Exploring the Culinary Scene in Tulum
Tulum's culinary scene is impressive–complete with everything from trendy restaurants to beachside snack bars. Ready for a taste? Here's our guide for enjoying the best eats Tulum has to offer.
Overview of Tulum's Vibrant Dining Scene
Tulum's vibrant dining scene has something for every palate. Whether you're looking to sample local, Mexican cuisine or fresh-caught seafood, or if you want a taste of International cuisine, you'll be blessed with an abundance of options on your next visit.
Key Areas: Beach vs. Pueblo
Tulum is a city made up of two distinct parts: There's Tulum Playa (or Tulum Beach) and Tulum Pueblo, the quaint town, divided by a road that runs through the brush. Our list covers a variety of restaurants located in both sides of Tulum.
Variety of Cuisines: Mexican, Seafood, Vegan, International
Though Tulum is an ideal spot to get your Mexican food fix, the gourmands among us may be delighted to learn that this part of the world has so much to offer on top of its tacos and tequila. This resort town draws people from all over the world, which is why you'll find a wide variety of restaurants to choose from. Whether your cravings are calling for seafood, vegan eats, Italian food and beyond, you're sure to find exactly what you came for.
Tulum Beach Restaurants
Popular Beachfront Dining Spots
Question: What's better than a delicious meal made from fresh, wholesome ingredients? How about enjoying that meal—but with a view? Here are some popular beachfront dining spots you need to visit the next time you're in Tulum.
Hartwood – Rustic Wood-Fired Cuisine, Upscale Dining ($$$)
Hartwood restaurant uses only the freshest local ingredients—which is why its menu changes almost daily. Seafood and produce come from local markets and harbors, highlighting the bounty of Mundo Maya.
Delectable dishes are cooked in the handmade wood-burning oven and grill for truly authentic Mexican flavor. When you eat at Hartwood, you can be sure you're supporting sustainable fishing and farming.
Gitano – Trendy Restaurant with Mezcal Cocktails, Jungle Setting ($$$)
Gitano Tulum is a modern restaurant with a lounge and jungle room. Swing by for dinner any day of the week from 6 p.m. on. If you're visiting on a Friday, stick around for gypsy-disco dancing until late into the night.
We recommend ordering a range of small plates and snacks so you can sample as much of the delicious menu as possible — don't forget to try the cocktails!
Ziggy's – Casual Beachside Dining with Seafood Options ($$)
Ziggy's offers al fresco dining, Tulum-style. Part-restaurant, part-beach club, this is the spot to visit for any meal of the day, whether you're starting the day off with breakfast and beach views, or winding down over dinner and drinks. This dreamy spot serves up delicious dishes made from high-quality, local ingredients, all under the warmth of the Mexican sunshine.
Affordable Beachside Options
Good news: You don't have to spend a fortune to find a hearty, satisfying meal. In fact, some of the best snacks this side of Tulum can be enjoyed right on the beach.
Matcha Mama – Relaxed Smoothie and Snack Spot ($$)
Matcha Mama labels itself a "matcha bar," but the menu is stacked with healthy options like smoothies, smoothie bowls, and coconut elixirs. For wellness buffs, this snack spot serves up some of the tastiest, healthiest all over Tulum. Everything here is plant-based and gluten-free.
La Onda – Authentic Mexican Street Food with a Beachfront Vibe ($)
La Onda is about to become your favorite spot for pizza in Tulum. Understandably, when you think Mexico, pizza may not be the first menu item that springs to mind. But if you've got a sudden, insatiable hankering for a slice of wood-fired pizza, La Onda is the spot. Do yourself a favor and order the bacon pizza with a strawberry margherita. Good vibes guaranteed.
Upscale Beachside Experiences
Casa Jaguar – Wood-Fired Cuisine with a Romantic, Rustic Ambiance ($$$)
Casa Jaguar Tulum doesn't have a menu, but you can trust the chef to serve up a culinary experience you'll dream about for years to come.
Tuesday is music night, with tunes starting at 10 p.m. and continuing late into the night in its Todos Santos bar. Sway to the beat in Casa Jaguar Loft, or sip drinks in the chai house. There are no rules here, just good vibes.
Arca – Bold Flavors and Modern Mexican Cuisine ($$$)
ARCA in Tulum features a menu made up of micro-seasonal cuisine. The restaurant has strong relationships with local producers, who supply it with the freshest food the region has to offer.
Executive Chef Jose Luis Hinostroza crafts a tasting menu that showcases Mexico's bold and explosive flavors. Be sure to try the house cocktails, which feature fiery ginger, sweet honey, and mezcal made from the native agave plant.
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Tulum Pueblo Restaurants
Authentic Mexican Cuisine in the Pueblo
Head into town for unbelievably tasty bites in every price range. From taquerías to upscale dining, the Pueblo is where you'll find authentic Mexican cuisine you'll be dreaming about for years to come.
Antojitos La Chiapaneca – Budget-Friendly Tacos ($)
Antojitos La Chiapaneca serves up cheap tacos that taste like a million bucks. Beloved by both locals and tourists, this spot offers a vast menu with plenty of options, including tons of vegetarian-friendly dishes. Meat lovers, the tacos al pastor comes highly recommended. With both indoor and outdoor seating, Antojitos La Chiapaneca delivers exactly what you're looking for: A true taste of Mexico.
El Rincon Chiapaneco – Traditional Mexican Dishes with Local Flair ($)
El Rincon Chiapaneco serves up authentic Mexican cuisine at affordable prices. That's why it's such a popular spot among locals and tourists alike.
La Taquería de Tulum
Visit La Taquería de Tulum, and you may never feel the same way about tacos ever again. Choose from a number of fillings, including shrimp, marinated octopus, and tempura fish. Vegan and vegetarian meals are also available. The atmosphere here is cozy and friendly, with free Wi-Fi and a carefree vibe.
El Asadero Tulum
El Asadero Tulum's menu includes grilled meats, surf and turf, and an extensive selection of vegetarian dishes. In short, there's something to please everyone! It offers a great selection of cocktails and more than 20 varieties of tequila.
The location, on a quiet side street in the busy town of Tulum, gives you the opportunity to recharge and refuel before heading off on your next Riviera Maya adventure.
Popular Mid-Range Dining in the Pueblo
Burrito Amor – Modern Twist on Mexican Classics ($$)
Burrito Amor has it all: a diverse menu serving up breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with plenty of clean eating options for gluten-free and dairy-free diners. When visiting this local gem, be sure to give their handmade coconut tortillas a try. You won't be disappointed, we guarantee.
Encanto Cantina – Trendy Spot with Live Music and Great Cocktails ($$)
Encanto Cantina is Tulum's go-to spot for dinner or post-dinner drinks. If you're a fan of live music, head over on Friday nights to take in some classic rock while sipping on your favorite drink, all the while surrounded by the restaurant's lush gardens.
Tulum's Best Seafood Restaurants
Seafood Hotspots to Try
El Camello Jr. – Local Favorite for Fresh, Affordable Seafood ($$)
El Camello Jr. (or "Camellito") is famous in the region for serving some of Tulum's freshest seafood. Order the fish or seafood tacos for a tasty treat, but be sure to save plenty of room for the ceviche, available in different sizes with your choice of sides.
Las Hijas de la Tostada – Beachfront Seafood Joint with Great Tostadas ($$)
At Las Hijas de la Tostada, they only serve fresh food, not fast food. That's their motto, and promise to customers. The name of this joint translates to the daughters of the tostada, a fried corn tortilla topped with anything you'd like. Seafood lovers will approve of the octopus or shrimp tostadas—but we hear that the cocktails go down quite easy, too.
Unique Dining Experiences
Kitchen Table – Jungle Setting with an Open Kitchen Experience ($$$)
Since 2015, Kitchen Table has been serving creative dishes crafted from fresh, seasonal ingredients. But not only do its patrons enjoy the food, but the vibes are something to appreciate, too. That's because Kitchen Table is located in the heart of the Mayan Jungle—a lush backdrop for your five-course dinner. Though it's temporarily closed, expect this place to re-open its door very soon.
Kin Toh – Avant-Garde Treehouse Dining with Mayan Influences ($$$)
Kin Toh offers spectacular views over the Mayan jungle, and its delicious food is prepared with local and organic produce according to ancestral recipes. If you love heights as much as we do, we're sure you won't pass up the chance to have dinner in a towering tree house.
The restaurant has an extensive wine cellar, so be sure to ask the sommelier for recommendations. If you aren't a vino fan, try a colorful cocktail crafted by the talented bartenders.
NÜ Tulum – Contemporary Mexican in a Lush Jungle Backdrop ($$$)
NÜ Tulum is Chef Luis Aguilar's latest restaurant, where he and his kitchen craft exceptional dishes from organic ingredients. Originally from Mexicali, he's worked all over Mexico and the United States. The produce comes from a regenerative farm in the Yucatán Peninsula, and the care that goes into growing it is evident in the explosion of flavors in every bite.
Delicious drinks are also available here, including more than 30 varieties of mezcal. Dine by candlelight while subtle lounge music soothes your soul. It's the ideal place for a romantic date.
Romantic Dinner Spots in Tulum
If you're visiting Tulum with a special someone, there is no shortage of romantic restaurants you can visit while in town. Here are a few of our favourites.
Casa Banana – Upscale Steakhouse with a Romantic, Candlelit Setting ($$$)
Casa Banana proves that Argentinian cuisine has a home here in Tulum. When the restaurant first opened its doors in 2007, after acquiring its location from an existing restaurant, also named Casa Banana. Back then, Tulum was a different world—small, quaint, and rustic—a far cry from the popular resort destination. But restaurants like Casa Banana 2.0 have helped shape it into a trendy destination with some of the most thrilling restaurants the world has to offer.
From its vegan lasagna to its wild mushroom risotto, Casa Banana's menu is a breathtaking experience, inspired by the vibrant flavors of Argentinian cusine. It's definitely worth bringing your better half here for a romantic soirée either of you won't soon forget.
Posada Margherita – Italian-Inspired Beachfront Dining for Couples ($$$)
Posada Margherita is some of Tulum's finest Italian-inspired cuisine. A simple yet inspired menu, inspired by the Genoa region of Italy, Posada Margherita features a selection of pastas, fresh seafood, and pizzas, lovingly prepared with the region's fresh, local ingredients. If your idea of a dreamy date night involves Italian food, then this is the spot to bring your lover. Just be sure to save plenty of room for dessert—this restaurant is renowned for its homemade gelato.
Vegan and Vegetarian-Friendly Restaurants
Best Vegan Spots in Tulum
These vegan spots in Tulum are so good, we bet you won't even miss the meat. Here's a round-up of our favourite vegan restaurants in Tulum.
Tierra at Holistika – Trendy Vegan Cafe with Yoga and Wellness Vibe ($$)
Tierra at Holistika serves meals that are not only "cruelty-free, but boring-free." One peek at the menu and it's easy to see why. Its menu features a diverse offering made from organic ingredients and flavors found in nature.
El Bajón Vegan Tacos – Street Food-Style Vegan Tacos in the Pueblo ($)
El Bajón Vegan Tacos serves up authentic Mexican food. The only difference here is that everything you're biting into is vegan. This local favorite began as a food truck, but due to popular demand opened up a small, sit-down venue.
Co Con Amor – A Cozy, Plant-Based Haven with Organic Ingredients ($$)
Co Con Amor is where to go when you're looking to get your vegan food fill. With its bohemian-inspired décor, and diverse menu made up of fresh, healthy, vegan eats (try their smoothie bowls!), Co Con Amor is bound to become an instant favorite. Need to stock up on groceries? You'll find a zero-waste grocery store next door to the café.
Raw Love – Popular Vegan Cafe Known for Its Smoothie Bowls ($$)
Raw Love is a vegan café where you can nourish your body with a healthy meal free of animal products. All the food here is plant-based and free from refined sugar, with absolutely no preservatives. All ingredients are organic and local, and the restaurant is committed to helping the environment through composting and recycling as much as possible.
Try the delicious coconut curry, followed by a vitamin-packed Food Farmacy Shot. The cakes are so delicious it's hard to believe they're good for you, but it's true that they're all free from refined sugar, dairy, and gluten.
El Bajon Vegan Tacos – Street Food-Style Vegan Tacos in the Pueblo ($)
El Bajón Vegano serves some of the best tacos in Tulum. The food is so flavorful that it's easy to forget everything on the menu is vegan. While you dine, check out the fantastic art on the walls. This affordable little diner is truly a hidden gem and a great place to grab dinner before exploring Tulum's nightlife.
Dining Tips for Tulum Visitors
Want to make sure your dining experiences in Tulum are as top-notch as the meals you'll be devouring? Follow some of our top dining tips for Tulum visitors so you never have to worry about waiting around or missing out on making reservations at the hottest spots.
When to Visit Popular Restaurants
With such an in-demand food scene, visiting popular restaurants can be tricky—especially if you're only in the area for a limited period of time. We've compiled some of our best tips to make sure that every meal you enjoy in Tulum is as enjoyable as can be.
Best Times to Dine at the Beach (Sunset Recommendations)
End your day in Tulum the most magical way possible: by catching the magical sunset. But because Tulum faces east, you'll have to find a spot high above the jungle that faces west. Fortunately, a number of restaurants have sky-high sunset lounges and offer 360º views, so you'll get to witness the most spectacular sunsets for yourself.
Tips for Avoiding Long Wait Times at Popular Spots
Most travel experts recommend visiting Tulum during November and December to avoid massive crowds of tourists all vying for the same reservation at the same upscale resto.
Making Reservations for Upscale Restaurants
The key to making reservations for upscale restaurants is to plan ahead. Try to consult lists (like the one you're reading right now) and take note of everywhere you'd like to eat as soon as you've booked your trip.
Final Thoughts on Dining in Tulum
Now that you've read all about Tulum's culinary scene, we're certain you're jonesing to get a taste of some of the best restaurants in Tulum for yourself.
Tulum’s Culinary Diversity in a Nutshell
WIth its diverse range of flavors and culinary styles, Tulum is more than just a beach vacation destination: it's a foodie's dream come true. Beyond its turquoise waters, there's a culinary world just waiting to be explored, offering a blend of local, Mexican cuisine and international flavors prepared by renowned chefs.
How Dining in Tulum Enhances Your Travel Experience
Dining in Tulum will tickle your sense. After you've enjoyed an authentic Mexican meal, come see our show JOYÀ at VidantaWorld Riviera Maya. The story features half-human, half-animal fantastical creatures as a biologist hopes to pass his lifelong search for the meaning of life on to his rebellious granddaughter.
Our gravity-defying acrobatics will have you on the edge of your seat, gasping in awe at the mere spectacle of it all. You'll be jumping for joy at JOYÀ!