My Incredible Mexican Food Experience at La Vagabunda Playa del Carmen

Share this article

La Vagabunda Restaurant Playa Del Carmen

Let me take you along on the vibrant culinary journey through quintessential Mexican flavors I enjoyed at the lively restaurant La Vagabunda during my time living as an expat in Playa del Carmen.

Everything from street style tacos bursting with complex salsas to elaborate mole dishes and more reflected top-notch execution that impressed this California native with Mexican roots eager to indulge deeper into the cuisine of my ancestors.

Making My First Reservation at La Vagabunda

Just a month into my move from San Diego to embrace life in Mexico as an expat, I yearned to dive headfirst into authentic regional cooking. Local friends kept naming La Vagabunda as a must-try spot for elevated Mexican cuisine.

I promptly made weekend dinner reservations for my husband and me. As our taxi pulled up to the bustling restaurant with tantalizing smells already making my mouth water, I knew I was in for an extraordinary culinary ride through Mexico’s incredible flavors.

Tantalizing My Tastebuds with Starters at La Vagabunda

Settled into a candlelit table with margaritas in hand, we placed our order from the interior Mexican focused menu. We began our feast with some traditional appetizers.

First came magnificent quesadillas layered with huitlacoche mushrooms, salty queso Oaxaca melted to stretchy perfection between the crisped masa dough tortillas. Next arrived the esquites – steamy sweet corn kernels tossed with chili powder, tangy lime mayo, and crumbled Cotija cheese bringing the perfect saltiness.

With a smoky mezcal mule cocktail alongside the apps, my palate reveled in these introductory flavors highlighting Mexico’s ingredients. Now it was time for the real adventure to continue with the main events.

Indulging in Mains with Complex Flavors at La Vagabunda

For my entree, I just had to order La Vagabunda’s signature enchiladas verdes studded with roasted chicken then bathed in subtly spicy, herbaceous verde salsa and topped with chilled crema Mexicana and hand-shaved Cotija cheese.

With one decadent bite, I swooned both at the textures and the complex flavors singing beautifully in harmony. My husband also thoroughly enjoyed his hearty cinco chiles lamb ribs slicked in a smoky dried chile sauce bringing just the right amount of heat.

We took our time delighting in the standout flavors, pausing to sip our smoky mezcal cocktails between blissful bites. As I soaked in the convivial atmosphere filled with fellow Mexico cuisine aficionados, I felt so grateful to have discovered this spot early on in my expat journey.

Indulging in a Sweet Finale at La Vagabunda

Somehow after polishing off our plates piled high with tacos al pastor, complex moles, and more thereafter, my husband and I still found room for dessert. We decided to split the ultra-rich Mexican chocolate pot de creme for a decadent finish.

As we sank deeper into the velvety pudding studded with hints of cinnamon, I felt fully satiated in every possible way – my palate delighted after an incredible culinary journey, my expat homesickness comforted by authentic flavors of my culture, and my overall outlook on new life in Mexico brightened by the hospitality and charm throughout the meal.

Challenges I Encountered at La Vagabunda

While everything at La Vagabunda impressed me thoroughly, I did face a couple minor critiques:

Spice levels on some complex moles and traditional salsas overwhelmed my novice to Mexican cuisine palate at first. I had to carefully select milder dishes to acclimate my tastebuds.
Dining speed – During busier services, dishes arrived rapidly with servers removing plates quickly prompting us to eat faster than ideal to properly enjoy and digest such rich foods.
Dessert stall – We waited ages for that decadent Mexican chocolate pot de creme to arrive despite ordering with plenty of time before closing. Seemed the back kitchen juggle got chaotic later on.
Noise levels – When the dining room filled up, conversations reverberated loudly making intimate discussion rather impossible. Asking servers to repeat questions got tedious.

My Tips for an Exceptional Meal at La Vagabunda

To help fellow Mexican food lovers indulge fully at La Vagabunda Playa del Carmen, I want to provide some helpful dining tips:

Come early – Arrive when doors open, especially on weekends, to avoid crowds and noise and get best overall service.
Review menu diligently – Some dishes feature very complex flavors and bold spice blends. Ask questions to find best options suiting your preferences.
Share starters and sides – Portions are generous so sampling a variety lets you delight in more menu specialties.
Pace yourself – Savor slowly and take breaks between rich courses rather than rushing this gastronomic adventure.
Specify spice tolerance if sensitive – Servers can ask chefs to ease up on spiciness if needed.
Save dessert for after dinner drink nightcaps – Gives the kitchen proper time to deliver sweet finales without closing rush pressure.

What Makes La Vagabunda Extraordinary

You may wonder what distinguishes La Vagabunda apart from Playa del Carmen’s many other fabulous Mexican restaurants. Three qualities make it exceptional:

Culinary Creativity with Traditional Techniques at La Vagabunda

Dishes employ old school regional prep methods but utilize modern twists pairing classic ingredients in innovative ways. Menus shift seasonally based on sourced ingredients too.

Convivial Festive Ambiance at La Vagabunda

The mood makes you want to linger for hours, enjoying long lazy meals paired with great conversation and drinks after vibrant dishes. No rushed fine dining stiffness here.

Craft Mezcal Cocktail Program at La Vagabunda

With an array of small-production artisanal mezcals, their cocktail menu allows patrons to truly taste how this complex smoky liquor’s flavors shine.

Thanks to La Vagabunda’s passionate chef, engaging atmosphere and spectacular drink program, every visit promises a joyful, belly-warming culinary ride through Mexico’s most craveable comfort cuisine creations.

Ideal for a Casual Night Out at La Vagabunda

While reservations are recommended to secure seats at this popular hot spot, La Vagabunda’s lively yet cozy ambiance makes it a perfect pick for casual nights out looking to enjoy quality food minus any stuffy atmosphere.

Here’s how to craft a fun, festive meal here:

Start with a round of craft mezcal cocktails – they simply must be part of the journey!
Come casually dressed – no need to gussy up to indulge. Rock those vacation vibes.
Share family style for maximum flavor exploration. You’ll want to try all the menu stars!
Chat up fellow diners between bites. Locals welcome exchanges about their favorite signature dishes or off-menu specials.
Take things slow with plenty of conversation flowing just like the mezcal and laughs.

My Enthusiastic Recommendation

Well there you have it – all the tasty details of my unbelievable culinary ride through quintessential Mexican comfort cuisine creations at La Vagabunda in Playa del Carmen! As a California native of Mexican descent, I can genuinely say this lively spot serves up truly phenomenal executions of dishes highlighting regional authentic flavors.

From the traditional starters like esquites and quesadillas to complex moles and the melt-in-your-mouth desserts, talented La Vagabunda chefs clearly know and love this cuisine deeply. On your next trip to the Riviera Maya, be sure indulge in the magic here! Just pace yourself and come ready to solicit lots of recommendations from the gracious staff. Please let me know in the comments if you visit this gem so we can swap our favorite Mexican meal memories! Buen provecho!!

Opening Hours: Daily from 7:00 am – 23:45 pm.

Author Bio: Samantha James is a freelance writer and avid traveler originally from San Diego. After falling in love with Playa del Carmen while on vacation, she took a leap and moved to Mexico to embark on expat life. Samantha enjoys immersing herself in the local culture, beach-hopping along the Riviera Maya, and especially seeking out the best regional cuisine. She hopes to provide helpful tips and stories to others planning memorable trips to this coastal paradise.

Additional Articles on Food in Playa Del Carmen

Here are some additional Articles on Food in Playa Del Carmen

Additional Resources and Information

Please note that the information provided is based on the available online sources and may be subject to change.