The Best Restaurants in Tulum

If you’re a foodie at heart, then you will love Tulum’s restaurant scene. From authentic Mexican tacos, fresh seafood, smoothie bowls, and homemade Italian pasta, to health-focused vegan and grain-free restaurants, Tulum is one of the most diverse food cities in the world. Even after a week-long trip of trying so many restaurants, I still feel like there are so many more to try next time I go back!

Tulum has two main zones. There is the beach strip with ocean-front restaurants and hotels and there is Tulum town which is filled with shops, food, and more affordable stays. I tried to cover a combination of food options in both places depending on where you are staying to fully cover the best restaurants in Tulum.

Do I Need Reservations?

I highly recommend reservations as some of these places will book months in advance. Some of the restaurants don’t take reservations, but we found that the majority of them do in some fashion. My recommendation is to get on their website to see their current policy (as they are ever-changing). Each restaurant has differing rules on the timeframe you can book out and where you book (email vs. website).

Best Restaurants in Tulum Town

Pasha Tulum

Pasha is a Turkish and Mediterranean restaurant with amazing flavors and unique vibes. This place totally surprised me with how delicious the food was. The Kleftiko (lamb kebab) was our favorite item we ordered and the desserts were amazing!

Burrito Amor

This is a classic Tulum burrito spot. Their focus is on clean eating with a commitment to serving fresh, healthy, and full of flavor meals. It is served in a laid-back spot with cool vibes and tunes!

Taqueria Honorio

These are some of the best, authentic tacos for dirt cheap. You won’t be disappointed with serving sizes either as the plates are packed full. It is only open in the mornings through lunch, so the perfect spot on your way to the beach!

Antojitos La Chiapaneca

This place has rave reviews as the best, most authentic taco place in town. Also, if you are on a budget this is the place to go as the tacos are cheap. The #1 recommendation was for the pastor, so definitely give it a try!

Del Cielo

If you are looking for a breakfast spot in town, this is your place. This is a tropical bistro serving up breakfast and brunch in town. They offer a healthy variety including avocado toast, breakfast bowls, and delicious pancakes.

Humo Tulum

This is one of the most upscale restaurants in Tulum town that offers contemporary Mexican. It is set back a bit from the main strip in town but offers great food and a laid-back ambiance.

Best Restaurants in Tulum Beach

Matcha Mama

This cute Instagram-worthy spot is an adorable hut on the side of the road serving up amazing fresh juices, matcha, and smoothie bowls. Be sure to get you a cute photo sitting on the swings while you are there!

Raw Love

This is a charming place set in the jungle that also happens to be right on the beach. They serve some amazing healthy, vegan breakfast and lunch. They are well known for their smoothie bowls!

Their main location is on the beach, part of Ahau hotel, but they now have a second location within Tulum Town as well.

Hartwood

This is one of the most popular restaurants in Tulum, but word on the street is if you are willing to wait, the food is definitely worth it. Their menu changes daily with the local sea and land harvests that they collect from local farms and markets. Definitely wished we could have swung a reservation here!

Gitano

Nestled in the jungle of Tulum Beach road, Gitano offers a great ambiance with disco balls, neon signs, and cool music. If you stay late enough, the restaurant will turn into a dance party.

They have two locations, one on the beach and one across the road from Rosa Negra.

Kitchen Table

This is a contemporary locally sourced restaurant with great food. The coolest menu item was the lobster where you could pick your lobster from the cooler of that day’s catches at sea. It has been built right into the jungle so it basically feels like you’re eating in a treehouse. Although, I will say that the mosquitoes can get unbearable as it is on the opposite side from the beach where there is no breeze. Make sure you bring your bug spray if you plan to eat here.

Charly’s Vegan Tacos

Most people might shy away from the fact that this place is vegan, but anyone will enjoy this healthier take on authentic Mexican cuisine. Definitely order the taco trio to get a taste of multiple unique flavors!

Macondo At Nomade

This Instagram-worthy spot inside the Nomade Hotel gives off all the Moroccan feels. Their focus is holistic cuisine with superfood and organic ingredients. You will also find that all of the tables are close to the ground to create a sense of grounding and relaxing in one’s environment.

Posada Margherita

You might not believe that you could have some of the best Italian food while in Mexico, but I have nothing but good things to say about the food here. They make their pasta and pizza fresh on site, so everything is beyond delicious.

Rosa Negra

This is Latin American cuisine that offers amazing, unique flavors and generous portion sizes. You really can’t go wrong with anything on the menu as everything was delicious.

Fair warning, this is not a romantic, quiet restaurant. Expect loud music and dancing. This place is more of a restaurant and club combination that is designed for large groups with dancing, fire sticks, and lots of shots being shared.

Kin Toh At Azulik

Overall I think people have mixed reviews in regards to eating here. While we had a great experience, the rules have become strict over the years. They no longer allow any camera photography and there are minimums for dining. You will not be able to eat at the nest tables unless you plan to pay a hefty fee. That said, the ambiance at Azulik is incredible and I definitely recommend at least one meal here. If you can, go early enough so you can walk around the hotel after to take in the magical architecture.

Restaurante Caracol

Enjoy traditional Mexican cuisine in a rustic, but upscale beachfront restaurant space inside the Ahau Tulum Hotel. They serve breakfast and lunch including seafood, poultry, and vegan options.

Kanan Tulum

This is authentic, Mayan-inspired dining in the Ahau Tulum. You can dine while watching the 360º view of the sunset in a private candlelight jungle nest. This is a great alternative to the Azulik nest tables!

La Popular

This is the beach club restaurant inside the Nomade Hotel that offers a variety of holistic cuisine. The cocktails and shrimp tacos were delicious!

Habitas

This restaurant is an ode to Spanish and Moorish cuisine. All of the plates combine fresh, locally-sourced ingredients in a wood-fired oven kitchen.

The Real Coconut

This place has redefined healthy, but delicious food. Their menu is plant-based, gluten-free, grain-free, and dairy-free. We loved this restaurant so much, we ended up here several mornings for breakfast. The Macho pancakes are a must-try!

Hope this guide to the best restaurants in Tulum is helpful in planning your next trip!

xx,

Ashley

Related Readings: 9 Best Cenotes Near Tulum

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