I’m looking forward to sharing more details on Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita with you guys. This was our second trip to this incredible resort and our sixth visit to Zoetry resorts. Zoetry is a luxury all-inclusive brand with a focus on wellness. We always choose Zoetry for our annual yoga retreat because we know we can count on their food, service, accommodations and overall vibe.
In today’s post I’ll be showcasing all of the delicious food we ate while we were at Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita and later this week I will do a complete resort review.
Prior to my first visit to Zoetry, my experience with food at all-inclusive resorts had not been good. I was leery about the concept of “luxury all-inclusive” and skeptical of whether the food would really be gourmet or even all that good. I was so wrong. We have LOVED the food at each of the three Zoetry resorts we have visited (Zoetry Agua in Punta Cana, Zoetry Villa Rolandi on Isla Mujeres and Zoetry Paraisio de la Bonita on the Riviera Maya).
The food at Zoetry is fresh and extremely well-prepared. The nutrition information is listed for each item on the menu and the portion sizes are perfect. They trend to the small size but I LOVE that because you don’t feel bad after you eat and it allows you to sample more of their amazing offerings.
Warning: proceed at your own risk if you are hungry!
Breakfast
When seated for breakfast you are offered coffee and your choice of breakfast beverage. They have fresh juices and smoothies in addition to things like lattes, mimosas, etc. There is also a pastry service where you can choose from a delectable selection of goodies. I always went for the croissant and enjoyed it with jam.
This was my favorite breakfast of the trip and I ended up ordering it three mornings. It’s scrambled eggs topped with fresh salsa and a fresh white Mexican cheese. It was served with plantains on the side and I always asked for avocado. On this morning they brought me a side of refried beans for whatever reason but they were good too!
One morning I had huevos rancheros. It was super tasty.
Tanner ordered this interesting combo of eggs in some sort of tomato sauce with plantains, fresh peas, plantains and avocado.
They also have more “lunchy” type of items on the breakfast menu. Tanner ordered this chicken dish one morning.
And here’s one more shot of my favorite eggs! I need to recreate this at home. FYI: they also have things like french toast, pancakes, granola and yogurt, cereal, etc. but we wanted to enjoy the Mexican-ish items for a change.
Lunch
Salad with mixed lettuces, tomatoes, pecans, dried apples and dried cranberries.
Scallop ceviche.
I love that the staff will deliver food to you at the pool or the beach from any of the restaurants. Here’s a salad and octopus grilled on a wood-fired grill with chimichurri sauce.
Wood-fired seafood pizza with shrimp and calamari.
Salad.
Some sort of shrimp cocktail with a citrus tuna dish.
And we didn’t order this but I had major plate envy over this whole grilled fish that was delivered to our friends on the beach.
Dinner
Lobster carpaccio.
Stuffed poblano pepper with some sort of sausage cream sauce and pomegranate seeds. Seems like a weird combo but so good.
Spinach salad with a foam of some sort and pepitas with a cucumber (I think) sorbet.
Scallop appetizer.
Duck breast with foie gras risotto.
“Grain-free carrot cake.” There was nothing cake about this but I appreciated their ingenuity.
We ate as a group this night (everything you see after the stuffed pepper) and they brought out the most incredible plate of housemade chocolates, candies and macarons.
Bread with table-side freshly shaved parmesan from a gigantic wheel along with olive oil and balsamic.
Grouper carpaccio.
Grilled octopus.
Watermelon salad with a goat cheese ice cream.
Grouper in a white wine butter sauce.
My fish dish on the last night. I can’t remember the details!
Tea Time
There is a tea time daily at 5 p.m. that is not to be missed. There are all sorts of treats and appetizers. So, so good. Can I have this at my house every day at 5?
Here’s the tea set up.
Room Service
Room service is available 24/7. Since we practiced at 8a every morning, we always had fruit and coffee delivered before practice to hold us over through breakfast.
One afternoon we skipped lunch on the beach and did a late afternoon snack of chips and salsa and guacamole from room service. We also shared a salmon wrap.
On the day we left we ordered room service before heading to the airport. Thank goodness we did because we didn’t get home that night until nearly 1 a.m. due to our weather issues. Tanner had this burger.
And I had the salmon wrap again because I loved it so much.
And of course we had to split a piece of chocolate cake! 🙂
I think I need to go make myself a snack now! But seriously, I can’t recommend Zoetry enough if you’re looking for an all-inclusive with great food options. It’s also worth noting that they carry premium brands of liquor and you can get bottles and cans of beer versus the small plastic cups on draft that many all-inclusives serve. Also, the wine is not the best ever but it’s also very drinkable. They have a wine list that you can order from as well.
Let me know if you have any questions and stay tuned for my full resort review!
What’s your experience been with all-inclusive resorts and food?
What’s your vacation “food philosophy?”
There’s a lot of avocado and plantain in this post and I’m happy about it! I’m going to an all inclusive resort in May, so I’ll certainly know my thoughts then, but I haven’t really been to one in my adult years yet!
I already had dinner and this post made me hungry again. Plantains are LIFE.
My food philosophy when on vacation is to eat completely intuitively, as I always do. I think that sense of freedom is what allows me to enjoy food even more.
LOOKS AMAZING!
Hi Jen! You seem to really like the Zoetry resorts. I’m wondering, after visiting three locations, which one you would recommend for a typical “couples getaway” — which one do you think has the best relaxed/romantic vibe? Thanks in advance!
Hey Allie! I love them all but I’d have to say that Zoetry Agua is probably my favorite with Paraiso coming in a close second. You can’t go wrong with either.
Thank you!!
i love an all inclusive. since being diagnosed with celiac travel sorta sucks. but i have been to Sandals 3x since then and paid a pretty penny BUT they have accommodated my food issues pretty well. gone are my days of traveling to any hotel i like 🙂
did you find zoetry was able to accommodate any food allergies by chance ? my sister would love your food here she is a huge seafood fan !
YES! The first thing they ask when you are seated is if you have any food allergies or special diets. You can also let them know prior to your arrival. Every menu is marked with gluten-free selections and there are many of them.
this is the best thing i’ve heard all day 🙂 !!!!!!
I’ve been curious about the food at Zoetry. I’ve been to a random all inclusive in Mexico– it was ok, an Iberostar Grand in Jamaica (food looked really pretty but didn’t always taste great) and Sandals twice. The food at Sandals was by far the best… the one in Grenada was even better than Antigua. I’ve found sometimes the food looks amazing, but isn’t flavorful. Sounds like Zoetry is good though??
So, so good and very accommodating of food allergies and special diets. It’s hands-down the best resort food I’ve had at an all-inclusive.
I’ve stayed at two all-inclusive resorts now and I really loved the food at both! That said, we did a ton of research beforehand and read a lot of reviews. The food was actually pretty close to gourmet, really creative, and really delicious at the Manchebo in Aruba (where I got married!) and Coco Bay in Antigua.
Zoetry sounds great and I’m going to add it to the my list!
Hey Traci – thanks for sharing. I will check out both of those resorts!
All of this food looks amazing! the pomegranate seed dish appears to actually be a riff on Chiles Nogadas….a traditional Mexican dish that is very delicious indeed. You should make a version of the salmon wrap and share it on the blog – looks fantastic! 🙂
Oh thanks for sharing the name of the dish. I’m going to check it out!
RE: the salmon wrap…yes, I should! Thanks for putting the bug in my ear!
Thanks for sharing!! We may have to give Zoetry a try! our favorite all inclusive so far is Iberostar Grand Paraiso in Riviera Maya. The food and service are amazing!