1. Matcha Mama
- Cuisine: Matcha Mama specializes in plant-based, gluten-free offerings, including matcha beverages, smoothie bowls, fresh juices, and vegan ice cream.
- Signature: The café is renowned for its açaí bowls, topped with fresh fruits, nuts, and shredded coconut. Their matcha lattes and smoothies are also popular choices.
- Vibe: Situated along Tulum’s beach road, Matcha Mama exudes a tropical, laid-back atmosphere. The open-air setting features swings and surfboards, creating a charming spot for relaxation.
- Good to Know: Matcha Mama has multiple locations in Tulum, including the hotel zone and Aldea Zama. Operating hours are typically from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. Some locations may accept only cash, so it’s advisable to carry some.
- Google Maps Links: Matcha Mama in Aldea Zama / Matcha Mama in the hotel zone / Matcha Mama in Tulum Pueblo
2. Del Cielo
A popular café offering a mix of Mexican and international breakfast dishes with a focus on fresh ingredients.
- Cuisine: DelCielo offers a fusion of international and local dishes, focusing on fresh, healthy ingredients. The menu features popular bistro items and local plates, sometimes substituting parts for healthier ingredients or adding local produce to international dishes.
- Signature: Known for its heavenly breakfast, DelCielo serves delectable dishes like the Avocado Florentine, which includes aguacate, and the Caribbean Oatmeal Porridge made with homemade coconut milk.
- Vibe: DelCielo provides a tropical bistro atmosphere, embracing Tulum’s jungle environment. The setting is relaxed and inviting, making it a popular spot for both locals and tourists.
- Good to Know: DelCielo is located at Satélite Sur 5, near Scotiabank in Tulum. They offer free Wi-Fi and accept credit cards. It’s advisable to arrive early during peak seasons, as the restaurant can become busy.
- Location: Tulum Pueblo: Google Maps link
3. Taqueria Honorio
- Cuisine: Taqueria Honorio specializes in traditional Mexican fare, particularly tacos and tortas.
- Signature: The cochinita pibil tacos, featuring marinated and pit-cooked pork, are a standout. Another favorite is the lechón al horno taco, showcasing spiced pork cooked in a stone oven.
- Vibe: This no-frills eatery offers a casual, open-air dining experience with plastic lawn furniture, creating an authentic and unpretentious atmosphere.
- Good to Know: Taqueria Honorio operates from early morning until they sell out, typically around 2 PM. Arriving early is recommended to ensure availability. The restaurant is located at Satélite Sur 19 in Tulum.
- Location: Tulum Pueblo: Google Maps Link
4. Raw Love Café
- Cuisine: The café specializes in raw, vegan dishes that are sugar-free, gluten-free, and free from harmful chemicals and oils. Their menu includes smoothie bowls, salads, and raw desserts, all prepared with fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
- Signature: Raw Love is renowned for its smoothie bowls, particularly the açaí bowl topped with fresh fruits and coconut flakes. They also make their own coconut and almond milk daily.
- Vibe: Situated in a tranquil, beachfront setting, the café offers a relaxed atmosphere with rustic wooden tables and hammocks, providing a serene spot to enjoy healthy meals by the sea.
- Good to Know: The café also offers vegan catering for events and hosts private dinners.
- Location: Tulum Pueblo: Google Maps Link
Tips for Eating Out in Tulum
- Reservations: Popular spots, especially in the beach zone, tend to fill up quickly, so it’s always a good idea to plan ahead. Please note that at the places we mention above, reservations are not possible. However, if you’re looking to have lunch at a beach club, it’s highly recommended to make a reservation in advance. The good news is that you can easily book through us. Check out our beach club page for more details.
- Timing: Breakfast is usually served until late morning, and brunch menus often run into early afternoon, and lunch begins soon after.
- Local Flavor: Don’t miss trying local specialties like fresh tortillas, tropical fruit, or cochinita pibil.
Lunching at a Beach Club: A Vibrant, High-Energy Vibe
If you’re looking for something even more lively, Tulum’s beach clubs are a whole different experience. These spots combine great food, lively music, and an upbeat party vibe, creating a more energetic and social atmosphere. Most beach clubs have a minimum spend policy, which can make the experience quite expensive, but it’s all part of the scene. Typically, when you book a bed, you’re securing a prime spot with stunning beach views and comfortable seating.
While the main focus at these beach clubs is the high-energy environment, the food is often surprisingly good, with many offering excellent seafood, cocktails, and trendy dishes. Expect a mix of sun, sea, music, and socializing. Below are a few famous beach clubs that serve lunch and are worth checking out.
Taboo
Known for its chic vibe and exclusive atmosphere, Taboo combines stunning beach views with a fantastic menu. It’s a hotspot for both locals and tourists who want to enjoy an upscale beach experience. You can find more info and make reservations here.
- Cuisine: The menu emphasizes fresh seafood and authentic Mediterranean flavors, featuring dishes like seafood croquettes, white wine mussels, and calamari. A standout offering is the whole fish baked in salt and flambéed tableside with Ouzo liquor, providing a memorable dining experience.
- Signature: Signature dishes include the Seafood Amalfi Lime Risotto—a harmonious blend of shrimp, squid, mussels, and clams with citrus and garlic notes—and the Tuna Tartare, which pairs fresh tuna with creamy avocado and wasabi. The menu also boasts a variety of ceviches, such as the Red Octopus Ceviche, prepared with peppers, cucumber, and dried chilies, and the Lobster Ceviche, made with sweet-spicy tamarind sauce, onion, and cherry tomato.
- Vibe: Taboo Tulum offers a luxurious beachfront setting with a bohemian atmosphere. Guests can enjoy guest DJs and live performances, including saxophone and violin, creating an eternal summer dream ambiance.
- Good to Know: It’s advisable to make reservations in advance, especially during peak seasons, to ensure availability. During the day, beachwear is acceptable, reflecting the casual and relaxed environment. In the evening, the dress code shifts to smart casual, with men advised to wear closed-toe shoes and collared shirts while women opt for elegant attire.
- Location: The hotel zone: Google Maps Link
Tantra
- Cuisine: The menu at Tantra Tulum features fresh seafood, sushi, and “zen” cocktails. Notable dishes include Indonesian octopus, lobster tacos, and a variety of ceviches and salads.
- Signature: It is renowned for its fresh seafood and sushi, offering signature dishes like Indonesian octopus, lobster tacos, and a variety of ceviches and salads.
- Vibe: Tantra Tulum offers a luxurious beachfront setting with a bohemian atmosphere. Guests can enjoy guest DJs and live performances, including saxophone and violin, creating an eternal summer dream ambiance.
- Good to Know: Reservations are recommended, especially during peak seasons, and a smart-casual dress code is suggested to complement the upscale setting. Tantra is also known for its champagne parades, which feature large-format bottles from prestigious brands and add a festive touch to celebrations.
- Location: The hotel zone: Google Maps Link
Bagatelle
- Cuisine: Bagatelle Tulum offers a French Mediterranean menu with modern takes on local cuisine under the leadership of Corporate Chef Rocco Seminara and Executive Chef Marco Estrada.
- Signature: The restaurant is known for its Black Angus beef carpaccio with egg bottarga, and the Tulum burger featuring prime beef, fontina cheese, tempura onion, and ajillo mushrooms.
- Vibe: Bagatelle Tulum combines French elegance with a boho-chic Tulum vibe, creating a luxurious yet relaxed atmosphere.
- Good to Know: Located in Tulum’s Zona Hotelera, Bagatelle Tulum offers valet parking and accepts major credit cards. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak dining hours.
- Location: The hotel zone: Google Maps Link