Dining out | Tulum

As I've mentioned, the food in Tulum is something special. The locals (as well the American and European transplants) who run these intimate restaurants and bars by candlelight and wood fired ovens do an amazing job; not only with the cuisine but with the ambiance and décor. The below is a fairly comprehensive guide of where to have dinner in the jungle!

{Pura Corazon}

At Pura Corazon they serve traditional Mexican dishes. Compared to everywhere else we dined the recipes here felt deeply rooted as opposed to trendy or chic. We ate: Yucatan Lime Soup w/ chicken and tortilla | 2 for 1 margaritas | Shrimp Stuffed Poblano Pepper | "Manchamanteles" - chicken in a pineapple mole sauce over sweet potato mash.

 {Cenzontle} jardin secreto

Cenzontle was modern, fresh, and delicious. We ate: Piquillo peppers stuffed w/ goat cheese and jocoque on avocado mousse  | Catch of the day fillet in lime, ginger, paprika, olive oil and chipotle | Tuna al pastor mounted on black rice topped with grilled pineapple, red onion, roasted peppers and coriander pico de gallo w/ avocado mousse.

{Casa Jaguar} 

I don't know why Casa Jaguar gets such mediocre reviews on trip advisor. I had it on my "could skip it" list but the atmosphere coaxed us in. Both of us had excellent fish entrees preceded by tasty vietkong rollitos and followed up with crispy fried bananas and coconut ice cream. It was one of our favorite, albeit very tipsy meals. (A hell of a happy hour on the beach prior!) I borrowed one of their facebook photos so you could see just how beautiful the space is in the daylight. It is even more enchanting and alluring at night.

{gitano} Mezcal Bar + Kitchen

We came here one night for mezcal cocktails at the bar and another night for dinner on a whim when we couldn't get into Hartwood. I'm so glad it worked out this way. Their shareable small plates were fantastic. 

ALL THE MEZCAL DRINKS: Jungle Fever - mezcal, chili, lime, cilantro | Stardust - mezcal, dark rum, pineapple, papaya, house coconut cream | Tapas Plates: zucchini pasta pomodoro | roasted eggplant w/ sweet sunflower sauce + queso oaxaca | grilled chorizo + sweet potatoes | gitano ceviche - fish, lemongrass, cucumber, jalapeno, mango, red onion | 

{Posada Margherita} 

Posada Margherita is an Italian restaurant and hotel on the beach side specializing in handmade pasta dishes. This place happened to be two doors down from us so on a night where we were particularly beat it proved a solid and satisfying choice. I wouldn't necessarily put it at the top if your list, though. The pasta was pretty good (and I was really glad I added the fresh caught lobster to mine) but what truly captivated me was the rustic chic beachfront atmosphere with its endless amount of potted succulents and weathered antique décor. (And how great is that Bano sign? It cracked us up.) I think dining here would come down to how many nights you are in town (Four or five - I'd go with any of the above / Hartwood / Casa Banana first. Seven or eight and you want to switch it up with some Italian? Sure, why not.

[Please note, all these establishments are cash only! They will accept Pesos or USD.]