What to do in Tulum? Tulum is known for its stunning natural scenery and rich culture, but it is also famous for its vibrant dining scene. With a wide variety of culinary options, from typical Mexican food to international options, it can be difficult to know which are the best restaurants in Tulum. In this post, we are going to introduce you to the best restaurants in Tulum, from beach restaurants to bistros and high-end restaurants. In addition, we will also provide you with information about the location, service and food quality of each restaurant, to help you make the best decision for your trip to Tulum. What to do in Tulum
Mexico’s gastronomy goes beyond tacos al pastor or tequila, something very visible in the clear differences between the customs, cuisine and products of the interior, versus the coastal areas.
What to do in Tulum? In general, Mexican cuisine stands out for being tasty, thanks to the aromatic herbs, spices and chili peppers. What can also be appreciated when traveling to Tulum is the consumption of local produce.
ARCA
Arca, located on the Tulum-Boca Paila road Km 7.6, was founded in 2016 by Hermione and Christian Mora. The name comes from the word “arc” which is the curvature of the sky where it meets the sea.
The purpose of the restaurant is to highlight local culture and flavors, between the sea and the jungle, in a relaxed and refined atmosphere. In fact, this concept is also visible in the design of the restaurant.
The chef is José Luis Hinostroza, a Mexican born in southeastern California who grew up around farm-to-table. His passion for cooking has led him to work with the best such as Alinea, Celler de Can Roca or De Kromme Watergang.
The cooking style is a mix between haute cuisine and the relaxed movement of the area. They focus on the use of local products and flavors, with the aim of promoting consumption and the local economy of Quintana Roo and Yucatan.
KITCHEN TABLE
Kitchen Table, located on the Tulum-Boca Paila road Km 6, was created in 2015 by three Portuguese. With Ignacio Lamas as director and developer, who worked as head chef in prestigious restaurants in Europe, they create a menu with the products of the region.
The restaurant is in the middle of the jungle and has a Riviera Maya style decoration. The name comes from the “chef’s table” with which they seek to create the atmosphere of a kitchen with friends. In fact, it is a reference of open kitchen and without artificial refrigeration.
Since 2018 the chef at the helm is Angélica Mata, who has a long career in renowned restaurants in the Riviera Maya. The iconic dishes are the fresh grilled lobster and the KT beef ribs.
HARTWOOD
Hartwood is a sustainable restaurant, located in the middle of the jungle, on the Tulum-Boca Paila road Km 7.6. It has a menu of local and seasonal cuisine, Mayan style and with the wood oven as the main cooking method.
During the week they tour markets and farms in the interior of Yucatán in order to obtain new ingredients. Their motto is that they are “off the grid or out of the circle” i.e. out of consumerism.
They have sustainability as a principle, so they use solar panels that supply them with electricity, they compost all organic waste and only serve fish from sustainable fisheries, among others.
HA’ANA
Ha’ana is the bar and restaurant of the Akkûun Tulum hotel, located on the Tulum-Boca Paila highway Km 5.5. The name of the restaurant is a Mayan word that means to eat, thus giving recognition to the Mayan culture.
In the kitchen is chef Jorge Armando Vicuña Martínez, born in Acapulco, who started working in the kitchens of a hotel at the age of 15 and today enjoys cooking.
The cooking style is focused on neighborhood or street food, thanks to an honest and tasty menu, full of dishes made with local organic products.
Some examples are the traditional seafood crudos from the Caribbean or the tortitas with Mayan recados, homemade Acapulco-style mayonnaise, among others. As for the comal, the traditional cooking utensil used as a griddle, it is a tribute to corn.
POSADA MARGHERITA
Posada Margherita is an Italian restaurant located on the Tulum-Boca Paila highway, Km. 4.5, inside the hotel of the same name. The menu offers typical Italian dishes prepared with seafood and local products.
Please note that they only accept cash. In fact, there are some establishments that only work with cash, as is the case with cabs, so when traveling to Tulum, it is best to bring pesos.
CASA BANANA
Casa Banana is a restaurant located in the middle of the jungle, on the Tulum-Boca Paila highway Km. 7.5. It has a menu of Argentinean food, mainly focused on different cuts of meat prepared in a rustic way over firewood.
LA ZEBRA
La Zebra is a restaurant located in a hotel of the same name, on the Tulum-Boca Paila highway Km 8.2, offering quality Mexican food. In addition, they do culinary events called “Chef’s Table” where Chef Eleazar Bonilla proposes a tasting menu of 8 dishes.
ROSA NEGRA
Rosa Negra is a restaurant located on the Tulum-Boca Paila 5-Km 7 highway, which belongs to the Rosa Negra Group, like Taboo, where the food is not the most important thing, but the ambiance of beautiful people. Another recommended place to see and be seen.
In conclusion, Tulum has a wide variety of culinary options to suit all tastes and budgets. From typical Mexican food to international options, there is something for everyone in Tulum. The restaurants mentioned in this post are some of the best restaurants in Tulum. By making sure to do your research on the location, service and food quality of each restaurant, you will be able to make the best decision for your trip to Tulum. We hope this guide will help you enjoy an unforgettable dining experience in Tulum with Yucatan Outdoors. What to do in Tulum.
