If you’re on the hunt for the top dining destinations in Tulum, then you’ve come to the right place.
This comprehensive guide features the must-visit restaurants in the area, showcasing the diverse and thriving food scene that Tulum has to offer.
With a range of options from the street and taco stands to high-end restaurants, you’ll have no trouble finding a culinary experience to suit your tastes.
Tulum is a remarkable destination in Mexico with stunning natural landscapes, beautiful beaches, and plenty of activities to enjoy, and its food scene is just as impressive.
Best Restaurants in Tulum
Tulum boasts numerous excellent dining options, spread across its town centre (Tulum Pueblo) and hotel zone (Zona Hotelera, also known as Tulum Beach).
The town centre is home to a diverse range of restaurants and bars that suit varying tastes and budgets, while the hotel zone mainly features high-end dining establishments, beach clubs, and some eateries suitable for families.
Before we explore Tulum’s top dining destinations.
Ca’an Tulum
Range of prices: $
Location: Sian Ka’an
Ka’an Tulum is a restaurant located in the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, approximately 1.8 miles (3km) inside.
Their menu inspires the Mayan culture, and the chefs collaborate with local farmers and fishermen to prepare their dishes.
With its location between the Caribbean Sea and a stunning lagoon, Ka’an Tulum offers a breathtaking view.
Enjoy the cool shade of palm trees while savouring one of their drinks.
Make sure to try their famous Yucatan-style bean tamales and tacos, which offer a spicy flavor.
Please note that this restaurant is currently closed, but it is expected to reopen soon.
taqueria Honorio
Range of prices: $
Tulum Center, area
A popular street vendor called Taqueria Honorio is highly regarded for its delicious breakfast tacos and the local speciality, cochinita pibil, which is slow-roasted pork served on homemade tortillas.
You should arrive early because the eatery closes at 1:30 pm.
Tulum Loco
Located in the Hotel Zone, Loco Tulum is a highly recommended restaurant offering Mediterranean-style cuisine at a moderate price range.
Chef Idan Lifshitz’s innovative approach to combining flavours creates a unique and memorable dining experience.
Loco Tulum stands out in the area and has gained popularity among tourists.
La Chiapaneca Antojitos
Antojitos La Chiapaneca is a popular eatery located in Tulum Center that offers affordable Mexican food, particularly tacos.
They have a limited menu but are well-known for serving delicious and satisfying meals, and the locals love it.
The restaurant offers a choice of al pastor, chicken, or beef in either a taco or tortilla, with additional condiments available at the centre of the restaurant.
In addition to tacos, they also have Yucatecan snacks like salutes and panuchos.
Rugged Tulum
- Wild Tulum, a high-end restaurant, sits in the Tulum-Boca area, surrounded by the Mayan jungle.
The menu features international dishes infused with Mexican flavours, made using locally-sourced ingredients from nearby farmers and producers.
The chefs use a wood fire oven and grill to prepare the food, ensuring rich and authentic flavors.
The restaurant also has a cocktail bar with an impressive selection of premium spirits, a signature cocktail menu, and fresh ingredients like homemade syrups and purees.
Cremerie Campanella
Located in Tulum Center, Campanella Cremerie is a Mexican-Italian cafe that offers a range of affordable sweet treats, including creamy gelato, sundaes, waffles, and pies with unique flavours such as Argentine caramel, lemon and toasted coconut, and Sicilian pistachio.
For those who prefer savoury options, they also have a selection of sandwiches available.
The cafe also has a juice bar to quench your thirst.
Sanara’s Genuine Coconut
The Real Coconut, located in the Hotel Zone, is a health-focused restaurant with a moderate price range.
Their menu is exclusively plant-based and free of gluten and dairy.
They offer a range of nourishing breakfast options such as coconut yoghurt and their famous coconut-cassava chips.
The restaurant also serves tasty lunch and dinner dishes, as well as sweet desserts and cocktails.
The Margherita Posada
Posada Margherita, situated in the Tulum hotel zone, is a high-end Italian restaurant with a costly price range.
It is one of the most renowned Italian eateries in the area and is situated on the beach as part of the Posada Margherita Boutique Hotel. Diners can enjoy stunning views of the Caribbean Sea while savouring freshly made pasta or pizza.
The restaurant also offers a variety of grilled meat and seafood dishes, and a selection of gelato made from coconuts harvested from the hotel’s coconut trees.
Arca
Arca, situated in the Hotel Zone, is a moderately priced restaurant that offers an authentic Tulum experience.
Mexican-American chef Jose Luis Hinostroza runs this micro-seasonal restaurant that pays tribute to the area’s ancient traditions while incorporating bold and explosive flavours.
Open-fire cooking is a significant element of the restaurant, giving the dishes rustic and earthy flavours.
Diners must try the chef’s grilled octopus, which is marinated in the flavorful record negro and is said to be the best in Tulum.
Gitano
Gitano offers guests the luxury of choosing from three different restaurants.
Gitano Jungle is a contemporary eatery situated in the Mayan jungle across from Tulum Beach, while Gitano Beach is a beach club and restaurant located within Tulum National Park. Finally, Meze Tulum, an Aegean-style taverna located next to Gitano Jungle.
They offer a fusion of Mediterranean, Mexican, and American cuisine, ensuring that there is something to satisfy everyone’s taste buds. If you’re seeking innovative cocktails, Gitano is the ideal destination.
Verdant
Verdant is a restaurant in La Veleta, located just outside Tulum Center, that prioritizes sustainability.
Their menu consists of Mexican cuisine with French culinary techniques, and they use fresh, local ingredients sourced from their own rooftop herb and vegetable garden.
Their menu changes regularly, with dishes such as poached Caribbean prawns and grouper fish with corn.
They also have a wide selection of vegan and vegetarian options available.
Dona Paty Guisado Tacos
If you’re looking for delicious tacos and Mexican stews, head over to Dona Paty’s restaurant in the Tulum Center.
This local eatery is famous for its mouth-watering food that attracts both locals and tourists. In addition to tacos, Dona Paty offers 10 different guisados made with ingredients like chicken, pork, and cheese.
The menu changes daily, so you can expect a variety of tasty options.
You can also stop by for breakfast and enjoy traditional Mexican dishes like chilaquiles, huevos a la Mexicana, and pancakes.
Comedor Safari Zama
Safari Comedor Zama in Aldea Zama, located just outside Tulum Center, offers a genuine Mexican dining experience with a traditional Yucatan house vibe.
The menu is a fusion of different flavours and cooking methods from the Yucatan Peninsula.
They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and a must-try dish is their Mexican avocado on toast, which consists of grilled avocado on a tortilla served with homemade salsa, although it might not suit everyone’s taste.
The restaurant’s price range is in the $$-$$$ range.
Rose of Tulum
Rosa Negra is a top-rated restaurant in the Tulum hotel zone, offering a fine dining experience.
The restaurant focuses on Latin American cuisine, featuring a diverse menu that includes dishes from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru.
In addition to the food, Rosa Negra also offers a vast selection of drinks, including more than 300 wine bottles from various parts of the world.
The restaurant is also known for its artisan cocktails, which are made from natural ingredients and signature infusions.
Hartwood
If you’re looking for an open-air dining experience, head to Hartwood, a restaurant located just across the road from the beach in Tulum.
This restaurant is a must-try and is known for its ever-changing menu that showcases seasonal ingredients.
Their menu mainly features locally sourced ingredients such as fresh seafood like Caribbean lobster and locally grown fruits and vegetables, which are prepared over a wood-fired grill by skilled local cooks and chefs.
The restaurant’s off-the-grid ambience only adds to the charm.
Additional Restaurants in Tulum
When visiting Tulum, be sure to check out these additional locations:
The Don Beto Taqueria
Taqueria Don Beto is a simple, yet amazing Mexican food spot located in Tulum Center. Here, you can enjoy mouth-watering slow-roasted cochinita pibil and tacos that are sure to satisfy your cravings.
The restaurant’s menu is straightforward, but the food is delicious.
The smell of the Sea
Sabor de Mar in Tulum Center is a must-visit spot for seafood enthusiasts.
This restaurant specializes in Sinaloan-style cuisine and serves the freshest seafood with traditional dishes like agua chiles and tostadas mixtapes that are sure to delight your taste buds.
Cantina Encanto
Encanto Cantina, located in the Tulum Center and offering a mid-range price point, is a perfect spot for those who appreciate Mexican liquors.
Besides their excellent cocktails, they also serve a variety of Mexican dishes such as tacos, ceviche, and botanas to munch on.
Practical Advice and a Guide for Discovering the Best Restaurants in Tulum
Before you begin exploring the Tulum restaurant map, it is important to be aware of some practical tips that will be helpful during your visit to Tulum.
Several eateries don’t accept credit cards.
While many restaurants located in the hotel zone of Tulum accept payment through credit cards, there are some that do not.
It is advisable to have some local currency, Pesos, on hand when dining at restaurants in the town centre.
Tipping Is Typical
While not obligatory, it is a common practice to leave a gratuity in Tulum.
The waiter or waitress expects a tip ranging from 10% to 20% of the total amount of the bill.
If you have a limited budget, Tulum Center is the best option.
Eating out in Mexico can be pricey, even more so in Tulum. However, if you’re looking to save money, consider dining in the town centre.
There are plenty of restaurants, street vendors, and bars that cater to different tastes and budgets, and the prices are relatively cheap, with some options starting at 200 Pesos ($10).
Additionally, these places are popular among the locals, ensuring good quality and tasty food.
