Trying local food is one of the best ways to get to know a place and the Tulum restaurant scene is one of our absolute favorites. Due to its international influence, and health conscious visitors Tulum has an amazing food scene! Locally sourced ingredients and recipes which can be enjoyed by herbivores and carnivores alike truly make Tulum a dining destination! Because there are two distinct areas in Tulum (read more about that here) the cost of living ranges like nowhere else! We’ve indicated price on a scale of $-$$$.
Tulum Restaurant Guide- Beach area
Breakfast
Zamas Tulum $$
We had breakfast at Zamas and it was pretty good. Most breakfast menus in the beach area are similar so this was a random choice. I can never justify ordering avocado toast at restaurants just like I can’t justify ordering a grilled cheese because it is something I can make at home that is likely better. But even I was a sucker for the avocado and goat cheese toast at Zamas. Insider Tip: add an egg on top, it seals the deal. This toast pairs well with fresh coconut water straight out of the coconut! Grant had granola and a yummy fresh squeezed juice. Oh, did I mention you’re on the sand and the view is phenomenal?
Matcha Mama $$
Matcha Mama is an adorable little beach shack with swings for chairs and all of the acai, kombucha, juice, and of course matcha! We are obsessed with acai bowls and from Brazil to San Diego we’ve had some amazing ones. We were super excited to try this one but we ended up being a little disappointed with the acai quality and the price.
Lunch
Taqueria La Eufemia $
La Eufemia is our favorite beach restaurant in Tulum. Enjoy a caguama and a pineapple pastor taco while watching the waves crash on the beach and listening to a Kygo and rap soundtrack. The tacos are $1 USD and are delicious. The caguamas are 40 oz beers which are weirdly cheaper than buying 2 regular beers! The best part is their extensive salsa and toppings bar. Pile on the cilantro, salsa, and limes. This is one of the few spots on the beach where you can lounge on daybeds without being a hotel guest. They are first come, first serve and they don’t care if you stay all day. If you are lucky you may catch a glimpse of Eufemia herself, a very shaggy, sandy doodle type dog.
Dinner
Hartwood $$$
Synonymous with the Tulum fine dining scene, Hartwood is highly rated eatery. It is a foodie heaven with fresh locally sourced ingredients paired with flavorful libations. It is pretty upscale and reservations are hard to come by but the atmosphere is perfect and the food is delicious. Grant thought it was overrated and I thought it was as expected but it definitely isn’t cheap. We didn’t skimp on ordering but we spent an easy $100 USD. Honestly, if I didn’t know I could get life-changing 70 cent tacos 3 miles away, I may have liked it more.
Simple $$$
We’ve visited Simple every time we’ve been to Tulum. On our most recent trip we stayed in the cabins behind the restaurant. We found them on airbnb here. Staying at Simple made us love it even more. The staff is the best! Go for happy hour to get 2 for 1 cocktails. We especially love the mussels and the shared seafood platter. This open air seafood restaurant is effortlessly trendy and my favorite part: their fresh catch displayed under a “good vibes” sign.
Cenzontle $$$
Don’t worry if the pronunciation has you intimidated, it also goes by Jardin Secreto (or secret garden.) We went here for a date night while staying at the beach. Try the stuffed peppers and the octopus tapas. The décor is very charming with lots of candles, mismatched antique tables, and chandeliers, all in the jungle of course! They also recently opened a new bar a few doors down, Cortázar, which is great for a pre-dinner drink. Read more about our favorite Tulum drinks and nightlife here.
Habitas $$$
Habitas is a fairly newer hotel at the end of the beach road with a extremely upscale glamping vibe. We randomly found their restaurant while walking to the beach and loved it so much we returned the following week with a friend! They have delicious juices and a Mediterranean hummus appetizer that is a real treat. The best part is the ambiance. The first night we dined on the sand in a romantic honeymoon-esque setup which we were very underdressed for! During our second visit we sat in the restaurant atop comfy floor pillows.
The House $$
This sushi spot by Casa Iguana is brand new. They have some very unique rolls and mezcal flavors. The staff is super friendly and the atmosphere is quaint.
Nau $
While this spot across from I Scream Bar sells tacos, Mayan food is their specialty. They use slow roasting techniques and ancient ingredients.
Dessert
Origami $$
Frozen treats are always a hit at the beach and this gourmet gelato is no exception. The flavors are delicious and range from chocolate cardamom to coconut. The modern décor, wifi, and location make it a desirable place to hang out.
Tulum Restaurant Guide- Pueblo
Breakfast
Ki’Bok $
Ki’Bok is a quite coffee shop with a back patio and lots of seating. The drinks are yummy but they are a little small for the price. They recently opened their alcohol serving counterpart, Ki’Bok At Night. It is a late night rooftop. Read more about it here in our nightlife guide.
Del Cielo $$
We had breakfast at this delicious Pueblo establishment while we worked one morning. The wifi was great and the menu had everything from Mexican classics to lox and avocado toast.
Lunch
Taqueria Honorio $
This Pueblo lunch only establishment has delicious cheap tacos. It’s a hole in the wall where everyone speaks Spanish but that is its charm. Order the conchita tacos and cover them with all the sauces available. The best part: They are literally less than $1 USD. Pair with a jamaica agua fresca and enjoy!
El Rincon Chiapaneco $
We’re suckers for cheap Mexican so we had a good feeling about Rincon Chiapaneco right away. It is local, cheap, and delicious! We tried a few different things but the chile relleno is the best by far, a must try!
Sabor de Mar $
This seafood spot, located beside Rincon Chiapaneca, is great for lunch. Try the towering seafood tostadas and cucumber drink.
Tamales $
We stopped by this cheap tamale stand for lunch one day. They were less than $1 USD and super yummy. I’m pretty sure they were made with lard but take an ignorance is bliss approach and try them anyways.
Co Con Amor $$
As a Mexican health food mecca, Tulum has several options when it comes to superfoods and Co Con Amor is one of the best! The restaurant is completely outside with tables, couches, and lots of lounging areas. It even has a little organic store in the back. The wifi is pretty good too making it one of the best places to work in Tulum. Check out our list of digital nomad workspaces here.
Dinner
El Camello Jr $
Ask any local their favorite restaurant in Tulum and 90% of them will say El Camello. The ceviche is so great, but you can’t go wrong with any seafood dish. Per usual in Mexico, the price is right too.
Burrito Amor $$
Yep, burrito love, they nailed it. We eat burritos once a week so we came in critical and left impressed! They have a variety of awesome sauces but the burritos don’t even need it! Bonus: There are lots of health conscious options. Grant had a vegan burrito and I had vegetarian; both were SO YUMMY! The look and feel of the restaurant is as good as the food. The atmosphere is super trendy, similar to those by the beach but this one is right in Pueblo.
Umi Sushi $$
Per usual in Tulum the sushi is a little disappointing. It definitely isn’t up to Tokyo standards but it isn’t horrible. The weird thing is almost every roll contains cream cheese which is a bummer but Umi does have interesting combinations. We tried a mint, strawberry, tuna roll. As most things in Tulum, and especially in Pueblo, the price was right- much cheaper than sushi in the US! The also have an awesome garden atmosphere.
Uno $
While the Tulum sushi game still has a ways to go, we loved the ramen and noodle dishes at Uno, a Japanese restaurant in Pueblo. We even ate here twice during our trip! It is one street off the main road so while the ambiance is lacking, the prices are great! The staff is super nice as well.
Antojitos La Chiapaneca $
This Tulum restaurant is famous for its drool-worthy 8 peso tacos. It is such a treat, super cheap and very delicious! We spent $5 for two plates of tacos and drinks! They don’t serve beer but you’ll need something to wash down the very spicy sauces. Try an agua fresca or Mexican coca-cola. The Mexican version doesn’t have high fructose corn syrup so you can feel semi-healthy while drinking a coke. La Chiapaneca is always crowded, definitely a local crowd complete with plastic chairs and a tiny, old-school TV playing 80’s movies. Insider tip: the tostadas have 2x the meat, cheese and avocado!
Dessert
Campanella Cremerie and Flor de Michoacan
Ice cream is my favorite food group and Tulum is 80 degrees even in February so it’s basically necessary for survival right?! We went to two great places. Campanella Cremerie was fancier and had soft serve in pretty dishes. Insider Tip: It apparently has the best wifi in Pueblo. Flor de Michoacan’s specialty is palletas, which are like popsicles but way better! They are infused with fresh fruit and come in tons of different flavors.
Buena Estrella Vegan Ice Cream $
While biking to the beach from Pueblo stop by this food truck for delicious homemade vegan ice cream. Don’t come if you’re in a hurry. The guy who makes them is a sweet heart but he is definitely on Tulum time!
Chamico’s $
Although Chamico’s is not technically a Tulum restaurant as it is located a little outside of the city we had to mention it. This casual seafood shack on the sand has incredible ceviche and even better views. Read all about Chamico’s and our trip to Soliman Bay here.
From the health conscious to the ceviche lover the Tulum restaurant scene has something truly amazing to offer. This town has incredible food and talented chefs. Enjoy!
Read more about our Tulum travels here.
Buen Provecho,
-Ray
