Calle 38 is one of the most beautiful streets in Playa del Carmen, and it’s also home to some of the city’s best restaurants and bars. Massive trees form a canopy over the street between 5th Avenue and the beach, with many restaurants featuring outdoor tables surrounded by tropical plants and trees. It’s a completely different setting from nearby 5th Avenue, particularly in the evening when the restaurants turn on their lights and the street fills with people heading out for dinner and drinks.
Most of the best restaurants on Calle 38 are located between 5th Avenue and the beach, including La Cueva del Chango, Amate 38, and La Perla Pixan. This stretch is especially nice for walking, with a mix of Mexican restaurants, international cuisine, outdoor bars, and places to stop for breakfast or coffee. West of 5th Avenue, the street becomes more urban, but there are still a few restaurants worth checking out, including Moshe Cube, a kosher restaurant.
Whether you’re looking for breakfast surrounded by tropical greenery, a casual lunch, or dinner and cocktails, Calle 38 is one of my favorite areas of Playa del Carmen to eat and drink.
Where Is Calle 38 in Playa del Carmen?
Calle 38 Norte is in the northern part of downtown Playa del Carmen, within walking distance of most hotels and vacation rentals in the central tourist area. The stretch between 5th Avenue and the beach is where you’ll find most of the restaurants covered in this guide, along with the large trees and outdoor dining areas that make the street distinctive.
You can reach Calle 38 by walking north along 5th Avenue from the main tourist area. From there, head east toward the beach, passing several restaurants and bars before reaching Mahekal Beach Resort. A few restaurants, including Moshe Cube, are farther west of 5th Avenue.
Restaurants and Bars on Calle 38 in Playa del Carmen
Calle 38 has a good mix of restaurants, from traditional Mexican food and seafood to Italian, Jamaican, Lebanese, and Thai cuisine. Some have been here for years, while others are newer additions to the street. Most are located between 5th Avenue and the beach, where outdoor dining areas are surrounded by tropical trees and plants.
Here are some of the restaurants and bars you’ll find along Calle 38, including a few of my personal favorites.
La Perla Pixan
La Perla Pixan is one of my favorite restaurants on Calle 38, particularly if you’re looking for Mexican food, mezcal, and live music. The restaurant has an open-air dining area surrounded by tropical plants, with a large palapa roof covering much of the space. There’s live music regularly, making it a good place to spend an evening rather than just stop in for dinner.
The menu focuses on traditional Mexican cuisine, including regional dishes and ingredients you won’t find at every restaurant in Playa del Carmen. Some of the more interesting options include chile relleno, octopus, and dishes prepared with huitlacoche, an edible fungus that grows on corn. You can also try chapulines, or toasted grasshoppers, a traditional snack particularly associated with Oaxaca.
La Perla Pixan is also a mezcalerÃa and pulquerÃa, with a large selection of Mexican spirits. One drink worth trying is pulque, a traditional beverage made by fermenting agave sap rather than distilling it. It has a slightly thick texture and a distinctive flavor, although flavored versions with fruit are often easier to drink if you’ve never tried it before. The restaurant also serves mezcal cocktails, including margaritas and other drinks made with regional Mexican spirits.
Best for: Traditional Mexican cuisine, mezcal, pulque, and live music.
La Cueva del Chango
La Cueva del Chango translates to “Monkey’s Cave,” a reference to the monkeys that once lived in the trees around the restaurant. When it first opened more than 25 years ago, 5th Avenue didn’t even extend this far north, and the surrounding area was much less developed. The monkeys have largely disappeared, but the restaurant has retained much of its original tropical setting, with large trees, palms, and other plants surrounding the outdoor tables. There’s even a pond with turtles and koi fish running through part of the dining area.
La Cueva del Chango is one of the most popular places for breakfast in Playa del Carmen, serving traditional Mexican dishes made with fresh ingredients. The menu includes several varieties of chilaquiles, huevos motuleños, crepes filled with poblano peppers, and freshly prepared fruit juices. The chilaquiles are particularly popular, and I’d recommend trying them with salsa verde if you enjoy a slightly tangy, spicy sauce.
Although best known for breakfast, La Cueva del Chango also serves lunch and dinner. The restaurant takes on a different atmosphere in the evening, when the garden is lit by candles and the morning breakfast crowds are gone. It’s worth considering for dinner if you want to enjoy the setting without the busy breakfast rush.
Best for: Mexican breakfast, chilaquiles, and outdoor dining surrounded by tropical greenery.
Mariskinky
Mariskinky is a casual seafood restaurant and bar on Calle 38, between 5th and 10th Avenues. It’s one of the livelier restaurants on the street, with colorful outdoor seating, music, and TVs showing sports. It’s a good place to stop for seafood and cocktails, especially if you’re looking for something more casual than a traditional sit-down dinner.
The menu focuses on Mexican seafood dishes from the Pacific coast, particularly the cooking styles of Sinaloa and Jalisco. There are several varieties of aguachile, a dish made with raw shrimp or other seafood marinated in lime juice, chiles, and seasonings. Other options include ceviche, marlin tostadas, shrimp tacos, and seafood cocktails. The aguachiles are a particular specialty, with different sauces and levels of spice to choose from.
Mariskinky also has a full bar serving margaritas, mezcal cocktails, beer, and other drinks. Portions are generous, making it a good option for ordering several dishes to share over drinks. The restaurant can get busy, especially later in the day, so don’t expect a particularly quiet meal.
Best for: Mexican seafood, aguachiles, cocktails, and a lively atmosphere.
Amate 38
Amate 38 is one of my favorite restaurants for dinner on Calle 38. Located directly across from La Cueva del Chango and operated by the same owners, it specializes in traditional Yucatecan cuisine, with much of the cooking done over charcoal. Like its sister restaurant, Amate 38 has an open-air dining area surrounded by tropical trees and plants, with water running through the property.
The menu features regional dishes made with local ingredients, including handmade tortillas, cochinita pibil, poc chuc, and several Yucatecan specialties. My favorite is the cochinita pibil, slow-cooked pork marinated with achiote and sour orange, served with pickled red onions and beans. The poc chuc, grilled pork marinated in sour orange and spices, is another good option. I’d also recommend ordering the guacamole to share.
It’s worth asking about seasonal specials, particularly around Day of the Dead, when the restaurant has served mukbil pollo, a traditional Yucatecan dish made with corn masa and chicken, wrapped in banana leaves and cooked underground. It’s typically prepared for Hanal Pixán, the Maya celebration of the dead, and isn’t something you’ll find on most restaurant menus year-round.
Amate 38 also has a good selection of Mexican wines, tequilas, and artisanal mezcals. Although the restaurant serves breakfast and lunch, I particularly like it for dinner, when you can enjoy the outdoor setting with a bottle of wine.
Best for: Traditional Yucatecan cuisine, cochinita pibil, and Mexican wine.
Rockas Jamaican Kitchen
Rockas Jamaican Kitchen is one of my top picks on Calle 38, particularly if you’re looking for something different from the Mexican and seafood restaurants along the street. It serves traditional Jamaican food in a casual, colorful setting near Calle Flamingos. The restaurant originally operated elsewhere in Playa del Carmen before moving to its current location.
The menu includes Jamaican specialties like jerk chicken, slow-cooked oxtail, curry goat, and Jamaican beef patties. There’s also Rasta pasta, a creamy pasta dish made with peppers and Caribbean spices. The jerk chicken is one of the restaurant’s signature dishes, seasoned with Jamaican spices and typically served with rice and peas. You can also order tropical cocktails and rum-based drinks with your meal.
Rockas is more casual than some of my other favorite dinner restaurants on Calle 38, but that’s part of its appeal. It’s a good place to try Jamaican food, whether you’re stopping in for a quick meal or sitting down for dinner and drinks.
Best for: Jamaican food, jerk chicken, and a casual dinner.
Tahini
Tahini is a Lebanese and Mediterranean restaurant on Calle 38, with outdoor seating surrounded by tropical greenery. It’s a good option if you’re in the mood for something other than Mexican food, particularly if you enjoy sharing several small dishes.
The menu includes traditional Lebanese favorites like hummus, baba ganoush, falafel, tabbouleh, and stuffed grape leaves, along with chicken and beef shawarma, kebabs, and grilled meats. One of the more interesting options is the Lebanese platter, which brings together several appetizers, including hummus, baba ganoush, muhammara, falafel, kibbeh, and pita bread.
Tahini also has plenty of vegetarian options, making it a good choice for groups with different dietary preferences. The outdoor setting works especially well for a relaxed dinner, whether you’re ordering a few appetizers to share or a full meal.
4 Elementos Bistro
4 Elementos Bistro is one of the newer restaurants on Calle 38, combining dinner and cocktails with live entertainment. The restaurant is themed around the four elements of earth, water, fire, and air, with each element incorporated into the decor, drinks, and interactive experiences offered to guests.
One of the main attractions is the entertainment, which includes performers in Maya-inspired costumes, fire dancing, and traditional rituals. Guests can also participate in activities representing the four elements, so there’s more going on than a typical restaurant dinner. The performances take place on select evenings, so it’s worth checking the schedule before visiting.
The menu combines Mexican and international dishes, including seafood, steaks, tacos, and pasta. Recent diners have recommended the salmon tacos, ribeye, and ceviche, while the specialty cocktails are another highlight. Some drinks come with elaborate presentations that fit the restaurant’s theme.
4 Elementos is worth considering if you’re looking for dinner and entertainment in the same place. It’s also one of the highest-rated restaurants in Playa del Carmen on Tripadvisor, although the experience is likely to appeal more to people who enjoy themed dining than those looking for a quiet meal.
Best for: Dinner with live performances, themed cocktails, and an interactive dining experience.
Fuego Restaurante y Cantina
Fuego is the beachfront restaurant at Mahekal Beach Resort, located at the eastern end of Calle 38. While most restaurants along the street have outdoor dining areas surrounded by tropical trees, Fuego overlooks the Caribbean Sea, making it a different option for lunch or dinner.
The restaurant specializes in Mexican and Caribbean cuisine, with much of the food prepared over an open flame or in a wood-fired stone oven. Chef Carlos Chimal’s menu changes seasonally, with dishes featuring locally sourced ingredients, fresh seafood, and grilled meats. Some of the restaurant’s specialties include slow-roasted Caribbean grouper and Yucatecan sausage, along with ceviche, steaks, and other seafood dishes.
Fuego is particularly worth considering for dinner if you want to eat by the water rather than in one of the garden restaurants along Calle 38. The resort also hosts special beachfront dinners, including a Friday lobster dinner with live music. Because the restaurant is inside Mahekal Beach Resort, I’d recommend making a reservation and confirming access if you’re not staying at the hotel.
Best for: Beachfront dining, wood-fired seafood, and dinner by the Caribbean Sea.
Piola
Piola is an Italian restaurant on Calle 38, known for its thin-crust pizzas baked in a wood-fired oven. One thing I particularly like is the small street-facing bar, where you can sit outside at the counter while the bartenders work inside. It’s an easy place to stop for a beer or cocktail without committing to a full meal. I stopped here many evenings on my way back to our Airbnb.
The pizzas are made with dough stretched to order and San Marzano tomato sauce, with options ranging from a traditional Margherita to more unusual combinations. One example is the Pastorella, a pizza inspired by Mexican tacos al pastor, with sausage, pepperoni, pineapple, onions, cilantro, and a creamy habanero sauce. The menu also includes pasta, salads, steaks, and seafood, along with vegan pizzas and gluten-free crust options.
Piola works well for a casual Italian dinner, but I think the outdoor bar seating is one of its best features. You can stop for a drink, watch people walking along Calle 38, and continue on your way whenever you’re ready.
Best for: Wood-fired pizza, Italian food, and casual drinks at the street-facing bar.
Moshe Cube Kosher
Moshe Cube is a kosher restaurant on Calle 38, between 10th and 20th Avenues, a few blocks west of the main restaurant area near the beach. It specializes in Israeli and Middle Eastern cuisine and is popular with both locals and visitors looking for kosher food in Playa del Carmen.
The menu includes chicken and beef shawarma, falafel, hummus, pita sandwiches, and other Mediterranean dishes. There are also Moroccan specialties, soups, and several vegetarian options. The shawarma and falafel are among the more popular choices, and portions are generally generous.
Unlike many of the restaurants on Calle 38, Moshe Cube has an indoor dining area rather than a large tropical garden. It’s a good option if you’re looking for kosher food or want something different from the Mexican and seafood restaurants closer to the beach.
Moshe Cube is closed on Saturdays for Shabbat and closes early on Fridays, so check the hours before visiting.
Best for: Kosher dining, shawarma, falafel, and Middle Eastern cuisine.
La Vagabunda de la 38
La Vagabunda de la 38 is a casual restaurant and bar at the corner of Calle 38 and Calle Flamingos, with outdoor seating and regular live music. It’s part of the same restaurant group as the original La Vagabunda on 5th Avenue, but this location has a larger outdoor dining area surrounded by tropical plants.
The menu is extensive, with a mix of Mexican and international dishes, including tacos, ceviche, grilled seafood, steaks, and pasta. Prices are relatively reasonable for this part of Playa del Carmen, making it a popular option for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
For me, the main reasons to visit La Vagabunda are the live music and atmosphere rather than the food itself. The restaurant can get quite busy, particularly when there’s music, but it’s a good choice if you’re looking for a casual meal and drinks without spending too much.
Best for: Live music, casual dining, and reasonably priced food and drinks.
Arcana
Arcana is a vegan restaurant on Calle 38, with an outdoor dining area surrounded by tropical plants. The menu draws on Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cooking, making it one of the more interesting options for plant-based food in Playa del Carmen.
The menu includes hummus, lentil dishes, salads, grain bowls, and waffles, along with coffee and other drinks. There are plenty of savory options, so it’s not just a place for a light breakfast or coffee.
Arcana is primarily a breakfast and lunch restaurant, with daytime hours rather than dinner service. It’s worth considering if you’re vegetarian or vegan, or simply want a meal without meat or seafood while exploring Calle 38.
Best for: Vegan food, breakfast and lunch, and outdoor garden dining.
Mae Thai Restaurante
Mae Thai, also known as Gluay Maai Thai, is a Thai restaurant on Calle 38, between 5th Avenue and the beach. It’s been around for more than a decade and has an outdoor dining area with tropical plants and string lights, making it a pleasant place for dinner.
The menu covers traditional Thai dishes, including pad thai, pad kee mao (drunken noodles), curries, stir-fries, soups, and chicken satay. There’s also green curry, Thai iced tea, and mango sticky rice for dessert. The restaurant has a Thai chef and offers several vegetarian options.
Mae Thai is worth considering if you’re craving Thai food after several days of Mexican cuisine. It’s also one of the few Thai restaurants in this part of Playa del Carmen, with a full bar if you’d like a cocktail, beer, or wine with dinner.
Best for: Thai food, curries, noodles, and a change from Mexican cuisine.
AM by MU
AM by MU is one of the newer restaurants on Calle 38, opening in early 2026. It’s from the same people behind Mu Burgerhouse, but instead of burgers, this location focuses on breakfast, brunch, and coffee.
The menu combines Mexican breakfast dishes like chilaquiles, barbacoa tacos, and huevos motuleños with French toast, avocado toast, and other brunch favorites. One of the more interesting options is unlimited coffee with your meal. There’s also a selection of brunch cocktails, including mimosas and Aperol spritzes.
AM by MU has outdoor seating and is another option for breakfast on Calle 38, particularly if you’re looking for a combination of Mexican and international dishes rather than a strictly traditional Mexican breakfast.
Best for: Breakfast, brunch, coffee, and morning cocktails.
Final Thoughts on Calle 38 in Playa del Carmen
Calle 38 is one of my favorite streets in Playa del Carmen, and I usually end up here several times during a visit. Between the restaurants, outdoor bars, and tropical setting, it’s a good place to spend an evening even if you don’t have a particular restaurant in mind. I’d recommend starting at 5th Avenue and walking toward the beach, stopping wherever looks interesting along the way.
If you’re planning a trip, check out my full Playa del Carmen travel guide for more information on where to stay, what to do, and other places to eat and drink.
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