Just a little over four hours by plane from Los Angeles or New York City is a foodie paradise. The all-inclusive Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya is set in a prime location to enjoy a variety of international flavors presented with a creative flair among stunning views of the turquoise Caribbean Sea.
There are 1,263 guest rooms in 9 different buildings at The Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya. Buildings 1 & 2 are Heaven, the serene adults-only section of the resort. In Heaven there are multiple gourmet dining experiences to appeal to a refined adult palate. Elevated Mexican, Thai and International fare cater to various tastes, ensuring that guests enjoys a memorable Taste of Hard Rock culinary experience.
Buildings 3 through 9 are family-friendly areas in this all-inclusive resort. Named Hacienda Roja, there are also many standout dining options, swim-up bars, and grab-and-go options.
There are 10 different themed restaurants and 11 different bars throughout the resort. Upon check-in, guests receive a Heaven or Hacienda wrist brand that is scanned at each restaurant and bar. Guests scan their band at their guest room door to enter their room or suite. Adults in Heaven can enter every restaurant, lounge and bar at the resort. Hacienda guests under 18+ are restricted from the adults-only areas.
Here are some favorite culinary venues to explore for a tastes of The Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya journey while on vacation:
EXPERIENCE HEAVEN
UMO - Flavors of the Yucatan
Near the Eden Pool in Heaven, UMO maintains the cultural traditions and cooking methods of the Mexican Yucatan. The menu offers an array of specialty dishes prepared with local and seasonal ingredients. Elevated dishes are prepared using smoke and fire, playing an important part in the aroma and presentation of the dishes offered on the menu.
Be sure to order at UMO:
Ensalada de Tomates (Tomato Salad) with toasted corn kernels, cured sheep's cheese and a delightful hibiscus vinaigrette. The guacamole is served with cubes of rib-eye chicharron, and the slow cooked barbacoa beef taco dazzles with Mexican chili oil and an avocado puree.
Handmade artisanal tortillas are shells for a variety of tacos and chips. The kitchen has a Mayan PIB underground earth oven to smoke, bake and steam proteins and vegetables. The marinated pork shank topped with pickled onions is so tender it almost falls off the large bone.
Save room for freshly made churros and ice cream.
FARO Gastro Market
Overlooking the sparkling blue water of the Caribbean Sea, FARO Gastro Market on the Heaven side of the resort offers breakfast and lunch options for adults.
In the morning the different food stations for guests to select a colorful array of morning delights to take back to your table. Server pours coffee, tea, mimosas and juice at the table, while guests walk up to the cook-to-order stations.
The Sip counter offers a variety of smoothies and juice, while World Kitchen has chefs flipping custom omelets, and around the globe dishes ranging from kebabs to baos during lunch. There is a sweet section displaying breakfast pastries, French Toast, Mexican breads and desserts.
During lunch succulent proteins and burgers are cooked at Grill Rock, and one can order chilaquiles and other traditional Mexican delights at the Mexico Lindo station.
Open from 7 to 11 am and 1 to 3 pm.
WAI - Taste of Thailand
Those craving Southeast Asian flavors will enjoy the exotic dishes at WAI. This Thai inspired restaurant has a glass window demonstration kitchen where diners can watch the talented chefs make handmade noodles and wok-fired dishes. The menu offers an array of savory and sweet dishes that have a pleasing touch of heat. Thai spices, mint and curry dishes offer a multisensory dining experience.
Be sure to order Pad Thai, Chicken and Beef Satay in an ethereal peanut sauce, and bowls of Tom Kay coconut soup. The kitchen prepares pineapple fried rice and variety of flavorful curries.
Save room for Lychee Tapioca made with coconut cream and Wai Pannacotta
Swim-up Bars
Along the white powder sandy beach and at many of the pool areas, guests stay hydrated and happy at one of the bars. At the Eden Pool in Heaven there is a swim-up bar with concrete bar stools to sit on to enjoy a drink while in the water. This adult-only area has daily pool activities that include aqua aerobics, floating blackjack, bike spinning in the water and mixology demonstrations to make the best margaritas.
Nearby at Eden Beach, a dedicated team of servers will take your order and deliver your culinary desires right to your lounge chair.
Splurge and reserve one of the pool cabanas for a decadent day in Eden. Moet Champagne on ice awaits your arrival, along with an ice box filled with bottled waters. Order off the food and beverage menu and a dedicated pool butler will deliver items to your cabana.
Soak up the Caribbean sun on lounge chairs right outside the cabana, or sit inside to work a little, nap or watch your favorite sporting event on the flat screen television. There are electrical plugs to keep your phones and computers charged. Also inside the cabana is a bathroom with its own shower for guests to freshen up after a day at the pool and beach.
Awaken Your Senses
Upstairs in the Heaven lobby is a gastronomic immersive dinner that incorporates high-resolution video mapping on the dining table and surrounding walls. This stunning visual experience transports foodies to an international culinary journey. The almost two-hour, multi-course meal is paired with creative cocktails, mocktails and beverages.
Feel as if you are traveling on a simulated Hard Rock jet to London for gourmet fish and chips, then off to Italy for pasta and wine, before venturing to the United States for barbecue. It's an intimate dining experience for only for 12 guests per sitting. There are two dining opportunities every Tuesday through Sunday. One is at 5 pm and the other at 7 pm. The cost is $150 US dollars for adults.
HACIENDA DINING VENUES
Stop into ISLA for American favorites during breakfast and lunch for egg dishes, pastries, fresh fruit, perfectly seasoned burgers, golden and crispy fries, cole slaw and classic American desserts.
Isla has an eye-catching interior with a large Truck prop at the entrance and VW bus in the back with picnic tables for a unique and casual experience that will delight your senses.
Other family-friendly eateries include Pizzeto for pizza, Ciao for Italian, Cafetto for grab-and-go coffees, snacks and ice cream, Le Petit Cochon for French fare and The Market for all day dining.
Music and Dancing
In the evening after dinner, Club Heaven Bar & Disco opens for an adult-only social experience. The beat from a live DJ lures guests onto the dance floor. Live dancers near the bar entertain while bartenders shake and mix drinks from a fine selection of international spirits.
This lively Caribbean vibe club is open every Thursday through Saturday from 10 pm to 1 am.
Season Specials
Throughout the year, Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya offers travel deals and specials for your travel season. Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall, choose a deal for extra perks, extra fun and extra gourmet experiences that include wine tastings, romantic dinners on the beach, mixology classes, and food pairings.
