12 Unique Restaurants in Tulum (Ultimate Foodie Spots)

171

Craving something special? From beachfront views to hidden jungle gems, these restaurants serve up amazing food with a side of unforgettable experiences!

I’ve eaten my way through Tulum and found some true gems that stand out from the usual spots. From beachfront seafood with stunning sunset views to jungle hideaways where the food is as creative as the atmosphere, there’s a variety of great places to try.

These are my picks for the most unique restaurants in Tulum. Believe me, they’re worth checking out!

At a Glance: Unique Places to Eat in Tulum

Here are my top picks for the coolest restaurants in Tulum, each offering a different experience, from fresh seafood to creative vegetarian dishes:

• Best for Sunset Views: La Zebra. Beachfront dining with incredible ocean views.
• Best for Vegans and Veggies: Raw Love. Fresh, organic, and plant-based food.
• Most Authentic Experience: La Veleta. Yucatecan food in a no-fuss setting.
• Best for Seafood: El Camello Jr. Generous portions of super fresh seafood.
• Best for a Romantic Night: NÜ Tulum. Creative dishes in a beautiful setting.

These spots each bring something special to the table, so you’ll be in for a treat no matter where you choose to eat!

1. Kin Toh at Azulik

• 📍 Location: Beach Zone, Azulik Resort
• 💲 Price range: $150 – $300+ per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Mayan-Mexican Avant-Garde / Fine Dining
• 🔥 Standout Features: Surreal treetop “nests,” Mayan-inspired experimental cuisine, stunning jungle/ocean views.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Ultimate romantic splurges, architectural marvel seekers, and once-in-a-lifetime dining.

Dine in a dreamscape at Kin Toh, the stunning restaurant at Azulik resort! It’s an immersive experience with private “nests” woven into the jungle canopy, offering breathtaking views. The avant-garde Mayan-Mexican cuisine is as artistic as the setting, complemented by jungle sounds and copal incense.

A visit here is an invitation to indulge in a multi-course tasting menu that explores ancient Mayan flavors with modern techniques – think exotic local fruits transformed into art or delicate seafood preparations. You absolutely have to try the cooked suckling pig, the vibrant beetroot & goat cheese salad, and the unique xilote pibinal style. This is where you go to dine literally above it all.

• Read next: Top Things to Do in Tulum

2. Casa Jaguar

• 📍 Location: Beach Zone
• 💲 Price range: $50 – $100+ per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Modern Mexican / Wood-Fired / Jungle Cuisine
• 🔥 Standout Features: Chic jungle garden setting, wood-fired cooking focus, craft cocktails/mezcal.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Trendy jungle dining, romantic evenings, and flavorful, wood-kissed Mexican food.

Unleash your wild side at Casa Jaguar, a super chic and atmospheric restaurant nestled in Tulum’s lush jungle beach zone! This spot is all about wood-fired cooking and vibrant, modern Mexican flavors, served in a stunning, candlelit garden setting that feels both rustic and incredibly stylish. The air is alive with the crackle of the fire, a cool DJ beat, and the aroma of grilling meats and smoky mezcal.

You’ll certainly want to try their incredible grilled octopus or smoky rib eye. Their craft cocktails, especially those featuring mezcal, are also a highlight. It’s a perfect spot for a trendy, romantic, and utterly delicious jungle feast.

• Read next: Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Tulum

3. Nomade Tulum

• 📍 Location: Beach Zone, Nomade Hotel
• 💲 Price range: $60 – $120+ per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Holistic / Plant-Based Options / Fresh Seafood (La Popular) / Moroccan (Macondo)
• 🔥 Standout Features: Boho-chic hotel/beachfront setting, focus on wellness/holistic food, stunningly beautiful ambiance.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Health-conscious foodies, stylish beachside dining, and a serene, mindful meal.

Discover bliss and great food at Nomade Tulum, an elegant beachfront hotel offering exceptional dining like La Popular (seafood) and Macondo (plant-based/Moroccan-inspired). The ambiance radiates serene, bohemian luxury with low tables, plush cushions, and soothing waves. The food emphasizes fresh, wholesome, often plant-based ingredients.

A meal here might involve incredibly fresh grilled seafood caught that day at La Popular, like the saffron mussels or the zesty red aguachile, or a vibrant, nourishing tagine or mezze platter at Macondo. You also have to try the delicious shrimp burger. This is barefoot luxury at its finest.

• Read next: Best Places to Visit in the US

4. Gitano

• 📍 Location: Beach Zone & Jungle side
• 💲 Price range: $50 – $100+ per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Modern Mexican / Mezcal Bar / Jungle Disco
• 🔥 Standout Features: Glamorous jungle disco vibe, extensive mezcal selection, wood-fired contemporary Mexican.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Trendy/stylish night out, mezcal lovers, and dinner-to-dancing experiences.

Dine, drink, and dance under the jungle stars at Gitano! This chic Tulum spot, with beach and jungle settings, offers a sensory experience, blending modern Mexican cuisine with an impressive mezcal program and a glamorous jungle party vibe. Picture glittering disco balls hanging from palm trees and a vibrant crowd. The air is electric.

You’ll want to savor their wood-fired contemporary Mexican dishes, like the delectable tuna tostada, the rich truffle tlayuda, or the flavorful birria beef tacos, before hitting the dance floor. Their mezcal cocktails are legendary. It’s where Tulum’s beautiful people go to play.

5. La Zebra

• 📍 Location: Beach Zone, La Zebra Hotel
• 💲 Price range: $40 – $80 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Authentic Mexican / Beachfront Dining
• 🔥 Standout Features: “Sunday Salsa” beach party, fresh/authentic Mexican food, prime beachfront location.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Beachfront Mexican meals, lively Sunday fun, and families/groups.

Experience the vibrant flavors and festive spirit of Mexico right on the sand at La Zebra, located at the charming La Zebra Hotel. This beachfront gem offers authentic, delicious Mexican cuisine in a relaxed and beautiful setting, with your toes practically in the turquoise water. They’re especially famous for their lively “Sunday Salsa” beach parties.

A visit here is an invitation to enjoy fresh ceviche, flavorful fish tacos, or classic enchiladas, all while soaking in the stunning Caribbean views. Their margaritas are also top-notch. It’s the perfect spot for a fun, flavorful, and quintessentially Tulum beach day.

6. Raw Love

• 📍 Location: Beach Zone, Ahau Tulum & Town
• 💲 Price range: $15 – $30 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Raw Vegan / Healthy / Smoothie Bowls
• 🔥 Standout Features: Delicious/creative raw vegan dishes, beautiful/boho beachy vibe, amazing smoothie bowls.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Vegans/vegetarians, health-conscious eaters, and refreshing/guilt-free treats.

Nourish your body and soul with vibrant, plant-based goodness at Raw Love! With locations on the beach at Ahau Tulum and in town, this beloved spot is a haven for delicious and incredibly creative raw vegan cuisine. The vibe is pure boho-chic, with swings for seats and a super relaxed, jungle-meets-beach atmosphere. The air smells of fresh fruit and coconut.

You absolutely have to try one of their stunning acai or smoothie bowls, piled high with fresh fruit and superfoods, or their inventive raw vegan pad thai or zucchini alfredo. Their raw chocolate desserts are also out of this world. It’s proof that healthy can be absolutely heavenly.

• Read next: Hidden Gems in Mexico

7. Hartwood

• 📍 Location: Beach Zone (Jungle Side)
• 💲 Price range: $70 – $150+ per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Wood-Fired Mayan / Sustainable Local Cuisine
• 🔥 Standout Features: Legendary off-grid restaurant with wood-fired cooking, daily changing menu, no electricity (candlelit!), rustic jungle ambiance.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Foodie pilgrims, adventurous eaters seeking authentic local flavors, sustainable dining fans, and unique jungle dining experiences.

Prepare for a truly unique and unforgettable culinary adventure at Hartwood. This legendary Tulum restaurant, nestled on the jungle side of the beach road, operates entirely off-grid, with all cooking done over a massive wood-fired oven and grill. The menu changes daily based on what’s fresh from local fishermen and Mayan farms.

Getting a table requires dedication (reservations release monthly and fill quickly, or try lining up early!). Expect flavorful dishes like wood-roasted whole fish with local herbs. Highlights include slow-cooked pork belly and unique vegetable preparations showcasing Mayan ingredients. Hartwood offers a magical, rustic, and authentic taste of the Yucatan.

8. El Camello Jr.

• 📍 Location: Town Center
• 💲 Price range: $10 – $25 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Mexican Seafood / Marisqueria
• 🔥 Standout Features: Super fresh/local seafood, no-frills authentic marisqueria, beloved by locals/tourists alike.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Amazing/affordable seafood, authentic local eats, and fresh ceviche/fried fish.

Get ready for a seafood feast that’s as fresh as it gets (and incredibly affordable!) at El Camello Jr. in Tulum town. This bustling, no-frills marisqueria (seafood restaurant) is an absolute institution, beloved by locals and in-the-know tourists for its incredibly fresh catches and authentic Mexican seafood preparations. The vibe is loud, lively, and all about the food.

You absolutely must try their amazing ceviche mixto, piled high with fresh fish, shrimp, and octopus, or their perfectly fried whole fish (pescado frito). It’s a true taste of coastal Mexico, unpretentious and utterly delicious. Be prepared for a wait – it’s that good!

9. La Buena Vida

• 📍 Location: Half Moon Bay
• 💲 Price range: $20 – $40 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Mexican / American / Beach Bar & Grill
• 🔥 Standout Features: “No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problem” beach bar, swings for bar seats, stunning Half Moon Bay views.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Ultimate beach bum relaxation, casual waterfront drinks/food, and iconic Riviera Maya vibes.

Kick off your shoes and embrace “The Good Life” at La Buena Vida on Akumal’s beautiful Half Moon Bay! This legendary beach bar and grill is the epitome of laid-back, toes-in-the-sand relaxation, famous for its “No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problem” motto and its swings for bar seats right over the sand. The views of the turquoise bay are simply breathtaking.

A visit here is an invitation to sip on a cold cerveza or a fruity cocktail, munch on some fresh ceviche, their popular fish tacos, or a juicy burger, and just soak in the incredible Caribbean scenery. It’s a true slice of Riviera Maya paradise.

10. NÜ Tulum

• 📍 Location: Hotel Zone
• 💲 Price range: $50 – $100+ per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Modern Mexican / Mayan-Inspired / Fine Dining
• 🔥 Standout Features: Chef Cesar Castañeda, focus on traditional Mayan ingredients/techniques, romantic jungle garden setting.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Refined Mayan-inspired cuisine, romantic/upscale jungle dining, and a sophisticated taste of the Yucatan.

Experience the ancient flavors of the Yucatan Peninsula reimagined at NÜ Tulum. Led by Chef Cesar Castañeda, this restaurant provides a fine dining experience honoring traditional Mayan ingredients and techniques, set in a romantic jungle garden filled with the scent of copal and exotic herbs.

You’ll be delighted by their creative dishes, featuring unique local ingredients like chaya or achiote, in preparations like delicate seafood tiraditos or slow-cooked cochinita pibil. It’s a truly special and transportive culinary journey.

11. Mateo’s Mexican Grill

• 📍 Location: Beach Road South
• 💲 Price range: $20 – $40 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Mexican / American / Bar & Grill
• 🔥 Standout Features: Multi-level restaurant/bar with sunset deck, lively atmosphere/live music (often), classic Mexican-American fare.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Casual sunset drinks/dinner, lively group outings, and classic beach road eats.

Catch some epic sunset views and lively vibes at Mateo’s Mexican Grill on Tulum’s south beach road! This popular multi-level restaurant and bar is a fantastic spot to unwind after a day at the beach, offering great views (especially from its sunset deck), live music (often), and a menu of crowd-pleasing Mexican and American fare. The atmosphere is always buzzing and fun.

A wise choice involves grabbing their famous fish tacos, some flavorful carne asada platters, or delicious fajitas while sipping on a cold cerveza or a margarita. It’s a dependable and energetic spot for a casual, fun-filled evening.

12. Casa Banana

• 📍 Location: Tulum (Beach Zone)
• 💲 Price range: $40 – $80 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Argentinian / Steakhouse / Wood-Fired Grill
• 🔥 Standout Features: Authentic Argentinian wood-fired “asado” (BBQ), excellent steaks/grilled meats, rustic-chic jungle ambiance.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Steak lovers, Argentinian BBQ fans, and a flavorful, rustic-chic jungle dinner.

Get ready for a fiery feast of Argentinian flavors at Casa Banana in Tulum’s beach zone! This spot is all about authentic “asado” – traditional Argentinian barbecue cooked over a wood-fired grill, infusing everything with incredible smoky flavor. The rustic-chic jungle ambiance, with open-air seating and the aroma of grilling meats, is simply intoxicating.

You absolutely must try their incredible grilled steaks, like a tender wood-fired ribeye or a flavorful filet mignon, or their amazing roasted sweetbreads in lemon. Their chimichurri sauce is the perfect accompaniment. It’s a true carnivore’s delight in a beautiful jungle setting.

• Read next: Beautiful Places to Visit in Mexico

Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the quirkiest Tulum restaurants

Got a few questions before diving into Tulum’s unique dining scene? Here are some quick answers to help you feel prepared and make the most of your foodie adventure while visiting Tulum.

Is Tulum known for its food?

Yes, Tulum is definitely known for its food, making it one of the top places to live and visit in Mexico. The town has an amazing variety of restaurants, from casual taco spots to high-end dining experiences.

How much is an average meal in Tulum?

An average meal in Tulum can range from about $10 to $30 USD, depending on where you eat. Local spots tend to be cheaper, while beachfront or upscale restaurants can be pricier.

Is it OK to have ice in Tulum?

Yes, it’s generally OK to have ice in Tulum, especially in established restaurants. Most places use purified water for ice, but if you’re unsure, it’s always safe to ask.

Should I take pesos or dollars to Tulum?

It’s best to take pesos to Tulum. While some places accept dollars, paying in pesos will give you a better exchange rate, and it’s more convenient for smaller purchases.