Amate 38 — Restaurant in Playa del Carmen

Amate 38: Unveiling a Hidden Culinary Gem on the Path to the Beach!

Hey there, fellow food adventurers! Brace yourselves for a mouthwatering journey to Amate 38, a true treasure tucked away on the way to the beach. Let's start with a fun fact - "Amate" refers to the fruit of a Mexican tree, while the enchanting "38" represents the street number where this gastronomic wonderland resides.

Prepare to be transported to the heart of Yucateco-Mexican flavors, where every dish embodies the essence of Mexican cuisine at its finest. The moment we delved into our first bite, we knew we were in for an unforgettable treat!

As we ventured into Playa del Carmen, Amate 38 was among the first culinary havens we encountered. The warm smiles and attentive service from Fernando, our main waiter, and the delightful Erick and Victor, our assistant waiters, left a lasting impression. Their genuine passion for hospitality added an extra dash of flavor to our dining experience.

Upon arrival, we must admit that the exterior might not have caught our attention immediately. But oh, the magic that awaits within! Stepping inside feels like being whisked away to a secret dining spot amidst a lush jungle - an enchanting surprise indeed.

Now, let us share a charming anecdote that made our visit even more special. Rosa, the welcoming presence at the reception, wowed us with her creativity. When my brother couldn't find his desired dish on the menu, she assured us that the talented chefs would whip it up specially for him. Talk about personalized service that makes you feel like royalty!

In the end, my brother decided to explore a dish suggested by our friendly waiter, which turned out to be a delectable winner. The culinary adventure continued as we indulged in Chaya for the first time, and oh boy, it was a revelation of flavors and a complete delight!

One aspect that truly impressed us was the diverse menu catering to different dietary preferences. With half of my family following a vegan diet, others being vegetarian, and me being a true omnivore, we often face menu challenges. But at Amate 38, it was a breeze! No need to ask for adaptations or hop to a second place - they had something perfect for each of us.

As we relished every delectable bite, we couldn't help but compare our experience to the Thai-fusion Jamaican restaurant next door (where we had dined earlier). Hands down, Amate 38 emerged as the clear winner - tastier offerings at the same prices.

So, dear foodies, if you seek a culinary escapade that celebrates the very essence of Yucateco-Mexican flavors, Amate 38 is your ultimate destination. Unleash your taste buds and embark on an unforgettable adventure that will leave you craving for more....

Excellent restaurant overall, and we enjoyed it twice during vacation! I have celiac (strictly gluten-free), and I'm vegetarian, and this place is extremely accommodating without sacrificing any flavor. Service is friendly and welcoming. The atmosphere is great, and feels like two different restaurants depending on if you’re eating in the completely uncovered area or the more lit covered section inside. The service was wonderful! The first time I went, the waiter got the manager involved early to ensure my meal was gluten-free, and I had also brought my celiac card, though they were well aware of cross contamination protocols, and ensured they could use separate areas and fresh oil for any fried items I ordered. Chips were not gluten free due to cross contamination, so they brought separate corn tortilla-based tostadas for me instead in the beginning. The free salsas they provide at the beginning are delicious, though the tostadas were pretty stale both times for some reason. I asked for fresh corn tortillas instead, which were delicious, and there is actually one staff member sitting making corn tortillas constantly in the outdoor sitting area. I tried their empanadas, vegan pimitos, vegan papadzules, and corn polcanes, and my partner tried their shrimps in red recado .The empanadas were fried, delicious, filled with cheese and served with a tomato sauce; I could have eaten them all day. The vegan pimitos were this thick corn tortilla mixed with beans served with plentiful avocados and pickled onions in a green sauce. I don’t eat much avocado, but did enjoy the base. The vegan papdzules was quite different from anything I have had, that kind of looked like enchiladas, but the flavors were extremely unique with the epazote sauce. Regardless, they were amazing! The corn polcanes felt like more of a heavy appetizer in presentation, and a bit on the sweeter side for me with the plantain and pumpkin presumably, but still quite good. They also kept bringing more of the fresh corn tortillas on request, which was greatly appreciated. I also strongly recommend the hibiscus agua fresca! Overall, great dining experience both times, and would definitely return again if I’m back...

The food and the open air, but covered, atmosphere are very good. We sat by a running stream and ordered iced tea and chaya and edam cheese empanadas for an appetizer. It took 7 or 8 minutes to make and serve the iced tea although it was 6 pm and the place was nearly empty. I suspect they don't have many orders for iced tea, but they made it. My wife ordered a "pumpkin" vegetarian dish. I was dubious that it was pumpkin and when it arrived, it wasn't. It was a local calabaza. It was good, but not pumpkin. I should have requested the Spanish language menu so we could see what was actually being served.The food preparation and service was reasonably prompt, but getting the waiter's attention took a very long time in a nearly empty restaurant. He was busy chatting up the bartender. Getting the bill took forever and we had to request it several times, finally having to explain to a passing staff person that my wife had to return to work. When the bill came it was in pesos or dollars with dollars calculated at $18.50 when the exchange rate was $19.78. That was an extra 7% markup. We paid in pesos and left a 10% tip. I suspect the reason for cash only is that if a tourist paid with a US or Canadian credit card, their bank would do the conversion at the official rate thereby depriving the restaurant of a chance to skim from the customer. The poor service and irritating bill are the reason for 4 stars instead of 5. Basically, if you are a typical English speaking tourist you will probably be fleeced and happy. Order lots of alcohol, run up your bill, pay in dollars, don't notice your poor service because you are busy drinking and leave a 20% tip that will actually be 27% over the food cost because of the phoney exchange rate. Sit back, relax and open your wallet, Amate 38 will take care of you. Or leave the beach tourist area, go to a locals' restaurant, or even a local stand. You'll pay 1/4 the price, get food with twice the flavor and prompt friendly service. We love Playa del Carmen, but we should have walked around the corner from my wife's office instead of going down...