If you’re looking for an amazing culinary experience, look no further than Tulum, Mexico. In this blog post, we will take a look at some of the best restaurants in Tulum and explore the different areas of the town where you can find them. This beautiful town is home to some of the best restaurants in the country.
From street food to upscale dining, there is something for everyone in Tulum. We’ll also discuss the type of food each restaurant serves so that you can make an informed decision about where to eat during your visit.
One of the best things about Tulum is that there are so many different areas to explore. The town is divided into a few sections: the beach, the town center, La Valeta, Holistica, and the ruins.
Each area has its own unique character and charm. Tulum beach, also called the hotel zone, is home to many of the best restaurants in Tulum. If you’re looking for fresh seafood, this is the place to be. There are also a number of great street food options available here.
Tulum town center is a great place to find traditional Mexican cuisine. There are street tacos galore, and some excellent restaurants here that serve authentic local dishes.
If you dine at any combination of the following restaurants on your trip to Tulum, you will enjoy every bite.
Best Tulum Restaurants Near the Beach
The Tulum beach road or hotel zone is where you’ll find the majority of the best restaurants in Tulum. It’s a long stretch of beach, with hotels and restaurants on both sides of the road, some on the beach, and some in the jungle.
Hartwood
Can you call yourself a foodie if you haven’t heard of Heartwood? All cooking is done by live fire – grilled or in a wood oven. The menu changes daily, influenced by what is harvested from the land and sea. You might see ceviche and tostadas for appetizers and grilled fish or steak for a main course, but of course, nothing is ever the same. That creativity is part of the beauty of Hartwood, and what makes it one of the best restaurants in Tulum.
Sustainability is paramount at Hartwood, so everything is considered from fishing methods to composting all waste produced. The restaurant is off-grid, running everything needing power with solar.
In order to snag a spot at Hartwood, you can try to email the restaurant one month in advance. If you aren’t able to reserve, they have tables set aside for those that wait in line the morning of their dinner to be added to a waitlist.
Atila Tulum
Atilia is a jungle brasserie with a notable wine program. If you are interested in natural wine, orange wine, or just good wine in general, this is one of the Tulum restaurants you need to visit.
As a brasserie, the focus is on creating excellent sauce for the dishes, and you’ll find everything from hamachi crudo to a Japanese inspired pork belly sandwich.
Atila Tulum not only offers some great selections of wine, but pairs them with creative food for the whole package.
Arca Tulum
Arca is a great restaurant and bar located on the jungle side of beach road. Grilled octopus is a popular menu item around Tulum and they make it right at Arca. Plus, the atmosphere is cool and the cocktails are top notch.
The chef at Arca was a part of the team that put together Noma’s Mexico pop-up. Fresh ingredients are celebrated with the hallmark flavors of Mexican cuisine. Good times will be had at Arca, so put on your bug spray and head to the jungle.
Kitchen Table
Another popular upscale jungle restaurant, Kitchen Table’s concept is to have an open kitchen, and prepare seasonal, local, and organic food without pretension.
Kitchen Table is flexible with their menu, so some of the dishes can be made vegan if you prefer. Creative menu items include a crispy sushi rice cake and grilled cabbage to have alongside your freshly caught and grilled seafood dish.
The menu changes frequently to adjust to incoming fresh produce and seafood, but you’ll find live fire cooking, creative cocktails, and amazing service at Kitchen Table Tulum.
RosaNegra
RosaNegra is a Latin American restaurant off Tulum beach road that’s known for it’s impeccable service, electric energy, and most of all, Wagyu beef.
RosaNegra does not solely use local ingredients like other Tulum restaurants on this list. However, they are focused on using the highest-quality and freshest ingredients from their source countries. In fact, they are brought in daily.
Cocktails are artful, and DJs are creating a great vibe at RosaNegra. Since they are a beach club by day, the ambiance spills over to dinner. The Kobe and Wagyu beef options are stellar, and the wine list extensive. RosaNegra is popular foodie restaurant for special occasions or a nice dinner out in Tulum.
Maresias at BE Tulum
As I sat waiting to order my lunch one day at this beachfront grill, I watched a couple of guys carry a fresh haul in the from the sea, and spotted the lobster. That decided my fate for dinner, and I wasn’t disappointed.
Freshly caught lobster grilled over hot flames on the beach, with excellent cocktails to round it out. As a hotel restaurant, Maresias is on the pricier side, but well worth it. It’s casual with tables in the sand, but a perfect spot to hear the sound of the waves and enjoy your beach time in Tulum.
Best Restaurants in Tulum Town
Tulum Pueblo is where you’ll find street stalls, traditional restaurants and the some of the most authentic Mexican food.
Antojitos La Chiapaneca
A local gem, Antojitos La Chiapaneca is your spot for tacos, tortas and in Tulum town. It’s a simple menu where can choose from al pastor (yes), chicken, or beef in taco or torta format. They also offer tostados and a few other items, but you’ll want to try the al pastor tacos here. Antojitos La Chiapaneca is a great budget pick for your visit to Tulum centro.
Burrito Amor
Burrito Amor is a popular restaurant that sits on the main road in Tulum town. You might find it quite busy, but that just means the food will be good. You can order from a simple list of burritos and bowls, and they even have several breakfast burrito options. Burrito Amor is another good budget lunch option as well.
El Asadero
El Asadero is an upscale Argentinean restaurant and the best restaurant for a steak in Tulum town. The flank steak is their specialty menu item, but there are several cuts to choose from, or mixed platters for a group to share.
Cetli
Located a little out of the center of Tulum town to the north, Cetli only has a few tables. The chiles en nogada are a crowd favorite at this authentic Tulum restaurant.
It is an intimate hacienda setting with modern takes on traditional Mexican food – a special experience any foodie will appreciate.
Best Restaurants in Tulum Neighborhood La Veleta
La Veleta neighborhood is the rapidly developing area between Tulum town and the beach. With all the new villas and condos going in, some great restaurants are popping up. If you find yourself staying in a villa or luxury condo in Tulum, it’s likely going to be in La Veleta. Here are some great spots to try after a day at the beach.
Canova
Canova is a favorite restaurant among La Veleta residents as well as visitors. It’s an Italian restaurant with serving pizza alongside well composed plates like burrata with fresh cut tomato caprese, baccala, and crudo samplers.
Chiquilin Stew Tacos
Chiquilin is an incredibly authentic and unique street taco experience. They stew meat in clay pots and serve it on fresh homemade tortillas. It’s the ultimate comfort food. As a street vendor, the location and days they are open might change, but they are worth seeking out for this foodie experience.
Best Tacos in Tulum by Pepe
The name says it all – Best Pepe Tacos in La Veleta is serving up some of the best you can find. This street taco spot is popular for locals and visitors alike, and you’ll want to seek them out for a quick bite and remarkable tacos with various fillings. Watch out for the spicy salsa – it’s got a kick!
Delicious Food on a Budget
If you’re on a budget, there are many options for food, but they are mostly around downtown Tulum, since the hotel zone by the beach is more focused on tourists. Authentic tacos like al pastor tacos are everywhere in centro Tulum, so be sure to check the lists in La Veleta and Tulum town above for the top taco spots.
Fish Tacos
Fresh fish is obviously huge at the beach, so you’ll find lots of fish tacos around, if that’s what you love. In Tulum centro, you’ll see more al pastor, chicken and beef tacos because that is more traditional for the area. In my opinion, it’s best to try them all!
Visit Tulum from Playa Del Carmen
If you’re staying in Playa Del Carmen, you can still day trip to Tulum, since it is just down the road. There are beach clubs at Tulum beach, you can see some ruins, and there are plenty of great restaurants to make a completely fulfilling day trip. You might just find your favorite restaurant there.
FAQ
Does Tulum Mexico have good food?
Tulum, Mexico has some unbelievably delicious food. It has become a major tourist destination among city dwelling foodies, so restaurants have stepped up to meet their tastes. There are street tacos and Michelin level eateries, all of which should be sampled.
Are credit cards accepted in Tulum?
Credit cards are accepted at hotel restaurants and some upscale places in Tulum, but cash is still required at many restaurants. Best to keep some pesos on you. There are ATMs in the hotel beach zone.
What’s Next?
If you consider yourself a foodie, Tulum should be at the top of your list for vacation destinations. This growing Mexican town boasts some of the best restaurants in the world, offering innovative dishes made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients, and great beverage options – there’s even a natural wine bar.
From traditional Mexican cuisine to a variety of international flavors, Tulum has it all. And let’s not forget about the vibrant atmosphere – dining al fresco in the jungle is an experience unlike any other. So what are you waiting for? Plan your trip to Tulum and discover why it’s become a top destination for food lovers everywhere.