Tulum for Foodies: The Restaurants We Keep Coming Back To
Tulum may be famous for its postcard-perfect beaches, but its culinary scene deserves just as much attention. As self-proclaimed foodies, we’ve found that the town’s vibrant gastronomy never disappoints. In fact, discovering where to eat is one of the highlights of every trip. After many visits (and many memorable meals), these are the spots we keep coming back to, and the ones we can’t wait to share with you.
Casa Banana
Casa Banana, located in the hotel zone, is a charming Argentine restaurant with a warm, rustic ambiance. Recognized by the Michelin Guide, this restaurant blends elevated and casual dining.
Centered around an open wood-fire kitchen, the menu highlights cuts of meat, fresh seafood, and thoughtfully crafted vegetarian dishes.
Some of our go-to entrees include the Argentine skirt steak, filet mignon, whole wood-oven roasted fish, and sea bass filet. And then there’s the vegetarian cannelloni, a dish Gaby craves every single time. Gaby is a true carnivore at heart, yet she genuinely struggles choosing between the perfectly grilled skirt steak or filet mignon and the cannelloni. No matter what we’ve ordered, Casa Banana never disappoints.
Checkpoint Ciao Pizzeria
Checkpoint Pizzeria, located in the hotel zone, is always the first place we head to when we arrive in Tulum. We consider it one of the best spots for Neapolitan pizza outside of Naples, Italy. As Neapolitan pizza snobs, we have a benchmark: Flour House in San Luis Obispo, California, ranked #19 in the top 50 pizzerias in the U.S. Even against that standard, Checkpoint Pizzeria steals the show.
The Neapolitan pizzas are flawless, perfectly charred with a light, airy crust. But the menu doesn’t stop there, the beef carpaccio is among the best we’ve tasted, and the craft cocktails are some of the finest in Tulum. On top of the incredible food and drinks, the atmosphere is welcoming, and the service is consistently warm and attentive. Checkpoint Pizzeria is truly a Tulum favorite we never skip.
NU
NU is an elevated and romantic candlelight restaurant recognized by the Michelin Guide. This enchanting spot holds a special place in our hearts, it’s where we celebrated our wedding reception, making it unforgettable both personally and gastronomically.
Located on the southern side of Tulum’s hotel zone, NU is well worth the visit. On our most recent trip, we indulged in the beef steak paired with truffled potato foam, a dish that left us completely speechless. The truffled potato foam, unlike anything we’ve ever tasted, was decadent, airy, and utterly mouthwatering.
Dining at NU is more than a meal; it’s an innovative and enchanting experience.
Tacos Papi
While Tulum’s culinary scene leans refined, sometimes all you’re really craving is some comforting tacos. That’s where Tacos Papi comes in.
Located in the hotel zone, this casual spot is perfect when you’re in the mood for authentic, satisfying tacos without the fuss. It quickly became our go-to for those in-between lunch and dinner cravings, the kind of place you pop into for something simple, flavorful, and exactly what you needed.
