Are you planning a trip to Tulum and looking for the best places to eat?You’ve landed in the perfect spot!
Nestled on the Yucatán Peninsula, Tulum is not only a sanctuary for those who adore pristine beaches and rich historical sites, but it’s also a great destination for food enthusiasts.
I first visited years ago, when dining was already expensive. But the pandemic made it even worse. I realized that you can easily overspend on dining if you don’t know the local scene.
That’s why I’ve created this complete guide, walking you through the Top 25 Eateries in Tulum, spanning both the hotel zone and the city center.
From cozy local eateries to chic upscale restaurants, along with hearty meat options and healthy organic vegetarian meals, there’s a perfect spot for every taste and every budget.
Since Tulum is quite spread out, I’ve divided the top 25 restaurants into two sections: the hotel zone and the city center, which are about 3 miles apart.
Just like the hotels, dining options in the downtown area tend to be more affordable, while those in the hotel zone are generally more upscale and expensive.
If you’re a food lover with limited time, a guided food tour in Tulum is a fantastic choice. Join a local guide who will show you around the best eateries in town!
This is undoubtedly one of the most famous spots in Tulum‘s hotel zone, nestled right on the beach!
This must-visit spot for vegans offers a 100% organic vegan menu, with dishes free from refined sugar, dairy products, preservatives and animal products (with the exception of honey).
They’re known for their tasty quesadillas and fajitas, but what really won me over is their generous Arrachera (skirt steak) burrito, loaded with cheese and tomato.
Make sure to sample their guacamole as well – it’s fresh with the perfect lime twist. The atmosphere here is lively and welcoming, with friendly service that makes every meal enjoyable. La Taqueria offers an authentic taste of Mexico, right in the heart of the Tulum Beach Strip.
If you’re hunting for the best Neapolitan-style pizzas in Tulum, this is the place to be.
It’s definitely one of my favorite spots to dine in Tulum. The secret to their exceptional pizza is the wood-fired oven that gives each pizza a perfect crispy crust and rich flavor.
Their Limoncello Spritz is a refreshing delight, and you absolutely must try their delicious Pistachio Tiramisu to finish your meal beautifully. Trust me, even if you think you can’t eat another bite, you need to make room for this dessert.
Nestled closed the beach, La Malinche Tulum is a vibrant and welcoming spot, ideal for relaxing in a laid-back, colorful atmosphere.
It offers tasty and affordable tacos, a great alternative to the more expensive beach clubs. I was particularly impressed by their octopus taco!
After a day near the sea, it’s a perfect place for enjoying tacos, burritos, margaritas, or beer at good prices.
For vegetarians and vegans, they also have a nice selection of options.
There are many good sushi restaurants in Tulum, but Oishī offers a unique experience that blends ancient Japanese traditions with modern cuisine: Omakase and Kaiseki.
Omakase means “I trust the chef.” It’s a friendly way to eat, where the chef surprises you with his creativity, making dishes from the day’s fresh products.
Kaiseki is a refined meal with several courses focused on seasonal ingredients, a bit more formal than Omakase.
At Oishī, every dish is prepared in front of you, tailored to your tastes as the meal progresses.
You sit at the counter, close to the chef, getting to know each dish and ordering more as you wish. It’s a unique and tasty journey into Japanese cuisine, right in the heart of Tulum.
Holy Smokes, a brand new spot in the hotel zone of Tulum, has quickly become a favorite for its flavorful sandwiches.
I was truly impressed by the brisket and pork belly sandwiches.Their meat’s deep flavors, along with the standout gravy and coleslaw, made these sandwiches the perfect choice for a relaxing day by the beach.
And you can’t forget about their mac and cheese – it’s a must-try for that extra touch of comfort!
What really made my visit to Holy Smokes stand out, apart from their tasty food, was the quick service, super friendly staff, and fair prices, which are quite good for Tulum’s hotel zone.
I really enjoyed the tacos at Santo Mercado, especially the lamb birria tacos (340 pesos). They come with this unique cacao tortilla and pumpkin seeds, and are just amazing.
The vibe is made even better thanks to Luciano & Andres; their friendly service truly makes the place more welcoming.
It’s a lovely restaurant open for breakfast (eggs Benedict, toast, granola bowl, etc.), lunch, and dinner, with co*cktails (the margarita is great!).
I really enjoyed their salads and the tropical ceviche with shrimp and watermelon.
While the restaurant isn’t directly on the beach, it’s part of the same hotel as Ziggy’s restaurant and beach club, so dining there gives you access to Ziggy’s beautiful beach.
Nestled near the vibrant spots of Sferik and Papaya Playa Project, Itzam-Na stands as a gem in Tulum for those seeking authentic Mexican cuisine with a friendly touch.
If you are vegetarian, the vegetarian burrito is incredibly tasty. It comes with fresh guacamole, refried beans, and a zesty, garlicky green salsa. It was so good, I couldn’t help but lick my fingers afterwards.
In addition to the burrito, I also loved the quesadillas and tacos al pastor, which were both very satisfying.
Casa Maria is the restaurant of Diamante K, which is one of my favorite hotels in Tulum!
It’s a bohemian restaurant and beach club, featuring a large palapa for those who prefer the shade, as well as hammocks, tables, and beds on the beach.
The location in Tulum is outstanding, on a private beach surrounded by palm trees, but—thankfully—without any snobbishness. On the contrary, the service here is very friendly, the atmosphere relaxed, and there’s live music in the evening.
My favorite dishes include the mixed ceviche, grilled octopus, shrimp tacos, and for dessert, their homemade Snickers bar, which is a delight.
They also offer several vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options.
You can find their full menu here.
- Open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Carretera Boca Paila Km 2.5, Tulum Ruinas
11. El Paraiso Tulum Restaurant
This restaurant and beach club offer the perfect way to enjoy a magnificent and very safe private beach.
Two sun loungers with very comfortable mattresses will cost you 500 pesos, which is a very reasonable price for Tulum, and there’s no minimum spend required.
Don’t miss the Happy Hour between 11 am and 4 pm to take advantage of the best prices on co*cktails and beer!
- Open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Carretera Boca Paila Mz. 3 Lote 2. Tulum Ruinas
12.La Zebra Restaurant
La Zebra is a hotel with both a restaurant and a beach club. For me, it’s one of the best places in Tulum to enjoy the beach!
It’s true that the beach club isn’t accessible to all pockets (1300 pesos per adult for a bed on the beach, recoverable in food and drinks), but the beach is magnificent and the waiters very friendly and the food is very good.
It’s well worth the investment to spend the day there!
It’s also one of the best beach clubs if you’re traveling to Tulum with kids, as it has a playground (wooden playground), a seaside swing and a rooftop pool with shallow water.
If you prefer not to pay the entrance fee, you can also stay in the restaurant area (which doesn’t prevent you from going to the beach, but you can’t use the facilities). The tacos, esquites and mojitos are very good, and the atmosphere is pleasant with good music.
Another plus: there’s free parking right across the street, which is hard to find in this part of Tulum.
- The beach club closes at 5 p.m., the restaurant is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Carr. Tulum-Boca Paila Km 8.2, Hotel Zone Tulum
13. NÜ Tulum
Tucked away in Tulum’s jungle, NÜ Tulum feels like a secret garden. With its open spaces, a cozy atmosphere, and rustic chic decor lit by candlelight in the evening, it’s the perfect spot for a romantic dinner.
Led by Chef Luis Aguilar, the restaurant is famous for its “farm-to-table” and zero-waste cooking, made with local and fresh ingredients.
Even though it’s not the cheapest option, dining at NÜ Tulum is a real experience!
The menu is quite short, but it’s all about quality. I especially recommend the fish of the day, the sweet potato salad, and the oyster mushroom tempura.
- Open Thursday to Monday, 6pm to 10:30pm
- Carr. Tulum-Boca Paila KM 8.7, Tulum Beach, Hotel Zone, Tulum
14. Rosanegra
Rosanegra offers the best of both worlds: by day, a high-end beach club on one of the most beautiful beaches in Tulum; by night, a gourmet restaurant among the most famous in the city.
The beach club is the perfect place to relax or party on the white sand beach. It has a pool, sofas, beach beds, and sun loungers in the shade, all with good music and a great selection of co*cktails and dishes.
The restaurant features chic bohemian decor with wooden furniture, handmade rugs, and big lamps. It’s a trendy spot with a festive atmosphere (often with a DJ) where people come to eat but also to see and be seen. Perfect for a special occasion!
The service is very attentive, offering a menu inspired by various regions of Latin America. I suggest the ultra-creamy mushroom risotto and the Kobe beef steak, which is definitely the best steak in Tulum!
- Beach club open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., restaurant open from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m.
- Carr. Tulum-Boca Paila 5-Km 7, Tulum Beach, Hotel Zone, Tulum
15. Kanan Tulum Rooftop (The Nest)
Kanan Tulum Hotel offers a superb adults-only beach club and restaurant.
But what sets it apart is its rooftop terrace, the Kanan Rooftop, which feels like a treehouse in the middle of the jungle, surrounded by trees and vines.
From here, you get an impressive 360º view of the Caribbean Sea and the lush jungle of Tulum.
What really makes the roof unique are its “nests,” special seats that remind you of a bird’s nest and offer an intimate spot perfect for a romantic dinner or an exclusive party with friends.
Although enjoying this special atmosphere requires a budget, it’s significantly more affordable than a similar experience at Azulik’s Kin Toh restaurant!
The demand for this unique place is high, so it’s essential to book in advance (by whatsapp +52 998 830 1512) to ensure a spot in this treetop sanctuary.
- Open from 5pm to 11pm every day
- Carretera Tulum Boca Paila Km 7.5 Mza 020 reg 009, 77780 Tulum
Downtown Tulum (Centro)
16. Burrito Amor
Burrito Amor is one of my favorite places in Tulum, with amazing paleo, vegan, and vegetarian options.
Their generous vegan burrito is the best burrito I’ve ever had! Their fish burrito is also very good. The co*cktails are quite strong.
It’s a palapa with a terrace that has a simple, but pretty decor.
It’s not the hidden gem it used to be, so you can expect to wait a bit in line (especially around dinner time), but the wait is worth it because it definitely offers one of the best value for money in Tulum.
- Open every day from 8 am to 10 pm.
- Av. Tulum Mz 05-Lote 03, Tulum Centro
17. Del Cielo
Del Cielo started as a small bakery in 2015 and gradually introduced breakfast dishes. Today, it’s considered by many as the best brunch spot in Tulum!
The dishes and smoothies are both healthy and tasty, made only with fresh products.
The must-tries include the excellent eggs Benedict, egg and avocado toast, and the oat and homemade yogurt bowl with fresh mango.
And for those mornings when you’re really hungry (or maybe need a little hangover cure 😆), the English breakfast is perfect!
There are also several vegan and gluten-free options available.
Del Cielo has quickly become popular, so it’s often very busy. If you’d prefer to avoid waiting, I suggest arriving before 9 am.
- Open everyday 8am-2.30pm
- Satélite Sur 5, Tulum Centro
18. Amaranto Restaurante
Amaranto gives you an authentic taste of Mexican cuisine, great for vegetarians and vegans.
This spot is a must for smoothies and Acai bowls, but they also have nutritious breakfasts and lunches.
Give the vegan waffles, huitlacoche quesadillas, and mushroom risotto a try!
It has a calm vibe in a colorful space, decorated with local crafts. You’ll get generous portions, and the prices are more reasonable than many other places in Tulum!
- Open Mon-Sat 9am-5pm
- C. Alfa Sur Manzana 5 Lote 2, Tulum Centro
19. La Negra Tomasa
La Negra Tomasa is one of the best places to eat seafood in downtown Tulum.
With affordable prices and amazing service from Franco and Victoria, it’s a must-visit for anyone looking for true Mexican tastes in a relaxed setting, away from the noisy bars on the main avenue.
And if you like live music, make sure to go on a Sunday!
Everything I’ve tried was really good, but I highly recommend: the fresh tostadas, especially the tuna tostada and the “Mar y Tierra” with steak and shrimp. Also, the fish tacos, and the pineapple and habanero aguachile if you’re into a bit of spice.
- Mon-Fri 12 pm-11 pm, Sat-Sun 11h am-11 pm
- Andromeda Ote 14, Tulum Centro, 77760 Tulum, Q.R.
20. Chencho’s
Chencho’s in Tulum is a hidden gem, found on a very quiet street.
It’s a small family restaurant where you can enjoy big, tasty dishes at great prices, which is really hard to find in Tulum.
Try the mango smoothie, the delicious breakfast burrito, and the best chilaquiles in Tulum!
- 8am-10pm (Tuesday closed)
- C.8 Sur MZ 741-LT 25, La Veleta, Tulum
21. Pepe’s Best Tacos
Here’s the best street food in Tulum!
Get ready to wait for 10 to 20 minutes because lines start forming as soon as they open at 6 p.m.
But the wait is totally worth it: the stall is very clean, the service is quick and super friendly, and the value for money is the best in Tulum – only 20-30 pesos per taco, generously filled!
They also offer delicious tortas for just 60 pesos.
Don’t miss out on the shrimp tacos, al pastor tacos, and vegetarian portobello tacos.
And add some of their homemade tamarindo and mango-habanero sauces for extra flavor 😉
- Open Tuesday-Sunday 6pm-22pm
- Calle 7 Sur corner Calle 6 Sur, Tulum
22. Crazy Fish Tacos
Right next to the ADO bus station, Crazy Fish Tacos has a relaxed, beachy atmosphere that reminds me of surf spots.
Here, you’ll find Tulum’s best fish tacos! But there’s more than fish: their vegan tacos and octopus burrito are also fantastic.
If you want to try a little bit of everything, I recommend the “Sampler” – which includes 2 tacos and 2 quesadillas, letting you taste a variety of their best dishes.
Crazy Fish Tacos is the perfect spot for a laid-back meal right in the heart of Tulum.
- Thursday-Tuesday 2pm-9.30pm
- Calle Júpiter Norte corner Av Tulum Poniente, Tulum
23. Taqueria Speedy Gonzalez
Taqueria Speedy Gonzalez is a small family restaurant where you meet the friendly owner and his family. They speak only Spanish, but they’re always ready to use Google Translate to make communication easy!
They offer a good variety of dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with an excellent quality-quantity-price ratio for Tulum: very tasty tacos, but also big chicken quesadillas, hamburgers, and sandwiches.
There’s something for everyone!
- 8 am-11.30 pm (Wednesday closed)
- Calle Júpiter Sur & Calle Mercurio Poniente, Tulum
24. Pescaderia Tulum
At Pescaderia, you’ll find the best fried fish in Tulum!
Simple, delicious, local, with friendly service—this is exactly my kind of place.
It’s a local fish shop with a few tables, not well-known among tourists, where you pick the fish you like, they weigh it, tell you the price, and fry it to perfection: crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside.
It comes with fresh tortillas, salad, lime, and various sauces, allowing you to make your own fish tacos.
The food is incredible, and the prices can’t be beaten.
Plus, if you feel like having a beer, you can bring your own no problem (they don’t sell any).
- Open 8 am – 4 pm
- Av Tulum corner Calle Luna Sur, Downtown Tulum
25. Loncheria La Esquina
La Esquina Loncheria is a very local spot in Tulum where (for now 🤞) not many tourists go!
You can find traditional dishes served in good portions like tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and salbutes, with some vegetarian options, all at low prices.
Don’t miss the “menu of the day” for 90 pesos, which changes daily. It includes a main dish and a fruit water drink, served with rice, beans, and tortillas.
It’s not a fancy place, but it’s clean, the service is friendly, the food is good, and it’s a dive into the atmosphere of the “real” Tulum, far from Instagram.
- Mon-Sat 7 am – 8 pm, Closed Sundays
- Calle Júpiter Nte corner Calle Polar Pte., Downtown Tulum
Tulum has lots of great restaurants, and I couldn’t list them all here. But this list is a good place to begin your food adventure! What’s your favorite place to eat in Tulum?
Here’s a map with all the best restaurants in Tulum mentioned in this article, making it easy for you to navigate and find them.
Should you stay in Tulum’s hotel zone or in the town center? Each area offers unique benefits!
The hotel zone in Tulum boasts stunning hotels with often direct beach access, though it generally requires a higher budget.
Staying in Tulum’s downtown, on the other hand, is typically more affordable and puts you close to everything – markets, banks, restaurants, bars, and more.
Until recently, there was no airport in Tulum, and the nearest airport was Cancun. So you had to take a flight to Cancun (e.g. Iberia, Aeromexico, Interjet, KLM, etc.), then transfer from Cancun to Tulum (3h15).
Before choosing an airport, compare the prices and stopovers from your original destination. Cancun might still be better than Tulum, since there are not many direct flights to Tulum right now.
To find a cheap flight to Tulum or Cancun, I recommend using our flight comparison service in partnership with Skyscanner. You’re guaranteed to pay the best price!
