Instagrammable Guide to Tulum’s Food and Drinks

Tulum is a foodie heaven. If Tulum isn’t on your bucket-list already, here is more reason to add it. Did you know Tulum is a culinary destination? Tulum’s food scene has a bit of everything: street-style taquerias to beach-front restaurants pushing the bounds of modernist cuisine. Expect everything from $0.50 al pastor tacos to reinvented $20 crab “tacos”, $10 drool-worthy pizzas from a food-truck to upscale rooftop nest dining above the Mayan Jungle. This Tulum food guide details all the BEST food we indulged in and hidden gems you wouldn’t believe.

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Where to Eat in Tulum

1. Arca

When you enter Arca, you are welcomed into a dreamy scene, one that is candle-lit, dotted with lush foliage, and under flickering boho-chic chandeliers. The romantic outdoor setting is an experience itself. Then come the dishes featuring modernist techniques and indigenous Mexican flavors. This Soft Shell Crab Taco, featuring amaranth tempura, grosella and pickled habanero salsa, was divine. The Scallop Crudo with coconut salsa verde was also a standout. The jackfruit snow dessert was a tropical explosion.

2. Kitchen Table

Kitchen Table is a contemporary restaurant that uses 100% locally sourced ingredients. Their open kitchen gives diners front row seats to the kitchen action. Their menu is driven by seasonality and their small plates echo of traditional Yucatán flavors. They have an incredible bar program as well.

3. Macondo at Nomade

Fancy a quick trip to Morocco? Dine at Macondo. Restaurant Macondo is located within the Nomade resort grounds and offers an extensive plant-based food and beverage menu. The seating is low moroccan-style. Nomade also has an open-air beach-front restaurant called the Popular.

4. Orchid House Tulum

Orchid House is a boutique hotel with a swim-up drink bar, casual patio dining, and a rooftop nests dining. We started with fresh mango juice at the swim-up bar, tacos, and grilled octopus. For a truly unforgettable experience, reserve their nests overlooking the lush Mayan jungle! You can see more of my photos here.

5. Funky Geisha

Funky Geisha offers a fusion menu featuring Thai, Indian, Chinese, and Japanese flavors and they nail it! The restaurant seating is fun and their cocktail program is not to be missed.

6. La Taqueria Food Truck

We frequented the upscale food trucks COUNTLESS times during our trip. They have a bar, a taco truck, pizzeria, and even a poke truck. The food trucks are across from La Zebra hotel. La Taqueria’s shrimp and al pastor tacos with A++!

7. Pizza Pax: La Pizza E Cosa Nostra

We are self proclaimed pizza connoisseurs. This is probably THE BEST PIZZA IN TULUM and very likely the best pizza we’ve ever had. It’s so good that we took one to-go for the flight back! The pizzas are fired as soon as you order and cost about 240 pesos (~USD$12). The pizza truck is located within the food truck area across from La Zebra.

8. Antojitos La Chiapaneca 

No Tulum Food Guide is complete without a good taco recommendation. Antojitos La Chiapaneca has the BEST $0.50 tacos. Yes you heard me right. This taqueria is located within Tulum town and is one of the most popular ones in the area. Get their al pastor!

9. Burrito Amor 

Amazing burritos, with fresh clean ingredients.

Best Drinks in Tulum

1. Todos Santos Bar

Cocktail bar that specializes in custom cocktails. They have NO menu! You simply tell the bartender what you like and he’ll whip it up. I asked for sour and passionfruit, and it did not disappoint!

2. Azulik

Imagine having front row seats to the sun setting over the Mayan Jungle. You can experience this in your own private nest at Azulik.

Each rooftop nest rental ranges between $350USD – $800USD for the evening, with an additional minimum meal consumption. It’s definitely a splurge. They also have “lounge” nests under the roof with net hammocks, which also have a reservation fee.

The lunch portions are substantial, and we had the BEST ceviche and shrimp tacos here.

3. Gitano

One of the most popular restaurant and bar on Tulum Beach. Great vibe and great cocktails.

4. Bal Nak 

Bal Nak’ is an open-air cocktail bar and restaurant. They have one of the best drink deals on Tulum beach: 2-for-1 cocktails! We discovered this cocktail bar on our very last day and had some of the BEST cocktails of our trip here. They have a full dinner menu as well as swoon-worthy candle-lit dining areas within lush palm trees.

5. Coco

Coco Tulum is a boutique hotel on Tulum beach. It’s the perfect place to soak in the beach vibes. Grab a mezcal cocktail at Coco Beach Bar, a swing, and let the warm Caribbean air wash over you.

Best Smoothies in Tulum

1. Matcha Mama

Matcha Mama makes some seriously delicious smoothie bowls and matcha creations. We tried numerous smoothies on our trip and this was amongst the top: it was abundant in fresh fruit, not overly icy, and fairly priced. They also sell fresh coconuts for 40 pesos!

2. Raw Love

Raw Love has multiple locations but the most popular is within the Ahau Tulum hotel on Tulum beach. Their smoothies and bowls are so fresh and refreshing. Grab an açai bowl at their brach-front location and  take in the gorgeous beach views

4. Origami Gelato

We got the passion fruit gelato here and it was everything we wanted and more

5. i Scream Bar

Ice cream bar at day, raging outdoor club at night, iScream bar has something for everyone! Their ice creams are vegan, organic, and dairy free.

6. Campanella Cremerie

Come here for THE BEST GELATO in town. We had the pistachio gelato, made with 100% pistachios, and it was brimming with nutty goodness. They also have waffles topped with gelato, mini cakes, smoothies, and sandwiches.

Hope this Tulum Food Guide helps you in your culinary adventures in Tulum. For A complete list of top attractions in Tulum, visit my Instagrammable Spots in Tulum Guide

If you have any questions, leave a comment below or message me on Instagram @croissantsandcaviar!

Thanks for stopping by!

Shway