an all-inclusive oasis. Work up an appetite on the Greg Norman golf course, or simply topping up your tan on the powdery white, virgin sands of the Check PricesExcellence Playa Mujeres resort. Dress for dinner and choose from one of the ten international restaurants – it’s a difficult decision! The aptly named Agave restaurant will welcome you – no reservation needed – and tempt your taste buds with, yes,  a choice of familiar Tex Mex, but also a more authentic flavour of real Mexican food. It’s good to have that choice, and there’s something to please everyone. There’s Mariachi too – of course – providing table-side entertainment and completing the perfect Mexican dining experience at the superb Excellence resort.

El Dorado Seaside Palms, Riviera Maya

Dinner for two? Add a little vacation romance with dinner at the Check PricesEl Dorado Seaside Palms. The “Palms” side of this double-sided resort (in combination with Check PricesEl Dorado Seaside Suites) was named one of Forbes’s Most Romantic Resorts in the World. Not just a lavish, romantic resort either, the food here is also incredible. Choose from any one of the 8 a la carte restaurants (plus those at next-door Seaside SuitesFiesta Americana Condesa, Cancun