The Foodie’s Guide to Tulum

Travel —
June 8, 2018
Travel —
June 8, 2018

The Foodie’s Guide to Tulum

This post is dedicated to Anthony Bourdain. For today, we lost a legend. A man who challenged the status quo,

Share
  1. Blog
  2. /
  3. Lifestyle
  4. /
  5. Travel
  6. /
  7. The Foodie’s Guide to Tulum

The Foodie’s Guide to Tulum

The essential Foodie's Guide to Tulum, Mexico: find out where to eat, play, shop, drink, and eat some more in the beachside paradise of Tulum!

This post is dedicated to Anthony Bourdain. For today, we lost a legend. A man who challenged the status quo, strengthened the intersection of cuisine and culture, and created an everlasting mark on the food industry. As someone with a degree in anthropology who transitioned full-time into food blogging, his death hits especially close to home for me. I truly cannot think of anyone who has inspired me more to continuously explore humankind through the lens of food. Thank you, Chef Bourdain, for your wanderlust, constant curiosity, and for calling attention to the beautiful and varied cultures of our world through food. 

Tulum was one of the coolest places I’ve ever been. It’s equal parts tropical, bohemian, upscale, and relaxed. In other words, it’s pretty much the perfect getaway. And it’s become a haven for foodies, having a mixture of budget-friendly beachside eateries and posh multi-course restaurants.

My biggest piece of advice if you’re looking to visit Tulum is this: stay close to the main road, and be sure to bike everywhere. It’s the best way to experience all that Tulum has to offer.

I am so happy to say that all of the photos in this guide were shot on my  Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III. When I travel, I hate bringing a big, bulky camera, but also want to capture the best quality photos I can. Enter the OM-D E-M10! It’s the perfect lightweight, quality travel camera, and captures fantastic quality images in a variety of light and settings. 

So without further adieu, here’s the Foodie’s Guide to Tulum!

LUNCH BEACH-SIDE AT POSADA MARGARITA

Italian pasta and Mexico doesn’t sound like it should go together, but oh boy it does. This unassuming entrance opens first into a winding path through unique guesthouse buildings, then into the prettiest restaurant on the beach. The decor is matched by fantastic plates. The caprese salad was surprisingly delicious for being so simple, as was the pomodoro. Grab a bite to eat for lunch, then relax all afternoon at  one of the restaurant’s beachside cabanas.

        


        

SIP A MATCHA ON A SWING AT MATCHA MAMA

Hanging swings and matcha made to order. Are you in? This roadside shack is possibly the cutest roadside shack in existence. And it’s pretty gram-worthy, too.

        

EXPLORE THE BEACH ROAD BY BIKE

There is no better way to get around Tulum than by bike. The beach road can get crowded by car, and with shops dotted along the road for over 5 miles, biking is seriously the way to go. There are endless shops filled with linen dresses, straw bags, crochet tops, and cute jewelry.

                 

       

EAT A LEISURELY DINNER AT NOMADE

Nomade is, in my opinion, the most beautiful restaurant in Tulum. An upscale bohemian refuge towards the end of the main road, Nomade feels like you are in another place in time, in a small, beach-side town tucked away from the rest of the world. In a place where problems cease to exist, and heaven comes in the form of delicately charred octopus and elote corn.

Come here for an early dinner so you can equally take in the beautiful decor in the daylight, and still experience dusk as it settles over the crashing waves in front of you.


        

        
        

GO TACO-LOCO AT LA EUFEMIA TAQUERIA

La Eufemia is, like, the ultimate boho taco spot in Tulum. Picture a sun-kissed crowd of 20-30 somethings in dreads, looking equally fit and carefree.

We hit up this taco spot on a Tuesday, and it was packed. They had 2-for-1 margaritas, and the best tacos we had all week in Tulum. Go for the fish tacos, the shrimp tacos, and… more of the fish tacos.

        

SPEND SATURDAY NIGHT AT GITANO

Gitano has the vibe of a New York City restaurant, only with cactuses climbing up the walls and palm trees delicately swaying in the wind. We went here on the weekend, and were blown away by the food, decor, and ambiance.

I suggest doing a late night dinner at the restaurant, then heading to the back bar for drinks. Finish off the night outside, dancing to chill house music while tiny disco balls glimmer overhead.

        

LET A GELATO DRIP ALL OVER YOUR HAND AT ORIGAMI GELATO

If you’re feeling a sweet fix, head to Origami Gelato. Because sometimes ice cream just tastes better when it’s a race against time and is dripping down your hand.

BREAK FAST AT THE REAL COCONUT

The Real Coconut was one of my favorite experiences in Tulum. A main restaurant at the Sanara Hotel, this beachside eatery was chill, vibrant, and soothing all at the same time. We went for breakfast and got some of their house-made juices and a spread of delicious dishes. Our favorite was the avocado toast. Don’t let the simplicity fool you: it was insanely delicious!

        

        

SWIM IN A CENOTE… ANYWHERE

When in Tulum, one must cenote (can I make that a verb?). You really can’t go wrong in choosing your cenote, but my personal favorite was one north of town called Casa Cenote (unfortunately not pictured because I didn’t want to leave my things next to a tree while I swam!). It was enveloped by trees, crystal clear, and not overrun with tourists.

        

        

GET YOUR SECOND TACO FIX AT MATEO’S

You can’t eat tacos just once in Tulum. So for my second taco rec, may I suggest Mateo’s? It’s a little more tourist-y than La Eufemia, but the food itself was suh gooood. The guac was chunky and addicting AF, the ceviche was simple yet flavorful, and the fish tacos were grilled to perfection.

        

CLEANSE YOUR GUT AT RAW LOVE

With all this eating we were doing, it was SO nice to have a raw meal. Raw Love hit the spot, and the raw pad thai was one of our favorite dishes of the trip. Their smoothie bowls were also fantastic, so breakfast here is a must!

        

More foodie guides from Broma Bakery:

48 Hours in Detroit (A Foodie’s Guide to the City)

The Foodie’s Guide to Israel 

48 Hours in Scottsdale (A Foodie’s Guide to the City)

48 Hours in Chicago (A Foodie’s Guide to the City)

48 Hours in Boston (A Foodie’s Guide to the City)

This post is sponsored by Olympus USA. Thank you for supporting the brands that help make Broma possible!

Leave a comment and rate this recipe!

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  1. How did you get to and from the cenotes? Trying to plan for an upcoming trip and can’t really find details anywhere.