As an expat living in Playa del Carmen, I’m always on the hunt for new and exciting vegan dining options. I had heard whispers from friends about Arcana – an inventive plant-based restaurant making waves in the local culinary scene.
My curiosity was piqued. As a long-time vegan, any mention of an all-vegan eatery gets me thrilled to try it out. So when the opportunity arose, I didn’t hesitate to check out this burgeoning vegan hotspot for myself.
Stepping into Arcana, I was immediately struck by the cozy, inviting ambiance. Exposed brick walls, reclaimed wood accents, and warm lighting set the stage for a comfortable and casual dining experience. The friendly host greeted me promptly and I could already tell this would be no ordinary vegan joint.
Tantalizing Aromas and Fresh Flavors at Arcana
As I perused the menu, mouth-watering aromas wafted from the bustling open kitchen. My senses were ignited by the prospect of the fresh, seasonal plant-based fare to come. The menu spanned a gamut of flavor profiles from across the globe – Thai curry bowls, sushi rolls, tacos, falafel, kathi rolls, and more. I was thrilled to dive in and sample Arcana’s inventive culinary creations.
To start, I decided on the buffalo cauliflower wings with vegan ranch and pickled veggies. The crispy cauliflower florets enveloped in subtly spicy buffalo sauce proved seriously addictive. And the housemade ranch perfectly balanced out the heat. For my main, I opted for the massaman curry – loaded with tender sweet potatoes, chickpeas, and tofu in a rich, aromatic coconut red curry broth. Bursting with complex flavors of lime, ginger, garlic, lemongrass, and warming spices – it was love at first bite.
Challenge: As a solo diner, the menu options were so extensive that deciding what to order was difficult. I wanted to try everything!
Tip: Dining with a group allows you to order several dishes to share family-style so you can experience more of the menu.
Quality Ingredients and Culinary Creativity at Arcana
What sets Arcana apart is their commitment to sourcing quality whole-food ingredients and preparing them with creativity and skill. Many vegan restaurants rely too heavily on processed meat and cheese substitutes. But Arcana embraces plants in their whole form – vibrant vegetables, nourishing grains and legumes, herbs, spices, etc. The chefs transform these ingredients into elevated yet approachable vegan dishes packed with clean, delicious flavor.
As I enjoyed my meal, I was struck with inspiration for my own plant-based cooking at home. I decided then and there that I would attempt vegan massaman curry and buffalo cauliflower wings back in my own kitchen. Arcana made vegan cooking feel fun, fresh and completely doable – even for a culinary novice like me.
Challenge: As an expat, finding all the ingredients for vegan Thai curry can be difficult and expensive.
Tip: Improvising with available veggies and pantry staples allows you to create simplified versions of dishes at home.
Sweet Endings and Memorable Moments at Arcana
As my savory courses came to an end, I still had some room left for something sweet. I ordered the chocolate peanut butter mousse for dessert – an airy cloud of rich chocolate enveloping chunks of peanut butter throughout. It was decadent and refreshing all at once – the perfect sweet finale after my flavor-packed meal.
Savoring that last spoonful of mousse, I took in the sights and sounds around me. Patrons chatting animatedly, silverware clinking between bites, smooth jazz humming quietly above it all. Servers buzzing to and from tables, pausing to exchange quick words and smiles with guests. In one moment, I glimpsed the chef handing a child a freshly baked cookie from the kitchen, eliciting a beaming grin across her face. There was something about this place – the food, the people, the overall vibe – that just radiated warmth.
Challenge: As a solo diner, going to restaurants alone can feel awkward at times when you see everyone else chatting in groups.
Tip: Bring a book or e-reader if dining alone so you have something to occupy yourself beyond just staring at your phone.
Sustainable Values at Arcana
In a destination driven so heavily by tourism like Playa del Carmen, it’s refreshing to find a locally-run establishment focused on community and sustainability. The chefs visit local Maya farmers’ markets daily to hand-select the ripest produce. By fostering these relationships with regional growers and food artisans, Arcana supports ethical food systems and stimulates the local economy too.
They also emphasize minimizing food waste and plastic consumption. Servers provide aluminum straws to eliminate plastic ones, and leftover ingredients get repurposed creatively into new menu items. Composting and recycling programs ensure nothing from the kitchen ends up harming ecosystems. Through thoughtful sourcing and sustainable practices, Arcana promotes eco-conscious dining – a value I personally connect with strongly as a visitor.
Challenge: Vegan dining while on vacation as a tourist increases the ecological impact with all the extra food waste and plastic use.
Tip: Choosing certified green restaurants is an easy way to reduce your environmental footprint whenever dining out.
A Memorable Vegan Discovery at Arcana
My inaugural meal at Arcana felt like both nourishing soul food and inspiration for my ongoing plant-based journey. For any vegan visiting Playa del Carmen, Arcana is an absolute must-try. The welcoming atmosphere, scrumptious food, and dedication to quality ingredients offer a uniquely exceptional experience amid the tropical allure of this coastal town.
Beyond the food itself, the care for community and sustainability at Arcana leaves a lasting impression. They breathe life into vegan cuisine – executing it in ways that feel distinctly creative. Yet also comfortably approachable. Their dishes dazzle your senses with color and flavor, using plants not as substitutes trying to imitate, but rather as whole ingredients meant to be celebrated in their own right.
At Arcana, the essence of vegan dining finally clicks into place for me – it’s not about what’s lacking or missing but instead what’s thoughtfully included. It emphasizes addition over subtraction. Abundance over absence. And that’s a philosophy I now carry with me – one of inclusion rather than restriction. Proof that embracing the totality of plants opens up new dimensions of flavor far beyond the limits we imagine.
Author Bio: Chloe Jensen is a vegan food and travel writer based in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. As an expat from the US, Chloe is constantly exploring the food scene in her adopted hometown from a plant-based perspective. From rare ingredient fine dining to humble street food stalls, she covers it all.
Her writing highlights sustainable dining options and champions locally-sourced cuisine. When not writing, Chloe enjoys stand up paddleboarding, beaching, and recreating favorite vegan dishes discovered abroad in her own kitchen.
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 8:00 am – 16:00 pm. Closed on Mondays.
Additional Articles on Food in Playa Del Carmen
Here are some additional Articles on Food in Playa Del Carmen
- ROMMA ‘n bocca: A Delicious Italian Culinary Experience in Playa del Carmen
- Trattoria del Centro in Playa del Carmen: A Must-Try Italian Restaurant
- The Ultimate Dining Experience in Playa del Carmen: The Traveler’s Table
- My Love Affair with Ferron’s Jerk Chicken: A Playa Del Carmen Expat’s Dining Diary
- La Vagabunda – Serving Delicious Mexican Cuisine in Playa Del Carmen
- Enjoy Authentic Mexican Cuisine at Cassa Ceviche in Playa del Carmen
- Behold the Delights of El Diez Playa del Carmen
- La Vagabunda de la 38: A Hidden Gem of Playa del Carmen’s Street Food Scene
- My Memorable Dining Experience at Osteria De Roma, a Fine Italian Restaurant in Playa del Carmen
- La Marea Restaurant: A Culinary Paradise Found in Playa del Carmen
- Carboncitos: A Must-Visit Mexican Eatery in Playa del Carmen
- Zitla – An Authentic Mexican Experience in Playa del Carmen
- Arcana Restaurant: Exploring the Best Vegan Fare in Playa del Carmen
Additional Resources and Information
- Arcana – Sitio oficial
- Arcana Restaurante – TripAdvisor
- Arcana Restaurante – Facebook
- Arcana Restaurante – Yelp
