Beachy, bohemian, and vibrant, Tulum has no shortage of excellent dining and drinking options to choose from.

One of my best girl friends and I spent a full week exploring this trendy town along the Caribbean coast, and even in that substantial timeframe we weren’t able to make it to all of the bars and restaurants on our “must try” list. There are THAT many of them.

Forewarning: overall, dining in Tulum is not cheap. That said, I’m happy to report that you do in fact get what you pay for here. In other words, while you may be dropping California prices on entrees and cocktails, the food is exceptionally fresh and flavorful, and the ambience is sure to be lively and oh so Instagram-worthy.

I definitely consider myself a bit of a foodie, so I can promise that the bars and restaurants featured in this guide aren’t just trending hot spots; they all offer cuisine that will make a visit well worth your while.

Cheers to that! So without further ado: My Foodie’s Guide to Tulum!

Gitano

We grabbed dinner at Gitano our first night in Tulum, and I have to say that it was the perfect introduction to Tulum’s trendy culinary scene.

Gitano can best be described as an open-air, retro-inspired lounge in the jungle. The restaurant and bar ushers you in with its neon pink sign above an open doorframe. Inside, you’ll find a lush courtyard with mismatched wooden tables and chairs (including a handful of picnic tables) and cozy cushions.

Bulb lights hang from the trees among the vines, and small flickering white candles cover nearly every available surface, creating an unbelievably romantic setting. Chilled out music drifts through the courtyard (though I’ve heard that there’s live music on certain days on the week).

My friend Kaitlin and I opted to share several of the small plates; we went with the ahi tuna tostadas, shrimp tacos with pineapple and mango salsa, and brisket tacos – all incredibly good.

As for drinks, Gitano specializes in mezcal cocktails. I ordered the “baby dragon” (made with dragonfruit – tasty and tropical)!

Coco Tulum

Coco Tulum is actually the hotel we stayed at for the week, but their beach bar is easily one of Tulum’s coolest hangout spots. Painted all in white, you have plenty of seating options to choose from: hammocks, bean bag chairs, loungers, or the iconic wooden swings.

While Tulum’s heat and humidity can sometimes feeling stifling on the jungle side of the road, on the beach it’s breezy and comfortable. We logged plenty of time here, either enjoying the hammocks in the shade or swinging in the sun up at the bar.

We ordered the guacamole and chips multiple times during our stay here, and tossed back too-many-to-count piña coladas…they were delicious! Avoid the margaritas; we found them WAY too salty (and this is coming from a total salt addict).

Kin Toh (at Azulik)

The chic, bohemian treetop wonderland of your wildest gypsy dreams, Azulik is hands-down Tulum’s most instagrammable spot – particularly its restaurant, Kin Toh.

The entire establishment has the aesthetic of someplace that was built by hand on a remote jungle isle. Here, you’re literally surrounded by the tree canopies and greenery as you lounge on the giant nets or cozy round beds topped with pillows.

Of course, the electronic dance music, ultra cool clientele, and $20 cocktails will bring you back down to reality quickly enough, even as the decor fights hard to keep the fantasy alive.

We actually skipped dinner here and just stuck with the drinks; the Ixchel cocktail was fruity and good…but not necessarily $20 good. But hey, you pay for the atmosphere and views here!

Fresco’s

If you’re looking for a good breakfast spot in Tulum, look no further than Fresco’s! Marketed as a health food restaurant, Fresco’s serves up a variety of dishes like homemade bread, yogurt with fruit, and overnight oats.

We ordered the yucca pancakes with fresh fruit and honey, as well as the avocado toast topped with hardboiled eggs. Plus horchata to drink, mmmm.

While it’s not actually on the beach, the vibe at Fresco’s is still beachy and cute. And the wifi was excellent! (…priorities, y’know?)

Juanita Diavola

For another fabulous breakfast spot, try Juanita Diavola. This is Coco Tulum’s full-service restaurant, located right next door to the property.

We ended up stopping here several times for the sake of convenience, and while the dinner options were good (especially the gnocchi and wood-fired pizza) the breakfast is where Juanita Diavola really stood out.

I ordered the Huevos Diablo and and an iced latte; the coffee was just okay, but the entree was a big plate of cheesy, eggy deliciousness…all topped with prosciutto! Heaven.

Mateo’s

A cool spot for Mexican fare, drinks, and live music along the beach road, Mateo’s was bumpin’ on the night that we stopped in for dinner. We both opted for the chicken fajitas, which were super fresh and piping hot. The burritos and fish tacos also seem to be popular choices here.

The live band that night had a fun selection of music (hey there Radiohead, haven’t heard you in a while) and the atmosphere is youthful and laid back, with colorful purple and red mood lighting. We sat on the rooftop area, but there’s plenty of seating on both levels to choose from.

Matcha Mama

If you go to Tulum and don’t order something from Matcha Mama, did you really even go?

Kidding, of course you did – but there’s no denying this adorable roadside shack is one Tulum’s hottest spots. In fact, it’s SO much of an Instagram hotspot that actually sitting and enjoying your order can be a little awkward, because it feels like you’re taking up space for someone else who’s waiting to take their picture. The minimal seating (there are just six swings) doesn’t help.

That said, don’t let the Instagram models scare you away, because Matcha Mama is about so much more than its trendy swings and signage! I ordered the Mamacita smoothie bowl, which I honestly still daydream about. It was ultra creamy and smooth with a nutty-meets-matcha flavor, and topped with fresh mango, strawberries, blueberries, almonds, coconut shavings, and chia seeds.

Their iced matcha was amazing too! For a serious matcha lover like me, this spot was akin to heaven on earth. But even if you’re not a fan of the stuff, there’s plenty to choose from: chai lattes, fruit smoothie bowls, kombucha, and more.

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What’s your favorite foodie destination? Which of these Tulum bars and restaurants would you be most excited to try?

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