Dreaming of an all-inclusive with good food, where every meal exceeds your expectations and the culinary experience becomes a journey in itself? For food lovers seeking new discoveries, we’ve selected ten 5-star resorts in the South, offered by Transat, where fine dining restaurants promise to redefine the way you savor your vacation.
Here, traditional buffets give way to world-renowned chefs and bold, visionary menus. Imagine local flavors reimagined with elegance, dishes that tell a story and awaken your senses. Simply put, these inclusive resorts craft true edible works of art for their guests, with everything from light bites to multiple-courses tasting menus.
Let your taste buds lead the way and embark on a memorable culinary journey—one that, we bet, will continue to inspire you long after you return home.
Cayo Levantado Resort — Samaná, Dominican Republic
Cayo Levantado Resort, located on a private island off the coast of Samaná in the Dominican Republic, offers a 5-star all-inclusive experience that combines luxury and wellness. This exclusive sanctuary and its 6 world-class restaurants nourish the body and mind.
The Transat reco: The boho-chic terrace of Santa Yuca restaurant for a menu that celebrates Caribbean cuisine in all its glory. Using fresh, sustainably farmed produce and slow-cooked traditions, Santa Yuca offers succulent dishes and invites you to take your time and savour every bite.
Grand Velas Riviera Maya — perhaps the best food of all-inclusive resorts in Mexico
Nestled between the lush jungle and turquoise waters of Mexico’s Riviera Maya, Grand Velas Riviera Maya redefines the art of the 5-star all-inclusive. Renowned for its fine dining and exceptional service, the brand is no exception. A feast for the eyes and the palate, the resort boasts seven a la carte restaurants helmed by award-winning chefs.
Transat’s pick: The Frida restaurant, for a menu as refined, colourful and eclectic as the artist herself. With traditional dishes revisited, Frida plunges its guests into the heart of Mexican flavours, sublimated by artistic presentation and impeccable service. Try the matcha grilled octopus taco!
Grand Velas Nayarit — Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
On Mexico’s Pacific coast, near Puerto Vallarta, is the Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit for an oceanfront holiday. This 5-star inclusive resort is one of the most beautiful and luxurious in the region, thanks in part to its iconic flower-filled balconies and exceptional cuisine.
Transat’s pick: Restaurant Piaf, for elegant a la carte dining. Enjoy fresh seafood, fish and meat prepared in the French tradition using local ingredients. The Baja mussels and the grilled fillet of beef with cabernet sauce are particularly noteworthy.
Casa Velas — is this the best adults-only all-inclusive brand resort for foodies?
Still on Mexico’s Pacific coast, nestled in the verdant hills of Puerto Vallarta’s Marina Vallarta Golf Course, Casa Velas offers a different definition of luxury with just 80 adult only suites. All in a magnificent hacienda-inspired architectural setting. This 5-star all-inclusive resort, which has won awards in part for its world-class restaurants, is sure to surprise you.
Transat’s pick: Guests can take a seat in the private Ocean Club restaurant, where absolutely delicious Asian dishes are served and the art of the table is mastered to perfection in a warm atmosphere.
Xcaret — certainly the best all-inclusive resort for families in the Caribbean
Located in the heart of the Riviera Maya, Hotel Xcaret Mexico is much more than an all-inclusive resort for families. Nestled in a spectacular natural sanctuary of turquoise rivers, suspension bridges, intimate beaches and caves, the property blends perfectly into the landscape. It is a true tribute to Mexican culture, nature and gastronomy, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
With its All-Fun Inclusive™ concept, the kid-friendly hotel combines unlimited access to the famous Xcaret Park and its unique adventures with exceptional culinary experiences. Its 12 restaurants and bars, led by renowned chefs, showcase the best of Mexican cuisine and the world.
Transat’s pick: Ha’, the signature restaurant where Michelin-starred chef Carlos Gaytán transforms each dish on the 9-course menu into a work of art. A feast for the eyes… and the taste buds.
Xcaret Arte — Riviera Maya, Mexico
Designed for art lovers, Xcaret Arte is an adults-only inclusive resort where creativity and gastronomy collide. Painting, weaving, ceramics and dance workshops invite you to unleash your creativity in a heavenly setting at the heart of Xcaret on the Riviera Maya—but the real masterpieces are found in the hotel’s nine gourmet restaurants, overseen by renowned chefs, offering cuisine that transcends borders and traditions.
Transat’s pick: Encanta, a fine dining restaurant curated by Michelin-starred chef Paco Méndez. Combining Peruvian flavours with Mexican cuisine, this restaurant promises an exceptional experience that will be remembered long after the last bite.
La Casa de la Playa — Riviera Maya, Mexico
To stay at La Casa de la Playa is to enter a world of refinement and exclusivity in the heart of the Xcaret complex on the Riviera Maya. With just 63 sumptuous suites offering spectacular views, this chic inclusive resort offers an intimate and personalised welcome off the beaten track of Mexico’s all-inclusives.
Transat’s pick: The Sky Bar on the property’s rooftop is the ideal place to enjoy a spectacular sunset while sipping creative cocktails. Not to be missed is the infinity pool, which offers breathtaking views of the ocean. Isn’t that all you need to savour the moment?
Impression Moxché by Secrets — Playa del Carmen, Mexico
In Playa del Carmen, Mexico, Impression Moxché by Secrets, an adults-only resort, features elegant suites and exceptional service in a setting where every detail is designed to impress. With ten sophisticated restaurants and 11 bars, the culinary arts take on a spectacular dimension. International cuisine, hearty grills or vegetarian menus: flavours intertwine to satisfy every appetite.
Transat’s pick: Seasoul, an à la carte oceanfront restaurant offering the most exquisite fresh seafood served in a quiet and romantic open space by the sea. Whatever you choose from the menu, it’s all the better with your feet in the sand!
Impression Isla Mujeres by Secrets — Isla Mujeres, Mexico
Imagine starting your holiday on a catamaran… That’s what you can expect when you stay at the Impression Isla Mujeres by Secrets, located on the island of Isla Mujeres, Mexico. Location, location, location! Accessible only by sea, this intimate adults-only inclusive resort with 125 rooms and seven restaurants offers a seaside experience that combines luxury, serenity and exclusivity.
Transat’s pick: Overlooking the island, the fusion-style rooftop restaurant UNIK The Kitchen offers light tapas by day and a la carte dining under the stars. Let yourself be swept away by global flavors, wine pairings, and a spectacular view of Costa Mujeres.
Villa Premiere Boutique Hotel — a top pick for foodie vacations in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Located in dreamy Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, Villa Premiere Boutique inclusive resort is an intimate, adults-only boutique all-inclusive resort perfect for a romantic getaway on the Pacific Coast. Here, couples can enjoy gourmet dining for two in the resort’s renowned restaurants, where expert chefs blend Mexican flavours with international cuisine to create culinary journeys.
Transat’s pick: La Corona Restaurant, an international à la carte restaurant with ocean views. Together with La Corona Lounge Bar, this is the place to enjoy local food, delicious cocktails and romantic moments.
