The 25 best restaurants in Tulum that you must try this year!

An updated list of the best restaurants in Tulum that you absolutely have to try in 2021! The best of every area and for any budget and taste!

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You indeed have a variety of choices for any dietary needs and preference and as I was mentioning in my Tulum Travel Guide, Tulum Restaurants are not only about the food, but also about the place, the ambiance and obviously the popularity, besides the creativity in the presentation of the delicious dishes and the vintage-chic decorations and the general vibes.

It is indeed an extrasensory experience, every time you enter a Restaurant in Tulum and I can easily say that here you can find some of the best restaurants in Mexico overall.

I have selected some of my favorites but also I asked for the help of my local friends’ to be able to offer some insider’s tips on the best Tulum Restaurants. Obviously, you can rest assured that I will be adding more as I will be trying more myself. It’s going to be a very hard job. 🙂

I have also split them into a few different categories to make it easier for you to scan through the post.

Before talking about the best restaurants in Tulum I wanted to share some important tips that you will need to know before entering any Tulum Restaurant. Please read them first! So you are warned and you don’t get mad!

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Know-before-you-go Tulum Tips

• Be aware that the majority of Tulum restaurants, hotels, and shops don’t accept credit cards, so come with enough cash (Euros, USD, CAN$, Pounds) and you can change it at the ‘’Casa de Cambio’’.
• Although they accept USD, they would give you a very unreasonable rate exchange and give you change in pesos, which is absolutely not convenient and you end up paying three times more for your delicious meal. So please make sure you have cash in pesos, always!
• There are ATM machines all around the hotel zone and you can cash either in Pesos or USD, however, you should know that the ATM will charge you a commission of 50 USD for every withdrawal in USD, not really convenient. 

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FIRST TIME IN TULUM? HERE IS MY TOP TRAVEL TIPS FOR A QUICK OVERVIEW

Restaurants on Tulum Beach Zone

Hartwood 

It’s one of the most popular and considered among the best restaurant in Tulum. And you can see it from the huge line waiting outside, as they don’t take reservations. But apparently, when you finally sit, they make sure it was worth the wait. The setting is the typical Tulum boho style, vintage wooden tables in jungle vibes but the food is what makes all the difference. Their specialty is woodfired meat or fish and their special is roasted collar grouper, however, their menu changes every day depending on the generosity of mother earth.

Read reviews on TripAdvisor

Mur Mur

Right next door to Hartwood, Mur Mur is this new cozy restaurant which just opened last December. Located in a very convenient spot, a little plaza with some of the nicest clothing shops in the area. The restaurant offers a delicate Mexican-International menu. Definitely, worth a try… you will go back! 

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Casa Banana

Also one of the most popular in the area especially as an Argentinian steak house, although they have quite a  diverse menu, including fish and veggies.  They don’t accept reservations so if you think waiting is a waste of time, like me, you should go before 7.30. in high season. Or else, be prepared to wait.

Read reviews on TripAdvisor.

Cenzontle

Located in a beautiful intimate garden it offers a delicious and original menu with a balanced mix of flavors and a creative presentation. Definitely to be tried.

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Casa Jaguar

with a very surrealistic setting in a tropical garden with cozy lounges and private tables it offers a rich menu of creative dishes among which delicious original cocktails and wood-fired fresh fish cooked right before your eyes and savory vegetable options. Great parties on Thursday night!

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Posada Margherita

Your favorite italian restaurant, with home made pasta and focaccia – healthy juices and fresh fish – cool vibest and laid-back ambiance.  if only for the peculiar character of the owners. The food is based on the authentic homemade Italian flavors. The place looks rustic but feels chic, the owners too 😉

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Arca

You don’t want to miss the remarkable work from the eclectic international chef  José Luis Hinostroza, who is also the co-founder of the restaurant. You can read Noma in his curriculum. Just saying.

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Mezzanine

One of the best Thai restaurants in Riviera Maya, with artfully decorated and tasty dishes and an outstanding setting right by the sea. It’s open for breakfast lunch and dinner, but your best choice would be an early dinner to enjoy the amazing sunset light. (Note the sunset wouldn’t be right in front of you but you will appreciate the amazing atmosphere)

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RESTAURANT IN DOWNTOWN TULUM, EL PUEBLO DOWNTOWN

Verdant

If you are up for a culinary delight, Verdant is your place. Their dishes are carefully selected and decorated to delight all your senses, served in a laid-back chic atmosphere. Guests appreciate the service as well which makes the overall dining experience extra special. Vegan and Vegetarian options available. Open for dinner only.

Read reviews on TripAdvisor

Canova

Located in the new fancy neighborhood La Veleta, this Italian restaurant offers a laid-back ambiance and a delicious authentic Italian cuisine. Their menu also includes many delicious vegan options and, obviously, the unmissable pizza, which I have personally tried (twice) and loved.

Read reviews on TripAdvisor

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For further reading

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Safari

Safari is a laid-back chic taqueria in the prestigious residential area of Aldea Zama with wooden tables and surrounded by refreshing plants. Here I had the best fish tacos in Tulum. Open for breakfast and lunch you can also find healthy dishes, including rich juices and bowls.

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Asadero

For meat-eaters, but not only, Asadero offers the best meat cuts in town, but they have been smart enough to keep even the strictest of vegans happy, by offering a delicious and savory vegetable dish which I have enjoyed many times. The ambiance is very informal and relaxed; you can make a reservation and it is recommended to do so if you go after 7.30.

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Cetli

This unique place is definitely to be tried at least one night. Hiding towards the back of downtown Tulum, it is basically a house with just 3 tables, nicely and creatively decorated, and with delicious food which merges Mexican cuisine with an international touch.

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El Canaston 

There is always that one place in a touristy town that seems just an average local place but it actually serves the best local food, and it becomes THE place. Well, that’s it. Must check it out for some all-star tacos. (located in Tulum downtown)

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BEST CAFES AND ICE CREAM SHOPS IN DOWNTOWN TULUM

Macha Mama

For a healthy bowl at breakfast time or a fresh smoothy break in your sunny day. On the beach road and in downtown as well.

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Vegan Icecream

The first is this vegan ice cream place located in the Beach zone- they only do vegan ice-cream, homemade and super healthy, besides delicious. You will find it on the beach road just a few steps from the Heartwood restaurant.

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Italdo

Italdo is a great coffè shop on the way to La Veleta the new fancy neighborhood, close to the Gipsy Market, what I call the jewelry organic shop. The ambiance is nothing special, you have outside seating under a porch right by the road, but they have the best coffee and bakery in town. Quite trendy among locals. The almond croissant is to die for, but you will find a variety of options sweet and salted. Not the right place if you are on a weight control diet 🙂

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Botanica Garden Cafè

I love this place. It’s set in a beautiful garden close to downtown and the beach road. You can have a delicious lunch or breakfast. Or just a coffee with freshly baked muffins or brownies. You will be surrounded by plants and trees in a lovely atmosphere and if you go on a Sunday you can participate in a painting class for a few dollars. Check out their Facebook page for more info.

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Liquido y solido

Located on Avenida Satellite, one of the main roads in Tulum Down Town, this lovely cafe’ has tables scattered around a beautiful courtyard. The food is not only delicious, but also beautiful to see, served on wooden trays or terracotta bowls, in delightful presentations. Vegan and vegetarian options available. On the menu, you can also find tasty juices and frappes of all sorts, besides healthy and rich dishes.

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VEGETARIAN & VEGAN OPTION

Tierra @ Holistika 

This is the top favorite of all. it’s new, it’s fresh and it’s more than a restaurant, is a holistic retreat. You can actually check their menu here. Make sure you don’t schedule anything after your meal, just in case you are enjoying the vibes and extend your experience with a yoga class or just chilling in the pool.

Read reviews on TripAdvisor

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Sanarà hotel

A prestigious hotel on the beach also popular for its glassed walls yoga shala and its beach restaurant with vegetarian and vegan options.

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Nomade Hotel

Spectacular property on the beach boasting a Moroccan architecture and a vegan cuisine. It’s one of the trendiest place if you love music and party. Not for those who wants to dine in tranquillity.

Pasha

Run by husband and wife from Cyprus, this cute small restaurant serves Middle East and international cuisine with exciting vegan options, in a beautiful minimalist setting with stone walls and an internal garden. The service is top-notch as well. Prices a little above the average but a great treat.

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The Pitted Date

Cute little Vegan restaurants with a rich menu. Situated in the new high-end residential area Aldea Zama, one of the trendiest and best-located areas in Tulum. The Pitted date has a few tables inside but a nice seating option in the lovely outdoor space among plants in a beautiful setting. It’s open for breakfast and lunch with dishes that delight your palate and your sight as well. Definitely, also non-vegans will love it.

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Nights in Tulum

I don’t go out at night much often, almost never, but I have investigated for you and here is what I found out. In the Beach zone, you would want to go to  Gitano and Casa Jaguar, mainly. Casa Jaguar is also a great restaurant ( see above section)  and they are both party places, open every night, although they also have their own special night, the one that you can’t miss. Gitano is on Friday and Casa Jaguar on a Thursday. In Casa Jaguar also on a Tuesday night, the restaurant has entertainment for their guests after dinner.

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Saturday nights are for Papaya Playa which is actually a hotel, but very popular for its parties on the beach on Saturdays and on the full moon.

Also, Habita is great for events like concerts and movies

In downtown ( el pueblo) also you will find interesting places to go and hang out, with great music and fun environment.

The ones that are most popular right now are  Batey, KiKi and Pasito Tun Tun. They are all open every night and always with a good crowd.