Valentin Imperial Riviera Maya

An elegant French restaurant with a Parisian atmosphere, high ceilings, a beautiful chandelier, and grand staircase. The menu combines classic French cuisine with a modern twist, featuring dishes like onion soup and authentic foie gras, accompanied by live music and an extensive wine selection.

✨ Insider tip: This is the most popular choice for honeymooners and anniversary celebrations. Request a table near the chandelier for the most romantic atmosphere, and ask the sommelier about the French wine pairings.

A relaxed Mediterranean restaurant specializing in traditional Italian dishes with a modern Italian-American twist. Known for handmade and extruded fresh pasta, high-quality seasonal ingredients, and an extensive wine cellar. Features two romantic private dining rooms.

✨ Insider tip: Ask to visit the wine cellar before dinner and make your selection there. For a more intimate evening, request one of the two private dining rooms — they accommodate small parties and are perfect for special occasions.

A Japanese restaurant offering three distinct dining experiences under one roof: à la carte table seating, a sushi bar with exclusive dishes, and teppanyaki show-cooking tables. The menu draws on traditional Japanese cuisine with contemporary and Peruvian-influenced touches.

✨ Insider tip: The teppanyaki tables are the most popular feature and the only dining experience in the resort requiring a reservation — book through the concierge on the day of your visit. The sushi bar is first-come, first-served and offers a more intimate experience.

Note: Teppanyaki tables require same-day reservation through concierge

A Mexican haute cuisine restaurant offering modernized interpretations of traditional dishes from three iconic Mexican states: Veracruz, Puebla, and Yucatan. Features a dynamic open kitchen where guests can watch chefs at work, with both indoor seating and a garden terrace area.

✨ Insider tip: The Yucatecan dishes are standouts — try the cochinita pibil. The open kitchen lets you watch preparation live. The spice levels are toned down from traditional versions to suit international palates, but you can request extra heat.

A beautifully decorated Southeast Asian restaurant featuring a fusion of Thai, Vietnamese, Chinese, and Indonesian cuisines prepared in live cooking style. The restaurant includes its own bar with specialized cocktails and exotic drinks, and features ornate wooden doors and meticulous table settings.

✨ Insider tip: Don't miss the daily special cocktail at the in-restaurant bar — it changes regularly and features exotic Asian-inspired flavors. The Indonesian curry dishes are among the most flavorful options on the menu.

A beachfront restaurant that serves à la carte breakfast and lunch during the day and transforms into Mar & Lobster Pot for dinner, specializing in fish and shellfish with culinary influences from New Orleans-Cajun, Mexican Veracruzian, Peruvian, and Caribbean-style cuisine.

✨ Insider tip: The breakfast here is the premium option — lighter and more peaceful than the Le Marché buffet. For dinner, the lobster dishes are the star attraction. Arrive early for the best ocean-view tables at sunset.

Note: Transforms into Mar & Lobster Pot for dinner service

A beachfront restaurant serving à la carte breakfast and lunch by day, then transforming into an open-air grill at dinner featuring certified American Angus beef cuts and Argentine-style steaks. The open-air setting offers panoramic Caribbean Sea views and an intimate candlelight atmosphere.

✨ Insider tip: This is the resort's best option for steak lovers. The open-air grill setting with ocean views makes it ideal for a romantic candlelight dinner. Request a sea-facing table for the best experience.

Note: Transforms into an open-air steakhouse grill for dinner

The resort's recently renovated main buffet restaurant offering international cuisine with daily rotating themes. Features multiple show-cooking stations, a fresh salad bar, omelet station at breakfast, and themed culinary experiences. An air-conditioned seating section and terrace views of the lagoon are available.

✨ Insider tip: The buffet themes change daily — check the resort's daily journal for the schedule. The show-cooking stations at lunch are the highlight, where chefs prepare dishes to order. The terrace overlooking the lagoon is a great spot for a quieter meal.

Note: Also serves snack menu between lunch and dinner including nachos, guacamole, burgers, hot dogs, and fajitas

An upscale dining experience featuring diverse gastronomic trends with unique ingredients and exquisite service. This is the only restaurant at the resort that carries an additional charge beyond the all-inclusive rate.

✨ Insider tip: This premium restaurant is worth the splurge for a special night out. The resort credit that comes with direct bookings typically cannot be applied here, so budget accordingly. Reservations are recommended as seating is limited.

Note: This is the only restaurant with additional charges. May operate on a seasonal or rotating basis.

A premium multi-course tasting menu experience located within the L'Olivo restaurant, featuring an exciting gastronomic journey with dishes like carbonara with smoked trout and nori seaweed, blue shrimp tartare, foie gras, sous-vide totoaba, duck magret with truffle gnocchi, and artisan desserts.

✨ Insider tip: This is one of the resort's two newest premium experiences and well worth the $95 per person. The tasting menu changes periodically. Book through the concierge or online form as availability is limited.

Note: Premium experience with additional cost; book through concierge

A premium private dining experience within the recently refurbished private room of L'Alsace restaurant. The space can be configured for intimate tête-à-tête dinners or groups of 2 to 14 guests, offering a specially crafted French tasting menu.

✨ Insider tip: At $70 per person, this is the more affordable of the two premium dining experiences and ideal for a special French-themed evening. The private room can be split into two smaller spaces for more intimate dinners.

Note: Premium experience with additional cost; accommodates 2-14 guests

An emblematic open-air atrium located in the heart of the resort next to reception, serving as both a bar and an atmospheric outdoor dining space. Its majestic architecture and nighttime illumination create a romantic setting for evening drinks and intimate outdoor dining.

✨ Insider tip: This is one of the most photogenic spots in the resort. Arrive around sunset to enjoy the transition from daylight to the dramatic nighttime illumination. It's a popular meeting point before heading to dinner at the à la carte restaurants.

A charming café with traditional hacienda décor offering specialty coffee drinks, fresh-baked pastries, ice cream, and sandwiches. The in-house bakery chefs create daily pastry selections, and guests can also purchase 100% Mexican coffee beans to take home.

✨ Insider tip: This is the resort's hidden gem for a quiet afternoon treat. The fresh pastries are made daily by dedicated bakery chefs. Grab a sandwich and coffee for a casual midday meal instead of fighting the lunch buffet crowd.

A poolside food cart near the main pool offering a variety of casual Mexican-inspired dishes including tacos, tostadas, burgers, and other quick bites. Table service is available so guests can enjoy food without leaving their pool loungers.

✨ Insider tip: The tacos here are surprisingly good for a poolside food cart. Waiters will serve you at your lounger so you don't need to get out of the pool. It's the perfect midday snack option.

A dedicated churros cart offering freshly fried churros sprinkled with sugar, with optional Nutella or goat milk caramel (cajeta) fillings. A sweet evening treat for guests strolling the resort grounds.

✨ Insider tip: The cajeta-filled churros are a must-try — goat milk caramel is a traditional Mexican specialty you won't easily find back home. Available in the evenings, making it a perfect after-dinner dessert stop.

Complimentary 24-hour in-room dining available to all guests as part of the all-inclusive package. A dedicated room service menu is available, and meals can be set up on the suite terrace upon request.

✨ Insider tip: Take advantage of the terrace setup option — having dinner served on your private terrace is one of the most romantic experiences at the resort, and it's included in your rate. Order breakfast the night before for a leisurely morning.

Note: Menu is limited to items on the room service menu; terrace setup available on request

An indoor bar with a cozy and relaxed atmosphere, perfect for enjoying freshly brewed coffee, cappuccinos, or signature cocktails prepared by expert mixologists. An ideal spot for quiet conversation or reading.

✨ Insider tip: This is the best bar for a quieter, more refined drink away from the pool party atmosphere. The mixologists here craft some of the resort's most creative cocktails. Also great for morning coffee.

The resort's signature lobby bar located a few steps from reception, known for fine cocktails and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. An ideal meeting point for pre-dinner drinks or special celebrations, featuring premium spirits and signature creations like the Cotton Candy Mojito.

✨ Insider tip: Ask for the Cotton Candy Mojito — it's a resort signature drink. This is the perfect spot for pre-dinner cocktails before heading to the à la carte restaurants.

An elegant cigar and spirits lounge offering fine liquors, rum, whiskey, and a selection of regional wines in a sophisticated and exclusive atmosphere. Named in the tradition of distinguished cigar culture.

✨ Insider tip: This is the resort's premium spirits lounge — perfect for enjoying aged rum or whiskey in a refined setting. The cigar selection pairs beautifully with the premium spirits on offer.

A bar located within the resort's main entertainment theater, where guests can enjoy cocktails while watching nightly live shows featuring music, dancing, lights, and circus-style entertainment.

✨ Insider tip: Arrive 15-20 minutes before showtime to get the best seats and order your drinks. The shows change regularly so check the daily activities schedule. The entertainment quality is well above typical all-inclusive resort level.

Note: Hours subject to nightly activities program

An indoor sports bar with HD television screens broadcasting live sporting events, pool tables, and a lively atmosphere. Offers a selection of drinks and snacks for guests who want to catch a game.

✨ Insider tip: This is one of the latest-closing bars on the property (2 AM) — great for night owls. The pool tables add a fun activity between games. Ask staff if they can tune to your preferred sporting event.

A swim-up bar located at the exclusive Golden Swim Up pool area, offering refreshing drinks and cocktails with poolside service. Guests can swim up directly to order without leaving the water.

✨ Insider tip: This is the more exclusive and tranquil swim-up bar compared to the main pool options. The Golden pool area tends to be quieter and more relaxed — perfect for couples wanting a peaceful afternoon.

A swim-up bar at the main pool offering drinks, cocktails, and snacks. Guests can swim up for service or relax in the shade while enjoying beverages without leaving the water.

✨ Insider tip: The snack menu here is a great way to grab a quick poolside lunch without trekking to a restaurant. Order the nachos or burger for a satisfying midday bite.

Note: Snacks served 11:00 AM – 3:30 PM

A swim-up bar located near the main pool area offering cocktails, refreshing drinks, and a variety of snacks. Guests can enjoy beverages while sunbathing or swimming.

✨ Insider tip: Heaven and Earth bars are both near the main pool but serve different sections. Heaven tends to be slightly less crowded in the mornings. The snack options here mirror the Earth Bar menu.

Note: Snacks served 11:00 AM – 3:30 PM

An oceanfront beach bar offering tropical cocktails, refreshing drinks, and a stunning view of the Caribbean. Located right on the beach with lounger service available.

✨ Insider tip: During turtle nesting season (May through December), this bar closes early at 8 PM to protect the nesting turtles. Plan accordingly if you want evening beach drinks during those months. This is the better of the two beach bars for longer evening service outside of turtle season.

Note: During turtle season (May–December) closes at 8:00 PM

A beachside bar located steps from the ocean offering cocktails and refreshing drinks with sweeping ocean views. A relaxing spot to enjoy beverages while feeling the sea breeze.

✨ Insider tip: Despite the name, this bar closes at 5 PM so it's better for daytime beach drinking rather than actual sunset viewing. For sunset cocktails, head to the Sunrise Bar or Plaza España instead.