Get the scoop on Royalton Riviera food, drinks, and nightlife—from poolside snacks to steakhouse dinners and the can’t-miss All-In White Party.
They say you don’t go to all-inclusive resorts for the food. But they clearly haven’t been to Royalton Riviera on a good day. I’ve stayed here four times now—Hideaway, Diamond Club, with and without kids—and I’ve tried nearly every restaurant, snack station, and “sure, I’ll try one” cocktail on the property.
This is your no-fluff, tell-it-like-it-is guide to the best food and drink at Royalton Riviera Cancun—and where to go if your taste buds demand more than buffet tacos and watery piña coladas.
🍽️ The Buffet That Surprised Me (in a Good Way)
Let’s start with the Gourmet Marche—Royalton’s main international buffet. I know, I know. Buffets don’t exactly scream “fine dining,” but hear me out.
- Always clean
- Always well-stocked
- Food actually tastes fresh
- Even has a kid section with picky-eater options
You can get eggs made-to-order in the morning, tons of variety for lunch, and full dinner options that don’t feel like leftovers. It’s one of the few buffets I don’t roll my eyes at.
🍕 Snack Stations = Hidden Gems
Some of my favorite bites didn’t come from a sit-down dinner—they came from poolside snacks and surprise grills:
- Hideaway Pool Sushi Bar – Opens at 11am and serves up rolls that hit harder than expected
- Main Pool Food Truck – Nachos, ceviche, and other rotating poolside goodies
- Diamond Club Grill Station – Pulled pork sandwiches, hot dogs, burgers—all of it better than it should be
- Beach Waitstaff Hack – Ask for a food menu and they’ll bring food from these snack stations straight to your lounger
🥩 Sit-Down Dinners: Hits, Misses & Everything In Between
Grazie (Italian)
- Surprisingly solid. Pasta, pizza, and salads were all better than average.
- Appetizer portions are small, so order multiple.
- We loved walking around the pool while waiting for our table.
Caribbean Grill
- Simple and tasty. I had grilled chicken tacos, my teen devoured a pile of nachos.
- Casual and fast, perfect for a lunch spot when you don’t want to change out of your swimsuit.
Zen (Japanese)
- The hibachi-style dinner show is a fun experience—good energy and entertainment.
- BUT: you don’t get to choose your sushi or main dish.
- Want good sushi? Go a second night and request a table not at the hibachi grill.
Taj (Indian)
- We gave it a go, but the flavor wasn’t our vibe.
- If you love Indian food, you might have better luck—but it was a skip for us.
Hunter Steakhouse
- Decent… but if you’re from the Midwest like me, you’ve had better.
- Tiny portions, long wait even with reservations.
- Honestly? Save your steak cravings for somewhere else.
🍹 Let’s Talk Drinks: Cold, Strong & Worth the Calories
I’ve tested just about every drink station this resort has to offer (tough job, I know). Here’s where to go for what:
- Lobby Bar: Best spot for a strong, cold drink every time. Start your day here.
- Martini Mix: Super cute, but chaotic at night. Get there early.
- SCORE Sports Bar: Coldest beer at the resort. Period.
- Diamond Club Pool Bar: Can be hit or miss depending on the crowd and bartender.
- Room Fridge: Don’t expect cold drinks. It’s a cooler—not a fridge. Best tip? Grab drinks right after they restock.
Pro Tip:
Bring your own Yeti or insulated tumbler. Ask the bartender to pour it straight into your cup. You’ll thank yourself around 2pm when your friends are sipping melted margaritas.
🧊 Straws, Cups & Weird Beverage Surprises
- The resort doesn’t use plastic straws (good for the planet, weird for your mojito).
- You can bring your own metal straw, or buy one at the gift shop.
- And… they don’t serve Corona. In Mexico. I know.
- Ask for Dos Equis instead, and let go of the dream.
🥂 Room Service + Coffee Situation
- Room Service: Pretty solid. Definitely worth trying breakfast in bed at least once.
- Coffee: Room service delivers early, but if you’re a coffee snob like me, bring your own.
- The lobby café uses syrupy latte mixes that taste more like melted dessert than caffeine.
- The club sandwich room service at night is only good after several drinks, ya know what I mean?
💃 Nightlife, Entertainment & the All-In White Party
If you think the fun ends at dinner, think again—Royalton Riviera Cancun knows how to throw a party.
Every night, there’s some kind of entertainment happening, from live shows with performers, dancers, and musicians to DJ sets on the main stage.
One of the biggest events of the week is the All-In White Party—and yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like:
- Everyone wears white (you don’t have to, but it’s more fun if you do)
- There’s a full DJ setup, lights, dancing, and cocktails
- It’s Instagram-worthy and surprisingly high energy for a resort event
- Bonus: Great excuse to shop for that breezy little white outfit —-> Snag Mine HERE!
Other shows we’ve seen over the years include:
- A full Michael Jackson tribute
- Fire & light shows
- Mariachi bands and Mexican market nights
- A few surprisingly good cover artists (Shout out to “Resort Beyoncé”)
Pro Tip:
If you want to enjoy the nightlife without being a zombie by 9pm—schedule a nap. Seriously. You’ll thank yourself later.
Just so you know—Royalton Riviera Cancun didn’t sponsor this post about the pool and beach, I’m just sharing the real-deal scoop from experience. But hey, if you feel inspired to book something through this Expedia link or shop through the affiliate links in this post, I’ll earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) and it helps keep the blog going. Win-win!
📲 Share This Post With Your Travel Crew
Planning your Royalton trip with friends? Share this so nobody ends up sad and hungry on night two.
- 📌 Pin this to your “Resort Reviews” board
- 💬 Drop it in the group chat (especially for the picky eater)
- 🥂 Or send it to that one friend who needs to pack their own straw
📌 Pin This for Later
➡️ Up Next: Royalton Riviera Presidential Suite + Traveling with Teens
Now you know about Royalton Riviera Food, but have you ever wondered what it’s like to stay in a Presidential Suite with teens in tow?
Spoiler: it’s not as relaxing as adults-only… but it was unforgettable.
👉 Read about the Royalton Riviera Presidential Suite experience.