Where to find the best food in Tulum 2020
You’ve heard of its lush jungles, chic yet laid back beach scene and bohemian hotels lining the coast. Located a quick hour and a half drive south from Cancun is the wellness-centered, scenic paradise of Tulum, Mexico. A hot spot for yoga retreats, incredible natural sights and diverse culinary culture.
Just as many of us may have experienced, Tulum has undergone quite a transformation in the last 8 years. With boosts in tourism, hotel extensions and more paved sidewalks, the restaurant business has seen one of the largest expansions. I’ll take you through my favorite places morning, noon and night, plant-based to locally harvested meats and seafoods, from the beach to the jungle.
(Pro tip; if you eat on the jungle side of town, please do yourself the favor and wear long sleeves and pants or wear organic bug repellent, as the mosquitos are not shy!)
Best Tulum Beach Restaurant
1. The Real Coconut
I love to start the day here because of their eclectic selection of juices and tonics as well as it’s breezy location at Sanará Hotel. Dairy, gluten and refined sugar free, founder Danielle Hunters is serving up fish and poultry proteins, to coconut yogurt and her interpretation of ranchero eggs with her world famous coconut-cassava tortilla chips. (So famous, you can actually find Hunter’s coconut chips at Whole Foods!)
2. Raw Love Cafe
If only they had a Raw Love Cafe in West Hollywood! Staying at Ahau Tulum on my last trip made this another convenient place to start the day. Located in a small shack right on the sand, it carries a simple bohemian vibe. One that you’d hope to find while on vacation in Tulum. The menu centers on a variety of options ranging from smoothies, breakfast items, a few savory options as well as dessert.
3. Ocumare
Named one of the best restaurants in Tulum and I can see why! We loved this restaurant so much we ate here two nights in a row. Chef Mauricio Giovanni has spearheaded the first michelin star inspired restaurant located at the Be Tulum Hotel. The beet salad, ceviche and the chipas are a must-try at Ocumare. I had 6 orders of them. My friend Sandro was even joking that I would put them into my purse for later.
4. Charly’s Vegan Taco’s
Originally a food truck dishing up mexican cuisine with a vegan twist. Charly’s Vegan Taco’s captured the hearts of locals and tourists alike and eventually moved into a fixed location and is now considered to be one of the best restaurants in Tulum. They’ve done so well, there is actually a location in Wynwood, Miami which I always visit when I’m in town. Chef Charly uses all plant based ingredients to recreate the flavors and textures of meat and all of the fillings are 100% homemade.
5. Posada Margherita
Pasta is one of my favorite dishes, so this is one of my all-time favorite restaurants in Tulum. They’ve been perfecting their little slice of Italy in Tulum for almost 20 years. Their pasta is made from scratch the moment you order it and the recipes have been passed down from generation to generation. My favorite dishes are the Al Gamberi E Zucchini and the Burrata salad.
6. Rosa Nerga
Rosa Nerga is a collaboration of Latin American cuisine with traditions ranging from countries such as Peru, Argentina, Colombia, Brazil and Mexico. A Lot of locals and “socialites” say that this restaurant is cheesy. It reminds me of Nikki Beach in St. Tropez. This is a “people up on their chairs dancing” type of place. They even have a sparkler show where they pass out sparklers to everyone. It is definitely cheesy but I still love it.
7. Nu
At Nu Tulum you will experience traditional Mexican cuisine while you enjoy a breathtaking jungle scene. One thing that sets this restaurant apart is that celebrity Chef Cesar Castaneda and his seven chef team all have the same tattoo, to represent their journey to Tulum and beginingin this culinary adventure. Dedication!
8. Meze
Nestled in a beautiful hacienda in the jungle of Tulum Beach Road is the very new restaurant, Meze. It is so new that they are not on Tripadvisor or Yelp yet. Chef Alexandros Gkoutsi is serving up delicious Aegean shared plates. My favorites were the Baby Ganoush, hummus with bread and the shrimp dish for two.
9. Canopia
Serving up fresh and delicious Thai food for lunch & dinner, Canopia is located right across the street from Ahau. Personally I would suggest this place for lunch over dinner. I recommend the fried veggie spring rolls and the yellow curry.
10. Kanan
Chef Gaston Contreras and his team offer an all day menu crafted from the Mexican tradition and freshly seasonal ingredients. Located in the adults only hotel, I enjoyed the fresh fruit smoothies, guacamole and fish tacos.
11. ARCA
ARCA offers wood-fired cooking nestled in the jungle. Thanks to partner and former noma chef Jose Luis Hintostroza, ARCA is one of the most interesting and progressive places to dine in Tulum right now.
12. BAK
This is another newly opened restaurant in Tulum and definitely one of the most extravagant ones on the Tulum Beach strip. Located on the jungle side, it’s a true tribute to Mayan culture and Tulum’s community. The service was impeccable and there are tons of dishes for vegetarians as well as some of the best meat cuts in the world for our carnivore friends. The highlight of our meal was a fire dance show.
13. Casa Jaguar
Casa Jaguar offers a mood that is in a class of its own. The ambience is very intertwined with the aspects of the jungle and the dining experience offers plates that are uniquely crafted.
14. Cladestinos
This place is often referred to as the Hamburlesque, as it’s the only American style eatery in the Tulum Hotel Zone. They offer 4 varieties of hamburgers including beef, pork, portabella and oats, so everyone can enjoy. This is one of my favorite late night spots when im craving a veggie burger and cheese fries. They also have the Virgin’s cenote, the Mayans believed that cenotes were portals to the underworld and a way to communicate with the gods. I had the pleasure of doing a photoshoot at Virgins cenote and I love to take a dip when I visit as the cenote’s are very healing.
15. Hartwood
If you’ve traveled to Tulum before, my guess would be that you’ve heard of Hartwood. One of the most well known restaurants, that has attracted long lines since 2010. The only difference now is that you can request a reservation by email instead of lining up at 3pm to do it in person. Owner and American Chef Eric Werner has collaborated with Mya Henry to bring Tulum this wood-fired, earthy gem of a restaurant. If you’re lucky enough to snag a reservation you will find a chalkboard that lists the evening dishes. Featuring locally caught seafood, freshly prepared ceviche, plus beef and locally grown vegetables.
16. Kin Toh
I have to say, Kin Toh takes the space for my number one favorite dinner restaurant, with a treehouse aesthetic that will have you feel as though you are floating over the Tulum jungle. Our table felt like we were laying in a bed. The food is a combination of native traditions combined with international twists making each plate unique and delicious. This would be a great place for a romantic night out!
17. Be Tulum- Maresias
Maresias meaning “sea bar” this raw seafood experience can be found in Be Tulum which is considered to be one of Tulum’s most luxurious hotels. Located right on the beach and carrying a very chill vibe, they are serving up fresh raw elements such as oysters, ceviches, cold soups and salads.
18. Nomade’s Restaurants
Nomade’s is another top luxurious hotel in Tulum that offers two dining experiences, Macondo Restaurant and La Popular. Macondo is a plant based kitchen with Moroccan-style communal seating, serving up delicious meals that are great for both the body and spirit. La popular is a perfect lunch spot with an open-air beachfront environment. It’s definitely a vibey spot much like Be Tulum’s restaurant offerings. During the days of January you can find artists performing.
19. Gitano
GITANO Tulum is a Restaurant and Mezcal Bar, modernly designed into the landscape of the thriving jungle of Tulum Beach. Personally, I prefer GITANO for drinks over the food as it is a vibrant place to listen to music. The cocktails are garnished with seasonal fruits and herbs inspired by tropical tiki bars of the 1940’s. Mezcal is definitely their speciality with over 40 different offerings from Oaxaca. Being this is on the jungle side, your long sleeves or bug repellent would come in handy!
20. La Onda
Located on the jungle side, across from Alaya is a restaurant with a sign outside that says, “The Best Pizza on Earth.” If that promise reels you in, you will find La Onda. After days of eating tacos, a pizza baked in a classic brick oven fashion really does taste like the most delicious pizza on earth. With everything made fresh to the order, the service can be a little slow here, but it is worth the wait.
If someone asked me to hop on a plane tomorrow to eat in Tulum, I’d pack my bags in a nanosecond. Definitely some of my favorite food and restaurants in the world. Everything is so fresh and unique.
If you have any favorite restaurants to add to this list… leave a comment below!!
