Are you looking for the best restaurants in Tulum? Look no further than this guide to Tulum’s must-try spots.
Tulum is one of the most incredible places to visit in Mexico. It has spectacular beaches, wonderful natural landscapes, and a ton of great things to do. It also has a thriving food scene, which is as diverse as the town itself.
You’ll find everything from local taco joints to incredible fine-dining establishments along the beachside or in the town center. Whether you’re looking to grab a quick bite or go on a unique culinary adventure, Tulum’s restaurants do not disappoint.
Best Restaurants in Tulum
Tulum has an abundance of great places to eat, located in either the Tulum Pueblo (town center) or the Zona Hotelera (hotel zone – also referred to as Tulum Beach). The town center has a good mix of restaurants and bars that cater to all types of preferences and budgets.
On the other hand, the hotel zone has primarily upscale restaurants, beach clubs, and a few family-friendly eateries. Before we dive into the best places to eat in Tulum, here’s a quick price guide:
Price per person excluding drinks:
$= Less than 200 Pesos (USD $10)
$$= 200 to 400 Pesos (USD $10 to $20)
$$$= 400 to 800 Pesos (USD $20 to $40)
$$$$= More than 800 Pesos (more than USD $40)
Ka’an Tulum
Price Range: $$
Area: Sian Ka’an
Ka’an Tulum sits 1.8-miles (3km) inside the amazing Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve. Its menu is inspired by the Mayan people, and the chefs work closely with local fishers and farmers.
The Ka’an Tulum is in one of the most picturesque settings on the Yucatan Peninsula. The Caribbean Sea is on one side and a stunning lagoon on the other.
Sit back and relax underneath the cool shade of the palm trees while sipping on a drink.
Be sure to try one of their spicy Yucatan-style bean tamales and tacos.
Note: This restaurant is temporarily closed but should reopen.
Taqueria Honorio
Price Range:$
Area: Tulum Center
Taqueria Honorio is another local favorite. This trendy street stand serves up some of the tastiest breakfast tacos you’ll find. It is by far one of our favorite breakfast spots in tulum.
It also serves up a few local favorites like cochinita pibil, a slow-roasted pork dish served on fluffy handmade tortillas.
This eatery closes by 1:30 pm, so be sure to get there early if you don’t want to miss out on their tasty meals.
Loco Tulum
Price Range: $$
Area: Hotel Zone
If you’re keen on taking your taste buds on a culinary adventure, be sure to check out Loco Tulum. It’s one of the top restaurants in Tulum and serves up a wide range of Mediterranean-style dishes.
This unique spot is the genius creation of chef Idan Lifshitz, who has a unique way of combining flavors. This fusion of flavors ensures that Loco Tulum delivers an unforgettable culinary experience.
It’s safe to say that the restaurant has set itself apart in the area and has quickly become a favorite among travelers.
Antojitos La Chiapaneca
Price Range: $
Area: Tulum Center
If you love tacos, then Antojitos La Chiapaneca is the place for you. It serves up some of the best food in Tulum and is a favorite among locals. Their menu is fairly simple, but you’re guaranteed to walk away with a tasty and filling meal.
You can choose between al pastor (spit-grilled pork), chicken, or beef in either a taco or tortilla. Once your food comes to the table, you can make your way over to the center of the restaurant. There you’ll find sauces and condiments such as guacamole, onions, and lettuce to add to your taco.
The restaurant also has special Yucatecan snacks like salbutes and panuchos (deep-fried tortillas with various fillings).
Note: The restaurant is only open for dinner and has vegetarian options as well.
Wild Tulum
Price Range : $$$
Area: Tulum-Boca
Wild Tulum is nestled in the Mayan jungle and honors the area’s diverse landscape through its food. It serves up a variety of international dishes with a Mexican twist.
The restaurant uses the best produce sourced from local producers and farmers. Their menu features an assortment of meats, seafood, and local vegetables. The ingredients are all then cooked in a wood fire oven and grill.
Thirsty? Wild Tulum also has a great cocktail bar that boasts the largest selection of premium spirits in Tulum. It also has a wonderful signature cocktail menu and uses fresh juices, homemade syrups, and purees.
Campanella Cremerie
Price Range: $
Area: Tulum Center
Craving something sweet? Be sure to head over to Campanella Cremerie. This Mexican-Italian cafe serves up some of the best coffee, creamy gelato, scrumptious sundaes, and tasty waffles.
They also serve a range of delicious pies with flavors such as Argentine caramel, lemon and toasted coconut, and Sicilian pistachio.
If you’re not too keen to dive into one of their delicious desserts, they also have a juice bar and an assortment of savory sandwiches.
The Real Coconut at Sanara
Price Range: $$-$$$
Area: Hotel Zone
If you’re looking for a restaurant that focuses on health and wellness, The Real Coconut is the perfect place.
Their menu is entirely plant-based, gluten, and dairy-free. Here you’ll find breakfast dishes like their nourishing bowls of coconut yoghurt and famous coconut-cassava chips.
They also have a tasty lunch, and dinner menu, along with some sweet desserts and cocktails.
Posada Margherita
Price Range: $$$$
Area: Hotel Zone
Posada Margherita is one of the best restaurants in the Tulum hotel zone. It’s one of the most iconic Italian eateries in the area.
It is located on the beach and is part of the Posada Margherita Boutique Hotel. You can indulge in their freshly made plates of pasta or pizza while you take in views of the incredible Caribbean Sea.
They also have a fine selection of perfectly grilled meat and seafood dishes. What would an Italian restaurant be without some gelato? Try one of their creamy gelatos made from coconuts picked on the hotel’s very own coconut trees.
Arca
Price Range: $$-$$$
Area: Hotel Zone
If you’re looking for an authentic Tulum experience, you don’t want to miss out on the chance to dine at Arca. This micro-seasonal restaurant is the baby of Mexican-American chef Jose Luis Hinostroza.
He spent years creating dishes that honor the local people and their ancient traditions while adding bold and explosive flavors to his food.
Open-fire cooking is an essential part of the restaurant and gives the food earthy and rustic flavors. Don’t miss the chefs grilled octopus in the flavorful recaudo negro marinade. It’s said to be the best in Tulum.
Gitano
Price Range: $$-$$$
Area: Hotel Zone
Gitano spoils their guests with a choice of three restaurants. Gitano Jungle is a modern restaurant located in the Mayan jungle opposite Tulum Beach. Then they also have Gitano Beach, which is a restaurant and beach club inside Tulum National Park.
And last but not least, they have the Meze Tulum, an Aegean-themed taverna next to the Gitano Jungle.
Their food is a mix of Mediterranean, Mexican, and American food, so there’s something for everyone. If you’re looking to try some inventive cocktails, Gitano is the place to be.
Verdant
Price Range: $$-$$$
Area: La Veleta, just outside the Tulum Center
If you’re looking for a restaurant that supports sustainability, then be sure to check out Verdant. This restaurant serves up Mexican food prepared with French techniques. Verdant uses the freshest local ingredients straight from their rooftop herb and vegetable garden.
Their menu is constantly changing and you might find dishes like delicious Caribbean prawns poached in seawater or grouper fish with corn. They also have an extensive vegan and vegetarian menu.
Dona Paty Tacos de Guisado
Price Range: $
Area: Tulum Center
Ready to satisfy your taco craving? Don’t forget to add Dona Paty to your list of places to check out.
A local, Dona Paty serves up some of the best lunch in Tulum with many locals and tourists flocking to her restaurant. Not only does she prepare tacos that are absolutely to die for, but she also serves guisado, a Mexican stew served alongside corn tortillas.
You’ll find a selection of 10 guisados which include chicken meatballs with salsa, smoky pork and ham and cheese croquettes. She also changes her menu daily, so be prepared for some tasty varieties.
If you can’t wait for lunch, Dona Paty also has you covered as she serves up traditional Mexican breakfasts like chilaquiles, huevos a la mexican and even fluffy pancakes.
Safari Comedor Zama
Price Range: $$-$$$
Area: Aldea Zama, just outside Tulum Center .
For a true Mexican hospitality experience, head over to Safari Comedor Zama. The restaurant is inspired by a classic Yucatan house and combines flavors and cooking techniques from across the Yucatan Peninsula.
You can enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner here. Try their Mexican avocado on toast, although it may not be for everyone. It’s a grilled avocado dish served on a tortilla and paired with homemade salsa.
Rosa Negra Tulum
Price Range: $$$$
Area: Hotel Zone
Enjoy an evening out at one of Tulum’s best fine dining establishments- Rosa Negra. This restaurant pays tribute to Latin American culture and cuisine. Its eclectic menu serves up food from Peru, Argentina, Colombia, Brazil, and Mexico, of course.
Rosa Negra also has an extensive drinks menu that comprises over 300 bottles of wine from all over the world. Their artisan cocktails are also to die for, made from their signature infusions and natural ingredients.
Hartwood
Price Range: $$-$$$
Area: Hotel Zone
For an off-the-grid, open-air experience, check out the Hartwood restaurant – one the coolest Tulum beach restaurants (it’s just on the other side of the road from the playa). This is one of Tulum’s must try restaurants, thanks to their amazing menu that changes seasonally.
Its menu features freshly caught seafood such as Caribbean lobster, and fresh fruits and vegetables sourced from the local markets. These ingredients are carefully prepared by local cooks and chefs over a wood-fired grill.
Other Places to Eat in Tulum
Here are some more places for you to check out when you’re in Tulum:
Taqueria Don Beto
Price Range: $
Area: Tulum Center
For uncomplicated delicious Mexican food, head over to Taqueria Don Beto. This local hotspot serves up succulent slow roasted cochinita pibil and tacos that will melt in your mouth.
Sabor de Mar
Price Range: $$
Area: Tulum Center
If you’re a seafood lover, don’t forget to check out Sabor de Mar. This Sinaloan-style restaurant serves up the freshest seafood alongside aguachiles and tostadas mixtas.
Your taste buds will thank you.
Encanto Cantina
Price Range: $$
Area: Tulum Center
If you’re a fan of Mexican spirits, grab a seat at Encanto Cantina. They’ve also got a great menu with tacos, ceviche, and botanas to snack on while you sip on some of the best cocktails in Tulum.
Practical Tips and Map for Exploring the Best Tulum Restaurants
There are a few things that you should know before visiting Tulum, so let’s take a quick look at some practical tips before you start working your way through our Tulum restaurant map.
Some Restaurants Don’t Accept Credit Cards
Most restaurants in the hotel zone accept credit cards, but not all do. If you’re planning on eating in the town center, be sure to keep some Pesos with you.
Tipping is Customary
Although not mandatory, it is customary to tip in Tulum. A tip of between 10 and 20% of the bill is advisable.
Tulum Center Is Best If You’re On a Tight Budget
Let’s be real, eating out can be expensive, even in a country like Mexico. If you’re on a tight budget, your best bet is to eat in restaurants and bars in the Pueblo.
You can find a restaurant, street stall, or bar that caters to all kinds of tastes and budgets. Plus, it’s where all the locals eat, so the prices are quite attractive and affordable. You can get food and drinks for as little as 200 Pesos ($10) sometimes.
While Tulum food is relatively inexpensive, you’re still guaranteed a good-quality, delicious meal.