I absolutely loved Tulum and cannot wait to visit again. It’s a chic coastal Mexican town with a boho vibe. Tulum has so many unique things to experience that our four-night stay didn’t feel long enough. My husband and I enjoyed our resort and the surrounding beach clubs so much that we never made it to explore the downtown and spent most of our stay in the Hotel Zone on the ocean. This blog will give you some great ideas on where to eat while you’re visiting. If you love seafood or fresh smoothies Tulum is the perfect place for you!
- Matcha Mama
So I have to recommend this place because not only is it delicious – it’s Insta-famous for a cute photo op. It’s a fun tropical vibe with great plant based matcha, smoothies, kombucha and more! They’re open from 9am – 8pm, making it a great place to grab a light breakfast, pick-me-up in the middle of the day or “nice” cream in the evening!
- Skynests
There are two restaurants that offer dining above the tree canopies. The most popular is KinToh (which is the one we went to) and Kanan also has them available. These restaurants are basically tree houses, with nests above the restaurant and offer amazing views of the ocean and jungle. The restaurants are unique on the inside and offer fine dining and cocktails. The nests are pricey and often have a set menu, but it’s a cool experience.
- Rosa Negra
I will say that Rosa Negra was the best food we had in Tulum. It has a beautiful bohemian feel on the inside with large, handcrafted lamps. They import products from different countries – like Tomahawk steaks from Australia and Wagyu from Japan. Rosa Negra also has a great selection of seafood if that’s something you’re into. Octopus is not something I’d usually order, but I loved it!
- Taboo
We actually went to Taboo AFTER dinner just to check it out and have a cocktail. The restaurant tables were full and there was a violinist in the middle of the restaurant putting on an absolutely amazing performance! The whole place was excitedly cheering and overall had a great party vibe. The food looked and smelled amazing! I wish I had more time in Tulum to dine there.
- Hartwood
This restaurant is really popular and reservations are encouraged because of the restaurant size. When we visited Tulum the restaurant was cash only, so be prepared for that. Their menu changes daily based on fresh fish catches and is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. All of Hartwood’s cooking is done by fire over a handmade wood burning oven and grill. Definitely a must while visiting Tulum.
- I Scream Bar
Originally, I thought this was a spot to only get ice cream or dessert, but it’s actually a bar that serves cocktails and food (and ice cream!). Its super cute place with a fun vibe and a Insta-worthy for photos.
There are a few tips to share in regards to dining in Tulum. Depending on the season that you are visiting it can get quite busy. It’s a good idea to make reservations in advance, especially if you want to see a sunset in the sky nests. I reserved Kin Toh online on their website. I had to make a down payment of $102 USD to secure the reservation. I also made reservations for other restaurants on the Open Table app and it was very convenient – no deposit needed!
I did mention in another blog that planning the timing of dinners is important too. See the post here:. Tulum is a party town and can be quite lively in the evenings, but we made our dinner reservations too early. We felt like we missed out on some of the party vibes, but if you like to avoid crowds then definitely book an early time slot. Also, depending on the time of year make sure if you book a sky nest that you coordinate with the timing of the sunset. Its breathtaking and worth the experience.