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I wanted to love this place's food, but it's just not that great, and I'm a very un-picky eater. The pulled pork is the best thing on the menu, and it's not that great (or authentic, in its high fructose corn syrup-based barbecue sauce.) Their drinks are great though; I suggest you go after dinner and hang out at the bar (or wander back to the attached Cabana Bar to sit outside). The guac and chips is excellent for munching on while you get sloshed (which you can do affordably, with drink specials every night of the week), and the happy hour volcano bowls are fun.

I wasn't interested in eating at Playa. The reviews weren't great and it's located in the Jinxed Restaurant spot of 5th Ave. But last night a friend and I were desperate for something new, and gave it a shot - and we had a really good experience. Yes, the place is more than a little tiki-tacky, but it's fun, the food is fresh, reasonably priced and the service (both at the bar and at the table) was personable and steered us in the right direction for food & drink. Fresh fish tacos were terrific, delicious clams (oversalted for my taste, but clean and bright, tasting of the sea and wonderful garlic), tender short ribs. Amazing drinks, a decent chilean red. And light on the wallet! Surprised and wondering if some Slope Foodies aren't starting to take themselves too seriously - Playa is the simple kind of place that I wish there were more of on 5th. It may commit the cardinal sin of Not Being Authentic, but it's a refreshing place that I'll return to. Absolutely worth a shot.

After the past two restaurants that came up on that corner, FINALLY I think this one will succeed. Great Latin American food, great service, great atmosphere. Everything is reasonably priced and delicious. Definitely one of my favorite restaurants in Brooklyn by far. Great, fruity tropical drinks and amazing drink specials.

I was excited about this place - waiting for a nice summery day to enjoy a refreshing drink and some latin food in a fun low key environment. The setting is great. You get the idea that no-one knows what the hell they're doing. As for the food, it could be so much better, aparently, throwing chile powder on everything makes it taste better. Maybe when the nausious thought of what I ate goes away the lure of $16 all you can eat quesadillas and sangria will be mildly tempting

The food is ok, not fabulous but not bad. The drinks, however, are great. The macho mojito is a great deal- a shot of 151 on top of a mojito. The decor is cute, makes you feel like you're at a beach, sort of.

Everything about it was an absolute misfire. The decor comes off as completely fake and inauthentic. The service was not good at all, with wait staff who had absolutely no connection to the food they were serving. The main event, the food, was pan-latin food for people who honestly do not like latin food. The only similiarity between the arepas served here and real arepas was that Playa's were round and made of some sort of cornmeal. They tasted like some sort of frozen pancake. The Pan de Bono paled in comparison to that served at Calle Ocho, much less the real Pan de Bono served by actual Colombians. It tasted more of bacon than cheese or bread. Really, you've got much better Pan-Latin options within blocks of this place.

Loved it! The food is all very fresh, tasty and well priced. The tilapia tacos are great as is the black bean dumpling. They always have great drink specials and a tasty mojito. The service is very friendly. My husband and I have been back a couple of times already - finally a good new place on 5th Ave!