Costelao Playa del Carmen — Restaurant in Playa del Carmen

After reading André Gião Barbosa's review of Costelao, Playa del Carmen, I had to go. So we went last night. It was my first time ever going to one of these travelling-meat-sliced-at-the-table-for-you (TM Barbara Disman) meals and I can't get over how incredible it was!

We called ahead, made a reservation, and made sure to bring our Mexcian I.D. so that we were eligible for the discount. They checked it right at the hostess stand when we arrived. They seated us (note: it is chilly inside, so if you get cold easily, I recommend bringing a sweater/shawl (I have enough body fat that it was fine for me).

Every single person from Costelao, whom we had contact with - probably about 10 or so staff members were friendly, warm, kind, professional and helpful. I've been living in Playa for the last 3 years (coming here for 5) and cannot recall anywhere else where I received this level of genuine customer service - genuine kindness. We tipped well, but I do really hope that the staff are paid better than at other restaurant, as they really do an excellent job! Being a server can be a challenging enough job, but having to run around with heavy skewers of meat, a big knife and having to work at each table is a lot of work, and they make it look seamless.

Once again, thank you to another reviewer for mentioning that it's okay to pass on some of the items and to wait for what you really want - we didn't get sucked into eating garlic bread because WE CAME THERE FOR MEAT!!!

Also, I highly recomend getting a large pitcher of limonada because the different cuts of meat can be salty and spicy etc, and the limonada is a nice balance (I had a glass of the house re, when one of the staff recommened it to me, I said "Okay, this is going to be a good place, because they didn't try to upsell me the most expensive wine" so I appreciate that - and was very happy with that, as well). Oh, and there are cute little tongs next to each table setting, so that you can hold the meat with them as they are cutting it for you.

This was a fantastic eating adventure! It was an event, not just a meal. The manager and supervisor were always around, friendly and helpful, the buffet has a nice amount of variety (I just had a few bites because I was saving room for the meat).

Every kind of meat came out (EVERYTHING WAS EXCELLENT) and it wasn't like they only started at one end of the restaurant, they made sure to come around to each table so that you didn't just get the end bits. Also (once againg, thank you André Gião Barbosa for this tip), my friend likes well-done and I like medium- rare, so the servers/meat slicers remembered and would come by with the cuts we liked.

I cannot say enough about this place. In a town where there are thousands of restaurants, many good, many not-so-good, this one really stands out for me. I had a wonderful time and am seriously craving it again today!

One note: The staff told us that the local discount will only apply between 1-6 p.m. on Mondays - Wednesdays. That's fine, I'm still going back! This is going to be my...

I’m SO glad this is but a dream and not the Real world, not the Kingdom of Heaven wherein our souls Actually reside, the Heart of God from which we’ve never actually left, because that is not how it appeared when my wife and I were at this restaurant for dinner yesterday!…

The hostess asked me if I was local, but I assumed nothing was meant by it (at least at first). The décor was lovely, the food as well, and our waiter did a truly admirable job of being patient when trying to explain to us how to navigate the restaurant dining experience, considering that we speak no Spanish and are both hard of hearing!

While having our dinner, I looked out the window at one point and saw two people whom I assumed were local, a woman and her daughter and thought, I wonder if I have enough time to go outside and invite them in, offer to buy them dinner? I don’t imagine they would get to eat in such a lovely restaurant as this. Had I had the sense, and wasn’t as concerned about seeming impolite or odd to the restaurant staff, I would have run out definitely, but taken them somewhere else!

This restaurant does not discriminate, to money. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind giving what I can for a good meal. But they do discriminate to those they see as ‘other’ than themselves, as was evidenced by the fact we were charged more because we were not local (whatever that means), and because the diners at the table adjacent to ours appeared to get better servings. I'm glad to say we never experienced anything like it at any other restaurant we’ve been to during our stay here.

I would prefer if this restaurant made it simple, and had a big sign on their door that said FOREIGNERS NOT WELCOME, BUT PLEASE LEAVE YOUR MONEY AT THE DOOR ANYWAY! I am sad to say, it appears the management is woefully impoverished.

Change my mind, and I will Joyfully change (or delete) my review. In any case, I wish you Every...

We were so excited to eat at this place, We watched a video on YouTube once we got seated the server said her name Evelyn dropped off the menus of drinks and never said anything else, she came back to take our drink orders and never explained the concept what todo so we sat there staring at the buffet wondering what to do finally when she dropped of the drinks I had to tell her to explain. Then she mentioned is a buffet is part of the dinner we felt ignored they seemed to cater only one kind of customer Little do they know I’m a great tipper often traveler . Food had great taste. most of the meats were tuft something you don’t mind then you will like it , my wife couldn’t bite most meats but the spareribs were the only...