Tulum, the up-and-coming boho town on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, is expanding by the day. With new swoon-worthy developments and more tourists coming here every year, it’s unsurprising that there are tonnes of restaurants in Tulum town. However, as with anywhere, they’re not all great. In this article, we take a look at 10 of the best restaurants in Tulum Pueblo. You’ll find everything in this tiny town, from local taco stands to fancy restaurants – there are hundreds of places to choose from, so no matter what you fancy, we’ve got you covered.
Please note: The list is random and not ordered by ‘best’.
The Best Restaurants in Tulum Pueblo
1. Bonita – Best Burger Restaurant in Tulum
Bonita has got to be one of the tastiest burger places we’ve ever been to. Sitting between two buildings on what looks like a vacant lot, Bonita is an unassuming terrace/open-air restaurant that serves up some seriously tasty burgers, nachos and fries. They also have a great selection of cocktails and beers to wash down your dinner.
They usually have some good drinks and food offers on, with happy hours and sharing platters that are to die for! Our top tip is to come with an empty stomach because, boy, are you gonna nail some calories. This is the perfect spot to refuel after a day exploring With live music playing and a super laid-back atmosphere, Bonita is one of the best restaurants in Tulum Pueblo for a casual comfort food dinner.
2. Burrito Amor – Best for Burritos in Tulum
The name kind of gives this one away – guess what Burrito Amor is famous for? This casual and incredibly aesthetic spot is located on the main road as you head south out of Tulum town. Branded as contemporary Mexican, you can get all-day breakfasts here, and a few side dishes, but the real stars of the show are their deluxe burritos! Honestly, after three months in Mexico, we can safely say these were our favourites.
What’s great about Burrito Amor is that they offer gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan dishes – meaning no one has to miss out. The service is amazing, the decor is as boho as you’d expect, and the burritos are a 10 out of 10 – it’s definitely one of the best restaurants in Tulum Pueblo if you’re looking for a stacked burrito.
3. Palma Central – Food Truck Park in Tulum
Putting Palma Central on the list of best restaurants in Tulum Pueblo is a bit of a cheat because there are over 15 places to eat here! This food truck park is an absolute vibe and reminded us of the Container Park in Grenada. With Classic Mexican, Greek, Burgers, Argentina, Japanese, Chinese, Pizza, and so much more to choose from, everyone in your group will be more than satisfied. The atmosphere here is great. They have live entertainment, which could be anything from fire dancers to live music, there are locally made arts and crafts on sale, and there is a huge bar.
Basically, go to Palma Central if you like good food and a lively atmosphere. It’s an open-air venue with free-for-all seating, so you just head to your chosen food trucks, order your food and sit wherever you like. Similar to a TimeOut Market vibe. Yes, it’s a little bit pricey here compared to the other best restaurants in Tulum town, but we think you have to bite the bullet and spend an evening at Palma Central.
🌮 This 5-star walking food tour in Tulum is one of the best ways to try local cuisine and experience the food Tulum Pueblo has to offer, especially if you’re short on time. It takes you to some of the best local spots to try authentic Mexican dishes!
4. Taqueria Honorio – Best Authentic Mexican Food in Tulum
Quintessential Mexican food done right. If you’re on the hunt for cheap and tasty food with a truly authentic Mexican experience then Taqueria Honorio is the one. This was our very first stop in Mexico, and we were not disappointed! We knew we’d made a good decision when we turned the corner to see locals queuing out the door waiting for a table.
When we arrived, the place was buzzing, live music was playing the tables were full and were tacos flying out of the open kitchen. We expected it to be full of tourists because it’s up there with the most reviewed and best restaurants in Tulum Pueblo, but the fact that locals love it tells you all you need to know.
To avoid waiting around, it’d be best to head for some brunch tacos. If you arrive around lunchtime or into the afternoon, people will be queueing down the street.
5. DelCielo – Best Breakfast Restaurant in Tulum
In stark contrast to Taqueria Honorio, DelCielo is a small, laid back and relaxing breakfast and brunch spot that serves up plenty of healthy dishes, including classic Mexican breakfasts like Chilaquiles and Huevos Rancheros as well as westernised options with plenty of avocado around. We had brunch here twice and can highly recommend it as one of the best restaurants in Tulum Pueblo if you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the busy main street for a while.
The beautifully decorated space is half on a patio and half indoors. It’s a small, intimate and relatively quiet setting and is definitely worth the little price increase compared to similar restaurants.
6. La Cordobesita Tulum – Best Vegan Taco Stand in Tulum
Can you class a vegan food stand that has a few bar stools as a restaurant? Well, we are, and we’re putting it on our list of best restaurants in Tulum Pueblo. Tacos, tortas, burgers, pizzas and fries (amongst other things) are on the menu. And you guessed it, it’s all vegan. The dishes use jackfruit, vegan pastor, vegan chorizo, plenty of beans (legumes) and other vegan alternatives. Also, their garlic aioli alone makes it worth stopping here.
The reviews of this place speak for themselves, and you should definitely stop here. It’s probably a great place to get some late-night vegan snacks if you’re headed home from a bar because most restaurants close early, but La Cordobesita is open until 2 am.
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7. Taco Stands Outside OXXO, Calle Geminis Sur and Highway 307
On the same street as La Cordobesita, you’ll find 4 or 5 more food trucks that sell some seriously tasty tacos, such as Tacos y Tortas El Tío. Whether you’re looking for a seafood fix or want to chow down on some pastor, these guys have got you covered. Honestly, they’re impossible to miss. Locals surround the place almost as soon as it opens, and they are busy all night long.
Don’t plan ahead and choose which stand you’re going to go to. We recommend trying them all. The food is cheap, everyone is incredibly friendly and you’ll find yourself sitting on a wall chatting to people while tucking into your tacos. Oh yeah, you’ll be sitting on a wall because there are no seats (this is street food afterall!), but who cares when the food tastes this good, and you pay next to nothing for it? So again, this one is a bit of a cheat, but these taco stands make our list of best restaurants in Tulum Pueblo because they shouldn’t be skipped!
🥘 To experience a different way to try local cuisine, why not try a Mexican cooking class in a local’s home. This tour is rated 5 stars and looks incredibly fun – you prepare (and eat!) a 3-course meal along with homemade salsa and tortillas!
8. Rossina Cafe Tulum Pueblo – Delicious Breakfast & Dinner
This modern yet rustic cafe is a great spot for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner. After stopping here for breakfast and falling in love with the place, we simply had to come back for dinner. The service was 5-star, we loved the food, and honouring one of Tulum’s key characteristics, it’s laid-back and casual. It’s another one of the best restaurants in Tulum Pueblo to take a break from the many tasty taco places around Tulum town.
The menu is vast, but don’t let that put you off. You can grab coffee, smoothies, international breakfasts, pizzas, burgers, pasta dishes, and so much more. Usually, we don’t like places with a huge menu, but Rossina is an exception. You can sit out front on the street and watch the world go by, be inside with the boho decor, or head out back into the garden area.
9. Sukhothai – Best Thai Restaurant in Tulum
Tasty Thai food in Tulum. You probably wouldn’t have guessed an authentic Thai street food place would make it onto the list of the best restaurants in Tulum Pueblo, but it has. Fresh ingredients, incredible flavours and some of the best service you’ll get anywhere. If you’re looking for restaurants in Tulum town that give you a break from Mexican cuisine we’d definitely suggest heading to Sukhothai. Also, as you’d expect with Asian cuisine, there are plenty of vegetarian and vegan options.
With over 1200 Google reviews and a 4.9-star rating, you don’t just need to take our word on how amazing Sukhothai is. Just go there and find out for yourself – we promise you won’t regret it.
🚲 If you want to combine adventure with trying new food in Tulum, this 5-star trail bike cenote tour takes you through the jungle to 2 or 3 cenotes and includes a delicious jungle lunch either overlooking the canopy or by the water at the cenote!
10. Taqueria La Chiapaneca – Great Value Mexican Cuisine
Last on the list of best restaurants in Tulum Pueblo is another cheap and cheerful local taco spot that cannot be missed. Having completed the best rated food tour in Playa del Carmen, we knew our standards were high for authentic Mexican cuisine, but this place didn’t disappoint at all. We remember it so fondly because it’s the first place we tried horchata and sopa. Let’s just say they both went down a treat! This place is hardly a hidden gem – it has over 3200 reviews on Google, but it’s some of the best Mexican food we’ve eaten.
It’s busy, it’s loud, it’s so incredibly Mexican, and we loved it here. The service is super friendly and rapid. If you’re in a hurry or want to grab a quick snack Taqueria La Chiapaneca is the place to stop. We came here on what was our last night in Tulum, and we’re gutted we didn’t try it earlier.
Is Tulum Pueblo or Tulum Hotel Zone Better for Food?
Personally, we much preferred Tulum Pueblo. You’ll find more choices of restaurants here, and your money will go a lot further. We found prices much more affordable and the selection of food to be greater. Alternatively, in the Hotel and Beach Zone, prices are sky-high, and you’ll pay a premium for often mediocre food. In Tulum Pueblo, you won’t get the upscale ambience of the hotel zone, but you’ll get more of a traditional Mexican experience with the bustling town centre lined with shops and restaurants of all cuisines.
Is it Expensive to Eat in Tulum?
Tulum isn’t the cheapest spot on the map when it comes to dining out, especially if you’re gravitating towards the Tulum Hotel Zone or the Insta-famous eateries. The trick is to head into the town itself and discover the best restaurants in Tulum Pueblo as you’ll stumble upon some hidden gems that are not only kinder to your wallet but serve up some authentically delicious food. So, yes, while you can splurge, there are definitely budget-friendly restaurants in Tulum.
What Food is Tulum Known For?
Tulum is famous for its fresh seafood, authentic tacos like Tacos al Pastor, and Mayan-influenced dishes like cochinita pibil. There’s also a strong focus on healthy eating, with many places offering organic, vegan, and vegetarian options.
The Best Restaurants in Tulum Pueblo Reviewed
There are hundreds of restaurants in Tulum town. No matter how long you stay, you’ll never get through them all. We’ve handpicked what we think are the best restaurants in Tulum Pueblo (based on the ones we tried anyway). There are bound to be loads of missed recommendations other people have, but we can definitely vouch for every place we’ve put on this list. So, we hope you have an incredible time in Tulum, stay away from the overpriced hotel zone restaurants, and enjoy some seriously good food while you’re there.
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