Top restaurants in Tulum you should try in 2022

Restaurants in Tulum

Top restaurants in Tulum you should try in 2022

Tulum Foodies

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Tulum Food

Tulum is a paradise for food lovers. If you find yourself craving for exotic flavors and healthy food, your taste buds will be in for a treat when you head to restaurants inTulum.

The scenic paradise is easily accessible, just an hour and a half drive south from Cancún along the coast of the Yucatán Peninsula. Bohemian hotels and restaurants along the palm tree-lined hotel zone ran on generators and solar power. The restaurant scene in Tulum keeps diversifying and  Tulum’s culinary competition is as fierce as ever, with chefs cooking at the top of their game. Indigenous ingredients, pib (in-ground pit) cooking, and new ancestral spirits like pox (which joins small-production mezcals behind the bar) make this once-sleepy beach town Mexico’s hottest trend-setting destination.

So, if you are wondering where to eat in Tulum, on this list of Tulum dining spots you’ll find a mix of traditional Mexican dishes, fancy dining options, and hipster eateries of all kind among the best restaurants in Tulum.

Tulum Dining – Tips & Advice

  • Cash: Most restaurants in Tulum accept cash only, even the most rated and fine dining restaurants. Many of them accept U.S. dollars, but it is more convenient for them and for you to pay in Mexican pesos, you will get the best rates and won´t overpay if using dollars. Many restaurants in Tulum that do allow credit cards charge an additional 3% surcharge.
  • Tipping: Tipping is part of the custom in Mexico, about 10 to 15% is the standard rate. Sometime, it is included in the bill, so check for the word “propina” (meaning tip) to see if it has already been added to the bill. If so, add the necessary amount to bring the propina total up to 10 to 15%. Tipping in pesos is best, so the staff don’t have to pay a bank to exchange it into pesos.
  • Most of Tulum’s best restaurants are in the Pueblo or Middle Beach Zone. The Pueblo has more authentic, affordable restaurants, while the Middle Beach Zone has more chic, upscale spots. Most restaurants in Tulum in the beach zones are on the jungle side of the road with outdoor seating.

Tripadvisor retaurants in Tulum

Loco Tulum

Everything in Loco Tulum’s seasonal tasting Tulum menu was designed to puzzle, amuse and amaze you. The best and most friendly staff in Tulum, good quality food and drinks. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner are served in a very relax and chilled vibes, affordable prices and friendly staff, making the place the top ranked restaurants in Tulum by Tripadvisor.

Chamicos

A locals’ secret about 25-minute drive north from town, nested in Soliman Bay. This entirely unfussy beach club lawn furniture and offers up massive range of cheap, super-fresh, locally caught mariscos, some prepped over a wood-fired grill. After the meal, grab a crisp, icy Corona, and take a siesta in one of the scattered hammocks.

Clan Destino

Amazing hamburger restaurant in Tulum built around a private cenote in the jungle. Burgers come with meat or veggie patties, while the bar serves classic cocktails and cold beer. With the cenote, the place is like a legendary spot to be. Very casual atmosphere and always filled with music, whether from the jukebox, karaoke, or live bands. Open from noon until 5:00 in the morning. Cash only.

Gitano

If you’re looking for subtitle gastronomy and creative cocktails, head to Gitano. The lush outdoor lounge creates an enchantingfeeling with magical twinkling lights, making it the ideal place to eat in Tulum. They offer a full menu of fresh, modern Mexican plates like basil guacamole and truffle mushroom tacos, but what everyone is really here for is the bar’s fruit-forward cocktails — most of which incorporate Mexico’s signature smoky spirit, mezcal.

Safari

Rustic, Yucatecan-Mexican cuisine prepared in a retro-chic Airstream trailer, and cooked campfire-style over an outdoor fire pit. The menu is small and simple, pairing well with Mexican craft beer, fancy cocktails, and house-made aguas frescas. The beach zone is the original location, open for lunch and dinner, cash only, with outdoor seating in the jungle. Aldea Zama is the newer location, with indoor seating (the food is still flame-cooked), breakfast available, and accepting credit cards.

El Camello

One of the best seafood restaurants in Tulum. Located in Tulum town, it is the perfect place to mix up with local and eat delicious “ceviches” and fresh fish. The prices are more than reasonnable and even if the place gets very crownded, you will for sure spend  a great time there and enjoy the food!

Vegan Restaurants in Tulum

Raw Love

Vegan, raw food restaurant on the beach with a sandy floor, hammocks, and bohemian relaxed style. Gluten-free superfoods is the concept of the menu, while standout dishes include the raw pah thai and the açai bowl. Find them in Ahau Tulum hotel. Cash only.

Del Cielo

DelCielo is one of the best places for brunch and breakfast in Tulum. If you are looking for tasty and healthy options, here you’ll find anything from avocado toast, poached eggs, gluten free pancakes, and Mexican dishes such as rancheros eggs and chilaquiles. They have specific vegetarian and vegan options available on the menu but other items can also be veganized upon request. DelCielo has the perfect bistro tropical feel in a tropical paradise.

Best tacos in Tulum

Taqueria Honoria

Serving the best breakfast tacos, this Tulum restaurant can be found about a 10-minute drive from the hotel zone, a makeshift place with serious cochinita pibil — a fragrant regional Yucatán pork dish that’s slow-cooked with orange, achiote, and other spices like cumin, cinnamon, and allspice. In plain view, cooks throw wads of masa onto flattops, yielding thick, rustic tacos which they slap with proteins (pork or beef). Remember that this is a breakfast spot, and the day is done at 1:30 p.m.

Antojitos la Chiapaneca

Antojitos la Chiapaneca is the best when it comes to grilled al pastor shawarma tacos. They deserve it, especially as they cost only 8 pesos (US $ 0.40) each. But don’t go there before you’ve been to El Carboncito.  The chefs cook with cook shawarma meat with carbon, then fry the meat shavings for added crunchiness. At 65 pesos for an order from al pastor, it may seem more expensive than La Chiapaneca, but Chris managed to make eight generously meat-filled tacos from that order, so it turned out to be roughly the same price.

Tulum Dining

Casa Jaguar

Rustic wood-fired proteins and veggies, along with ceviches and salads, are the signature food at Casa Jaguar, a restaurant and bar with a jungle atmosphere. Another bohemian-chic number, Casa Jaguar is prime grounds for pre- or post-dinner drinks. Just grab a stool and one of the house-special cocktails, or create a custom adventure by selecting ingredients displayed on the bar. A must visit among the restaurants in Tulum.

Rosa Negra

Rosa Negra is a must for dinner during your stay in Tulum. Everything, as soon as you enter,  has a bit of a wow-factor — from the Latin American flavors to the creatively presented cocktails and large portion sizes. Fanous to host birthdays, events and weddings.

Hartwood Tulum

Hartwood restaurant in Tulum is THE off-the-grid and sustainable restaurant that specializes in organic dishes, all made with fresh and local ingredients. The chef uses whatever local produce he can find, which is why the menu changes daily. They say this is where to go to find the best food in Tulum, period – however, it won’t be easy finding a spot. Prices at Hartwood aren’t low, but worth it.

Best Brunch in Tulum

Tunich

The best brunch in the beach zone. Tunich offers a hearty menu of Mexican and international favorites, from chilaquiles to eggs benedict, with friendly faces and a relaxed vibe. All day brunch from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Cash only.

Cafe Hunab Ku

A tiny cafe with all outdoor seating that serves breakfast and lunch in addition to coffee and smoothies. Family-run place with vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options. Very friendly service, tasty beverages, and super reasonable prices considering that it’s Tulum.

Alma Tulum Restaurant

Beautiful boutique hotel with amazing service from the front desk operators to the restaurant staff. A fusion between Mexican and Italian food that will delights your tastes. Vegeterian friendly and awesome full brunch for lazy mornings!

The most instagrammable restaurants in Tulum

Literally everything in Tulum is the most instagrammable thing in the world. It’s like someone’s Boho Pinterest board has exploded all over the jungle. Some restaurants and cafes in particular are photogenic out of this world.

Match Mama is the cutest little smoothie store. They have delicious smoothies, smoothie bowls, matcha latte, and other beautifully presented snacks. The best part are the swings for the seats, the thatched roof, and the colorful signs.

Raw Love is a raw vegan restaurant tucked away in a small, quiet and suggestive hideaway. You can see the sign for this from a white teepee along the path to the beach, then cross the road to the beach and follow a sandy walk or ask someone. All the food is great whether you are there for breakfast, lunch, or just a snack with a bowl of smoothie. And whether you are a vegan or not, it is good to relax in hammocks to eat.

Kin Toh is definitely on the top of the budget, but if you want to splurge there is no better place for great Instagram photos. It’s the hotel’s stylish hilltop restaurant that is causing a stir on Instagram, Azulik. It’s really out of this world. There are no words. I highly recommend booking early enough to be able to see it in daylight. So come about 30-60 minutes early to walk around and take pictures.

Posada Margherita is a rustic chic Italian restaurant, but also a hotel and a nice shop. It has a fun atmosphere and much loved food.

Philosophy has become super trendy and the whole hotel is great for photos. And the fact that this is one of Pablo Escobar’s homes makes it a lot more intriguing.

Papaya Playa Project is a creative commune that includes eclectic hotel rooms, restaurants, and a beach club. They also have crazy treehouse style huts for rent.

Coco Tulum’s white swings and string lights look stunning with the turquoise sea as a backdrop.

Nômade is a hotel but it has two holistic and fresh restaurants. Dine on the beach sitting on cushions or cushions, it almost has a Moroccan feel.

Bolas de Postre I Scream Bar is just Casa Jaguar. It features the most bizarre “ceiling” made from turquoise vehicle parts. At least I think that’s what I am. They have vegan ice cream and are also a popular night bar. Out front is the cutest turquoise tuk tuk, although I think this thing is moving as I saw its photos with different backgrounds.

Even if you’re staying in Cancun, Playa del Carmen, or the Riviera Maya, a day trip to Tulum is always a great idea. Or if you are going on a road trip (great choice), make sure to include Tulum in your Yucatan itinerary and enjoy various taste of the restaurants in Tulum.
So, why not stick around a few extra hours to enjoy the incredible foodie scene in Tulum and visit a few secret spots such as the Sian Ka´an Biosphere or Coba Ruins?

Search directly on the Tulum directory to find everything you need in Tulum.

Book your trip

Are you ready to book your trip?  .Here are the websites you can use to book your trip, get inspired with the best things to do in your destinations and travel smarter.

  • Kiwi.com– A great website to book your flights. It has good airfares but you need to search regulaly as the prices are constantly changing
  • Booking.com – The best website to book your accommodation, you can book and cancel free up until a certain point, especially when your plans are forever changing. It’s easy to use and has one of the widest selections. 
  • Airbnb – You can get some really nice places to stay here. If you don’t have an account and you click on this link then you will get $36 off your first booking.
  • Hotel.com – Huge choice of hotels with  free cancellation up until a certain point. It’s easy to use and has one of the widest selections. 
  • Agoda – Agoda is very good if you are searching hotels, resorts, houses. They always have attractive promotions.  
  • Xcaret Group – Xcaret Group is the most famous theme park in the Riviera Maya. If you visit Cancun, check their prices here to get good discounts.
  • Viator – If you need to find inspiration about things to do in Cozumel, check on Viator to see the tours they offer for diving and other activities
  • Rental Cars – Looking to rent a. car while you are away? I always book through Rental Cars as they do a search of all of the big sites and find the best deals. 
  • Yacht Rental – If you are thinking of spending time in a paradise beach destination with friends or family, this is a good option to enjoy the beach life.
  • Sailing Trip – For cruising holidays, book a sailing trip, they have many trip destinations, lehghts and standing.
  • Dive the World – If you are a diver, book a diving trip with them. They have dive packages everywhere in the world with very attractive prices.

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