Tulum
Restaurant Guide

Dining in Tulum is really broken up into two areas.  The pueblo (town) or down at the beach.  Both areas have some good options and offer a very different ambience.  The beach 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. 

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.

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

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. 

Nachos Latitude 20:    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 a short ways.  Nacho has been around the area for quite a long time and has built a good reputation and following.  Fabulous location, good tacos and seafood.  for more info Latitude 20

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?

 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