The Best Things to Do in Downtown Tulum
February 14, 2022
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March 1, 2022
Tulum is one of the best places to visit in Mexico, offering unique beaches, spectacular cenotes and watersports, breathtaking landscapes, and loads of things to do. But, the town also has a diverse and thriving food scene, which you can explore by visiting the best restaurants in Tulum.
If you’re looking for the top restaurants in Tulum, look no further. This guide has compiled the must-try spots in Tulum for a mouth-watering experience. Whether you’re a gastronome or are looking for excellent places to eat on your trip, these restaurants are for you.
How Much Do Restaurants in Tulum Cost
Before visiting restaurants for the best food in Tulum, you must consider how much you might spend on these locations. Most restaurants are close to your hotel and the beach, reducing transportation costs.
While there are a few affordable restaurants in Tulum, dining in the town is mostly expensive. New chefs from all over Mexico have set up or joined establishments in the city due to tourism, thereby increasing competition and prices.
Check out our Mexico travel guides too, from Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Cancun, and many more. Enjoy your trip!
Some advice for diners in Tulum
- Most restaurants in Tulum accept cash only, so come prepared. Some do accept USD, but it is a custom for many restaurants to only accept Mexican pesos. For praciticality, it is best to pay in pesos.
- Tipping is customary in this area, and the standard rate is 10-15%. However, always check your bill for the word “propina” to see if a tip has already been added before adding more money. And again, tip in the local currency to save your server time and money in converting their tip to pesos.
- For the best restaurants, look towards the Pueblo or Middle Beach Zone. The Pueblo has more authentic and affordable options while the Middle Beach Zone has more chic, upscale restaurants. Most of the beach zone restaurants are located on the jungle side of the road with outdoor seating.
- Bring a mosquito repellant if you are dining out al fresco. Better be prepared for those blood-hungry mosquitos.
Areas for Top Restaurants in Tulum
When looking for the best places to eat in Tulum, it helps to check out specific areas in the town where these restaurants are gathered.
Tulum Pueblo, or Downtown Tulum, is the top neighborhood to eat in the town. It offers fantastic restaurant options for all budgets. From authentic restaurants and bars to nightclubs and even street festivals, this neighborhood provides a great food experience.
Centro is another one of the best places to eat in Tulum. Although jungles surround the outskirts, you can enjoy funky and eclectic dining options. You can look out for creativity alongside delicious foods.
Zona Hotelera is the best area in Tulum to check out for expensive dining options. Many of the best Tulum restaurants on the beach are in this area. It is divided into three regions. The Middle area has beach clubs, nightlife, and restaurants, while the North offers more serene and romantic places to eat. Then, the South area has family-friendly restaurants by the beach.
25 Best Restaurants in Tulum
Ka’an Tulum
At the top of our list is Ka’an Tulum, located in Sian Ka’an. It is about two miles into the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, making it the perfect spot to have lunch after checking out the nature and marine section. The restaurant has a gorgeous lagoon on one side and the Caribbean Sea on the other.
The restaurant menu is inspired by Mayan people and offers a picturesque scene you can enjoy while eating your meal. The best place to eat is under the cool shade of palm trees. All the chefs at Ka’an Tulum work closely with the farmers and fishermen.
El Camello Jr
If you’re planning to eat downtown, El Camello Jr is one of the best places to eat in Tulum. The seafood restaurant offers delicious meals that locals and tourists will enjoy. Although there is an extensive menu of fish and other kinds of seafood, they specialize in delicious ceviche.
It is located on the roadside and bustles with people throughout the day. You can expect to see a lot of people at this popular restaurant. Also, the food is affordable, and the restaurant serves its food in giant portions.
Cetli
Cetli is known for the famous chef Claudia Perez Rivas, who makes moles and different regional dishes from Mexico. This restaurant stands out because the dishes are made in the older style of Mexican haute cuisine, making this a rare treat during your stay.
There’s so much on the menu to order, from the chiles en nogada, which is a Pueblan classic, to the rolled chicken breast stuffed with local chaya. Plus, you can admire the Mexican folk art hanging on the walls and purchase some mole paste to take back home.
Aca Tacos de Canasta
Another fantastic spot for tacos in Tulum is Aca Tacos de Canasta. The taco stand is located on Avenida Satellite, among the different street vendors. You can quickly identify it by the bright yellow banner, bamboo tiki bars, and tan beach umbrella.
This is the perfect restaurant in Tulum for a mid-morning snack. If you visit, you should get tacos de canasta and steamed tacos filled with scrambled eggs. It is usually served with spinach-like chaya, chicharron prensado, and red mole with chicken. Order with a bottle of freshly squeezed juice before shopping in downtown Tulum.
Antojitos La Chiapaneca
La Chiapaneca means Chiapan and is another one of the top restaurants in Tulum. It specializes in antojitos like panuchos and Yucatan-style tacos de al pastor. You can also get salbutes, a slightly puffed fried tortilla topped with vegetables and chicken in recaudo rojo.
If you’re unsure of what to choose, the gringa is always a good choice. This consists of al pastor with melted cheese in a flour tortilla. The restaurant also offers vegetarian options.
Encanto Cantina
Check out this downtown bar, famous for its captivating backyard garden, and enjoy an authentic Mexican nightlife experience. Visit this place in the evening to relax in their outdoor backyard space with your friends. The Encanto Cantina is known for its Mexican spirits, like the raicilla, mezcal, pox, and sotol.
Aside from alcoholic drinks, the menu features a lot of tacos, botanas, and ceviches. You can also go for their cocktails that combine different spirits and alcoholic beverages. If you’re unsure what to get, you can order a mezcal flight instead.
Dona Paty Tacos de Guisado
If you want to satisfy your taco craving while on vacation, you should add Dona Paty to the list of best restaurants in Tulum. You can get your lunch at this local restaurant, which is popular among tourists and locals. But if you can’t wait for lunch, the restaurant also offers traditional Mexican breakfast.
Aside from tacos, Dona Paty also offers guisado, a Mexican stew that you can enjoy with corn tortillas. Remember that the menu changes daily, so you can expect variety when you visit. The guisados can include chicken meatballs, ham, and pork or cheese croquettes.
Taqueria Honorio
You should also check out Taqueria Honorio in Tulum, a trendy street stand that has become a viral sensation among tourists. The restaurant offers a series of delicious dishes from the Mayan cuisine and usually has a crowd of people waiting to get food and snacks.
You can look for the tacos de cochinita pibil, roasted marinated pork, Yucatan-style tortas de lechon, suckling pig, and relleno negro de pavo, marinated turkey. When approaching the food stand, you can already smell the flavors and colors of the Yucatan.
Campanella Cremerie
One of the best cafes in Tulum is the Campanella Cremerie, known for its delicious gelato. You should also look for their waffles and coffee made with Veracruz beans. The cafe is ideal for those with a sweet tooth, with delicious desserts like a lemon pie with toasted coconut, Argentine caramel, and Sicilian pistachio.
The cafe features a juice bar, and you can visit to have paninis for lunch. It’s the perfect place to visit for a pick-me-up in the afternoon before exploring the town. Before returning to your hotel, you can also stop by for a gelato in the evening.
Loco Tulum
Located in the Hotel Zone, Loco Tulum will take your taste buds on a culinary adventure. It’s one of the best restaurants in Tulum, with a menu of Mediterranean-style dishes. The restaurant is famous for chef Idan Lifshitz, popular for combining flavors to give you delicious meals.
The fusion of flavors at Loco Tulum is what gives you a fantastic experience. The restaurant has quickly become one of the most popular among tourists in the area.
Wild Tulum
WIld Tulum is one of the high-end restaurants in Tulum, located comfortably in the Mayan jungle. This is a combination of the area’s gorgeous landscape and delicious food. Here, you can get different kinds of international dishes, all with a hint of Mexican inspiration.
Wild Tulum’s food is sourced from local farmers and producers. Here, you can order different kinds of meat, seafood, and local vegetables cooked in a wood fire oven and grill. There is also an impressive cocktail bar, primarily known for its premium spirits.
The Real Coconut at Sanara
If you’re looking for a restaurant focused on health and wellness, The Real Coconut at Sanara is the ideal choice. The restaurant’s menu is entirely plant-based, dairy-free, and gluten-free. It is located in the Hotel Zone.
You can drop by for their delicious breakfast dishes like the coconut cassava chips and the bowls of coconut yogurt. The restaurant also has a delicious lunch and dinner menu, sweet desserts, and cocktails.
Arca
Arca is one of the top restaurants in Tulum, offering an authentic Tulum experience. Mexican-American chef Jose Luis Hinostroza heads this micro-seasonal restaurant. He spent years curating dishes to honor the local people in Tulum but combines this with bold flavors.
An essential part of the restaurant is the open-fire cooking, giving the food rustic and earthy flavors. If you visit, you shouldn’t miss out on the grilled octopus in the recaudo negro marinade, giving you an explosion of flavors. Locals say it’s the best in Tulum.
Posada Margherita
One of the best restaurants in the Tulum Hotel Zone is the Posada Margherita which is the perfect place to visit if you want an Italian meal. It’s among the top Tulum restaurants on the beach and is a part of the Posada Margherita Boutique Hotel.
You can enjoy their freshly made plates of pizza and pasta and take in the gorgeous views of the Caribbean Sea during your meal. They have a delicious selection of seafood dishes and grilled meat. Plus, you can get their creamy gelatos in true Italian restaurant fashion. If you’re unsure what to get, try out their delicious gelatos made from coconuts picked on the hotel’s coconut trees.
Gitano
Gitano consists of three restaurants depending on the theme you’re looking for. The Gitano Jungle is a modern restaurant and is one of the top Tulum restaurants by the beach, located in the Mayan jungle. You can also visit the Meze Tulum, an Aegean-themed taverna beside the Gitano Jungle.
You can also visit Gitano Beach, a restaurant and beach club located inside the Tulum National Park. The restaurant has a mix of American, Mediterranean, and Mexican food, so there’s something for the whole group. Gitano is also famous for its inventive cocktails.
Taqueria Don Beto
You should also check out Taqueria Don Beto, a local hotspot serving uncomplicated, delicious Mexican food. It’s the perfect no-frills restaurant, offering delicious tortas and tacos in the downtown area.
Their delicious tacos will melt in your mouth and are known for the succulent, slow-roasted cochinita pibil. You can have their food in the open seating at the side of the road, and you’ll be greeted first by the aroma of freshly made corn tortillas.
Safari Comedor Zama
If you’re looking for the best restaurants in Tulum just outside the Tulum Center, Safari Comedor Zama is a good option. The restaurant offers an authentic Mexican hospitality experience inspired by a classic Yucatan house. It also combines cooking techniques and flavors from across the Yucatan Peninsula.
Safari Comedor Zama serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. One of their most popular dishes is the Mexican avocado on toast. This is a grilled avocado dish served on a tortilla with homemade salsa. Although this might not be for everyone, it’s worth trying out.
El Tabano
For Mexican, Latin, and Central American food, you should try out El Tabano. The quaint eatery is located in Zona Hotelera and offers wooden tables and a patio where you can enjoy eating. It is designed like a hut, with the menu written on chalkboards for everyone to see. The dishes at El Tabono are Mexican with a contemporary twist.
Also, the local specials and seasonal foods change frequently, so you never know what to expect when you visit. Try out the enchiladas and moles, and feel relaxed in the eclectic atmosphere of the restaurant.
Verdant
Located just outside the Tulum Center, Verdant is a popular restaurant that supports sustainability. The restaurant offers a Mexican menu, but they are prepared using French techniques, so you know it will be unique.
The food is made with the freshest local ingredients directly from the herb and vegetable garden on the restaurant’s roof. The menu at Verdant is constantly changing but look for foods like grouper fish with corn and Caribbean prawns poached in seawater. They also have an extensive vegan and vegetarian menu.
Sabor de Mar
Visit Sabor de Mar for a taste of Mexican seafood in Tulum. This Sinaloa-style mariscos restaurant is located downtown, with a wide range of foods on its menu. You can try out their Mexican seafood towers, aguachiles, and tostadas mixtas covered in seafood and fresh fish.
The Mexican seafood towers include layers of diced vegetables, avocado fans, and seafood dipped in lime juice and rich sauces. They are decoratively stacked too.
Mi Amor
If you’re staying at this boutique hotel on the beach, you can check out this Mediterranean a la Mexicana restaurant by chef Paul Bentley. The restaurant overlooks the ocean and will give you a fantastic view.
You can check out lunch options like fresh shrimp tagliatelle, juicy burgers, and tacos. As for dinner, look out for braised octopus over squid ink garganelli, New York steak, or tuna crudo.
Rincon de Jade
If you’ve been visiting international restaurants in Mexico, you might forget what an authentic Tulum experience feels like. Rincon de Jade will remind you, offering local gastronomy like albondigas with fideos.
Other foods you can get include dark stew blackened by recaudo negro with hard-boiled egg and chicken, rich pork and bean stew with epazote, chirmole de pollo, and frijol con puerco. If you’ve spent a night in Tulum, you can stop by Rincon de Jade for their mondongo.
Hartwood
Among the best Tulum restaurants on the beach, Hartwood is a fantastic option. It offers an off-the-grid experience, and you can enjoy their delicious meals in the open sky. It’s located on the other side of the road from the Playa. The menu changes seasonally, and it is one of the must-try restaurants in Tulum.
The menu includes freshly caught seafood, so you should look out for their Caribbean lobster. They also add fresh vegetables and fruits from local markets. Local chefs under a wood-fired grill prepare all the ingredients.
Rosa Negra
The Rosa Negra Tulum is one of the finest dining establishments in Tulum, so it’s the perfect place to visit when you want a fancy restaurant. This also means that it’s a bit pricey. The restaurant is inspired by Latin American culture and cuisine from Mexico, Peru, Brazil, Argentina, and Colombia.
Aside from their Latin American food, Rosa Negra also has an extensive drinks menu, consisting of over 300 bottles of wine from around the world. They also make fantastic artisan cocktails with natural ingredients and signature infusions.
Humo
Rounding up our list is Humo, serving contemporary Mexican food in downtown Tulum. The restaurant combines a restaurant with bioarchitecture and a Mayan garden and is family-friendly.
The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner and is designed with a domed bamboo structure. You can relax in the low seating lounge areas with many pillows or sit on the traditional tables instead. Vegan menu options are also available.
Get the Most of Tulum’s Food Scene
Whether you’re looking for authentic Tulum food, food stalls, contemporary food, or international dishes from renowned chefs, Tulum has it all for you. Our best restaurants in Tulum offer a fantastic experience with a great vibe and delicious options.
