Where to Eat & Drink in Tulum: 10 Best Restaurants
Where to eat and drink in Tulum? Being a foodie who loves experiencing new cuisines, Tulum was a culinary thrill ride in every way, of course finding the best tacos was on my to do list, but in Tulum you can expect much more than that.
For food lovers planning a trip to Tulum, my Complete Tulum Travel Guide offers insider tips on where to eat, drink, where to stay, and all the hidden gems that Google won’t tell you about.
Below you’ll find a sneak peek at what’s inside the Tulum Travel Guide with 10 best restaurants where you can dine and drink like a local!
Best Tacos in Tulum
1. Taqueria La Chiapaneca
This restaurant is situated on the main road of Tulum. Taqueria La Chiapaneca stands out in southern Mexican flavor authenticity. It has an al pastor and cochinita pibil special on tacos, which comprises marinated pork, cooked vertically, topped with fresh pineapple, for a perfect harmony of savory and sweet flavors. Meanwhile, the slow-cooked pork, or cochinita pibil, is tender and flavorful with citrus undertones and a smothering of achiote spices. Homemade salsas are also available, making a taco taste perfect for how much spice and tang is added to the perfect taco. Budgeted prices and laid-back vibes only make it an even greater place to go for casual, no-frills taco enjoyment.
2. Tropitango Tulum (Food Cart)
If you are looking for a true Tulum street food experience, visit Tropitango Tulum, a food cart known for its vibrant and fresh taco offerings The place is not very difficult to find: You'll find it not far from the heart of the town center of Tulum; the Mexican-Caribbean style tacos are served there with great pride for using fresh ingredients and creativity for cooking them. Their tacos are loaded with robust flavors, and their tropical salsas, which contain mangoes, pineapples, and habanero, really give it a unique taste. It has evolved to be that place for locals and tourists alike where one can get something unique, savory, and hot if one wants to. This laid-back open-air restaurant makes it an ideal joint for grabbing a quick bite in order to absorb the atmosphere.
3. Taqueria Honorio
True treasure of Tulum, Taqueria Honorio is well known for its richly flavored and slow-cooked meats: a very juicy and tasty beef in the barbacoa form, as well as their lechon (roast pork). The cooking happens overnight, so the tender and juicy tacos are a flavor bomb. The taco will be topped with various fresh cilantro, onions, and their homemade salsas. Carefully prepared, with the dedication to those recipes which have been handed down for generations, secret to the success of Honorio is its careful preparation. It is a family-friendly warm taqueria making no-nonsense good, quality, hearty tacos. Honorio is the go-to-place in Tulum because locals call it among the best taco joints around.
Best breakfast spots in Tulum:
1. Matcha Mama
Start your day with something fresh, healthy, and energizing. Matcha Mama is among the most visited breakfast places, offering a range of matcha-based drinks, smoothies, and bowls. Its bright, Instagram-perfect vibe makes it quite popular on the beachside road in Tulum among locals and tourists seeking organic, nutrient-dense breakfast options. Their matcha lattes contain high-quality matcha powder. Unique blends include coconut matcha besides turmeric and ginger lattes. And to put together an ideal meal, they offer the top smoothie bowls made out of granola with the addition of fresh fruits and seeds and so much more. The relaxed surroundings, including the colorful tropical scene, would really make it a nice location for starting your day the nourishing and delicious way.
2. Raw Love
Raw Love is one of the top places in Tulum for lovers of clean, plant-based food. This lovely place on the beach has been designed to open to nature with beautiful scenery all around and serves some of the raw, vegan breakfast options which focus on using only the freshest organic ingredients available. The menu here ranges from acai bowls and smoothie bowls to all kinds of juices, prepared with superfoods, nuts, seeds, and fresh fruits of all types. Amongst its highpoint offerings are the Raw Love bowl, prepared with a mix of acai, coconut, and a mixture of colorful toppings such as chia seeds and bee pollen. They will absolutely enjoy their vegan wraps or raw coconut chia pudding for breakfast, being a savory foodie. Ocean views and relaxed ambience make it an excellent place for healthy indulgence at breakfast time.
3. Elixir Juice and Bowl Bar
Must Visit for breakfast lovers: Juices and bowl bars will tantalize everyone's taste buds when coming to fresh, colorful juice and wholesome bowls. Cold-pressed juice from different places is served on Avenida Tulum, each designed to boost energy levels and health. Some are made from spirulina, maca, super foods, and more high-end fruits including tropical fruits and greens in those juices and smoothies. Their acai bowls are a crowd-pleaser for a breakfast with a bit more substance, served with granola, coconut, fresh fruit, and seeds. The café also offers delicious raw snacks and healthy treats to go with your drink. Elixir has a clean, minimalist design with a focus on natural ingredients and is perfect for those looking for a nutritious and revitalizing breakfast experience.
Top places for lunch and dinner in Tulum:
1. La Negra Tomasa
La Negra Tomasa is a very interesting combination of Caribbean flavors with contemporary Mexican cuisine in colorful, bohemian ambiance. It is placed on the less busy part of Tulum's beach main road. La Negra Tomasa is pretty relaxed but stylish to have lunch or dinner with eclectic atmosphere of art, music, and mouthwatering food. Their menu is varied, focusing on fresh seafood and traditional Mexican dishes with a creative twist. Popular dishes include grilled octopus, tacos de pescado, and cochinita pibil, all made with locally sourced ingredients. Their cocktails, especially the mezcal-based drinks, pair well with the food, and their outdoor seating offers a laid-back vibe, perfect for enjoying Tulum's tropical weather. La Negra Tomasa is a fantastic spot to visit and indulge flavors of the region along with innovative ambiance in a restaurant's dining room.
2. Onyx Tulum
This is where fine, high-class dining comes, as with its contemporary sophistication, the restaurant fuses Mediterranean with Mexican in a manner that will offer all the guests on the menu a fusion of sophisticated fine ingredients along with artistic presentation. Situated in the hotel area of Tulum, Onyx is now the epitome of cozy, yet chic. Indoor and outdoor tables, with a minimalist yet luxurious feel, make it perfect for that gourmet lunch or dinner. Some of their best offerings include tuna tartare, lamb rack, and of course, their tasting menu. Their wine list is as impressive as the cuisine they offer, matched with cocktails that are innovative in preparation. Onyx Tulum is great for a special night out or romantic dinner. The ambiance is truly refined and classy, and so is the culinary experience.
3. Vivo
Vivo is more of a modern Mexican version of traditional cuisine. The dishes are fresh and lively, focusing on local ingredients and seasonal flavors. This is a trendy yet unpretentious restaurant located just off the main strip in Tulum. It focuses on sustainability and offers a menu with many options, including vegetarian and gluten-free choices. Their menu features creative interpretations of classic Mexican dishes such as mole poblano, tacos de carne asada, and ceviche de mariscos. They also have heartier offerings such as their deliciously roasted chicken or steak tacos. Vivo is a lovely lunch or dinner destination in that it has an agreeable, laid-back air about it. It's truly ideal for casual dining as well as just having an easy dinner with friends over. Cocktails and fresh juices here are also definitely worth the accolades given that several of them showcase tropical fruits and herbs.
4. La Pizzine
For someone expecting to enjoy a good, wood-fired pizza in the same cozy Italian-inspired surroundings, La Pizzine is the place to head. La Pizzine is a hidden gem within Tulum's more residential districts, serving up old-world Italian pizzas with fresh ingredients of the highest quality. There are many great, thin-crust pizzas to choose from, with combinations ranging from fresh mozzarella and tomato to prosciutto, arugula, and truffle oil. Its pasta dishes are also worth a try with rich, savory sauces and homemade noodles. Ambiance is laid-back yet very inviting with the old-rustic-chic feeling that would have this place really feel like you're coming home-cozy, warm, inviting-no matter how easy you are looking for lunch or having an easy dinner paired off with wine to go-this place, La Pizzine does welcome those trying to get that authentic taste of Italy in Tulum.
For a more comprehensive list of great lunch and dinner spots in Tulum, have a look at our Tulum Travel Guide, where we go further in depth regarding the best spots to dine, drink, and even relax!