Tulum
Restaurant Guide

Dining in Tulum is really broken up into three areas.  The pueblo (town), down at the beach or on one of the bays (Tankha or Soliman).  All 3 areas have some good options and offer a very different ambience.  The beach/bay of course is as beautiful as you would expect, but the pueblo is great for people watching with a mix of locals, eco tourists and the backpacking 'travelers' who make this a 'must stop' on their route through this part of Mexico.

Ricos Pollos:               located in the pueblo.  As you drive into town watch on your left & you will see the plastic tables on the sidewalk and the smoke rising from a 45 gallon drum cut in half to serve as a bar-b-que.  There are a couple of restaurants side by side here and we have found them both to be good.  The menu is simple.  Do you want a half or whole bar-b-que chicken?  Served with tortillas, rice and slaw.  Soft drinks usually available or do what I do and run across the street to the beer store and get yourself a cold one.  They don't mind if you B.Y.O.B.

La Nave:                 located in the pueblo on the right side as you enter from Cancun     Owners Fernando and Arianna serve up delicious pizza and genuine Italian dishes with a good selection of fresh seafood. 

Charlies:                located in the pueblo on the right side of main street as you are driving in.  I discovered the margaritas here while waiting for friends to shop in the attached boutique. (which by the way has a great selection of Mexican handicrafts)  It turned into an all afternoon stop which has been repeated on more than one occasion.

El Mariachi:                located in the pueblo on the right side of main street as you are driving in.  I haven't eaten here but hear that they serve good inexpensive authentic Mexican food.

Mezzanine:                located on the beach.  As you are driving to the beach from Hiway 307, turn left at the T intersection and you will find the restaurant on your right about a mile down.  Mezzanine is tasteful evidence of how the Tulum beach scene is headed up market.  A postcard setting with a zillion dollar view is only the beginning.  Kiwi owners Brendon, Katrina & Ryan have introduced Thai, Mexican, and big city influences, into something new and very welcome.  A Thai chef, New York style martinis, and Mexican Pacific design are very tastefully blended together and served up with the casual Mexican-Caribbean ambiance that I love so much.   This is a must stop for all day breakfast, lunch, dinner or just a drink.  Friday nights they have a dance party with guest DJ's flown in.  Unfortunately some zoning problems may have this restaurant closing down.  Here is the link to their web site.  Mezzanine

Hechizo:                located on the beach.  As you are driving to the beach from Hiway 307, turn right at the T intersection and follow 4.5 Km from the intersection.  Look for 'Rancho San Eric' on your left.  Drive in and park in the sand.  If you reach the entrance to Sian Ka'an Biosphere you went just a little too far so double back.  Hechizo is Spanish for 'enchantment' and that is what you will experience eating here.  This magical restaurant is a MUST if you appreciate fine dining.  Owner/chef Stefan Schober and his wife/pastry chef Ying-Hui, met while both working at the Ritz Carlton in Singapore.  Stefan who is of Austrian descent was born in Mexico City but grew up in Tulum.  Stefan trained in Salzburg before joining the Ritz Carlton group where he held progressively more responsible positions at the Ritz Carlton hotels in Cancun, Dubai, and Singapore.  Returning to Tulum where his parents were still living, the family have collectively created this simple, yet wonderful, oasis for the senses almost entirely on their own.  The restaurant Hechizo only serves dinner, they do not have a menu and there are no set prices.  If you are lucky enough to get a seat at one of the 9 tables then you will be treated to dinner with Stefan and Hui who decide on the evenings menu based on what fresh ingredients they can find that day and their artistic mood.  expect to pay approximately $120 usd for two including wine. Closed Monday.  Reservations by email hechizo_tulum@yahoo.com or telephone 52 (984) 100-0710

Mateo's Mexican Grill:         located in the little commercial center on the south Tulum beach road.  As you are driving to the beach from hiway 307, turn right at the T intersection and you will find the restaurant a short way down on your right past a few shops and new cabinas/resorts.  Casual dining atmosphere, great fresh food and bar out back have made this a very popular place to dine in Tulum.

Casa Cenote:             located on Tankha Bay.     Another well loved local hangout.  Owner Gary does a mean Texas bar-b-que lunch on Sundays.  Burgers are always good and beer cold.  Bring your mask and snorkel with you and spend an hour exploring Cenote Manate in Gary's back yard.

Oscar y Lalos:             located on the highway across from entrance to Soliman Bay.     Indoor and outdoor dining in a pleasant jungle setting, specializes in seafood and Mexican dishes.   web site http://www.oscarandlalo.com/  Telephone 984-115-9965

Sahara Cafe:        located on Soliman Bay. On the highway at the sign for Oscar y Lalos, turn onto the gravel road and head to the beach.  When you get to the security gate, tell them you are going to the restaurant which is the first entrance on your left.   Currently just open for dinner but once their hotel is finished, they will offer lunch and a lounge as well.  Tasteful decor, great location and upscale menu with a focus on seafood and pastas.  telephone 984 129 2744

Chamica:        located on Soliman Bay. On the highway at the sign for Oscar y Lalos, turn onto the gravel road and head to the beach.  When you get to the security gate, tell them you are going to the restaurant which is down at the very end of the bay.   This small palapa on the sand has a great ambiance and delicious 'pescado entero'

El Mirador:                 located on the beach.  As you are driving to the beach from hiway 307, turn left at the T intersection and you will find the restaurant on your right down near the end of the road.  Perched on a bluff this restaurant commands a great view of the beach and ocean.  Food OK, beer cold, location great. 

La Vita y Bella Pizzeria:   located on the beach.  As you are driving to the beach from hiway 307, turn left at the T intersection and you will find the restaurant on your right down near the end of the road.  A wood fired stone oven pizzas and pastas, plus seafood and Mexican dishes.  Very near the back entrance into the Tulum ruins so an excellent place to fuel up and cool off in the ocean after touring the ruins.

Zamas:                      located on the beach.  As you are driving to the beach from hiway 307, turn right at the T intersection and you will find the restaurant a short way down on your left past a few shops and new cabinas/resorts.  Another wonderful location to enjoy a meal or just a drink.  Eclectic menu with vegetarian, seafood and pasta dishes. This is a long time favorite of locals.

Anna y Joses:            located on the beach.  As you are driving to the beach from hiway 307, turn right at the T intersection and you will find the restaurant a short way down on your left past   Fabulous beach, relaxing resort, good Mexican food.  Isn't that what you came here for?

VILLA las ESTRELLAS:       on the beach in Tulum past Ana y Jose's:  Don't be confused by 'Restaurant las Estrellas' which is a different place altogether.  Drive right past and keep looking on your left as you head toward the entrance to Sian Kaan.  Owners Simone (Italian) & Thais (Brazilian) have created a charming oasis on the beach with their 6 room hotel (see Villa las Estrellas) and unassuming restaurant.  They have brought in an accomplished chef and it shows.  Try the crispy octopus and coconut shrimp if you are not sure what to order..

 Las Ranitas:             located on the beach.  As you are driving to the beach from hiway 307, turn right at the T intersection and you will find the restaurant a short way down on your left past Anna y Joses.  French cuisine, Mexican and Seafood in a nice restaurant on a beautiful beach.  Worth the terrible road.  UPDATE... the road is now paved past restaurant to entrance gate to Sian Kaan

Telephone 
+52 984 873-5459 Mexico 
+1 303 325-5800 USA

Email: info@brisacaribe.com