A Foodie’s Guide to Tulum Restaurants.

Looking for the best Tulum restaurants? Yes, me too! And so while my nonexisting Spanish skills made ordering said tacos en Tulum a little difficult, I tried my very best and put a selection of my favorite Tulum restaurants and taquerias together for you. 

In fact, I think eating tacos should be in any guide on the best things to do in Tulum and was one of the city’s most redeeming qualities for me. In case you are wondering, Tulum and I first had some issues and to be honest, I only liked the drinks in Mexico, the scuba diving, and the food.

I have been a huge fan of Mexican food ever since my Mexican roommate Gladys. She also spoiled me for life when it comes to Mexican food and I have dissed many Tex-Mex restaurants over the year because thanks to her I know what good Mexican food should taste like.

With that said, I just spent another two weeks eating and trying as many Tulum restaurants as I could muster. This is by no way a comprehensive list of the best places to eat in Tulum, I rather give you my first-hand recommendation of restaurants in Tulum that I actually tried and liked – in Tulum pueblo, the best fish & seafood restaurants, eateries on Tulum beach and in La Veleta (click on the link to jump ahead).

The best Tacos in Tulum & my favorite Tulum RESTAURANTS

Restaurants in TULUM Pueblo

Taqueria Honorio

This taqueria Tulum must have been my favorite restaurant in Tulum town ever. I found Taqueria Honorio on a random blog (it probably wasn’t random but I can’t remember it and I may have even found it on Yelp – ups) and went there for lunch. In short – it was incredible. Then I came back for breakfast a few years later and it was still incredible.

Busy as ever though they have spruced up and gotten a new interior since I was last there. I don’t know if I imagine it but the food has only gotten better. Mind you, you should like pork if you go there. They have some other local ingredients like turkey and a few vegetarian fillings but are definitely known for their pork. 

They offer tacos, tortas (sandwiches), or quesadillas with either Cochinita pibil which is slow-roasted Yucatan pork, or another young slow-cooked pork with crackling and both were absolutely amazing. They also offer a chicken Milanese which is breaded chicken and I think that is genius – who doesn’t love breaded chicken on a taco??

Chances are you will be sad when you leave, only because you will want to eat more but can’t after – what is your taco maximum?

Come early as they are only open for breakfast and lunch from 6.30 am to 3 pm!

Antojitos La Chiapaneca

La Chiapaneca is referred to as the godfather of tacos al pastor by many and as local as it gets. Al Pastor refers to a shwarma like meat from the grill and you can see straight into the kitchen upfront – various grills, spit grills, and a ton of meat are working overtime here.

You can choose between tacos, sopes (a thicker taco) or gringas (with cheese) and add your topping – chicken, al pastor, vegetable or beef and also get cheese on top. Once you get your plate there is a little buffet on the inside with sauces, toppings, and limes.

For a seriously cheap and yummy meal, this is the place to go – I was a fan. Though I will say – skip the cheese! While I think cheese makes any dish better in this case it melts and gets stringy but not in a good way, so I would do without.

TAQUERIA MAYA

I realized I had been to TAQUERIA MAYA the moment I saw it as we had stopped there before a dive trip to get food for the road. It is on the north side of the main road through Tulum so you probably won’t come across it unless you go look for it. And you should!

Don’t be fooled by the small exterior, there is plenty of space inside. The service is friendly and fast, and they don’t mind deer-in-headlight tourists either. On the menu is a nice array of tacos and tortas with Cochinita pibil, lechon, and other meats as well as panuchos – a tortilla that is refried and stuffed with refried black beans. 

Osteria Venezia

Admittedly, the options for good Italian food in Tulum are slim. While you have some average Italian restaurants and decent pizza options, finding really yummy pasta is not as easy. Fair enough, you are still in Mexico after all. 

But after a long day of diving, all I was craving was a nice plate of pasta and some red wine. I came across Osteria Venezia, and it immediately became my new favorite restaurant in Tulum. There is no menu, but the chef, a lovely Italian woman, will tell you what’s on offer. For me, the dinner included a spinach salad with gorgonzola and pears, a delicious local burrata with pesto and vegetables, and tagliatelle with seafood, including a whole lobster. 

Not only was it utterly delicious and fresh, but the whole meal was only 600 pesos (ca. $33) – a great price anywhere but especially in Tulum. The wine is also only 150 pesos per glass (about $8), another steal for Tulum. 

Come hungry, leave happy – if you are looking for authentic Italian in Tulum with a pinch of surprise, Osteria Venezia is the place to be.

Mestixa Tulum

Mestixa Tulum is hailed by many as one of the best restaurants in Tulum (the Michelin agrees if that is important to you). While I am not sure, I wholeheartedly agree they do offer a sultry ambience, perfect for a date night, and an interesting menu. 

The kitchen is Japanese-Mexican fusion (or mestizaje as they call it), which is slightly confusing in some dishes and very enticing and yummy in others. Sandos, tacos, baos, and dumplings are on the menu as well as bowls, soups, and onigiris – the birria ramen is one of their most popular dishes. 

I went for the crab and shrimp wontons in green curry sauce that were delicious if a bit too crispy, and the grilled cabbage salad. I love interesting veggie dishes, and while that was almost too umami, it had potential. 

Prices are on the steeper side, but they offer inexpensive lunch bentos – a great option if you want to try the concept first before investing in a whole dinner. 

Encanto Cantina

Encanto Cantina is one of the chicer places and definitely more of a ‘proper’ restaurant with a lovely backyard and a great cocktail menu. This is where I ate my first Mexican guacamole, which was so soft and silky that I was convinced they mixed it with fluffy kittens or at least cream.

They have a small selection of tacos and mains with both seafood and meat, as well as a separate menu for breakfast. The latter offers both international dishes and Mexican classics. I had a really good matcha latte and quesabirrias that were delicious. 

Mornings tend to be slow and relaxed here, while it does get busy and quite loud in the evenings – choose accordingly and do take bug spray when sitting outside. 

BOTANICA Garden Cafe

Sometimes you want chilaquiles for breakfast and sometimes you don’t. The latter is the scenario when a breakfast spot in Tulum like BOTANICA Garden Cafe comes in handy. It is set a bit off the main strip in a lovely backyard garden. 

One of their main features is toast with various toppings and really good bread (they also have a gluten-free option). Important to note: this is toast as in a toasted slice of bread and not a sandwich. Someone in the reviews complained about this as the toast is not really a great take-away option though I think it is pretty straightforward. Maybe it is the European in me but sandwiches mean stuff between two slices and toast means one slice with stuff on top. 

I digress. I went for the toast with chicken salad as well as extra avo and an egg on top. It was delicious and just hit the spot when you want some non-Mexican food. They also have smoked salmon, roast beef, etc.

Just keep in mind: as soon as you venture away from the local taco eateries in Tulum you will pay a lot more. 

Del Cielo

Are you looking for the best food in Tulum for breakfast? Head to DelCielo! They have a lovely patio and an indoor area, but both can fill up quickly especially on the weekend so come early. 

If you want some classic Eggs Benedict or an avo toast this is the place to go. In addition, they have some great fresh juices albeit with a somewhat steep price tag as well as turmeric milk and special lattes.

For those who prefer a Mexican breakfast, they offer Huevos Rancheros or Chilaquiles with eggs and all the fixings.

La Hoja Verde

Looking for a vegetarian or vegan Tulum restaurant? Unfortunately, my favorite cafe has been replaced by Raw Love Cafe Tulum and I cannot wrap my mind around the raw food movement – I just can’t. When I was looking for some healthier options I decided to try La Hoja Verde instead. 

They offer both breakfast and lunch with most options being vegan. I ordered the vegan Chilaquiles which were served with spicy sauce, a nut crumble, and avocado mousse. Even without eggs, it felt like a perfectly indulgent breakfast option. 

If you come for lunch you should try their trio of tacos as they are hailed to be some of the best vegan tacos in Tulum.  Juice lovers can order from their extensive juice and smoothie menu with drinks made to order – perfect if you want green juice without the celery!

Wang

I am still incredibly grateful to Brandon from Infinity 2 Diving who recommended Wang to me. This is the spot if you want some really amazing Chinese dumplings and noodles at an awesome price. 

They have turned a little roadside spot into a restaurant with a few tables and authentic tiny plastic stools. You order at the window from a rather small menu. But that doesn’t matter as it helps not to get lost while ordering – this way you will get your noodles faster!

I had a little cucumber salad number to start which was spicy yet refreshing as well as the biang biang beef noodles. The noodles are hand-pulled and it is more a brothy noodle dish than a soup – perfect for me. While you can order a whole plate of dumplings – they have pork, vegetarian, or vegan – you can also add as many dumplings as you like to your main noodle dish as an extra. 

Ach, honestly, I really loved this place – the concept, the food, the friendly service. It might be my new favorite restaurant in Tulum and who would have guessed since they don’t have tacos?!

By the way: they also make a really good matcha latte in case you are missing Japan!

Burrito Amor

Burrito Amor is an institution amongst the Instagram crowd in Tulum, or at least it used to be. I always considered it Tulum’s version of Alchemy in Ubud, Bali – somewhat healthy, very trendy, and wastely overrated. 

But fact is, I might not be the best judge in this case, as I don’t really care for burritos and also don’t have any allergies or dietary restrictions. Because if you do, then Burrito Amor is definitely a great spot. 

They have moved into a new location, and at least when I went last in mid-December, it was quite empty and very chill. I had a breakfast burrito with eggs and chicken, and went with their signature gluten-free coconut tortilla that was really delicious. It isn’t a great date option though as there is no way to eat a burrito neatly (it is served in a basket too), but if you don’t mind licking your fingers, add their homemade sauces and enjoy the yummy mess. 

I also tried their gluten-free churros, which were quite nice, though I haven’t eaten enough churros to judge properly. Their matcha latte gets a no from me, but as I said, if you have food restrictions, it is a great option, though not authentic Mexican. Also, do factor some extra time – even when empty, the kitchen/ service is quite slow. 

Great fish & seafood in Tulum

There are plenty of great fish and seafood restaurants in Tulum, enough that they deserve a special mention. That said, most of them do have meat options and vegetarian meals as well, just know that the focus is on fish and seafood.

El Capitan

El Capitan is hailed to have some of the best seafood and fresh fish in Tulum town, good enough reason to check out the fish tacos. I started with a tostada which is basically a deep-fried and thus crispy taco topped with prawn ceviche. Now this portion was basically enough to get me full and super yummy – no skimping on the prawns in this country!

The fish tacos which I knew came in a set of four were even bigger. I have yet to find out why but tacos in this country come doubled up – probably due to the fact that they hold up better this way and because corn tacos are cheap here unlike in the rest of the sad world where we have to pay a fortune for them (yes, looking at you, Germany!).

Each double taco came with 3 huge battered fish sticks, a side of guacamole, salsa and lots of extra lime (another thing we sadly pay a premium for where I come from). I have realized that for the last year or so I have developed quite an aversion to a lot of battered and/or deep-fried dishes so the fish was a bit too doughy for me though it was still rather juicy and crispy.

And while 120 pesos is on the pricier side for 4 tacos the portion was seriously enormous.

Sabor de Mar

Exploring further on the north side of Tulum, I came across Sabor de Mar. There are a few modern backyard restaurants on this side of town and I like the vibe. Big tables and benches, friendly service, and cold margaritas await. 

They also bring an astonishing array of sauces and dips for your tacos to start. I have come to realize that I am usually fine with a tostada and ceviche which is a lot of fish and costs a lot less than a regular ceviche. Sabor de Mar was no exception. I also had a prawn taco with two prawns served on two tortillas which meant I technically got two tacos for the price of one. 

Overall, lovely food and a lovely atmosphere, and the prices aren’t outrageous for Tulum!

OLa Taco!

Ola Taco! was the second seafood taco place in Tulum I discovered close to my hotel. I was probably a bit early for dinner as in I was the only customer but nobody cared. 

They have one of the cheapest guacamole bowls I have seen anywhere in Tulum and it was delicious. I also got a smoked Merlin tostada which was a welcome difference to the usual ceviche-style tostadas. 

While they don’t have regular beer, they do have family-size bottles for only 120 pesos. And best of all, they don’t mind if you feed the local cat under the table! 

El Camello

El Camello was another place which came highly recommended for its fresh seafood and it did not disappoint. It is adjacent to a fishmonger and you can watch the guys prepare the freshest seafood while sipping on delicious mango margaritas. They have the usual array of tacos, tostadas, and ceviches with choices of fish, shrimp, octopus and you can order it either battered and fried or grilled, a la plancha.

I had fish tacos a la plancha and it was some of the best food I had in Tulum. Fresh, simple (with a delicious spicy bean sauce), and inexpensive. And did I mention the mango margaritas?!

Los Aguachiles

While there are many great fish restaurants in Tulum, Los Aguachiles is always a solid option. You can find their various restaurants all over Mexico. As the name implies it is a great option for ceviches and aguachiles as well as other fish and seafood dishes. 

The variety of tacos and tostadas is quite wide with toppings that are raw, grilled, or deep-fried – each order gets you one, so you can try more (at least that is my reasoning). They also do a few meat and vegetarian plates like tacos with cauliflower tempura. 

If you prefer your seafood raw, you can choose between various ceviches and aguachiles, and they also have some mains like grilled octopus and whole fish. 

You will also find some great mezcal cocktails on their menu – my favorite was the passion fruit served with a spicy chili salt rim.

Tulum Restaurants on the Beach

There are some amazing restaurants on Tulum Beach, like NÜ, Arca, Hartwood, and Wild, that are mentioned in the Michelin guide and look incredible. Alas, their prices will make your eyes water (and exceed those in Mexico City easily). 

In addition, there is a myriad of fancy beach clubs in Tulum, which have their own restaurants. To get in, you will have to look the part (or at least make a reservation) and also pay a hefty cover fee that usually gives you food and drink credit. Coming in off-season, the minimum consumption/ cover fee is usually lower, so it’s a good option if you want to save. 

And you will need to sort transport because even if you are staying on the beach, distances can be quite far, and taxis are also super expensive. 

All of this usually deters me from going out extensively, the few times I spent my time on Tulum beach. So here are just a few of the Tulum beach restaurants I have visited and liked. 

Papaya Playa Project

The Papaya Playa Project, short PPP, is probably one of the hippest hotels and beach clubs in Tulum and you will have to pay for the honor to get in. During low season you can usually get in for a minimum consumption of $25 and chances are you will spend it rather quickly.

They offer both a beach club menu and a restaurant menu for lunch and dinner. At the beach club, you can get various ceviches, tacos and tostadas as well as some salads. I over-ordered as I wasn’t sure of the portion sizes – chances are you will be absolutely fine getting just one main dish as the portions are huge and come with a generous side of chips. 

If you are looking for something fresh, try the fish ceviche with onions and avocado, or for something a bit more indulgent the tuna tostada. You will need a fork as they definitely don’t skimp on the tuna and the tostadas are loaded with avocado mousse. 

Ukami

If you are looking for Japanese food in Tulum I recommend you head to Ukami. The kitchen merges the best of both worlds: Mexican and Japanese. What does that mean for you? Tostadas with Japanese flavors and bowls and sushi rolls with typical Mexican ingredients. Think California roll with grilled octopus and plantains and a tuna sashimi tostada. Spice is added with both, jalapenos and wasabi, and to wash it all down you will find sake and tequila on the menu. 

Note that they add a 20% service charge to your bill, however, this is not mandatory but a mere suggestion.  

La Onda

During my last stay, I found myself on Tulum Beach right at the place where I had my heart severely broken 5 years ago. I didn’t realize that when I made the booking. 

Almost opposite is a food truck area called Tulumunchies, the place where it all started. Old heartbreak aside, I read very mixed reviews of people complaining about tips just being added to their bills. There were enough that I decided against going there. 

Instead, I went to La Onda which was even closer and proudly proclaimed to have the best pizza on earth. As we have established, I make the best pizza on earth so I took this promise with a grain of salt. 

Still, it didn’t disappoint. They have a good 2-for-1 happy hour either for Pizza Margarita or cocktails. I chose the latter and was happy with just one pizza. I tried the pizza with prawns, anchovies, and parmesan as well as the pizza with ruccola and serrano ham (not on one day) and they were both delicious! One can argue that almost $20 for a pizza is quite a lot but again, these are Tulum Beach restaurant prices. I was just happy to have a good pizza and be free to give as much tip as I wanted!

Ziggy’s

I spent my first three days at Ziggy’s a lovely yet somewhat unpretentious beach club. A lot of Tulum beach clubs and hotels have a minimum consumption for non-staying guests and it is usually quite steep. Even a day at Ziggy’s will set you back a set minimum charge but this will get you a comfy beach bed, clean toilets, and some of the best service I have had. I dare say though, it is only worth it if you are planning to stay the whole day so make sure you lather up on sunscreen and bring company – if only a good book.

Tacos, guacamole, and some healthier salads are on the menu and an absolute must eat are the tuna ceviche nachos. I only discovered those on the last day and my taste buds were quite sad I couldn’t eat them again. 

Zebra

Zebra is another well-known hotel/beach club combination and if you are looking for a cheaper beach club in Tulum, a good one as the minimum consumption is not so steep. I only had lunch there which was great – have I mentioned how much I love Mexican seafood dishes?!

Late in the afternoon you can just make yourself at home on one of the beach beds, enjoy the sunset and a great cocktail menu.

Great restaurants in La Veleta, Tulum

La Veleta is a residential area west of Tulum’s centro. It is the perfect neighborhood if you want some more space and prefer more peace and quiet. That said, it is definitely a good idea to get a rental car to get there. 

The center of La Veleta is along Calle 7 Sur, where you will find quite a few bars, restaurants, and little shops. I only stayed for a couple of nights, but there are quite a few Tulum restaurants worth checking out in La Veleta. 

Los de Picaña | Tacos al carbón

No places had better recommendations for tacos in Tulum than Los de Picaña | Tacos al carbón. It is a fun backyard restaurant with a smashburger food truck and a taco stand. The menu is tiny and features tacos and tortas with picaña, carne asada, and cecina. You can get your own salsa on the side, and of course, they have margaritas, mezcalitas, and beer available. 

The setting is fun and easy, the food is delicious, and the prices are moderate (for Tulum that is) – nothing not to love. 

Tip: Right next to it, you will find Local – Holy wine & Neo Bistro. Unfortunately, it was closed when I went, but it is a wine bar for natural wines and snacks that I am keen to check it out next time.

Boccanera Pizzeria y Cerveceria 

Looking for a really good pizza in Tulum? Boccanera Pizzeria y Cerveceria in La Veleta is worth the trip. They make a wood-fired oven pizza Neapolitana style, and it is delicious. 

The setting is lovely too (gotta love any place that builds around a tree instead of cutting it down), and the staff is super friendly as well. I just got a takeaway pizza plus some wine from Licorarty on Calle 7 Sur. Unfortunately, the pizza wasn’t piping hot anymore when I arrived back at my Airbnb, but that didn’t matter – it was delicious even if you are a pizza snob like me! 

Vereda del Abasto

Vereda del Abasto is a cute cafe in La Velata. I love the murals they painted on the inside and outside – it isn’t one of those Tulum Instagram places, but charming and cozy. 

I found it on Google Maps after searching for a matcha latte and am happy to report that they know how to do a good matcha as well as coffee.

In addition, they have various sandwiches and quiches on the menu, perfect if you wanted something non-Mexican for a change. I had one of their chicken sandwiches, which, unfortunately, was rather dry and quite pricey (for what it was), but I loved the setting and the kind service so much that I would definitely give it a second chance. Or just come for matcha and murals. 

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