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Using only the freshest ingredients—from local fruits and vegetables to seafood right off the pier—the chefs at this jungle-side restaurant work their magic in a comfortable, contemporary setting that feels more Manhattan than Maya. Ask about the tender roasted duck breast with tequila, chipotle, and honey, or order an addictive, understated bowl of shrimp macaroni and cheese with notes of truffle. The fresh tuna tostada is also a treat. Daiquiris are served strong and fruity and portions are ample, so get ready to loosen your belt. The specials change weekly and the menu changes seasonally, so repeat guests are always in for a treat.
Av. Niños Heroes, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, 77580, Mexico
Known For
- Tuna tostadas
- Hamburgers and chicken wings for lunch
- Duck breast with honey, tequila, and chipotle sauce
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
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$$$ | |
Overlooking the town square, La Sirena serves an eclectic mix of dishes ranging from mini sliders and grilled grouper to hearty plates of barbecue pulled pork with shoestring fries. If you like Mediterranean food, opt for Greek specialties prepared by chef Anthony Chalas, who credits his skills to his years spent in Greece. The dip sampler—with homemade hummus and tzatziki—is simple and delicious, as is the Athena salad topped with a block of feta and kalamata olives. The keftedes (Greek meatballs) are outstanding. You can taste the quality here, reflecting Anthony's effort to buy only organic and fresh ingredients. There's live music nightly in high season and tequila tastings on Monday.
Jose Maria Morelos, Sm 2, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, 77580, Mexico
Known For
- Greek-style lamb chops
- Tequila tastings
- Homemade baklava
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$$$ | |
People come from up and down the Riviera for the zingy flavors of this southern Thai restaurant. Popular dishes include pad Thai, drunken noodles, and money bags (crispy fried wonton wrappers filled with a Thai shrimp mix). Overseeing the menu is Thai chef Dim Geefay, a well-known teacher and TV cooking personality. Recipes start with basil, chile, mint, and lemongrass, which are homegrown from seeds brought over from Thailand. The spiciness of the soups and curries (created with house-made coconut milk) are rated as "Tourist," "Expatriate," and "Truly Thai." Health-conscious diners will also appreciate a range of salads and the mildly sweet flavor of the Chaya green juice.
Carretera Tulum–Boca Paila, Km 1.5, Tulum, Quintana Roo, 77780, Mexico
Known For
- Pad Thai with chicken or shrimp
- Fresh fruit and salads
- Thai whole fish with mango salad
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$$$ | |
This jungle-chic restaurant serves up creative fine-dining fare unlike anything else you'll find in the region. Standout dishes include al pib--style lamb (with roasted mushrooms and birria sauce reduction), a la talla--style catch of the day (with adobe sauce and Mexican grasshoppers), and mole verde with curry and breaded avocado. It's difficult with dishes this good, but leave room for dessert. The lime sherbet with tapioca and coconut, is the perfect, decadent end to a perfect, decadent meal. This creative fare is served in a romantic jungle setting, with distressed wood floors, exposed stone walls, and ceiling lights that mimic birds' nests. In the background, Mexican music and the sound of water falling complete the atmosphere. Even the most discriminating foodies won't be disappointed by this hidden gem tucked away on the beach road just before the Sian Ka'an nature reserve.
Carretera Tulum-Boca Paila, Km 10, Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Known For
- Decadent desserts
- Inventive flavor combinations
- Mexican fusion gastronomy
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. No lunch
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$$$ | |
Considered by some as the best gourmet Mexican cuisine in Tulum, TU is, if nothing else, a fascinating expression of the country's rich gastronomy. Start with octopus tacos served with chipotle mayonnaise, and try the huitlacoche risotto with salmon as main dish. A Mexican flan as dessert will keep you happy and asking for more. The cocktails and the atmosphere are as stylish as the dishes.
Andrómeda Oriente, Mz 4, Lote 8, Tulum, Quintana Roo, 77760, Mexico
Known For
- Gourmet Mexican dishes
- Vegan options
- Spectacular cocktails
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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$$$ | |
Playa's most dramatically sited restaurant sits atop a small cenote in a vast jungly garden full of strangler vines and Mayan ruins—right in the middle of Avenida 5. Designed in accordance with Maya building practices, it's a feast for the eyes, with living "green walls" covered with plants, a bar built on a stone wall, and a park in back that makes for a romantic setting at night (bring bug spray). The menu, full of dressed-up Playa standards—fresh fish, pork shank, guacamole—isn't as memorable (though the jicama tacos are worth a try), but it's a worthwhile meal nonetheless.
Av. 5 between Calles 14 and 16, Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, 77710, Mexico
Known For
- Exotic jungle setting
- Bottled water filtered from the cenote
- Jicama tacos
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$$$ | |
For sweeping ocean views and light meals, head to this shady beachfront resort restaurant, where the smoothies are fruity but not overly sweet, the guacamole is fresh and flavorful, and the salsa selection is excellent. Don't miss the amply portioned spicy-sweet Thai curry Buddha Bowl. And if you're craving some beach time after your meal, ask about Amansala resort's beach club, where $45 will get you a sun bed for the day.
Carretera Tulum-Boca Paila, Km 5.5, Tulum, Quintana Roo, 77766, Mexico
Known For
- Meals with a view
- Health-conscious cuisine
- Vegan and vegetarian options
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$$$ | |
The cheapest restaurant along Tankah's beachfront serves up fresh, simple, satisfying Mexican food from 8 am to 9 pm every day. Grab a table at the waterfront, and order up beef fajitas or fish tacos, topped with a healthy helping of fresh-made salsa and fresh-squeezed lime juice. Margaritas are popular (and strong) here, and on Sunday you can join locals for a popular barbecue on the beachfront and live music from 1 pm to 4 pm. Bring your own meat or order from the restaurant.
Interior Fracc. Tankah, Mexico
Known For
- Beef and chicken fajitas
- Fish tacos
- Powerful margaritas
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$$$ | |
For the best food you'll find along the beach road (and one of only a few options open for dinner after 10 pm), make your way to Eden Tulum. The creative Uruguayan chef is a seafood lover, so make sure to ask about the catch of the day. If you aren't passionate about seafood, don't worry—dishes like the Nest (a soft-boiled egg on a nest of eggplant), Chicken Mourceaux (boneless chicken wings served on a flavorful, melt-in-your-mouth corn mash), and Chocolate Decadence (with mocha-jalapeño ice cream) are showstoppers in their own right. The open-air dining room has luxurious bed and couch seating around the central pool, where kids and adults can enjoy a predinner dip. Couples will love the candlelit ambience and cocktail aficionados won't want to miss the pre-Hispanic liquors crafted into thoughtful drinks. In high season, Fridays feature live jazz shows and Saturdays are DJ nights.
Carretera Boca Paila, Km 8.7, Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Known For
- Fresh seafood
- Mayan-inspired cocktails
- Plates decorated with edible flowers
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch
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$$$ | |
"The Pier" resembles a Caribbean fish market with its wooden plank floors, whitewashed tables, and pilings strung with rope. A chalkboard features the catch of the day; it's delivered from local fishermen every morning and simply yet flavorfully prepared one of five ways or sold by the gram to go. El Muelle opens at 4 pm, so come before dinner for a strawberry-lemon spritzer and mixed ceviche made Peruvian style with leche de tigre. From that point on, you're hooked, and you'll soon find there isn't a mediocre dish on the menu. This darling, ocean-to-table restaurant is not to be confused with Muelle 3 right around the corner.
Ave. 5 and Calle 32, Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, 77710, Mexico
Known For
- Fresh-caught fish
- Large portion sizes
- Grilled octopus
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. No lunch
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$$$ | |
The name means "unexpected," and—thanks to the international dishes created by executive chef Juan Diego Solombrino—this place is truly a surprise. At breakfast, you can order hangover-healing eggs Benedict, Belgian waffles, or old-fashioned French toast; later, Imprevist pulls out all the stops with a hint of molecular gastronomy in the tuna tartare with lime and sake foam, and the chilled beetroot soup with goat cheese croquettes, truffle oil, and thyme cream. Risotto choices include a seafood number with squid ink and shaved fennel. The fish cooked in parchment is unbelievably moist, and the beef fillet with foie gras mousse practically melts in your mouth. Seating is available at sidewalk tables and in an intimate underground dining room.
Av. 1, Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, 77710, Mexico
Known For
- Squid ink risotto
- Beef fillet with foie gras mousse
- Sticky date cake
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch Sun.
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This lagoon shore restaurant serves gourmet Mexican dishes and exotic cocktails to enjoy with the best view in town and live music most days. Go for the al pastor (shepherd-style) seared tuna as the main course, and don't leave without trying the tribute to cacao as dessert.
Blvd. Costero Norte 1255, Bacalar, Quintana Roo, 77930, Mexico
Known For
- Organic cocktails
- Live music
- Outstanding location
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
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$$$ | |
With driftwood tables overlooking Half Moon Bay, swings at the lively bar, and salsa music keeping things moving, this might be the perfect beach restaurant. The usual Mexican fare—quesadillas, empanadas, burritos, and fish tacos with handmade tortillas—is perfectly fine, but the food isn't the point. It's all about the location. Directly on the beach, this place takes full advantage with two big upstairs terraces that provide sweeping views of the water. Lounge chairs are scattered on the sand for customers' use, and there's a small pool to keep the kids busy while you have another margarita. Climb the ladder to the two-seater tower table, 15 feet above the sand, where your drinks are delivered in a bucket on a rope.
Beach Rd., Akumal, Quintana Roo, 77729, Mexico
Known For
- Incredible beachfront location
- Sweeping waterfront views
- A two-seater tower table above the sand
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed 1st 2 wks in Sept.
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$$$ | |
Locals rave about the grilled steaks and garlic shrimp at Sergio's—one of the nicest restaurants in Chetumal. The barbecued chicken (made with the owner's special sauce) and smoked-oyster or seafood pizzas are equally tasty. When you order the delicious Caesar salad for two, a waiter prepares it at your table. This place also offers a huge breakfast menu plus a variety of lunchtime pasta dishes. You can order takeout or have food delivered, but the gracious staff and free Wi-Fi give you an added incentive to eat in.
Av. Alvaro Obregón 182, Chetumal, Quintana Roo, 77000, Mexico
Known For
- Gracious staff
- Huge breakfast menu
- Free Wi-Fi
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$$$ | |
This Italian restaurant stands out for its elegance, excellent service, extraordinary steaks, and noteworthy pizzas and cocktails. There's a great brunch on weekends and live music every night.
Av. 5 at Calle 28 Norte, Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, 77710, Mexico
Known For
- Delicious steaks
- Stylish cocktails
- Live music
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$$$ | |
This funky café, where expats and locals congregate, serves up smoothies, baked goods, tacos, homemade ice cream, and everything in between. The breakfast menu spans acai bowls, eggs Benedict, pancakes, and fruit plates, and for lunch and dinner you'll find blackened fish tacos, coconut shrimp, burgers, and vegetable wraps. Set back from the little plaza, the colorful garden is a pleasant place to have a coffee, and its location by the ecological center makes it the closest thing Akumal has to a downtown. If you fall in love with a local stray, the owner will help you get the paperwork to take your new pet home. The restaurant is open until 10 pm and has free Wi-Fi. This is the only place in town where happy-hour specials include food. Stop by between 4 and 6 pm any day of the week for pizza, taco, and drink specials.
Main rd., Akumal, Quintana Roo, 77760, Mexico
Known For
- Sticky buns
- Homemade ice cream
- Quintana Roo vodka
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$$$ | El Centro |
As competitive as the culinary scene has become in Tulum, this restaurant by chef Brian Sernatinger truly is único (unique), with an eclectic menu that covers everything from pasta to cheeseburgers to seafood. Stars of the international menu include the well-prepared white truffle souffle, Unico's cheeseburger (a beef-and-spice-blend ground and mixed in-house), and the purple basil pappardelle. The chef's special sangria is also a treat. The second-story space in the heart of the pueblo looks down over the main road and can be a bit noisy, but interesting murals, soulful Spanish music, and an intimate 10-table setting are pleasant backdrops for a meal. Save some calories and skip dessert: it's the one thing in the restaurant that's clearly not homemade.
Av. Tulum Mz 5 lote 16-1, Tulum, Quintana Roo, 77780, Mexico
Known For
- International menu
- Fried goat cheese with local Mayan honey
- Chef Brian's special sangria mix
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. No lunch
