Lali Pasteles: A Culinary Journey to Playa del Carmen's Best Kept Secret

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My Introduction to Playa del Carmen’s Hidden Pastry Paradise

When I first moved to Playa del Carmen as an expat, I was eager to discover the best local eateries beyond the tourist-filled Fifth Avenue. As I ventured into the city’s side streets and residential neighborhoods, I stumbled upon a humble little bakery called Lali Pasteles.

Despite its unassuming facade, the delightful aromas wafting from within piqued my curiosity. I decided to step inside – and that first bite of their melt-in-your-mouth tres leches cake launched me on a culinary journey to what would become my favorite spot for baked goods in town.

The Allure of Lali Pasteles

What drew me into Lali Pasteles that fateful day was the display case overflowing with decadent cakes, flaky pastries and rows of fresh sweet breads. As I tasted their offerings – including creamy flan, guava tarts with crumbly shortbread crusts, and pumpkin empanadas – I was amazed by the quality and flavors. The owners, a lovely couple named Eduardo and Ana, warmly offer samples so customers can try the items first. Their two young daughters often help decorate cakes or make deliveries too – adding to the family-run charm.

I soon learned that everything at Lali Pasteles is made from scratch, using high quality and often organic ingredients. Many items also feature native fruits like guava or mango. The prices are reasonable too – especially compared to some tourist-trap bakeries downtown. Yet despite affordable prices and innovative offerings, Lali Pasteles remains a hidden gem among locals.

Lali Pasteles: My Go-To Spot for All Occasions

Over my two years living as an expat in Playa, Lali Pasteles has become my reliable go-to for all sorts of occasions – big and small:

Celebrating Special Days

For my husband Steve’s 40th birthday, I ordered a tres leches cake decorated with fresh strawberries. The sweet, moist flavor was the perfect way to celebrate the big day!
When my sister visited from California, I pre-ordered a dozen custom macarons in her favorite flavors – salted caramel, lemon and raspberry. They were almost too beautiful to eat with their vibrant colors and designs.
On our dating anniversary last year, Steve surprised me with one of Lali’s gift boxes containing an assortment of miniature cakes and pastries – what a special treat!

Entertaining Guests

Hosting friends or guests? Lali Pasteles offers great options for shared bites or dessert spreads:

Their cake slices and petite versions of flan, tiramisu or cheesecakes make for good variety.
You can also order mini cupcakes with different frostings and fillings so everyone finds a flavor they love. The guava and nutella is always a hit!
For easy snacking, pick up a box with an assortment of cookies, brownies and other bite-sized items.

Everyday Indulgences

Even when I’m not celebrating anything special or having company over, I can always count on Lali Pasteles for little indulgences throughout the week:

Grabbing a few empanadas for a sweet and portable breakfast. The apple-cinnamon is my favorite!
Satisfying an afternoon craving with a freshly baked scone – either classic flavor or fun options like roasted corn with lime glaze or chaya (a local green) with white chocolate.
Taking a break in the late afternoon with one of their rich, intense coffee or chocolate brownies that perfectly pair with a cup of Mexican coffee.

Custom Creations

Beyond their everyday menu, what truly sets Lali Pasteles apart is the ability to order fully customized cakes, desserts and gift boxes for any occasion.

Some of my specialty orders have included:

An intricate Wonder Woman birthday cake for my niece with the super heroine’s costume colors and logo.
A beautiful floral design on a guava tres leches for my mom’s retirement party.
Cupcakes decorated with sea turtle designs for a beach cleanup volunteer event.
A assortment of mini desserts in a gift box for my neighbors when they had a new baby.

The owners and staff at Lali Pasteles consistently impress me with their creativity, artistry, and willingness to make just about any custom order come to life in cake form.

Challenges and Tips for Enjoying Lali Pasteles

While Lali Pasteles has become an undisputed gem of Playa’s food scene in my book, visiting the bakery as an expat has had some challenges too. Here are my top tips for making the most of your experience:

Finding the Bakery

Challenge: Lali Pasteles is located outside of the main tourist zone, in a mostly residential neighborhood. It can be tricky finding the place on side streets that all look alike if you don’t know the area.
Tip: Use a ride share app or taxi to get there when first visiting and make note of any landmarks. Once you visit once, it will be easier to find again. Or ask any local – many residents know and love Lali!

Language Barrier

Challenge: My Spanish is still mediocre at best. Trying to describe a custom cake order can get confusing at times.
Tip: Have some key food vocabulary handy or photos on your phone. The owners’ young daughters often help with translations too! And don’t be shy to ask for samples to point out flavors and ingredients you like.

Items Selling Out

Challenge: Given Lali Pasteles’ popularity with locals, the most popular baked goods often sell out early in the day.
Tip: Pre-order custom cakes or special items the day before to secure what you want. For everyday walk-in visits, I recommend going mid morning right when they open to have the best selection.

Saving Room for More

Challenge: With so many delectable options, it’s incredibly hard not to go overboard ordering more items than my husband and I can reasonably eat!
Tip: Share items with friends to avoid waste – their generosity with samples makes it easy to try a few things and split boxes or whole cakes. Also freeze extra cookies, brownies or breads to enjoy later.

Balancing Indulgence and Health

Challenge: Let’s face it – no one ever eats cake because it’s the “healthy choice”. While satisfying my sweet tooth at Lali Pasteles always feels worth it, overdoing baked goods doesn’t always sit well health-wise.
Tip: When ordering whole cakes or boxes of items, portion out individual servings right away to control portions. Also follow indulgent moments with quick beach walks, bike rides or gym sessions to balance things out. Moderation is key!

While not every expat adapts seamlessly to life abroad, discovering local gems like Lali Pasteles has certainly sweetened my Mexican lifestyle. I feel lucky to support this family-run bakery that clearly takes pride in their work – and can’t resist going back for more on every visit to Playa! I hope more travelers, expats and locals get to experience their confections too.

So next time you take a trip or move abroad, embrace your inner foodie adventurer. You never know what culinary treasures might be waiting just around the corner!

Opening Hours: Daily from 10:00 am – 20:00 pm.

Author Bio: Samantha James is a freelance writer and avid traveler originally from San Diego. After falling in love with Playa del Carmen while on vacation, she took a leap and moved to Mexico to embark on expat life. Samantha enjoys immersing herself in the local culture, beach-hopping along the Riviera Maya, and especially seeking out the best regional cuisine. She hopes to provide helpful tips and stories to others planning memorable trips to this coastal paradise. She is married with a husband, Steve.

Additional Articles on Food in Playa Del Carmen

Here are some additional Articles on Food in Playa Del Carmen

Additional Resources and Information

lalipasteles | Playa del Carmen – Official website of Lali Pasteles in Playa del Carmen.
LALI PASTELES, Playa del Carmen – Menu, Prices & Restaurant Reviews – Tripadvisor – Tripadvisor page with menu, prices, and restaurant reviews for Lali Pasteles.
The best cake I’ve ever had…EVER! – Review of Lali Pasteles, Playa del Carmen, Mexico – Tripadvisor – Review on Tripadvisor praising the quality and taste of the cakes at Lali Pasteles.

Please note that the information provided is based on the available online sources and may be subject to change.