Restaurants summary

[joellybaby]

I have spent a while pulling together a list of recommended places to eat in Tulum to take with me, and thought it could be useful to share. Also if I have missed anything or it's inaccurate please say so!

Yummy!

Good places to eat in Tulum – recommendations from Tulum.info and chowhound

Beach road (in order from north at top, south going down) – great ambiance and beach views. More pricey than in town and many places more Westernised food to cater for visitors
- Don Cafeto's – highly recommended – another (slightly cheaper) branch in town
- La Vita e Bella – Italian place, lovely sand floor candlelit beach palapa
- Mezzanine – nice setting. Thai food. Parties on a Friday worth going to. Bookings good idea on Fridays
- Nachos/Mayan Grill – reasonable, highly recommended Mexican
- Trece Lunas – north of beach road. Bargainous. Good breakfast
- Luna Maya – good seafood
- Zamas – nice pizza, some say its overrated but most really like. Breakfast looks great.
- Posada Margerita – Italian, recommended as a ‘must go’ by everyone. Need to book in advance. No menu – explained verbally. Great pasta. A bit pricey. Great appetisers included in $50 meal.
- Maya Tulum – good but slightly pricey breakfast buffet
- Kin-Ha – open fire grill at night
- Ana y Jose – a bit upscale. Nice ceviche
- Cabanas Tulum
- Los Lirios
- Tita Tulum – small, ‘lovely’, better value than some. Nice brekkie. Has a nice outside deck
- Casa Banana at Nueva Vida – north of beach road. Good brekkies
- Amansala
- Casa Violeta – Italian. Has spa too
- Las Ranitas -
- Dos Ceibas – good chef and daily specials. Open fire grill. Looks v nice
- Hechizo – pricey (up to $100 total), gourmet, kinda posh. Booking needed (044 (984) 100-0710, or from the US, 0052 1 984 100 0710) Out of season only opens for bookings of 10 or more.


Pueblo– cheaper, more regional, local places. Taquerias generally v good. Best places are the ones with plastic chairs apparently!
- Don Karonte
- El Bronco Pollo – on main avenue. V cheap v tasty grilled chicken. Like $35 pesos for 2 people
- Charlies – has glass bottle wall. Bit touristy but people like it
- El Mariachis
- Don Cafetos – a favourite. Mexican.
- La Nave – Italian café. Nice coffee
- Rico! – “literal table-in-an-alleyway-entrance of the building just north of the bus station - it's a guy from Merida and his grandma, and they make one mean cochinita pibil. They put it in the ground to roast at night and start serving at 6 am, and usually run out by noon or early afternoon”. That guy (literally right next door to the bus station - it says by "Tino") is only open on Saturday and Sunday (7 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
- Taqueria la Poblano at the far end of town on the left hand side.
- El Taquetto - or something like that “Best home cookin' (actually a crew from Chiapas), a few doors down. It's got "Cocina Economica" on the sign - this is the one on the left side of the street facing south, not the "cocina economica" on the right at the very end of the street. This place is amazing - $10 for a meal for two - and the best meals we had while in Tulum. The first time we went we had soup with shrimp and a beef dish that came with frijoles and rice and tortillas. Second time, chicken stewed in a chipotle sauce and pork in a verde sauce. If you don't speak Spanish they take you back to the kitchen and take the lids off the pots and show you what they've got - four or five different dishes every night; no set menu.”
- Casa Del Buen Pan – great bakery. Looks almost hidden by a tree in the pic. Try to take small change
- Pan de Carmen – great pastries
- Buenos Aires
- La Pepe
- Il Giardino di Toni e Simone. Avenida Satelite – Nice garden Italian
- Dona Tina - Close to Rancho Tranquillo, "we had the place to ourselves, food was very very good"


San Francisco supermarket – good fruit

Foods
- Tacos, shrimp tacos
- guac (-amole)
- licuado – sort of fruit/veg smoothie available on main ave in pueblo
- agua fresco - purified water in a blender with fresh fruit
- poc choc - pork in a tangy orange-achiote sauce
- cochinita pibil - baby pig marinated in achiote/pineapple, etc., wrapped in banana leaves and cooked in the ground
- papadzules - a very delicious dish, made with a pumpkin seed mole.
- parrilllada
- ceviche



Dunno why I pasted more detail on some than others but there you go. From what I have read around the place all these places are a decent bet.

[bellydancer]

Thanks for taking the time to post your list...just printed it off to take with me in August.

[austxdan]

Wow Joelle - nice work.

That's quite the piece of homework you've done. Think I'll print it off for us too, and we've been down once already.

We also enjoyed il Basilico, on 307 in the pueblo. Upstairs dining - italian, and decent wine. You can look out over the town in open air setting. Don't worry - the downstairs will look deserted - upstairs will not.

Enjoy your trip - 2 days more! See you soon.


Dan

[AdGuy]

JB...good job...let me fill in the blanks, provide a couple of comments, and make a few corrections (in red)...

- Don Cafeto's – highly recommended – another (slightly cheaper) branch in town Not sure if any price difference between the two but the pubelo one will give you a more local feel.
- La Vita e Bella – Italian place, lovely sand floor candlelit beach palapa
- Mezzanine – nice setting. Thai food. Parties on a Friday worth going to. Bookings good idea on Fridays Good breakfasts...usually not crowded for breakfast...pretty laid back then.
- Nachos/Mayan Grill – reasonable, highly recommended Mexican better for lunch or especially dinner than breakfast
- Trece Lunas – north of beach road. Bargainous. Good breakfast
- Luna Maya – good seafood romantic in a rustic way...nice wine list, appetizers, soups, and desserts...nice fusion type stuff.
- Zamas – nice pizza, some say its overrated but most really like. Breakfast looks great. Breakfast was pretty mediocre and service was poor. View is okay but the road runs right by it.
- Posada Margerita – Italian, recommended as a ‘must go’ by everyone. Need to book in advance. No menu – explained verbally. Great pasta. A bit pricey. Great appetisers included in $50 meal. Our meal (two adults) was under $90 and included a bottle of wine. Service was at first attentive but fell off as the restaurant got more crowded.
- Maya Tulum – good but slightly pricey breakfast buffet
- Kin-Ha – open fire grill at night
- Ana y Jose – a bit upscale. Nice ceviche
- Cabanas Tulum
- Los Lirios
- Tita Tulum – small, ‘lovely’, better value than some. Nice brekkie. Has a nice outside deck. Not sure value was all that good and atmosphere was just okay as you're surrounded by cabanas with a distant view of the ocean.
- Casa Banana at Nueva Vida – north of beach road. Good brekkies On the west side of the road (the "non-ocean side). A bit overrated.
- Amansala
- Casa Violeta – Italian. Has spa too
- Las Ranitas - Good food, nice outdoor area.
- Dos Ceibas – good chef and daily specials. Open fire grill. Looks v nice Outdoor eating area but secluded from the ocean. You'll be surrounded by the office and other cabanas. Good 2x1 happy hour.
- Hechizo – pricey (up to $100 total), gourmet, kinda posh. Booking needed (044 (984) 100-0710, or from the US, 0052 1 984 100 0710) Out of season only opens for bookings of 10 or more.


Pueblo– cheaper, more regional, local places. Taquerias generally v good. Best places are the ones with plastic chairs apparently!
- Don Karonte Nice folks, good service, atmosphere a bit claustrophobic.
- El Bronco Pollo – on main avenue. V cheap v tasty grilled chicken. Like $35 pesos for 2 people. The best value in Tulum for lunch. No beer/wine sales but you can bring your own.
- Charlies – has glass bottle wall. Bit touristy but people like it Saturday night entertainment during busy season. Nice artwork and open backyard courtyard area to eat in.
- El Mariachis - 1/2 locals, 1/2 tourists. Great service and authentic affordable fare.
- Don Cafetos – a favourite. Mexican. Get a seat on the sidewalk or by the TV during a soccer game.
- La Nave – Italian café. Nice coffee
- Rico! – “literal table-in-an-alleyway-entrance of the building just north of the bus station - it's a guy from Merida and his grandma, and they make one mean cochinita pibil. They put it in the ground to roast at night and start serving at 6 am, and usually run out by noon or early afternoon”. That guy (literally right next door to the bus station - it says by "Tino") is only open on Saturday and Sunday (7 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
- Taqueria la Poblano at the far end of town on the left hand side.
- El Taquetto - or something like that “Best home cookin' (actually a crew from Chiapas), a few doors down. It's got "Cocina Economica" on the sign - this is the one on the left side of the street facing south, not the "cocina economica" on the right at the very end of the street. This place is amazing - $10 for a meal for two - and the best meals we had while in Tulum. The first time we went we had soup with shrimp and a beef dish that came with frijoles and rice and tortillas. Second time, chicken stewed in a chipotle sauce and pork in a verde sauce. If you don't speak Spanish they take you back to the kitchen and take the lids off the pots and show you what they've got - four or five different dishes every night; no set menu.” YES YES YES...if you're brave enough, you'll love it. Don't count on anyone speaking English though!
- Casa Del Buen Pan – great bakery. Looks almost hidden by a tree in the pic. Try to take small change Not too hard to find...head west on Calle Alfa (it's just north of the ADO bus station) for two blocks. It will be at the intersection of Alfa and Calle Sagitario. They have a nice courtyard in back or you can just take it to go.
- Pan de Carmen – great pastries More selection than Casa del Buen Pan but not as good and the atmosphere is rather sterile.
- Buenos Aires - great steaks and wine list but you'll pay for the quality. It's on 307 and Calle Beta.

Have a blast!!!

[palms2pines2sea]

Great thread, and VERY helpful!
Where exactly is Trece Lunas? I mean, "bargainous" is enough to get me interested!!

[firecop680]

Nice piece of work... I have been to about half of them and i totally agree.

[AdGuy]

Great thread, and VERY helpful!
Where exactly is Trece Lunas? I mean, "bargainous" is enough to get me interested!!


Patmex wrote a Trece Lunas review which should help...

http://www.tulum.info/showthread.php?t=815

[minniemex]

Great Job!!http://www.postsmile.net/img/19/1942.gif This is great for all of us to print & take in the future!!

[joellybaby]

Glad you all found it useful. It was your own work though really not mine!

[AdGuy]

JB...I LOVE THE TICKER ON BOTHERING FOR A TRIP REPORT..LOL!!! http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/4/4_1_72.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNxmk762YYUS)

[jvhaas]

Joelly, this is fabulous. Thanks so much for your compilation!!

[PhyllisB]

Nicely done! Thanks for putting the work into compiling all the suggestions that folks have had... it'll be really helpful. Maybe we oughtta star this post!

I would just add that for me, the main reason to visit Nacho's/Mayan Grill is for the view. So best to go before dark!

I thought Tita's food was fine - nothing incredible - but I do like the little porch where the tables are, even if it is set back a bit from the water. If there isn't a breeze, though, the mosquitos can come out in force. When that happened to us, the waiter brought some incense & set it right by the table hoping the smoke would help. It did, but it was just a little too late!

[lianne]

Thank You JB! you have done what I should have before I left, but never got around to! This is a great resource http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/23/23_30_126.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNxmk572YYUS)





http://www.smileycentral.com/sig.jsp?pc=ZSzeb098&pp=ZNxmk572YYUS (http://smiley.smileycentral.com/download/index.jhtml?partner=ZSzeb098_ZNxmk572YYUS&utm_id=7926)

[beachreader]

Great work, Joelly, thanks for pulling all our random bits and pieces together so others can use it. Maybe we should make this a sticky or something, so everyone can see it and add to it?

One thing I'd add for Mariachi's in town is their margaritas were the best I had all trip, and the cheapest. Not the largest (that would be a tie between Don Cafeto and Mayan Grill, same glasses far as I could tell), but they were really delicious and refreshing, not too sweet, not too orangey. I think they were $3/$3.50 ea.? It might depend on the bartender, of course. I was there for lunch on a weekday.

[minniemex]

Great work, Joelly, thanks for pulling all our random bits and pieces together so others can use it. Maybe we should make this a sticky or something, so everyone can see it and add to it?

http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_1_6.gifwe have no stickey feature on this board --

[beachreader]

Sigh. :(

[austxdan]

http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_1_6.gifwe have no stickey feature on this board --

Guess we could just keep the thread alive, and that would bump it to the top.

Charlie says "Come on in" :cool:
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g259/djmarquette/Tulum2006/CarvingDudeSmall.jpg


Dan

[minniemex]

Guess we could just keep the thread alive, and that would bump it to the top. Dan

I agree, we should do that with a couple of the threads -

[procrastinet]

We tried to go to Maya Grill twice, on Saturday and Sunday, and it always said "Closed - Prive" on a sign out front, with a rope across the drive and a guard waving us off. Weird. Tried both Saturday and Sunday. Closed? Construction? Or just bought out for the weekend? We ended up continuing on to Don Cafetos one day (excellent), and to Que Fresco! the next (also excellent, more "touristy", nice view of beach and rocky part, FANTASTIC (though smallish) drinks).

[dionski]

Eating seafood tacos last night got me thinking about Tulum and food and this great thread. Thought I'd bring it back to the top and add my three cents.

Pedro's is a little restaurant in Tulum Pueblo that we tried one night. It is one block west of the main drag toward the south end of town. I think it is a two streets south of El Mariachi. The decor was very basic and local but, with the prices and food we liked it. We left our Camera there and returned the next day to find the owner see us drive up and, bring it out to us. Always like those honest places.

Pescadaria It is not a restaurant but, a fish market. Location is on 307 on the south end of town just after the end of the highway median, west side. Price is by weight but the key is that they cook it up right there. We had stopped at San Fransisco for the necessary sides and took our cooked choices back to Zulum for lunch of the deck. One of our better meals.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1253/612963334_487ed7712d_o.jpg

Here are my thoughts on the usual suspects. (that we visited)

In the pueblo Pollo Bronco is the best value. We also ate at Don Cafeto's it was ok but, watch those salsa's hot and good!

On the beach road Mezzanine's Thai food was probably the best meal we had.

Mayan Grill- Great big plate of Ceviche that we all enjoyed.
Trece Luna- We found ourselves eating here often for breakfast but, dinner was probably a greater value.
Zamas – "nice pizza, some say its overrated but most really like. Breakfast looks great." Breakfast was good. Good place to eat with kids.
Piedra Escondida- Not mentioned yet. Craving Pasta give it a try
Casa Bannana. We enjoyed this place for breakfast and liked the grounds and Vibe of Nueva Vida.
Los Lirios - Don't bother

Permite comer

d2

[RooTrekker]

Here's our fab five:

1. Hechizo
2. Posada Margherita
3. Mezzanine
4. Don Cafeto's
5. Nacho's -- now Mayan Grill

[AdGuy]

Here's our fab five:

1. Hechizo
2. Posada Margherita
3. Mezzanine
4. Don Cafeto's
5. Nacho's -- now Mayan Grill


I think RT's got it right...though I might switch out Don Cafeto's with Luna Maya. Stil, DC's is pretty hard to beat (definitely would be #6 and on my must-eat list).

[minniemex]

Have we established that the Mayan Grill is still open?? Do you think they were just closed because it is the slow season?? We will need Armchairshrink to check that out also - Maybe we need to make a check list for him??

[austxdan]

I think RT's got it right...though I might switch out Don Cafeto's with Luna Maya. Stil, DC's is pretty hard to beat (definitely would be #6 and on my must-eat list).

Wow Lee,

We almost agree on something :rolleyes:.

I would also go with RT's list except I bump Don Cafeto's down to #6 and insert Charlie's at #4 and Zamas at #5.

I would scratch Nacho's based on our less than stellar experience last year.

The top 3 is perfect.

Dan

[TheWindyCity]

I had to add my two cents and fill in the blanks on a few below, (in Green)



JB...good job...let me fill in the blanks, provide a couple of comments, and make a few corrections (in red)...

- Don Cafeto's – highly recommended – another (slightly cheaper) branch in town Not sure if any price difference between the two but the pubelo one will give you a more local feel.
- La Vita e Bella – Italian place, lovely sand floor candlelit beach palapa, excellent Caipirinhas
- Mezzanine – nice setting. Thai food. Parties on a Friday worth going to. Bookings good idea on Fridays Good breakfasts...usually not crowded for breakfast...pretty laid back then.
- Nachos/Mayan Grill – reasonable, highly recommended Mexican better for lunch or especially dinner than breakfast
- Trece Lunas – north of beach road. Bargainous. Good breakfast
- Luna Maya – good seafood romantic in a rustic way...nice wine list, appetizers, soups, and desserts...nice fusion type stuff.
- Zamas – nice pizza, some say its overrated but most really like. Breakfast looks great. Breakfast was pretty mediocre and service was poor. View is okay but the road runs right by it.
- Posada Margerita – Italian, recommended as a ‘must go’ by everyone. Need to book in advance. No menu – explained verbally. Great pasta. A bit pricey. Great appetisers included in $50 meal. Our meal (two adults) was under $90 and included a bottle of wine. Service was at first attentive but fell off as the restaurant got more crowded.
- Maya Tulum – good but slightly pricey breakfast buffet
- Kin-Ha – open fire grill at night
- Ana y Jose – a bit upscale. Nice ceviche
- Cabanas Tulum
- Los Lirios Excellent grilled seafood platter for two. Large specialty drink list. Regional dishes on the menu.
- Tita Tulum – small, ‘lovely’, better value than some. Nice brekkie. Has a nice outside deck. Not sure value was all that good and atmosphere was just okay as you're surrounded by cabanas with a distant view of the ocean.
- Casa Banana at Nueva Vida – north of beach road. Good brekkies On the west side of the road (the "non-ocean side). A bit overrated.
- Amansala
- Casa Violeta – Italian. Has spa too
- Las Ranitas - Good food, nice outdoor area. Try the Mayan fish preparation called Tikin Xic, a white fish cooked in banana leaves seasoned with achiote, garlic, onion, in a tomato sauce.
- Dos Ceibas – good chef and daily specials. Open fire grill. Looks v nice Outdoor eating area but secluded from the ocean. You'll be surrounded by the office and other cabanas. Good 2x1 happy hour.
- Hechizo – pricey (up to $100 total), gourmet, kinda posh. Booking needed (044 (984) 100-0710, or from the US, 0052 1 984 100 0710) Out of season only opens for bookings of 10 or more.


Pueblo– cheaper, more regional, local places. Taquerias generally v good. Best places are the ones with plastic chairs apparently!
- Don Karonte Nice folks, good service, atmosphere a bit claustrophobic.
- El Bronco Pollo – on main avenue. V cheap v tasty grilled chicken. Like $35 pesos for 2 people. The best value in Tulum for lunch. No beer/wine sales but you can bring your own.
- Charlies – has glass bottle wall. Bit touristy but people like it Saturday night entertainment during busy season. Nice artwork and open backyard courtyard area to eat in.
- El Mariachis - 1/2 locals, 1/2 tourists. Great service and authentic affordable fare.
- Don Cafetos – a favourite. Mexican. Get a seat on the sidewalk or by the TV during a soccer game.
- La Nave – Italian café. Nice coffee
- Rico! – “literal table-in-an-alleyway-entrance of the building just north of the bus station - it's a guy from Merida and his grandma, and they make one mean cochinita pibil. They put it in the ground to roast at night and start serving at 6 am, and usually run out by noon or early afternoon”. That guy (literally right next door to the bus station - it says by "Tino") is only open on Saturday and Sunday (7 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
- Taqueria la Poblano at the far end of town on the left hand side.
- El Taquetto - or something like that “Best home cookin' (actually a crew from Chiapas), a few doors down. It's got "Cocina Economica" on the sign - this is the one on the left side of the street facing south, not the "cocina economica" on the right at the very end of the street. This place is amazing - $10 for a meal for two - and the best meals we had while in Tulum. The first time we went we had soup with shrimp and a beef dish that came with frijoles and rice and tortillas. Second time, chicken stewed in a chipotle sauce and pork in a verde sauce. If you don't speak Spanish they take you back to the kitchen and take the lids off the pots and show you what they've got - four or five different dishes every night; no set menu.” YES YES YES...if you're brave enough, you'll love it. Don't count on anyone speaking English though!
- Casa Del Buen Pan – great bakery. Looks almost hidden by a tree in the pic. Try to take small change Not too hard to find...head west on Calle Alfa (it's just north of the ADO bus station) for two blocks. It will be at the intersection of Alfa and Calle Sagitario. They have a nice courtyard in back or you can just take it to go.
- Pan de Carmen – great pastries More selection than Casa del Buen Pan but not as good and the atmosphere is rather sterile.
- Buenos Aires - great steaks and wine list but you'll pay for the quality. It's on 307 and Calle Beta.
- Habana Cafe - For drinks at night! The best Mojitos and Caiparinhas!


Have a blast!!!


Seafood Platter for two at Los Lirios:

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/IMGP1218.jpg

Tikin Xic at Las Ranitas:

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/IMGP1486.jpg

[TeqP]

Have we established that the Mayan Grill is still open??
Yes, the Mayan Grill is open. That is one of the places we ate at during our stay in Tulum from earlier this month (6/2-6/5).

[AdGuy]

Wow Lee,

We almost agree on something :rolleyes:.

I would also go with RT's list except I bump Don Cafeto's down to #6 and insert Charlie's at #4 and Zamas at #5.

I would scratch Nacho's based on our less than stellar experience last year.

The top 3 is perfect.

Dan

Dan...l guess we'll just agree on the top three, then. I know you're a Zamas fan and I'm a Nacho's enthusiast and, though we're both good communicators and strong debaters, I doubt we'll convince each other to switch sides. I actually hope everyone heads to Zamas...another opportunity to have Nacho's all to myself!! :D

[minniemex]

Found this on Tripadvisor -



Try a new place that just opened in May - Sirenas. On the beach just past Nueva Vida de Ramiro. Don't let the "organic" subtitle fool you. This place has the freshest seafood and steaks in Tulum. The owner is an american woman named Jan. She used to own a very popular seafood restaurant in South Padre Island, TX. and she understands how to treat her customers. The food is incredible and the best views and atmosphere on the beach. Very laid back and reasonably priced. Jan goes out of her way to make you feel at home. The cheeseburgers have to be the best in all Mexico.


Sounds like a great new place to try!

Pepper put me onto the link -

[Lynnette]

We enjoyed several meals at "El Huinic", which is located behind the bus station. Really cute little restaurant with great food!!! Everything we had was excellent, and served with fresh tortillas....we watched the women making them on site. I had excellent shrimp tacos, although not as large as La Floresta or Pacos. Oh, and did I mention very inexpensive....we spent less than $10 for two and were stuffed!!

http://lynne.smugmug.com/photos/166855737-S.jpg

http://lynne.smugmug.com/photos/166855732-S.jpg

[AdGuy]

Found this on Tripadvisor -



Sounds like a great new place to try!

Pepper put me onto the link -


Kayt,

I'm not sure how new this is...I recall seeing this write up about a year ago. It would be interesting to hear if anyone's been to Sirenas though.

[dionski]

Lynnette,

Thanks for El Huinic report. We saw it while there but, went other places.
Not next trip.

d2

[minniemex]

Just keeping this current, as it really is the best restaurant thread!! It makes me so hungry everytime I read it!! YUM:)

[Armchairshrink]

I know there are other food threads but I also know you guys love to talk about food, so let me explain the specific advice I'm seeking:

I grew up in an area that is primarily Chicano and have lived my whole adult live in the San Francisco bay area. This means that northern/central Mexican food is comfort food for me, I grew up eating carnitas tortas and carne asada tacos and the like. Living in SF I have access to the most amazing selection of cheap, delicious international food. Thus my boyfriend and I are both adventurous eaters, but also kind of snobby, as in, we don't like going to the burbs and eating the mediocre Chinese that everyone there thinks is great because they don't have any options. I know, I know, food snobs!

What we like is hole-in-the-wall places that are delicious and cheap. We will pay the money for gourmet food but it has to be worth it. With that in mind:

What restuarants would you recommend for us in Tulum? I was planning on having us eat in the pueblo the majority of the time because a lot of the beach food sounds pricey and uninteresting. Everyone keeps raving about Mezzanine, but I've got 3 excellent Thai restuarants within 2 blocks of my house and they're all very cheap, so I don't know if I'd want to spend the money at Mezz unless it's REALLY good. Ya dig?

Hopefully this doesn't come off as too snobby. I'm just planning on enjoying the hole in the wall places most of the time, but if you guys have any suggestions for any DO NOT MISS places, particularly on the beach road, I'm all ears. We are planning to eat at Posada Marghertia as our "fancy" meal and I'm so sad we can't go to Hechizo. :( I'm also particularly interested in eating Mayan food since that's the one kind of Mexican food that's pretty rare back home.

[AdGuy]

ACS,

First off, this might be too late as you're likely on a plane to Cancun right now. That said, go for the beach restaurants mentioned above, not for the food, but for the amazing atmosphere. Their really aren't great Mayan restaurants in Tulum but a couple of great spots near Coba and in Valladolid. Since you're staying at El Meson del Marques hotel, definitely try them for dinner (great tableside guacamole). Also there's an awesome Mayan food restaurant called Tropical Maya on the main road coming into town from the east (near Jhonny Pizza around 26th Avenue). After visiting the Coba ruins, pull out of the road and turn left and within a mile you pass the El Bocadito restaurant. Pull in for a great (aka authentic) experience with great Mayan food...if they're not open you can also try the Nicte-Ha restaurant about a block over.

[TheWindyCity]

ACS...if you are in the pueblo, we found many locals eating at Don Cafeto. It gets mentioned a lot on various forums because it is what it is: quality food at a reasonable price, with good service. Just the simple, basic foods are taken over the top, like the bowl of escabeche and salsa:
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/IMGP1426-1.jpg

A simple shrimp cocktail, available anywhere, but nicely presented in a very flavorful sauce:
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/IMGP1052.jpg


One Mayan dish we ate everywhere, for comparison, was a breakfast dish of huevos multulenos, and Don Cafetos was excellent:
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/IMGP1428.jpg



But the one Mayan dish that was over the top, and dirt cheap, was at a place called La Pirimide, at the corner of Coba, exactly at the tee before you turn left to go to the ruins. Their version of huevos multulenos:

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/IMGP1282.jpg

I don't think there is a big selection of Mayan dishes at any one restaurant, as they all try to satisfy everyone's different tastes. You'd want to look on the menus for dishes like Cochinita Pibil, which is a slow roasted pork in a spice called achiote, and a fish dish called Tikin Xic, which is white fish roasted in banana leaves, achiote, onion and garlic.

If you are passing thru Playa Del Carmen, then you have to stop at a restaurant that specializes in Mayan cuisine, called Yaxche:
http://www.mayacuisine.com/restaurant/index_yax.html You'll be in Mayan heaven with the choices here.
Enjoy your trip!

[Lynnette]

Hey Windy......your photos have me craving Huevos Motulenos for breakfast today! :D The last pic would make it worth the drive out to Coba....their version of HM looks fabulous!!

ACS.....I love the Mezzanine, and the food is great, but I don't think it's authentic Thai like we can get near us. If you are in Valladolid, El Meson de Marques offers authentic, excellent cochinita & pollo pibil in banana leaves. If you see any little street vendor stands or carts ANYWHERE offering cochinita tortas...walk don't run...delish. The best I've ever had was on Isla. The cart was behind a wire fence, and the locals were lined up for a torta and carrying containers to take some pork home. I still dream about those tortas.....it pays to try something different

Here's a link to a forum discussing Tulum restaurants...it's been posted before, but you might have missed it. Take note of the smaller, off the beaten path places.....you'll dine like the locals!

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/267503

[preeya]

My husband and I love Mexican food. We are Vegetarians and eat eggs, but no meat. The stuff we have regularly is Burritos from Qdoba or other such burrito bars, and other Mexican restaurants in Boston area. Other than that we've had great mexican in Austin and Arizona as well. We just love it. We are tentatively planning our trip to Tulum in Oct. I have been following this htread for sometime now. That said:
Please suggest your top restaurants for vegetarian options (sometimes beans come with lard base which we cant have) and name of the dishes whcih you enjoyed the most while in Tulum. We dont mind spending $$ pr even eating at small holes which have good food. Please suggest!
Preeya

[joellybaby]

I'm bumping this thread back up again as there were a few questions about restaurants just recently like the one from Bayla.

Preeya, if you're still around and still wondering, the veggie thing I ate most of in Tulum was pizza I think! Not very mexican. I had a lot of seafood mainly. I can't remember seeing loads of burritos - my husband had some at Tita Tulum which were ok but not very hearty. Generally the food most places was not much like what you get in mexican restaurants outside Mexico. Well, hopefully someone will notice your question now and can help more than me! I'm sure there must be plenty of good options. AdGuy has some menu photos around somewhere that you could peruse.

[joellybaby]

Hey look at that I'm almost on 100 posts! Off to sunny Spain tomorrow though so senior membership (and the rest of my rather drawn out trip report) is going to have to wait another week.

No ulterior motive in making this post either...

[joellybaby]

Or this one!

[mayaflya]

ha!

[mayaflya]

ha!

(no ulterior motives here either...have a great trip, Joelly!)

[mayaflya]

damn! they's wise to us...ticker doesn't move ;-)

[mayaflya]

Oh, there it went! nevermind! ;-)

[AdGuy]

Or this one!


An additional incentive...when you become a Senior Member we show you the secret SM Greeting:

http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_12_18.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNxmk762YYUS)

[beachreader]

Preeya, check at the restaurant 100% Natural in the pueblo (east side of 307, just south of the Coba Rd.). Since they actually have vegetarian/vegan food, you might ask them for recommendations of other restaurants (of course, after eating there, tipping lavishly and exclaiming how wonderful everything was and how you'll be coming back often). I mean, using lard in beans or for frying tortillas is incredibly common, so you'll want to have an expert's knowledge of places that use vegetable products.

[ilovewyoming]

Good information, everyone!!! I will use this when i go in October.

[mariposa]

We liked the Don Cafetos in town but the one on the beach was a whole
different story. They had these buzzing flourescent light fixtures and fans that needless to say made things unpleasant. Half our food never came and what did arrive was not good. We ate at the one in Pueblo a couple times for lunch and really liked it though. We had the best margaritas of our trip at Charlie's..Just good and fresh tasting. Don't know what it was about them just did the trick.

We liked Zamas mostly because of the fun atmosphere. The pizza was pretty good but the other food is hit or miss.They have unusual and yummy cocktails which seemed to have made the food even more forgettable..

We also had a good dinner at Buenos Aires. If you're craving steak this is the obvious choice. It was served w/some interesting chimichurri type sauces and the other sides were good too.

Best food at Tacoqueto. This is the authentic place in Pueblo many have mentioned (photo below..) we can't wait to go back.Basically you can go back to the kitchen window and point at what you wantif you don't speak spanish..everything we had was amazing.Just west of tacoqueto is a stand where they have Salbutes (a mayan "taco" type thing with a puffy fried shell usually w/chicken) They have erratic open times but these are some of the best things we had in Tulum actually probably anywhere.. Bronco Pollo is also really really good and cheap (photo w/cokes..) make sure you get the pickled onions.We also saw people eating large whole grilled onions on our last day and will be trying those next time.

We discovered a little too late in our trip last time that we usually preferred these authentic (and cheap!) type places. We were willing to spend money on food but not mediocre food. The little hole-in-the-wall places always made us happy...

[Jane]

Hi or (coucou in french :))

Hummm miam :Talking food, and the frenchie is showing up :D
It's a yummy nice post, and very interesting.

Beachrider I have been looking to your pics , and it's looks great, you gave me a ton of ideas for cooking !!!

Have a nice day

Jane

[minniemex]

Just bumping this as someone asked about places for the holidays. (I really bumped this to get to 1000 posts faster than Lee)

[minniemex]

here are distances to a lot of the places -

Distances measured in kilometers (km.) and miles (mi.) calculated from the intersection of the Coba road and the Tulum beach road, to the various beach destinations both north and south along the Tulum beach road.

The Coba road / Tulum beach road intersection is also where the Azul Blue all inclusive resort is located.

2.7 km ~ 1.7 mi -- Sante Fe and Mirador
2.6 km ~ 1.6 mi -- Zacil Kin
2.4 km ~ 1.5 mi -- Don Cafeto
2.1 km ~ 1.3 mi -- Playa Maya
1.9 km ~ 1.2 mi -- El Paraiso
1.6 km ~ 1.0 mi -- La Vita E Bella
1.3 km ~ 0.8 mi -- Mezzanine
1.1 km ~ 0.7 mi -- Diamante K

ABOVE - NORTH of the intersection
0.0 km ~ 0.0 mi -- Azul Blue all inclusive resort (http://www.locogringo.com/tulum/azulblue.html?name=Azul%20Blue) (and) The intersection of Tulum beach road and the Coba road.
BELOW - SOUTH of the intersection

0.16 km ~ 0.1 mi -- Tribal Village
0.64 km ~ 0.4 mi -- Papaya Beach
0.8 km ~ 0.5 mi -- Copal
0.96 km ~ 0.6 mi -- Azulik (http://www.locogringo.com/tulum/azulik.html?name=Azulik)
1.13 km ~ 0.7 mi -- Conchitas
1.3 km ~ 0.8 mi -- Piedra Excondida (http://www.locogringo.com/tulum/piedraescondida.html?name=Piedra%20Escondida)
1.5 km ~ 0.9 mi -- Zamas Bungalows (http://www.locogringo.com/tulum/zamas.htm?name=Zamas%20Bungalows)
2.25 km ~ 1.4 mi -- Maya Tulum -- giant tope (speed bump)
2.4 km ~ 1.5 mi -- Hemingway Cabañas (http://www.locogringo.com/tulum/hemingway.html?name=Hemingway%20Cabanas)
2.74 km ~ 1.7 mi -- Ana y Jose Beach Club
2.9 km ~ 1.8 mi -- Posada Margherita (http://www.locogringo.com/tulum/margherita.html?name=Posada%20Margherita)
3.1 km ~ 1.9 mi -- Retiro Maya
3.4 km ~ 2.1 mi -- Yumi Ha
3.5 km ~ 2.2 mi -- Arrecifes
3.7 km ~ 2.3 mi -- Zulum (http://www.locogringo.com/tulum/zulum.html?name=Zulum)
3.9 km ~ 2.4 mi -- Ana y Jose Cabañas (http://www.locogringo.com/tulum/anayjose.html?name=Ana%20y%20Joses) -- giant tope (speed bump)
4.0 km ~ 2.5 mi -- Hotel Cabañas Tulum
4.2 km ~ 2.6 mi -- Los Lirios Hotel Cabañas (http://www.locogringo.com/tulum/loslirios.html?name=Los%20Lirios%20Hotel%20Cabanas )
4.5 km ~ 2.8 mi -- Shambala Petit Hotel
4.51 km ~ 2.81 mi -- Esmeralda K
4.7 km ~ 2.9 mi -- Ak'iin Tulum Beach Club
4.8 km ~ 3.0 mi -- Behla (http://www.locogringo.com/tulum/behla.html?name=Behla)
4.9 km ~ 3.05 mi -- Coqui Coqui (http://www.locogringo.com/tulum/coqui.html?name=Coqui%20Coqui)
4.91 km ~ 3.08 mi -- Parayso Hotel
5.0 km ~ 3.1 mi -- Tita Tulum
5.1 km ~ 3.15 mi -- Zamna Guesthouse (http://www.locogringo.com/tulum/zamnaguesthouse.html?name=Zamna%20Guesthouse)
5.2 km ~ 3.2 mi -- Jade
5.3 km ~ 3.3 mi -- Nueva Vida
5.5 km ~ 3.4 mi -- La Zebra (http://www.locogringo.com/tulum/lazebra.html?name=La%20Zebra)
5.6 km ~ 3.5 mi -- Playa Mambo
5.7 km ~ 3.55 mi -- Amansala
5.8 km ~ 3.6 mi -- Ocho
6.0 km ~ 3.7 mi -- Suenos -- closed
6.2 km ~ 3.9 mi -- Ranitas
6.4 km ~ 4.0 mi -- Dos Ceibas
6.5 km ~ 4.05 mi -- Los Arcos
6.8 km ~ 4.2 mi -- Tierra del Sol
6.9 km ~ 4.3 mi -- Casa Magna
7.1 km ~ 4.4 mi -- Rancho San Eric and Hechizo, Balamque
7.6 km ~ 4.7 mi -- Sian Ka'an entrance arch (http://www.locogringo.com/maps/tour/089-t.html)

[ditka3000]

this fargin' thread is making me HUNGRY! JESUS.

man, i am gonna get my culinary creature comforts on in 3 weeks. my fiance has never seen me go deep on food explorations. my friend had to stop me from eating the wagon food in India a few years ago. I was ready to go.

questions:

are these prices in US or pesos? seems to change.

getting from the beach road to the pueblo will require a car, no? or is biking something that one could do?

[beachreader]

You could bike it, but a) it's bloody hot once you're off the beach, and b) if you're going to be out after dark, riding a bike back is probably not a good idea. In fact, many bike rental places require the bikes be back before dark.

The exchange rate is generally somewhere around 10 pesos per US dollar, so if the price looks particularly expensive, it's probably in pesos (200=20 dollars). The peso symbol is the same as the dollar symbol, so it can be confusing, but if it looks like there's one too many zeros to be real, it's probably pesos.

[ditka3000]

this place is so damn informative. really cool.

ok, so no biking in at night. is driving my car permissible? there aren't cops looking to make a quick buck by pulling over the 2 margarita-drinking gringo? i've seen it in other parts of the world:)

[minniemex]

It can happen, and there is a thread here about it -
http://tulum.info/showthread.php?t=1139&highlight=police

there is some info there -

[PhyllisB]

I would think it would be pretty unlikely to be pulled over going from the pueblo to the beach road -- maybe that's naieve of me though. on 307 the chances of a random stop would be higher.

[AdGuy]

Cops everywhere (at the T intersection, in town, up and down 307) but they won't bother you unless you really appear impaired. Keep in mind, a taxi will only run you $5USD/way, so if you're planning on partying that's always an option. Also, the lion's share of menu pricing is in pesos and does not include taxes or propinas.

[minniemex]

Good information, everyone!!! I will use this when i go in October.
OK!!! I am a ticker idiot, and i know there are suggestions and tips and the know how's...i have TRIED, so many times i can't post it or i might get a stupid ticker maker award..BUT
Please someone: Send me to the link that has GOOD instructions for a technically challenged person... lol!!!

Just go here -

http://www.playa.info/make_countdown.php

enter your dates, copy the text at the top (instructions on the page for you to follow also) (to copy Use Control C)

Return to here, go to User CP, hit edit signature, and paste (Control V) and you should have a ticker. Try it, you will like it!!

[SoKaliBeachBoy]

Looks like an old thread...... but anyone wanna list their TOP 3 MUST EATS!

[mayaflya]

Top three. Hmmm. No particular order, but

Grilled seafood platter at Mayan Grill (formerly Nachos)
Banana pancakes at Zamas
anything at Hechizo

[TheWindyCity]

Hechizo, without a doubt, a must. The sea bass with truffle butter was amazing in flavor:

Can't you just reach in and taste that truffle butter?
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/IMGP1081.jpg

But some other memorable dishes we had was the Tikin Xic. A Mayan fish preparation of whitefish cooked in garlic, onion and achiote (a seasoning), and wrapped and steamed in banana leaf, at Las Ranitas, on the beach road:

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/IMGP1486.jpg

The Huevos Moltulenos at La Pirimide, at the junction right before you turn left into the Coba ruins parking lot. We sampled this dish at 5 different restaurants, and this one was over the top:

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/IMGP1282.jpg

And the Huevos Rancheros at The Mezzanine, the best I've ever eaten:

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/IMGP1032.jpg

[BP.]

Oh God, TWC!!!! The huevos rancheros, aayyy!!! Are they made with crunchy tortillas, do you know? Zamas does them crunchy, which is why, until now, they've been my favorite. I'll have to try them at Mezz.

[TheWindyCity]

The tortillas were handmade, with more of the masa flavor and more soft than crunchy. The cheese wasn't the typical cotija, but a greek feta, and had a taste closer to parmesan. These were really, really good.

[petecat]

does anyone know how I can contact Hechizo by phone or e mail, need to make early reservation for wifes birthday.

[SoKaliBeachBoy]

!-800-Yum-Yumm :D

[TheWindyCity]

does anyone know how I can contact Hechizo by phone or e mail, need to make early reservation for wifes birthday.

Yes, email them at hechizo_tulum@yahoo.com

[AdGuy]

Looks like an old thread...... but anyone wanna list their TOP 3 MUST EATS!

You may want to do a search for this as I seem to recall a thread (started earlier this year) that covered eveyone's top 5 restaurant picks. It had some really good ideas and clear winners.

[minniemex]

does anyone know how I can contact Hechizo by phone or e mail, need to make early reservation for wifes birthday.


Hey petecat - read this thread - I don't know if they will hold to not opening up until December............

http://tulum.info/showthread.php?t=1142&highlight=hechizo

[petecat]

Hey petecat - read this thread - I don't know if they will hold to not opening up until December............

http://tulum.info/showthread.php?t=1142&highlight=hechizo

Thanks I sent them an e mail, it would jst be the two of us in November, I'll wait for a reply, if I do no recieve one I guess plan B will go into effect!

[beachreader]

Windy, that truffle butter looks amaaaaazing. Oh man.

How did you get your pics to look so good? When I use my flash, it's too bright and the food looks fake, but when I use no flash, it comes out blurry. Not always, but often enough.

Maybe I just need a new camera with higher speeds.

[TheWindyCity]

Hey Beachreader!
First I got Hui's OK to take pics. (I didn't want to bother other diners, but I started something because they started taking pics as well.) Then I used an external flash with a diffuser on the top to take the harshness out. A trick you can try on your camera is to put a piece of tissue over the flash to reduce the light a little. I tried no flash and it wasn't blurry, but didn't look as appetizing or detailed....(and we here on the board like appetizing and detailed!)

Can I get an non-forum related, shameless, side trip in here? I occasionaly post reviews of restaurants on a Chicago foodie forum for locals called LTH Forum. We visited a new breakfast spot and took I took a few non-flash pics of some great breakfast items:
http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=14682&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=30
If more of Tulum served coffee as good as it is here. I almost want to go on a mission to get them to stop serving instant coffee at some of the restaurants!

[beachreader]

Great pics on that site too, thanks. Now I am completely starving.

I'll have to try the tissue paper thing, but I'll have to tape it on there, I guess, since it's just a small-ish digital camera and the flash is part of the face. Definitely something to try, though, since I hate the way most of my flash pictures come out.

[petecat]

Just recieved an e mail from Hechizo they are closed until December, but they said if they should open sooner they will contact me, I guess we will hit Posada Margherita and Mezzanine while we are there, and select a few others for dinner. We always do one night at Titas also while we are staying there.

[ditka3000]

after seeing the pics, et al, i am crushed. going in two weeks. is it gonna be bad or just some things not open?

[beachreader]

Too bad Hechizo won't be open, and according to other comments, maybe not Posada Marg. either. Do check out Ginger in town (about my third favorite meal after the others), south end of the northbound side of 307, very red interior (see my posts for more info), and I'm still dying to hear about Sirenas, which I believe is on the beach road but I've yet to meet anyone who's actually eaten there!

Oh, and Trece Lunas, which has been recommended very highly.

[Claireinco]

No mention of La Zebra? AMAZING beach, really some of the best ceviche around, a variety of salsas (conventional pico de gallo to greek tzaziki with pineapple!) come with every meal, refreshing ice cold chaya juice, perfectly crispy but soft inside empanadas, fresh tamales...dare I say my favorite restaurant in Tulum so far? Do check it out -- down the beach road a stretch, but worth the trek.

[pepper]

I'm with you, Claire. La Zebra was our fave as well.

I know lots love Hechizo, but I can't imagine eating fish with truffle butter on the beach....seems all wrong to me.

[AdGuy]

I'm with you, Claire. La Zebra was our fave as well.

I know lots love Hechizo, but I can't imagine eating fish with truffle butter on the beach....seems all wrong to me.

I know what you mean...I can't understand why folks head to Mexico and order pizza! My jaw drops when I read someone's trip report and they head back to the same place three times while in Tulum and order the same meal...and it's a hamburger or pizza!!! :eek:

[TheWindyCity]

I know lots love Hechizo, but I can't imagine eating fish with truffle butter on the beach....seems all wrong to me.

Well, if you spend 9 days in Tulum with all the choices, but you need that extra special place to celebate a milestone in your life, having a gourment option in a beautiful setting fills the bill for some. Personally, I like what Stefan and Hui have created in that little compound next to Sian Kaan. It's nice having a classy joint to go to for a night out.

[AdGuy]

Well, if you spend 9 days in Tulum with all the choices, but you need that extra special place to celebate a milestone in your life, having a gourment option in a beautiful setting fills the bill for some. Personally, I like what Stefan and Hui have created in that little compound next to Sian Kaan. It's nice having a classy joint to go to for a night out.

Well said, WC...I couldn't agree more!! http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/11/11_2_100.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNxmk762YYUS)

[BP.]

I'm with you, Claire. La Zebra was our fave as well.

I know lots love Hechizo, but I can't imagine eating fish with truffle butter on the beach....seems all wrong to me.

Pepper, when you guys get a chance to try Hechizo, you're likely gonna really enjoy it! :)

[BP.]

I can't understand why folks head to Mexico and order pizza! :eek:

Well, for us, it's "therapeutic!!" :) My trip will be 22 days this year, and I know somewhere along the way, I'll need some "healing" pizza!!! :D Maybe some Zamas, a little cozy Il Basilico upstairs action, or out on the sidewalk at La Nave.

[PhyllisB]

mmmmm..... pizza....... melted cheese, tomato sauce, good crust.... pizza's good anywhere!

[beachreader]

I understand what you're saying, Lee and Pepper, but a great meal is a great meal wherever it's served. I truly love Mexican food and eat it at every opportunity down there, but I have given up my prejudices about eating anything other than local cuisine have embraced good food of whatever culture that appear wherever I am.

Heck, I might even try the Thai food at Mezzanine, since I've heard so many great things about it.

And La Zebra is at the top of my list now for both a place to stay and to eat! Wish more of you all had been there last year at this time so I could have learned about it then!


One of my biggest regrets is the lack of a high-end Mexican restaurant. I love the homey style and local flavor of what I can find in Tulum, but with the influx of money and people (which I regret for other reasons), I'm still hoping a great chef will come to town and show us what Mexican food can be at the upper echelons.

[DougSR]

One might argue that there are high-end Mexican restaurants in Tulum (or as high end as it gets). Or perhaps a better arguement is there are no truly 5 star mexican restaurants anywhere.

I have lived in Texas all my life and have experienced all sorts of Mex and Tex/Mex. But I've never really sat down at really expensive mexican restaurant. In fact, I can't even think of a really expensive mexican restaurant. About the closest we have in Dallas/Fort Worth is Gloria's and I never spend more than $25 per head there.

Maybe I'm all washed up on this topic or maybe someone needs to create a high end Mexican fare. I would definitely check it out.

[TheWindyCity]

Well, for us, it's "therapeutic!!" :) My trip will be 22 days this year, and I know somewhere along the way, I'll need some "healing" pizza!!! :D Maybe some Zamas, a little cozy Il Basilico upstairs action, or out on the sidewalk at La Nave.


Amen!
22 days!!!.....Oh man...you are going to need large memory cards and a thick notebook!

DougSR: If you ever make it to Chicago, celebrity gringo Mexican chef Rick Bayless, who has spent much time in the Yucatan, has two restaurants here, back to back. The high end Topolobampo, and the casual Frontera Grill.

[BP.]

Amen!
22 days!!!.....Oh man...you are going to need large memory cards and a thick notebook!

DougSR: If you ever make it to Chicago, celebrity gringo Mexican chef Rick Bayless, who has spent much time in the Yucatan, has two restaurants here, back to back. The high end Topolobampo, and the casual Frontera Grill.

Oh, you've set the trip report bar quite high, my friend!!!

In Philly? Tequilas Restaurant.

[DougSR]

After looking at these places, I still don't see myself spending $75 or $100 a head; however, Topolobampo is definitely on my list of places to eat next time I'm in Chi-town. mmmm!

[pepper]

All I'm saying is that truffle butter is a bit too heavy for my taste while on a hot beach...but we always go in August. Especially on Chilean Sea Bass aka Patagonia Toothfish which was on the verge of extinction and is not a local fish in the Yucatan. I even argue with my chef husband for serving it in his restaurant, but people love it so he he continues to purchase it.

I wonder why Stephan wouldn't use an indigenous product similar to a truffle like huitlacoche. Being a food snob...yes, I know it and readily admit it...I wonder why. I'm not here to argue; I just want to know. Maybe he has the same reasons as my husband - people know the fish and like the fish. They don't know huitlacoche, but the know truffles.

Doug - if you are looking for a nicer restaurant in Dallas serving more upscale Latin American food, try Stephan Pyles on Ross Ave down from the DMA. I'm not a big fan of Gloria's since they say they are El Salvadorian, but they are so much more Tex-Mex. Not very authentic.

And I love, love, love Rick Bayless. I wish he'd add travel notes to his cookbooks...that mirror his on-site visits around Mexico.

[beachreader]

Thanks for clarifying, Pepper, sorry I misinterpreted your objection there. And great point about the "sea bass". It's not my favorite fish anyway, so easy for me to pass up for the endangerment issue, but yes, why not use local fish and other products? If he'd use huitlacoche, more people would know about it, and it would support the local folks who cultivate it. They used to do a huitlacoche crepe dish at Kailuum, and it was awesome, so I always ask for it when I see it on a menu, but Mayan Grill was out of it when I was there and the waiter said no one ever orders it.

I was thinking along the lines of Topolobampo when thinking of "high-end" Mexican, but really didn't mean to bash the local chefs. There's good cooking going on down there, and I mean to find more of it next time I'm down. And it is curious to me that Mexican, almost alone among world cuisines (OK, I'll include the rest of Latin America in there) doesn't have nearly as much of a high-end presence as other food cultures. Scandinavian, Chinese, Japanese, European, Russian, everyone has both low-end and high-end.

Ah, well.

So Phyl, even more reason for us to hook up down there and EAT! Hope my foodiness holds up to yours. :)

[AdGuy]

And it is curious to me that Mexican, almost alone among world cuisines (OK, I'll include the rest of Latin America in there) doesn't have nearly as much of a high-end presence as other food cultures. Scandinavian, Chinese, Japanese, European, Russian, everyone has both low-end and high-end. :)


Good point, BR, though I can think of several other cuisines that are high-end challenged. Irish and English come to mind...never yet found a pub serving bangers and mash with a cabernet reduction sauce! :D

[beachreader]

Good point, Lee, though hmmm, bangers and mash with a reduction sounds interesting.

I think it's probably because the UK still looks to France for haute cuisine. Just as in the US, though, there are chefs in both England and Ireland who put their own interpretation on classic techniques, using local produce to create something new. Not classically "English", perhaps, but not French either.

It's all about the chef's style. I mean, for "high-end Mex", I'm not looking for expensive tacos, but new food with a Mexican attitude.

In Tulum, Ginger seemed to be trying to do that with at least a few of their dishes (tuna in tamarind sauce, for one). I'm going to go back there to see if he's been able to do more of it.

OK, now I'm making myself hungry again, and the TV is playing a Corona commercial (the one with the campfire on the beach) and I want to cry. Better get some breakfast and off to my appointments!

[AdGuy]

OK, now I'm making myself hungry again, and the TV is playing a Corona commercial (the one with the campfire on the beach) and I want to cry. Better get some breakfast and off to my appointments!


Get your priorities straight...

Watch the Corona commercial (and all commercials for that matter) http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_6_4.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNxmk762YYUS)
Make a list of all items you now realize are necessities.
Grab breakfast at one of the heavily-advertised establishments.
Stop by the store to purchase all those items guaranteed to make your life better.
Go to your appointments to earn more money.
Return to step 1.

[beachreader]

I hear and I obey....

[NWCreoleLady]

ACS,
After visiting the Coba ruins, pull out of the road and turn left and within a mile you pass the El Bocadito restaurant. Pull in for a great (aka authentic) experience with great Mayan food...if they're not open you can also try the Nicte-Ha restaurant about a block over.

Thanks for the reminder! I had printed up something for El Bocadito a few years ago. We found Yucatecan food in Piste when we visited Chichen Itza and in Merida it's very easy to find of course. But closer to home (in the Roo) you'll be very pleased with Yaxche, beautiful restaurant especially if you get a table in the garden.

[zoulou]

Beachreader as far as high end restaurants, you are right choice is limited in Tulum but Hechizo would make the cut as a high end restaurant by any standard while keeping a relaxed tulum setting - the food alone is worth a trip. Casa violeta is also very nice and so is Mezzanine if you enjoy Thai food. In the pueblo for something other than tacos or Italian there is Ginger which is new on the avenida next to Habana Cafe across from Weary Trav they only serve fish and have a limited menu but the setting is elegant, food is very good, nice presentation and affordable. One block from Don Cafeto there is Azafran which is very small only 5 tables no wine it would not qualify as high end but the food is very good the owners are from Austria.

[beachreader]

Zoulou, thanks. I love Hechizo and Ginger and Casa V already. I have not yet tried Mezzanine but they're on my list for my next "non-Mex" craving. I had not yet heard of Azafran so they're on my list for next trip.

My point, in case you missed it, was that I am craving "high-end MEXICAN cuisine" in Tulum. Obviously, this is difficult to find.

I know how to find high-end food in general. I am a full-on foodie and will easily find the most expensive food in a given area, no sweat, and the best food of any price with little sweat.

I'm a foodwhore, what can I say?

I only regret that Tulum, the most beautiful beach area in Mexico (in my somewhat limited, Yucatan-only experience), doesn't have more to offer the food-traveler for Mexican cuisine.

This doesn't mean AT ALL that Tulu doesn't offer wonderful food, not at all! I'm just thinking I might need to go to a major city for Mexican haute-cuisine. And that's fair enough, really. I'm just being lazy, asking for all this stuff in our little pueblo.

However, when I win the lottery, look out! :rolleyes:

[TheWindyCity]

beachreader, NWCreolelady mentioned Yaxche in PDC. We stopped there for lunch last year on the ride into Tulum. Have you ever eaten there?
Excellent flavors, well presented.
http://www.mayacuisine.com/restaurant/index_yax.html

[beachreader]

Thanks, Windy, I missed her post (not sure how). Next time I'm in PDC I will definitely check them out. They were on my list last year but I never actually got there.

[SoKaliBeachBoy]

Was just thinking about my lunch next month....... need to keep this thread near the top! :D

[Gale in KY]

Adding Zahra to this list..beachroad. Economical food, great happy hour 2/1 with free appetizers.

[Gale in KY]

There was a trip report posted that described a 2nd floor restaurant in Tulum Pueblo..can't remember the name or who posted it, but if it's you..please post the name or a link to the report..it sounded like a place I would like to try.

Reviving an old report on a Pueblo Restaurant posted by Jx2 back in 2005..I wonder if this place is still there...this is exactly the type of experience I seek out when I am searching for a place for a meal!

"In the evening we found the Cafe Calypso Maya Cuisine, which we'd spotted earlier in the day, for dinner. It's on a side street off to the east of 307, half a block, but that's far enough to eliminate most of the timid tourist trade - fools. The place was empty. When we asked for the most authentically Mayan food, the waiter and host glanced unreassuringly at each other, then they asked what we wanted, again. We asked for something from the menu, which they didn't have that night. Hmm... "What do you have tonight?" Another glance at each other. Some discussion. "Chicken or fish." Okay. We are always ready for an unexpected adventure in Mexico. In a few moments we reached a decision. "My wife will have chicken, I'll have fish." "How would you like them?" "What are the choices?" Some of all this was in Castellano, some in English (which seemed easy for the waiter.) "The chicken we can make 'empapelado', the fish is Tikin Xik." "Great, and some red wine please." "Of course." Then an Italian couple wandered in at that point, made inquiries while still standing, turned away frowning and walked out. The host made a phone call while the waiter, and in due time, brought a couple of glasses of an excellent cabernet. Soon two women arrived and went into the kitchen, and an elderly man appeared and sat outside for a few minutes then came in and sat at a table near the back of the beautifully thatched palapa. He was given a glass of lemonaide. The women could be heard busy in the kitchen, the microwave beeped a few times, the waiter and host went in and out from time to time. Sizzling pans were heard. The elderly patron observed everything. The waiter entertained us with his life story, which we encouraged, because his English was astoundingly good, although we traded a few como se dice's here and there. He'd taught himself English by reading books available in both languages (great classic literature by the way), comic books, and watching cable TV. His favorite channel was the Discovery Channel. A very intelligent and engaging person, it was a delight to get to know him. The food was served and the two women emerged from the kitchen, sat near the patron, and watched us eat. The food was excellent beyond all expectation! The waiter explained that one of the women, the cook, was his wife. They had three children. "Oh yes, more wine please." Eventually we were done. "Something for dessert?" "What is there, tonight?" "Helados." "Oh. No thank you." The host rushed up with a suggestion, "Bananas fried with brandy." "Flambé?" "Yes, exactly," said the waiter. "Oh I love bananas flambé!" While the patron and the women watched every move -- it seemed we were on stage -- the host prepared the portable stove, the pan, the fruit, the bottles of booze, and with many flourishes and assistance from the waiter, prepared the piece de resistance including a half pound of butter. As the time for the flaming part arrived there were seruptitious glances up and down the street outside, then the host declined to light the fire to avoid the possibility of setting the thatch roof ablaze, which would have also burnt all the roofs of Tulum no doubt. We of course deferred. The bananas were also extremely delicious. "La cuenta, por favor." No, not yet. The host prepared a special final toast for us to share, made from the sauce in the banana pan plus more (unevaporated) brandy, Kahlua, white wine, and other ingredients of his secret recipe and presented us with a tropical aphrodisiac "for the night of romance." Free of charge. What a treat. And it worked. Such a tender memory. Pity the couple who didn't stay"

[minniemex]

I think if my husband reads this, we will be eating there every night!!

[beachreader]

Wow, that does sound great.

And while we're waiting for someone to give us the name of this place, can we ask for everyone's favorite out-of-the-mainstream pueblo restaurant?

No beachside, please, we've got plenty of those, and I already know about most of the main places on 307 (Cafeto's, et al). I'm looking most particularly for those out-of-the-way places that have amazing food but no norteamericanos ever go there. Someone recently wrote about a place called Cucina Economica, where they had to go back into the kitchen, see what was simmering in the pots and point at what they wanted.

That's the kind of place (or the place Gale's asking about, which sounds awesome).

[Gale in KY]

Anybody ever eat here?

http://www.locogringo.com/forums/upfiles/3179/A0CA10CF587E43BB879FDF892575D983.jpg

Came across this in my search for Tulum Pueblo restaurant recommendations..poster says, "Try this place. It's next to the City center Mayan Church. Don't ask me the street names...... Nine of us ate (stuffed ourselves) for $33.61."

[Gale in KY]

Here's the address and location of Cafe Calypso

Cafe Calipso Maya Cuisine - Restaurant in Tulum Pueblo
Specializing in Maya cuisine and seafood.
Location: Calle Orion Sur and Av. Tulum
Does not accept credit cards Open 7:00 am to 11:00 pm, daily.

[Gale in KY]

More pueblo...

On my short list...anyone eat here?
Los Tucanes - Restaurant in Tulum Pueblo
Family run restaurant. Seafood and traditional Mexican dishes. English and Spanish menus.
Location: Hwy 307 Eastside 2 blocks south of the Coba Rd.

El Crucero Restaurant-At the Ruins entrance. Fresh blend of Mexican and international favorites. Happy hours from 3-5pm with 10 peso beer.

L'icontro Forno a Legna -Their kitchen specializes in quality Italian food ranging from brick oven pizzas, pastas, salads, a variety of seafoods and meats.
Location: On the Coba Rd, toward the Tulum beach, 400 meters south of the Hwy & Coba

Is this the info on "Cocina Economica" BR?
El Taquetto - or something like that “Best home cookin' (actually a crew from Chiapas), a few doors down. It's got "Cocina Economica" on the sign - this is the one on the left side of the street facing south, not the "cocina economica" on the right at the very end of the street. This place is amazing - $10 for a meal for two - and the best meals we had while in Tulum. The first time we went we had soup with shrimp and a beef dish that came with frijoles and rice and tortillas. Second time, chicken stewed in a chipotle sauce and pork in a verde sauce. If you don't speak Spanish they take you back to the kitchen and take the lids off the pots and show you what they've got - four or five different dishes every night; no set menu.”

And finally from Dionski's report, two places I would love to visit!

Pedro's is a little restaurant in Tulum Pueblo that we tried one night. It is one block west of the main drag toward the south end of town. I think it is a two streets south of El Mariachi. The decor was very basic and local but, with the prices and food we liked it. We left our Camera there and returned the next day to find the owner see us drive up and, bring it out to us. Always like those honest places.

Pescadaria It is not a restaurant but, a fish market. Location is on 307 on the south end of town just after the end of the highway median, west side. Price is by weight but the key is that they cook it up right there. We had stopped at San Fransisco for the necessary sides and took our cooked choices back to Zulum for lunch of the deck. One of our better meals.

[firecop680]

Kinda sounds like we need a back streets map to find these little pieces of heaven.

[FITZ]

On our first journey to Tulum last year, we ended up staying at ElCrucero. Since then I'v read a few nasty reviews about the place. Granted, it is a very basic hotel, but we had a great time there. The food was some of the best we've had and they made fantastic drinks.

[mayaflya]

Here's a little map I roughed out....I'm testing it to see if the resolution is adequate. If you guys give me the coordinates (for example, on street B, between streets 6 & 7, also tell me which side of the street...North is up) of your restaurants, I can make tags for them. To keep it simple, lets limit ourselves to places NOT on the main drag. If this works, I can keep it updated. Also if you know additional street names, I can add those.


****map deleted, see post #58 for most recent version***

[Lynnette]

I see you are doing research mas importante ......where to eat!!! :D

We love Casa del Buen Pan. It's a bakery on the corner of Calles Alfa and Sagitaria. They have delicious pastries and bread, and it's so cute!!! I liked it much better than the panaderia on 307.

http://lynne.smugmug.com/photos/220513420-M.jpg


http://lynne.smugmug.com/photos/220513428-M.jpg


I also recommend El Huinic de Tulum , which is located behind the bus station on Calle Polar. We ate there several times last May, and EVERYTHING, was yummy....and cheap. We watched one of the women make fresh tortillas in the kitchen...great shrimp tacos, too.

http://lynne.smugmug.com/photos/166855737-M.jpg


http://lynne.smugmug.com/photos/166855732-M.jpg


One of our favorites is always Los Pepes for seafood. They have excellent ceviche and strong margaritas. I had a wonderful garlic shrimp dish...shrimp were on the small side, but lots of them in a delicious sauce. I think they are on the corner of Calle Osiris & Polar.

We need to keep this post of non-beach local restaurants. We are ALL such foodies!!!!!!! :D

[firecop680]

This forum is so great... Ask and you shall receive. Mayaflya is starting a back street map. That's awesome!!! Thanks alot!

[mayaflya]

I found street names on one of Bill-in-Tulsa's map, and used that info to locate some of the restaurants mentioned in this thread. I've updated the map link on my first post so that the most recent version is shown there as well. If you give me more data, I'll post it up...and if you see any errors, let me know.

****map deleted, see post #58 for most recent version***

[Lynnette]

Great job on the map!! The colors help the locations pop and it's easy to read. Will this be printable when finished? Thanks for doing this!!!

[mayaflya]

Lynnette,

It should be possible to copy the image from the forum post and print it with whatever image handling software you use on your computer. If that doesn't work you can PM me and I can send you a pdf file.

[dionski]

Maya,
awesome idea!

The Pescadaria (fish market) is at H- 10 Little white area just south west of the intersection at the bottom of the page.

I'm think that Pedro's is F-8.5. One block west of El Huinic on the corner. On your map (white building) just under the m in El huinic de Tulum.

d2

[mayaflya]

Dionski,

Thanks for the coordinates! Here's the update. I gotta get some real work done today, so I may wait to update other locations...but keep sending me data! One thing that surprised me was that most of these places are on the west side of 307...before plotting them, I had it in my mind that they were east. That's the beauty of maps...I'd have been looking on the wrong side of the street.

****map deleted, see post #58 for most recent version***

[beachreader]

OMG, this is an awesome thread!!! Thanks so much, everyone, and especially Mayaflya for what is going to be (is already) a really incredible map.

I'll be printing this whole thing out just before I leave.

[firecop680]

Beachreader, you are responsible for bringing back some more also.:):)

[PhyllisB]

Bumpitty Bumpitty Bump!

[mike]

That's a great map!!! I too will print it out and take it with me to tulum.

I don't mean to be a burden, but while you're at it, if you think it might be possible, maybe you can add some other interesting spots in tulum to the map?? like the church or anything at all worth visitng?? i've no idea if there is anything at all to visit in tulum pueblo.. i hope i'm not out of line by suggesting this...

[mayaflya]

Mike,

There are several great maps of Tulum online:

http://204.118.90.121/images/map_tulum_6_0.jpg

http://www.bill-in-tulsa.com/mapoftulum.html

They do a great job of covering the main drag of the Pueblo. The map I posted is intended as a supplement to identify the hole-in-the wall places that you might miss if you never venture off the 307. I don't want to clutter the map with information available elsewhere. Having said that, I'm not opposed to expanding the scope beyond restaurants.

One thing, though. I'm NOT the expert on Tulum. I rely on others telling me where these places are...I just put them on the map.

If you haven't done so yet, I'd also order the Riviera Maya map from here:

Map (http://www.cancunmap.com/)

They'll probably not have the updated map printed yet, but even an outdated map is invaluable for traveling this area.

(I don't know if anybody could tell, but I am a bit of a map freak)

[Steve O]

Gale...You might want to try Los Pepes. It's a locals place with a great shrimp cocktail and other great food. A couple blocks into the pueblo turn right and go in another 2 or 3 blocks. It's in that area.

This is an old photo but the place looks the same. I never leave Tulum without stopping there.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b149/fypons/mexico/tulumlospepes.jpg

[Gale in KY]

Steve...I remember seeing this in one of your older Tulum reports..is this the place with the great shrimp..and really cheap?

[AdGuy]

Gale...You might want to try Los Pepes. It's a locals place with a great shrimp cocktail and other great food. A couple blocks into the pueblo turn right and go in another 2 or 3 blocks. It's in that area.

This is an old photo but the place looks the same. I never leave Tulum without stopping there.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b149/fypons/mexico/tulumlospepes.jpg

SteveO...I tried to find this place but never found it. Can you clarify the directions (for me next time and others now)? Is it east or west of 307? Is it more in the southern part of town or the northern section? Any additional guidance would be GREATLY appreciated as I really want to hit this place next time.

[mayaflya]

I've read elsewhere that it's around the corner from the bus station, one block west of the HSBC bank, and now, in the northwest part of town...in other words, all over the map....If somebody can give me the map coordinates, I'll map it!

[Steve O]

I just know how to get there. It's at least 2 blocks in on the west side of 307 on the north end of town. I'll have my friend go there this week and get better directions.

[Gale in KY]

Here's the details on Los Pepe's from LG, maybe this will help narrow the location down a bit?

Los Pepe's Seafood - Restaurant in Tulum Pueblo
A true Mexican fisheria with a local atmosphere and good quality seafood.
Location: One block west of Tulum Av. locate Cenote Dive Center across from HSBC Bank Open 11 AM - 8 PM, Daily

[AdGuy]

Here's the details on Los Pepe's from LG, maybe this will help narrow the location down a bit?

Los Pepe's Seafood - Restaurant in Tulum Pueblo
A true Mexican fisheria with a local atmosphere and good quality seafood.
Location: One block west of Tulum Av. locate Cenote Dive Center across from HSBC Bank Open 11 AM - 8 PM, Daily

So that would probably put it near the corner of Calle Osiri and Pular...right? http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/7/7_6_8.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNxmk762YYUS)

[Lynnette]

I just know how to get there. It's at least 2 blocks in on the west side of 307 on the north end of town. I'll have my friend go there this week and get better directions.


This was my educated guess on a previous post. We always just drive around and always find it. :)

"One of our favorites is always Los Pepes for seafood. They have excellent ceviche and strong margaritas. I had a wonderful garlic shrimp dish...shrimp were on the small side, but lots of them in a delicious sauce. I think they are on the corner of Calle Osiris & Polar.

We need to keep this post of non-beach local restaurants. We are ALL such foodies!!!!!!!" :D

[mayaflya]

Here's the latest, new and improved pueblo restaurant map...now with restaurant reviews! I cut and pasted snippets from various posts to give a little more information about the food...

****map deleted, see post #58 for most recent version***

[beachreader]

Fantastic, Maya, thanks!

[Armchairshrink]

I love this thread! We weren't really prepared that well for getting around the Tulum Pueblo and we wanted to try more food here but it was also so damned hot and we just wanted to get back to the beach, but unfortunately this lead to a couple over overpriced, bland meals at beach road restaurants. Next time we're going to eat more in the pueblo off the main drag for sure (and we won't be going in July!)

[dutchie26]

Awesome map Mayaflya!!

I will definitely be using that next time down.


Fantastic!

Thank you very much for sharing and putting in all that effort.

Very much appreciated

[firecop680]

Mayaflya, You are doing a great job, can't wait to see the finished project.:) Thank you!

[PhyllisB]

I thought that was the finished product! very cool, mayaflya!

[mayaflya]

It's very much a work in progress....As long as you guys keep posting your backstreet finds, I'll put them on the map and repost it. If you include a short review and picture, as many have, we can scroll through the thread and get all the info we need. You've done a good job of keeping the thread on topic, so that keeps down the clutter.

If we find a new place and post it every so often, it will keep the thread bumped. I'll probably delete some of the early map versions and just keep the most recent one in the thread.

[Gale in KY]

Bump to keep it on top..so we can add to it easily!

[beachreader]

(Transparent bump again, but with a question)


Maya, is it possible to get your map on a file that I can print somewhat larger than just printing it out of the post? I'm thinking I could do it on a legal-sized page and be able to read everything better, have some space to hand-write notes while I'm there and pass them back to you.

Maybe I can PM you just before I leave and you can e-mail me the file or something?

Or am I missing a cool way to print stuff right from the forum, without all the posts?

[mayaflya]

Beachreader,

I've got it linked in from Flickr as an image file...just like a photo. Flickr limits the size (resolution) I can link or that can be downloaded. The original is done on my CAD (Computer Drafting) program, and is at a higher resolution, although I am limited on the satellite photo res I can download.

I can't attach a pdf file to this post, because it will exceed the maximum allowable attachment size. I'll try sending you an email and/or PM with the attachment to see if that makes it. With a pdf, you should be able to print it as big as your printer will go. Let me know if this works.

To simply capture the image from this thread, you can right click on it and save it to whatever image handling software you have on your computer. I'm a mac guy, so for me, it's Preview. From there you should be able to resize and print it, but the resolution will be limited to the 378 KB that the Flickr link supports. You can blow it up, but it will get fuzzy. If somebody knows of another image hosting site that lets me link higher res images....I know I've seen some pretty big pics on this forum...the ones that annoy certain people ;-) ....let me know. I can move the file there. The base image file I have is about 4mb, but even a 1 meg file would give a pretty decent resolution for an 8.5x11 print.

[Lynnette]

Here are a few out of the way places mentioned in Chowhound.....it's long, but interesting reviews. I don't know if they are still there, but I'd love to try the conchita pibil.....I'll pass on the organ meat. :D

"The literally Dukes of Hazzard-colored orange and white taqueria at the far end of Tulum (the end opposite the obelisk and Playa del Carmen) on the west side of the street has the best tacos al pastor in town. I pretty much ried them all, and these folks totally rule. Also very good sopes al pastor or chicken. but the absolute best thing I found in Tulum was the literal table-in-an-alleyway-entrance of the building just north of the bus station - it's a guy from Merida and his grandma, and they make one mean cochinita pibil. They put it in the ground to roast at night and start serving at 6 am, and usually run out by noon or early afternoon, so if you pass by in the afternoon or night, it looks like nothing's there. But the sign says "rico!" and it ain't lying. Stop by for breakfast or get a couple of tortas or go for it and get a whole plastic bag full of the stuff to take away and eat later. This place rules and the guy is incedibly friendly".

"Anyway, best tacos: Taqueria la Poblano at the far end of town on the left hand side. You might have to wait a bit since the guy takes his time turning the tortillas in the oil the meat is cooked in, and everyone in town is coming to eat there. But sit it out - the tacos are terrific.
Best home cookin' (actually a crew from Chiapas), a few doors down at a place called El Taquetto or something like that. It's got "Cocina Economica" on the sign - this is the one on the left side of the street facing south, not the "cocina economica" on the right at the very end of the street. This place is amazing - $10 for a meal for two - and the best meals we had while in Tulum (they just don't have booze, but you can drink up beforehand and afterwards and have a licuado or an agua fresco with dinner - agua fresco=purified water in a blender with fresh fruit). The first time we went we had soup with shrimp and a beef dish that came with frijoles and rice and tortillas. Second time, chicken stewed in a chipotle sauce and pork in a verde sauce. If you don't speak Spanish they take you back to the kitchen and take the lids off the pots and show you what they've got - four or five different dishes every night; no set menu.
Good empanadas around the corner (going left) at the end of Avenida Tulum) at a place that's a little hard to fine, near the square, called Hola Primo. These were some funky empanadas - basically a corn tortilla folded over, but with great hot sauces.
Good tacos al pastor at the Dukes of Hazard place mentioned above. Good tamales at the place one block up from the obelisk on the right hand side (red stand that says tamales on it, but there are always people there, covering up that info).
Also, I tried the organ meat tacos at Diaz Grill (halfway up the main street on the right side) and they were fine. I grew up eating tongue in tomato sauce for dinner, though, so I wasn't as grossed out as some might be. What's really good at Diaz, however, is the dried beef taco.
The bakery on the right side of the street (midway) is good. We got pastries there for breakfast and lunch - the ones with ham and poblano peppers were good. A couple of times went after dinner and got their flan, which was great.
Bought mangoes at the fruit stands and had them with lime and salt. Also bought fruit at the San Francisco supermarket and it was good. Their bakery seemed pretty good, although we dug going to the bakery on the strip.
Didn't make it to Pepe's, which is around the corner from the bakery and, according to a friend of our hotelier, has good seafood. Very local joint, but it wasn't open the times we wanted to go.
Thanks a million to the guy who mentioned the cochinita pibil. That guy (literally right next door to the bus station - it says by "Tino") is only open on Saturday and Sunday (7 a.m. to 2 p.m.), but he's got the stuff (baby pig marinated in achiote/pineapple, etc., wrapped in banana leaves and cooked in the ground). And my hotelier (more on him in a moment) suggested a barbacoa that was cool - you'll have to track it down since I can't say exactly where it is, but if you go to the obelisk (heading south), take a left, go three blocks over and then about three up you'll find it. Just ask around that area and everyone knows what you're talking about. You have to go early on Sunday because he's usually out of food before 10 a.m. because it's considered a good hangover cure. We went at 9:20 in the a.m. and the place was packed. It's a bright yellow building (small, open). Basically you get tacos or tortas with hacked up meat (probably some head meat in there) and sauces, etc. They bake it wrapped in aloe leaves. The place was packed - with Mexicans, of course. And they really dig the fact that you've ditched the tourist beat and joined them for the good eating".

[firecop680]

Mayaflya, Looks like we have some more. I can't wait till March when I can use this new map. This will be so helpful as this is our second time down to Tulum and we can hit some out of the way spots and not the regular ones. Thanks again for doing this.:D

[mayaflya]

firecop,

I sent Beachreader the map, and she's going to nail down some locations on her trip in a few weeks. The new Riviera Maya map from cancunmap.com is also due out any day...By March, we should all be in map heaven! We're booked to go down March 15, so getting all of this data is a little self serving ;-)

[firecop680]

I will be down the week before so I am hoping I can use it then:):)!

[dutchie26]

Greetings everyone
I was in Tulum today and had an hour to kill so I thought I would wander around and check on some of the restaurant locations around town.

Here is what I have.

Here is an updated pic of Pepes restaurant which is located exactly as on the map.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/dutchie26/PICT2135DesktopResolution.jpg

Pollo Bronco is reopened and I have a pic with the street sign as I am not sure if this is the original location or not.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/dutchie26/PICT2136DesktopResolution.jpg

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/dutchie26/PICT2137DesktopResolution.jpg




Also here is a pic of the Cochinita Pibil place which is only open on Sat and Sun morning.


http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/dutchie26/PICT2127DesktopResolution.jpg

I ate here and although the Pibil was most fine I wouldn"t consider it any tastier than some Cochinita carts/places in Playa.

Hope this helps some folks find these excellent places.

[beachreader]

Dutchie, you ROCK! I can't wait to get there and try it all!

[dionski]

The other day I was looking at Steve-O's pic of Pepe's and thought it looked alot like the place that I called Pedro's, but with a different paint job. Today dutchie posted a New Photo of Pepe's and it is the same place that I was calling Pedro's. SORRY FOR THE CONFUSION Hey I got the P in the name, and the north west corner of the intersection right. Just the wrong name and intersection. Must of been the day that I hit the Don Julio a little hard:rolleyes: Why do you think I forgot the camera!;)

Dutchie thanks for the update and photo's


d2

[mayaflya]

Thanks for the confirmation on Pepe's and Rico's....here's the updated map. If anyone needs a high res version...just PM me with an email address.

(map deleted, see post #58 for updated map)

[TheWindyCity]

Kudos to Dutchie on the great "field reporting" and photos, and to Mayaflya for the idea for the pueblo restaurant guide!

[minniemex]

This just rocks, wish I had if for my trip in October!! Thanks Mayaflya!!

[dionski]

Yes maya,

Thanks for the work on the map. Sorry for the extra to take Pedro's
off

d2

[BP.]

More pueblo...

On my short list...anyone eat here?

L'icontro Forno a Legna -Their kitchen specializes in quality Italian food ranging from brick oven pizzas, pastas, salads, a variety of seafoods and meats.
Location: On the Coba Rd, toward the Tulum beach, 400 meters south of the Hwy & Coba



I've eaten here before, but I think this is now the Mayan Hostel.

[dutchie26]

Hola folks

I had another opportunity to wander around in Tulum yesterday ( the women were shopping:eek: so I thought I would scope out, a few more, out of the way places mentioned on this excellent forum.

First off is Urge Tacos. On the right hand side as you enter Tulum, well before San Francisco market. It is the first building/Palapa/business you see as you start to near Tulum Pueblo.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/dutchie26/PICT2296DesktopResolution.jpg


At the southern end of town on the left as you head south is El Tacoqueto on Tulum Ave. It is 4 buildings north of the corner of Tulum ave. and Acuario sur. Right next to it is Taqueria La Poblana. A couple of pics:

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/dutchie26/PICT2319DesktopResolution.jpg

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/dutchie26/PICT2322DesktopResolution.jpg

I did not get a chance to eat at any of these places:mad:

[dutchie26]

I also noticed this while checking out the other Taqueria's.:(:(:(

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/dutchie26/PICT2317DesktopResolution.jpg

[beachreader]

I also noticed this while checking out the other Taqueria's.:(:(:(

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/dutchie26/PICT2317DesktopResolution.jpg




Hooray! Now I know where to have lunch tomorrow!!! :D:eek:

[Gale in KY]

Surely you jest...lol. :eek::p I was thinking more like stopping in Playa at

http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m180/galee_2006/DSCF1259.jpg

Huh..first time I noticed my grandson in the bottom corner of this picture..lol. And no, we didn't eat there..lol..a friend of mine is accounting mgr at the district office for McD's here..she wanted to see a picture...I didn't think to get a pic of the menu. Darn.

A HUGE thank you to Mayaflya for the map, and to those who have helped create it. I have wanted to develop something like this for Tulum Pueblo for such a long while..this is such a great start. Look for more additions coming soon!

[beachreader]

I have a print version of Maya's map, but it's a couple of weeks old now. Gale, would you mind asking him for the most updated version before you leave? I got mine to print out to almost the full size of a legal paper, pretty handy size.

See you soon!

[Gale in KY]

Mayaf..my flight leaves early Thursday morning..so I won't be online after Wed afternoon..probably driving up to Indy Wed night after I get off work and sleeping over with my son at his home away from home hotel..could you give the map a last update Wed. afternoon and I will print it before I leave?
Thanks so much, this is truly a HUGE help in navigating the Pueblo!

I will pm you with my email addy.

[SeaBabe]

I am not seeing the map... it says "map deleted"... I'd love to have a copy of it. Will be down there in January.
Thanks!

[mayaflya]

Here's the latest map. I delete the older versions to avoid confusion, the newest version should always be at the most recent end of this thread.

(map deleted)

[SeaBabe]

Thanks for passing me to this map. Where on here is Charlie's? That's the one place I have eaten in Tulum and I LOVE their poblano sauce!!

[pepper]

Charlie's is past (south) of the fish market on the main street - Tulum Ave (I think).

Every single day I kept saying to my husband...let's go to Urge for lunch. We never made it and I'm still bummed - I heard they have great shrimp tacos for a buck or two.

[SeaBabe]

Charlie's is past (south) of the fish market on the main street - Tulum Ave (I think).

Every single day I kept saying to my husband...let's go to Urge for lunch. We never made it and I'm still bummed - I heard they have great shrimp tacos for a buck or two.

I am not sure it's that far south... but anyway, I'll definitely be going back there for their chicken enchaladas with poblano sauce. The chicken part is quite basic but that sauce is so damn good. I haven't heard of Urge, it sounds worth going to! Is it new?

[TheWindyCity]

I had a candid shot of the inside of El Taqueto. My wife and I ate here on a Sunday morning after observing many locals going inside (and you know what they say). They had no menu, but explained in Spanish what was being prepared. My wife had the Sopa de Res (beef soup), and I asked them to prepare Huevos Mexicanos, which was eggs scrambled with diced Jalepenos, tomato, and onion, and a side of some GREAT salsa. Also, we had a freshly prepared pineapple/strawberry liquido...excellent, and all for $8 US... I felt guilty!!
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/100_1457.jpg

[AdGuy]

I am so BUMMED that we missed this place the last time we were down! :mad: We even walked right by it and thought about stopping but just weren't hungry at the time. :rolleyes: I guess that's good enough of a reason to schedule a 2008 trip! :D

[AdGuy]

By the way, mayaflya...I know a few others have said this but http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/23/23_5_114.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNxmk762YYUS) on the initial creation and ongoing maintenance of the map. What a fantastic resource!!!

[mayaflya]

Updating the map with Beachreader's corrections...BR, I made a guess on the tamale stand, the spot I marked looked like the only place on the west side of Tulum Ave with a tree on the corner. Thanks for the reports!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2290/2163160525_9a0d274372_b.jpg

[beachreader]

Oh, and I think I said (can't remember what I wrote just the other day), but 100% Natural is gone, not that it was on the map in the first place.

And I never saw L'icontro Forno a Legna, or any other Italian place on the Boca Paila road heading out to the beach. There's that little grocery shop there that says "cafe", but I never saw anything interesting. I could be wrong, though; near Teetotum there were a couple of places, but none looked Italian.

[mayaflya]

I pulled that one from a description by Gale in an older post...since she didn't get to go down there to confirm it's location, I guess I'll have to make the sacrifice ;-)

[mexipat]

This is a fantastic thread. Not only the great map (thanks Mayaflya) but also the great pix and reviews. I think I won't be eating much on the beach.

[mariposa]

Just to the south of El Tacoquetto is a cart with something called Salbutes. I've since looked it up and it's considered a Mayan snack. If you eat enough of em though it's more like a meal.:D

When we were eating at El T. there was a table full of kids who appeared to be the kids/grandkids of the owners. We watched them go outside the door and return with these things. It's a little puffy fried thing topped with chicken and
avocado and radishes and some of those escabeche pickled onions. I asked the kids what they were and one of them showed me the cart and wrote down the name in my notebook. They were so cute..carefully squeezing lime on their Salbutes.

Anyway these little things were amazing and about 3/dollar. We can't wait to go back there. It's just one woman who fries these things up. They seemed to open later in the day like maybe around 5 or so. I think the cart had a blue and white awning.

[beachreader]

Salbutes are great! Cool that there's a cart for them, I'll have to look for that next time.

Ya know, I'm starting to think staying in the pueblo ain't such a bad idea. Great, cheap eats, cheap rooms, and only 5 minutes from the beach.

Next time I'm feeling the need but the bank account doesn't agree, I'm there, full-time.

[firecop680]

Windy, Is this out of the town or is it right at the end?:confused:

[mexipat]

[quote=beachreader;14545]Salbutes are great! Cool that there's a cart for them, I'll have to look for that next time.quote]

I never heard of them either and thought I knew a bit about Mexican food. I'll know more about them in a week or so. Just have to figure out how to fit them in between the tacos al pastor, cochinita pibil, etc. It's not looking like a diet trip.

[mariposa]

Yeah, I hadn't heard of them either but we made them when we got home
so now they're part of our regular dinner rotation!

Actually made some kind of dressed up chilaquiles tonight. After reading over this thread, I had to! They were actually kind of a Salbute/chilaquile combo
because i didn't have time to make the little masa tortilla deal.

Firecop, were you asking about the location of El tacoquetto? It's on Tulum ave
on the west side (?) at the south end of town. It's also on Mayaflaya's awesome map..

[firecop680]

Firecop, were you asking about the location of El tacoquetto? It's on Tulum ave
on the west side (?) at the south end of town. It's also on Mayaflaya's awesome map..


Yeah, I found it on that AWESOME map!! Thanks!

[TnJ]

¡¡¡ good ideas !!! got it printed out . :)

[PhyllisB]

Bump!

[PhyllisB]

Bumpin' for the new folks....

[hummingbird_206]

As some of you've noticed in my other posts, I'm getting ready for a trip to Soliman Bay soon. I'll for sure be using Mayaflya's awesome map to find the great places to eat in Tulum.

I saved the .jpg file and tried printing it out, but it came out really dark and is kind of hard to read. Is there a better way to get a hard copy so I can carry it with me?

[beachreader]

Send a PM to Maya, he'll send you a link or something that works a lot better. I was able to print it all onto a legal-sized piece of paper and carried it with me.

[mayaflya]

I have a pdf version of the map that I can email if you PM me your email address. The resolution of the map online is limited by the size of image file I can post on Flickr.

[DougSR]

Genius! I was just going to suggest this become a sticky. I used it on my trip. Perhaps add a map of Tulum sticky too? I used that the last time down as well.

[PhyllisB]

Thanks for the stickie, Minnie! :) :) :)

[jane doe]

How wonderful joellybaby!:p Thank you.

[susan]

many thanks, this is perfect for my trip in March, you saved me a lot of work

[palmtreegirl]

Has anybody tried OM yet, its on the beach down a little from La Zebra? We ate there twice and the food was wonderful! The atmosphere, the people that work there, the prices were good..........I can't say enough about their food. It was just wonderful!

[mayaflya]

I have a pdf version of the map that I can email if you PM me your email address. The resolution of the map online is limited by the size of image file I can post on Flickr.

Just a reminder to folks...I've been getting a lot of map requests that neglect this important step....while it is delightful to prolong the correspondence, I'd like to save us all a little time....;-)

[mayaflya]

I’m posting this as a separate thread from my trip report, because it fits better in this sticky category...I made an effort to verify the locations and take pictures of as many of the back street restaurants as I could find, walking the pueblo one morning...as it turns out, most of them are on the west side of the main drag of Tulum Ave.

Let’s start at the south end of town with the Pescaderia El Chino...the fish market..where they will cook your selection or send it home with you to cook for yourself....After I took this shot, I was a few blocks away...and bumped into a couple looking lost on the side streets...I asked them if they needed directions (I was carrying the excellent todotulum map)...They said they were looking for the fish market to buy some shrimp....I sent them back out the main road and told them how many blocks to head south...then showed them the pic I took of the place, with my digital viewfinder....They must have thought I was insane...and maybe they are right!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3010/2359113450_6c18620e27_o.jpg

Next stop is Rico’s cochinita pibil carryout next to the ADO bus station...pretty easy to find if you think small..those two red chairs are it.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3272/2359114058_bab8267f38_o.jpg

I missed seeing El Huinic de Tulum...not that it wasn’t there, I just forgot to double back down Polar after passing Rico’s...

Okay, on to the bakery, Casa del Buen Pan, which unfortunately wasn’t open. I’m a big bread lover, and would have sampled their fare. They had a sign in the door that they were open only on call during “low season”...hard to believe that they considered March low season. CdBP is two blocks west of Tulum Avenue on Calle Alfa.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3203/2358279145_9c2124180e_o.jpg

Next is Los Pepe’s, which is on the corner of Polar and Osiris...it has a stellar reputation as a seafood place.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3253/2358279241_8f860acbe7_o.jpg

It was too early in the morning to eat lunch, so I had one of their margaritas...40 pesos...definitely the best....small glass, but not watered down a bit...just the way I like them, alcohol, fresh lime juice and ice

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3185/2358279405_15d00067f6_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2011/2359113842_5090ceea72_o.jpg

Staggering north on Polar, I find Cetli, two blocks up at Calle Orion. This place deserves it’s own thread, which you can find here:

http://www.tulum.info/showpost.php?p=19968&postcount=1

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3108/2352189265_836473cdf9_o.jpg

My last stop was at the north end of Polar, you turn right on Ave. Satelite and then a block further west is Il Giardino, an alleged italian restaurant...from the looks of it, I’m afraid that it might not be open anymore, as there is a “Se Renta” sign on the wall..looks like it could have a nice atmosphere.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3191/2359113336_9275a4dcf9_o.jpg

I didn’t do the east side of Tulum, as I had run out of time, maybe next trip? We did hit Lulu’s Tortilleria earlier in the week, and it was great, but I didn’t have my camera out.

One other place on the east side looked intriguing, but wasn’t open...
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3032/2359114176_5ef93c32c2_o.jpg

Bon Appetit!

[dionski]

After I took this shot, I was a few blocks away...and bumped into a couple looking lost on the side streets...I asked them if they needed directions (I was carrying the excellent todotulum map)...They said they were looking for the fish market to buy some shrimp....I sent them back out the main road and told them how many blocks to head south...then showed them the pic I took of the place, with my digital viewfinder....They must have thought I was insane...and maybe they are right!


Too funny. The lost couple's personal Tulum Twilight Zone episode.
Thanks for all the work on the map. I can wait for the update:margarita:

d2

[TheWindyCity]

Nice job of field reporting!....Ha Ha...too early for lunch so you had a marg:eat-drink:. It must have tasted great!

[beachreader]

Awesome updates, thanks again, Maya!

We are all so freaking helpful, it's scary. I do that thing of giving directions (and advice, and showing pictures and all that) all the time! One of these days someone's going to start backing away and then turn tail and run. :)


And I caught that "it was too early for lunch so I had a margarita" comment, too. Perfect. Hey, it's citrus juice and cactus juice, right?

[mayaflya]

Awww, thanks guys! I just realized that in my boneheaded haste I posted this in the restaurant summary instead of Pueblo Restaurant thread....admin, is this something you can fix for me, please? I can correct the thread link in the trip report...

[mayaflya]

Or did I?...now I click on the Pueblo Thread and I end up back here.....doo doo doo doo, doo doo doo doo...now I'm in the twilight zone....help!

[PhyllisB]

Maya, Minnie put the threads together so all the restaurant info would be in one place.... :)

[AdGuy]

I didn’t do the east side of Tulum, as I had run out of time, maybe next trip? We did hit Lulu’s Tortilleria earlier in the week, and it was great, but I didn’t have my camera out.




mf...was this the place?

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i317/FloridaAdGuy/December2006TulumPictureson16MB277.jpg

[mayaflya]

no, that appears to be Lulu's II...I think Windy had a pic of it from last year...the storefront had a walk up window...

[beachreader]

Great pic, thanks, Lee. When I was there, I forgot to take a picture too.

By the way, is there really a night-and-day difference between Lulu's tortillas and other reasonably fresh-made tortillas at other shops? Seems like you have to buy like a kilo of them, when all I'd want them for is a couple of meals. Or do you wrap them up and bring them home? How long do they stay fresh?

Many tortilla questions here. :confused:

[Lynnette]

Wow.....thanks for all of the effort to find and photograph these pueblo restaurants!! Pepe's has added tablecloths....this little place is one of my favorites. I see that you love their margs as much as we do!!

So when is the next trip to explore the east side?? :):)

[TheWindyCity]

Here's the photo from the original LuLu's LuLu's Uno:
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/IMGP1515.jpg

When we first went looking for a tortilleria, I had envisioned Maya women making them by hand, patting out the masa and toiling over a hot griddle. Then looking inside, I see "the machine"!!! Is nothing sacred??

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/IMGP1516.jpg

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/IMGP1514.jpg

Beachreader - They are sold by weight, so that can be a problem for the metricly challenged. I think my wife held up a simulated stack in her hands and said "Este Mucho". We brought them home and separated them into smaller stacks, double wrapped them and froze some of them. They keep for months. Not a big difference in taste between them and the other places in town, like the supermercado. It's just the fact that there is a little charm in getting them hot and fresh, wrapped in paper! And the smell....Oy!

[AdGuy]

Great pic, thanks, Lee. When I was there, I forgot to take a picture too.

By the way, is there really a night-and-day difference between Lulu's tortillas and other reasonably fresh-made tortillas at other shops? Seems like you have to buy like a kilo of them, when all I'd want them for is a couple of meals. Or do you wrap them up and bring them home? How long do they stay fresh?

Many tortilla questions here. :confused:

I'm sure there's a bit of difference but I've never conducted a "Consumer Reports-like taste analysis"...to my tastebuds, they're all great. You do buy them by the kilo and it's so cheap that I never checked to see if you could buy just a few. We often would give leftovers to the dogs (either the beach dogs or our own canines when we returned). We've brought them back wrapped up in a towel...not sure if that's legal but we've never had a problem. This place was near the Iglesia Catolica church by the park on the east side of town...it had a steady flow of customers:

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i317/FloridaAdGuy/December2006TulumPictureson16MB287.jpg

[mayaflya]

Wow.....thanks for all of the effort to find and photograph these pueblo restaurants!! Pepe's has added tablecloths....this little place is one of my favorites. I see that you love their margs as much as we do!!

So when is the next trip to explore the east side?? :):)

In looking at the previous photos of Los Pepe's in this thread it appears that they change the exterior paint scheme annually! ;-)

We are working on schedules for next March....we'll see.

[Lynnette]

There is nothing like the taste of fresh, WARM, tortillas!!! I agree, the smell is heavenly.

[mayaflya]

Okay folks,

Here's the updated Pueblo Map...and I'm posting in a larger size to see if this will print better. A direct link to the image is posted below. To print from the forum post, doubleclick the little thread number (#204) icon at the upper right hand corner of this thread..that will take you to a page with just this post, so you don't end up printing the whole thread..you should be able to scale your page size in your page setup to fit the map on your largest piece of paper:

http://aycu23.webshots.com/image/50262/2005733116878305715_rs.jpg
http://aycu23.webshots.com/image/50262/2005733116878305715_rs.jpg

[guera]

Oh, you've set the trip report bar quite high, my friend!!!

In Philly? Tequilas Restaurant.

I LOVE Tequila's (now known as Los Catrines). Met my husband there. Got married there. David (the owner) is a dear friend.

Tequila's is a gorgeous restaurant, but it is not fine dining. It's good eating! Honestly, I had hoped that when David moved the restaurant into its new digs that he would have upgraded the food to go with the stunning decor. It is still, IMO, pretty much the same as it was. Wonderful, delicious, and beautiful, but not fine dining.

Barb

[BatteriesIncluded]

Thanks mayaflya for your very nice map of downtown Tulum restaurants and markets. It will come in handy in few weeks when we visit Tulum on part of our road trip across the YP. I've taken the liberty of using your maps with Google Earth available here (http://www.tulum.info/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fpack.google.com%2F intl%2Fen%2Fintegrated_eula.html%3Fhl%3Den%26ciint %3Dci_earth%26ci_earth%3Donciint%3Dci_earth%26utm_ source%3Den-cdr-earth4%26utm_medium%3Dcdr%26utm_campaign%3Den) to create a Yucatan.kml file which can be viewed interactively in Google Earth. I'll attach it here in .ZIP format. You can also view this in Google Maps, however Google Maps is very lacking in detail for Tulum. I can make this file available in different formats if anyone is interested in using them with a GPS receiver or cell phone. Just let me know what device you need it for and I can post it here.

I'll expand this file once I return from my trip but for now you can see it in a new thread in the Google Earth Community Forums at:
http://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/1143442/an/0/page/0#1143442 (http://www.tulum.info/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fbbs.keyhole.com%2F ubb%2Fshowflat.php%2FCat%2F0%2FNumber%2F1143442%2F an%2F0%2Fpage%2F0%231143442)

Anyone that may have coordinates or information to contribute just let me know and I will incorporate them.

[mayaflya]

BINC,

Thanks for doing this. I love Google Earth, but did not know how to add content to the database. I am perfectly happy to pass the torch of mapkeeping on to you! Here's just a couple of minor nudges to the map data...

Urge Tacos should be at:20°12'55.08"N, 87°27'2.16"W
Pescaderia El Chino should be at: 20°12'34.17"N, 87°28'6.33"W

[BatteriesIncluded]

BINC,

Thanks for doing this. I love Google Earth, but did not know how to add content to the database. I am perfectly happy to pass the torch of mapkeeping on to you! Here's just a couple of minor nudges to the map data...

Urge Tacos should be at:20°12'55.08"N, 87°27'2.16"W
Pescaderia El Chino should be at: 20°12'34.17"N, 87°28'6.33"W

All updated:
Not bad for never being there. The waypoints have been nudged as per your specs. If I can figure out how, I'll add the photos from the posts here.

Another update:
Photos are now included when viewing file using Google Earth

[TnTWalter]

Mayaflaya and BatteriesIncluded!!! Wow....you both deserve a raise. Great work! :beerchug:

Thanks for everyone. I am so wishing I was staying for much longer.

[mayaflya]

Bravo! The pictures/locations/descriptions is what I had dreamed we could do with this resource...thanks!

[mayaflya]

Hmmm...now we just need to link in trip reports!!!

[BatteriesIncluded]

Hmmm...now we just need to link in trip reports!!!

Actually, that could be done easily. Simply add the url in html format to the description field (found when you right click and choose properties). I'll save it for a rainy day.

[illumine]

Hello!

I just posted a question about bus travel from the airport, and have one more VERY important question for all of you!

I'm leaving on Wednesday to stay at La Luna for 5 nights. Sunday is my birthday! Where, may I ask, is the best place to have a birthday dinner! My s.o. and I are travelers, love local places (which is what we'll most likely be eating for the majority of the trip!), but for ONE night, I'd like to go somewhere special!

Thoughts?

[beachreader]

Hechizo or Cetli. Hechizo would get 5 stars in any major city in the world, and the food reflects that, fabulous but not Mexican except in ingredients. Cetli is a place I haven't been yet (but a few folks here have and have posted pics and reviews--do an advanced search for Cetli in threads by TheWindyCity and you'll find some good stuff, but he's not the only one to review it), but it seems to be sort of haute Mexican cuisine in the pueblo.

Cetli is my pick for my special meal of the week in December, but mostly because I've already been to Hechizo. It's BYO, too, which means we can save some money on booze, always a plus.

I know Hechizo shuts down for a few months in the off season, so they may not even be open when you're down. If you really want to go there, you can send them an e-mail with some dates, see if they're going to be open.

[BatteriesIncluded]

I'm just "popping in" to see what's new or if the kml file needs updating. Where is Hechizo located?

[beachreader]

Hechizo is down at the very south end of the beach road, in the Rancho San Eric development. Drive down until you're almost to the arch, and you'll see a line of international flags on the west side of the street. Across from the flags is the entrance to the development. Turn in there, and a little bit inside you'll turn right, and then you should see the Hechizo property (with pretty jellyfish lights and a little archway) on the left and a few small parking spaces on the right. You'll follow a footpath out to the restaurant, which is at the top of the beach dune but protected from the beach by trees.

[BatteriesIncluded]

Excellent food. The Chili Rellenos is my favorite and the Enchiladas Verde is also very good. Yum!

[BatteriesIncluded]

Banana pancakes!

http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/2317/dscn284550bo0.jpg

[samrawet]

thanks for sharing these images

[Jeanne]

Afternoon everyone! Looking forward to our vacation in just 3 WEEKS!!

I've been trying to find some way to contact Hechizo to try to make dinner reservations for a Valentine night dinner. I thought I found an email address, but the email immediately bounced back.

Anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks!
Jeanne

[minniemex]

Afternoon everyone! Looking forward to our vacation in just 3 WEEKS!!

I've been trying to find some way to contact Hechizo to try to make dinner reservations for a Valentine night dinner. I thought I found an email address, but the email immediately bounced back.

Anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks!
Jeanne

Here is a thread that has an email addy for them ~ is this the one you used??
http://tulum.info/showthread.php?p=25018&highlight=Hechizo#post25018

[Jeanne]

Here is a thread that has an email addy for them ~ is this the one you used??
http://tulum.info/showthread.php?p=25018&highlight=Hechizo#post25018

Nope, thanks minniemex! The one I found was tulum@ yahoo.com... LOL I'll give this one a shot!

[eliza899vt]

Since this thread was started in 2007 and it's now 2009...just wondering if there are any updates to the list....any place no longer performing well or closed? Any new places not mentioned?? Thanks!!




- Don Cafeto's – highly recommended – another (slightly cheaper) branch in town Not sure if any price difference between the two but the pubelo one will give you a more local feel.

- La Vita e Bella – Italian place, lovely sand floor candlelit beach palapa

- Mezzanine – nice setting. Thai food. Parties on a Friday worth going to. Bookings good idea on Fridays Good breakfasts...usually not crowded for breakfast...pretty laid back then.

- Nachos/Mayan Grill – reasonable, highly recommended Mexican better for lunch or especially dinner than breakfast

- Trece Lunas – north of beach road. Bargainous. Good breakfast

- Luna Maya – good seafood romantic in a rustic way...nice wine list, appetizers, soups, and desserts...nice fusion type stuff.

- Zamas – nice pizza, some say its overrated but most really like. Breakfast looks great. Breakfast was pretty mediocre and service was poor. View is okay but the road runs right by it.

- Posada Margerita – Italian, recommended as a ‘must go’ by everyone. Need to book in advance. No menu – explained verbally. Great pasta. A bit pricey. Great appetisers included in $50 meal. Our meal (two adults) was under $90 and included a bottle of wine. Service was at first attentive but fell off as the restaurant got more crowded.

- Maya Tulum – good but slightly pricey breakfast buffet

- Kin-Ha – open fire grill at night

- Ana y Jose – a bit upscale. Nice ceviche

- Cabanas Tulum

- Los Lirios

- Tita Tulum – small, ‘lovely’, better value than some. Nice brekkie. Has a nice outside deck. Not sure value was all that good and atmosphere was just okay as you're surrounded by cabanas with a distant view of the ocean.

- Casa Banana at Nueva Vida – north of beach road. Good brekkies On the west side of the road (the "non-ocean side). A bit overrated.

- Amansala

- Casa Violeta – Italian. Has spa too

- Las Ranitas - Good food, nice outdoor area.

- Dos Ceibas – good chef and daily specials. Open fire grill. Looks v nice Outdoor eating area but secluded from the ocean. You'll be surrounded by the office and other cabanas. Good 2x1 happy hour.

- Hechizo – pricey (up to $100 total), gourmet, kinda posh. Booking needed (044 (984) 100-0710, or from the US, 0052 1 984 100 0710) Out of season only opens for bookings of 10 or more.



Pueblo– cheaper, more regional, local places. Taquerias generally v good. Best places are the ones with plastic chairs apparently!

- Don Karonte Nice folks, good service, atmosphere a bit claustrophobic.

- El Bronco Pollo – on main avenue. V cheap v tasty grilled chicken. Like $35 pesos for 2 people. The best value in Tulum for lunch. No beer/wine sales but you can bring your own.

- Charlies – has glass bottle wall. Bit touristy but people like it Saturday night entertainment during busy season. Nice artwork and open backyard courtyard area to eat in.

- El Mariachis - 1/2 locals, 1/2 tourists. Great service and authentic affordable fare.

- Don Cafetos – a favourite. Mexican. Get a seat on the sidewalk or by the TV during a soccer game.

- La Nave – Italian café. Nice coffee

- Rico! – “literal table-in-an-alleyway-entrance of the building just north of the bus station - it's a guy from Merida and his grandma, and they make one mean cochinita pibil. They put it in the ground to roast at night and start serving at 6 am, and usually run out by noon or early afternoon”. That guy (literally right next door to the bus station - it says by "Tino") is only open on Saturday and Sunday (7 a.m. to 2 p.m.)

- Taqueria la Poblano at the far end of town on the left hand side.

- El Taquetto - or something like that “Best home cookin' (actually a crew from Chiapas), a few doors down. It's got "Cocina Economica" on the sign - this is the one on the left side of the street facing south, not the "cocina economica" on the right at the very end of the street. This place is amazing - $10 for a meal for two - and the best meals we had while in Tulum. The first time we went we had soup with shrimp and a beef dish that came with frijoles and rice and tortillas. Second time, chicken stewed in a chipotle sauce and pork in a verde sauce. If you don't speak Spanish they take you back to the kitchen and take the lids off the pots and show you what they've got - four or five different dishes every night; no set menu.” YES YES YES...if you're brave enough, you'll love it. Don't count on anyone speaking English though!

- Casa Del Buen Pan – great bakery. Looks almost hidden by a tree in the pic. Try to take small change Not too hard to find...head west on Calle Alfa (it's just north of the ADO bus station) for two blocks. It will be at the intersection of Alfa and Calle Sagitario. They have a nice courtyard in back or you can just take it to go.

- Pan de Carmen – great pastries More selection than Casa del Buen Pan but not as good and the atmosphere is rather sterile.

- Buenos Aires - great steaks and wine list but you'll pay for the quality. It's on 307 and Calle Beta.

[letele]

One major change...sadly, Nachos/Mayan Grill is CLOSED! :( :( :(

A couple additions: El Tabano, on beach road across from Hemingway...very fresh, light food, fresh juices, palapa dining (wear bug spray)

Oasis: in the pueblo, excellent fresh seafood, amazing refried beans, very reasonable prices. Not that hard to find, just take a right at El Mariachi (Calle Orion?) and go down about 4 blocks, it's on the right in a residential area. Not touristy, no English spoken when we went.

[minniemex]

La Zebra is right after Casa Banana going south. They also have the salsa party on Sunday nights. A real fun night and be sure to stay for the show of salsa dancers!!

I think Don Cafetos is closed on the beach road. Not 100% sure about that one. Anyone know for sure??

Also, a new one in town that I haven't tried but gets good reviews ~ Cetli. You can search for this in the forum here to find where it is.

[beachreader]

Don Cafeto's on the beach looked open in December, but an even better choice might be the new El Mariachi beach location, which is actually ON the beach (tiny, though, like 4 tables).

Add the Pez restaurant, between Zamas and Maya Tulum, good food, very cool vibe and design.

Add the Playa Azul hotel restaurant, between Los Arrecifes and Puerta del Cielo. No one here has been there yet, but I intend to go in April.

[uwreckme]

Hey Dan...wow, just going through some old threads here, learning a bit, and thanks for the pics of your vacations to Tulum in '06, '07 and '08...4 of us are heading to the region in March, and can't wait. The more i look at these threads, the sooner i want to go too...we were there in Nov 2006, and always knew we'd go back. Cheers!

Wreck...

[PhyllisB]

Om and Ocho aren't on the list... I always get them confused but BR knows which one has the chef she really liked. I think it was Om but I don't want to be wrong. And I sure as heck can't place where it is without looking on a map.

Also, sounds like Las Ranitas is closed based on Minnie's recent report. Which is too bad -- they had coffee early in the AM, and they had fantastic (if overpriced) dinners. :(

[beachreader]

Om and Ocho are right next door to one another, Ocho is just north of Suenos, then Om, then Casa Violeta, then Amansala then La Zebra.

Om is the one I loved so much a year ago. I don't know if the chef is still there, but he was very sweet (and talented!).

[beachreader]

Bumping for Mariposa.

[PhyllisB]

Hmmm, can you bump a thread that already has a sticky? That's interesting!

Mariposa! Holla! :D

[beachreader]

Yes, it'll just come up on New Posts now instead of her having to look on the main board. Probably pointless, really. :o

[mariposa]

Thanks Fran! I did eventually find it it last night, lest you think I'm a total idiot:confused::rolleyes:

Holla Back Phyllis..!

[beachreader]

Not at all, 'posa! Sorry, I just meant I should have just pointed you to its location, not bumped it. But here it is.

Probably a thread that we moderators could edit down to the important stuff for the sticky, but on the other hand, I like the detours! :)

[Meenie]

Are all of these places safe to eat at? We've never been to Mexico (going in May - 10th anniversary trip! :) ) And we're worried about Montezuma's Revenge!!
:D Thanks!

[minniemex]

I guess I would say that they are as safe as they are going to get!!

First off, Mexico does not have the standards that we have in the states. That being said, in all our trips to Mexico (exceeds 10) only my husband has suffered any revenge and that was just once. We both however have very strong constitutions, and I think if either you or your husband suffer from a sensitive digestion system, you might want to be less adventourous in your meal selections. I have heard no reports from anyone that they have gotten sick in Tulum from food. I think what happens sometimes is we overindulge in drinks and different foods which is really the cause of the "revenge". Coconut is a natural laxative, so if you indulge in a few too many pina coladas ......... "revenge". I really believe that if you are careful and use sound judgement you will be just fine!!

[beachreader]

I haven't had any significant problems in Mexico in a very very long time. Places in tourist areas take great care with their food these days, it does no one any good to have a bunch of sick tourists around!

Wash your hands, eat/drink a lot of things with lime juice (seriously, I think it's something about the acid), and maybe build up your beneficial flora by either eating a lot of yogurt before you go down or taking acidopholus/bifidus (you can get these and other probiotics at health food stores).

Have a great trip!

[TheWindyCity]

Another option is taking Rifaximin as a precaution...you can read about it here: http://www.tulum.info/showpost.php?p=25553&postcount=97 It's safer than Cipro in that it your system doesn't build immunity as it would with Cipro.
Enjoy and have a great trip...you will be hooked!

[Meenie]

Thanks for all of those Tips, WindyCity!
I love your Tulum diet... hope it works for me as well! LOL!
I have an appt with my md in about 3 weeks so I'll ask about the med... that sounds great!
I'm hearing that lime juice helps too so..... lot's of margaritas??? Yaay!
Thanks so much!
Meenie:beerchug:

[TheWindyCity]

You're welcome, Meenie. Also, I fixed the link to the study I mentioned. It's pretty informative and the regimen actually works well.

[irishgirl]

Welcome Meenie!

I was VERY concerned last year before my first trip that I would end up sick and ruin the trip. My Doc gave me a script for Cipro to carry in case I got sick. Never needed it. I will probably take WindyCity's advice and get the rifaxmin this year just as a precaution. Neither I nor my BF had any troubles though. Relax and enjoy the wonderful food!

[Stephanie]

Okay, I am now officially obsessed. We are only going to be near the pueblo/beach area for 3 days! :rolleyes: I pulled from this thread and several others, and matched most of the pueblo spots to the map.

BEACH ROAD (North to South)


Don Cafeto's - highly recommended - another (slightly cheaper) branch in town. Not sure if any price difference between the two but the pubelo one will give you a more local feel.
El Mariachi beach location - actually ON the beach (tiny, though, like 4 tables).
La Vita e Bella - Italian place, lovely sand floor candlelit beach palapa. Excellent Caipirinhas.
Mezzanine - nice setting. Thai food. Parties on a Friday worth going to. Bookings good idea on Fridays. Good breakfasts...usually not crowded for breakfast...pretty laid back then.
Nachos/Mayan Grill - CLOSED - reasonable, highly recommended Mexican better for lunch or especially dinner than breakfast
Trece Lunas - north of beach road. Bargainous. Good breakfast.
Zahra - Economical food, great happy hour 2/1 with free appetizers.
Luna Maya - good seafood romantic in a rustic way - nice wine list, appetizers, soups, and desserts - nice fusion type stuff.
Zamas - nice pizza, some say its overrated but most really like it. Breakfast looks great. Breakfast was pretty mediocre and service was poor. View is okay but the road runs right by it. Good banana pancakes.
Pez restaurant - between Zamas and Maya Tulum, good food, very cool vibe and design.
El Tabano - on beach road across from Hemingway. Very fresh, light food, fresh juices, palapa dining (wear bug spray).
Posada Margerita - Italian, recommended as a ‘must go’ by everyone. Need to book in advance. No menu - explained verbally. Great pasta. A bit pricey. Great appetizers included in $50 meal. Our meal (two adults) was under $90 and included a bottle of wine. Service was at first attentive but fell off as the restaurant got more crowded.
Maya Tulum - good but slightly pricey breakfast buffet.
Kin-Ha - open fire grill at night.
Playa Azul hotel restaurant - between Los Arrecifes and Puerta del Cielo.
Ana y Jose - a bit upscale. Nice ceviche.
Cabanas Tulum
Los Lirios - Excellent grilled seafood platter for two. Large specialty drink list. Regional dishes on the menu.
Tita Tulum - small, ‘lovely’, better value than some. Nice brekkie. Has a nice outside deck. Not sure value was all that good and atmosphere was just okay as you're surrounded by cabanas with a distant view of the ocean. Good not great.
Casa Banana at Nueva Vida - north of beach road. Good brekkies On the west side of the road (the "non-ocean side). A bit overrated.
Sirenas - On the beach just past Nueva Vida de Ramiro. This place has the freshest seafood and steaks in Tulum. Very laid back and reasonably priced. Jan goes out of her way to make you feel at home. The cheeseburgers have to be the best in all Mexico.
La Zebra - They have the salsa party on Sunday nights. A real fun night and be sure to stay for the show of salsa dancers!! Really some of the best ceviche around, a variety of salsas (conventional pico de gallo to greek tzaziki with pineapple!) come with every meal, refreshing ice cold chaya juice, perfectly crispy but soft inside empanadas, fresh tamales.
Amansala
Casa Violeta - Italian. Has spa too.
Om - The chef is very sweet (and talented!). We ate there twice and the food was wonderful! The atmosphere, the people that work there, the prices were good. I can't say enough about their food. It was just wonderful!
Las Ranitas CLOSED - Good food, nice outdoor area. Try the Mayan fish preparation called Tikin Xic, a white fish cooked in banana leaves seasoned with achiote, garlic, onion, in a tomato sauce.
Dos Ceibas - good chef and daily specials. Open fire grill. Looks very nice. Outdoor eating area but secluded from the ocean. You'll be surrounded by the office and other cabanas. Good 2x1 happy hour.
Hechizo - pricey (up to $100 total), gourmet, kinda posh. Booking needed (044 (984) 100-0710, or from the US, 0052 1 984 100 0710) Out of season only opens for bookings of 10 or more. Hechizo would get 5 stars in any major city in the world. Hechizo is down at the very south end of the beach road, in the Rancho San Eric development.

PUEBLO
Cheaper, more regional, local places. Taquerias generally v good. Best places are the ones with plastic chairs apparently!

MAP (http://aycu23.webshots.com/image/50262/2005733116878305715_rs.jpg)

restaurants with approximate coordinates

F7 - Casa Del Buen Pan - great bakery. Looks almost hidden by a tree. Try to take small change. Not too hard to find...head west on Calle Alfa (it's just north of the ADO bus station) for two blocks. It will be at the intersection of Alfa and Calle Sagitario. They have a nice courtyard in back or you can just take it to go.
G4 - Cetli - On Polar at Calle Orion. It's BYO, which means we can save some money on booze, always a plus. Cetli is the real deal. The sign on the wall says "Mexican haute cuisine", and Cetli delivers. I wish we had tried it earlier in the week, so we could have eaten there more than once, it was that good!
G6 - Los Pepe’s - on the corner of Polar and Osiris. Stellar reputation as a seafood place. It's a locals place with a great shrimp cocktail and other great food. One block west of Tulum Av. across from HSBC Bank. Open 11 AM - 8 PM, daily.
G8 - El Huinic de Tulum - located behind the bus station on Calle Polar. We ate there several times last May, and EVERYTHING, was yummy....and cheap. We watched one of the women make fresh tortillas in the kitchen...great shrimp tacos, too.
H3 - Don Cafetos - a favorite. Mexican. On 307. Get a seat on the sidewalk or by the TV during a soccer game. Quality food at a reasonable price, with good service. Just the simple, basic foods are taken over the top.
H4 - Cafe Calipso Maya Cuisine - Specializing in Maya cuisine and seafood. Location: Calle Orion Sur and Av. Tulum. Does not accept credit cards. Open 7:00 am to 11:00 pm, daily.
H5- il Basilico - on 307 in the pueblo. Upstairs dining - Italian, and decent wine. You can look out over the town in open-air setting. Don't worry, the downstairs will look deserted, upstairs will not.
H5 - Buenos Aires - great steaks and wine list but you'll pay for the quality. It's on 307 and Calle Beta.
H5 - El Bronco Pollo - on Tulum avenue at Beta Sur. Very cheap very tasty grilled chicken. Like $35 pesos for 2 people. The best value in Tulum for lunch. No beer/wine sales but you can bring your own.
H5 - La Nave - Italian café. Nice coffee. Pasta for 75 pesos and pizza for 70. Fish for 100. La Nave also gives you a basket of fresh breads.
H5 - Pan de Carmen - great pastries. More selection than Casa del Buen Pan but not as good and the atmosphere is rather sterile.
H8 - Rico! - literal table-in-an-alleyway-entrance immediately north of the bus station - one mean cochinita pibil. Only open on Saturday and Sunday (7 a.m. to 2 p.m.).
H10 - El Tacoqueto - 4 buildings north of the corner of Tulum ave. and Acuario sur. This place is amazing - $10 for a meal for two - and the best meals we had while in Tulum. If you don't speak Spanish they take you back to the kitchen and take the lids off the pots and show you what they've got - four or five different dishes every night; no set menu....if you're brave enough, you'll love it. Don't count on anyone speaking English though!
H10 - Just south of El Tacoqueto is a cart with Salbutes. It's a little puffy fried thing topped with chicken and avocado and radishes and escabeche pickled onions. These little things were amazing and about 3/dollar. They seemed to open later in the day like maybe around 5 or so. I think the cart had a blue and white awning.
H10 - Pescaderia El Chino is in the south end of town...a fish market where they will cook your selection or send it home with you to cook for yourself.
H10 -Taqueria la Poblano at the far end of Tulum Ave on the left hand side (next to El Tacoqueta, see next entry). You might have to wait a bit since the guy takes his time turning the tortillas in the oil the meat is cooked in, and everyone in town is coming to eat there. But sit it out - the tacos are terrific.
H11 (?)- Charlies - Bit touristy but people like it Saturday night entertainment during busy season. Nice artwork and open backyard courtyard area to eat in. Charlie's is south of the fish market on Tulum Ave.
H11 (?)- La Picadi a Jarocha which is located just off the main street on Jupiter (N 20 d 12' 36.1" : W 87 d 27' 56.1" ). Wow, the food was excellent and insanely cheap


no coordinates available


Don Karonte - Nice folks, good service, atmosphere a bit claustrophobic.
El Mariachis - 1/2 locals, 1/2 tourists. Great service and authentic, affordable fare. The Margaritas were the best I had all trip, and the cheapest.
Gelato Italiano by Super Mar Caribbe Supermarket. This is hands down the best Ice cream on the planet (and maybe the most beautiful as well).
Habana Cafe - For drinks at night! The best Mojitos and Caiparinhas!
Oasis - Excellent fresh seafood, amazing refried beans, very reasonable prices. Not that hard to find, just take a right at El Mariachi and go down about 4 blocks, it's on the right in a residential area. Not touristy, no English spoken when we went.
Restaurante HC de Monterrey - on 307 after the speed bumps where it goes back to 2 lane on the South side of town. A butcher shop and restaurant known for their amazing arrachera meals (incredibly cooked arrachera with your choice of baked potato or onion, half an avocado, jalapeno peppers, salsa, and homemade tortillas) for roughly $8USD.
Urge Tacos - Terrific fish tacos. On the West (right) side as you enter Tulum, well before San Francisco market. It is the first building/Palapa/business you see as you start to near Tulum Pueblo. 300m north of light.


COBA


El Bocadito - After visiting the Coba ruins, pull out of the road and turn left and within a mile you pass the restaurant. Pull in for a great (aka authentic) experience with great Mayan food...if they're not open you can also try the Nicte-Ha restaurant about a block over.
La Pirimide - at the junction right before you turn left into the Coba ruins parking lot. The Huevos Moltulenos were great.

[MadeInTexas]

This is amazing! Thanks for all the effort in putting this together.

[guana 1]

Great suggestions, we will try one tonight..........

Guana

[lostgirlfound]

I know this may have already been asked before but hands down what is the best cheapest breaky in Pueblo? It seems like Banana on the beach right?

[minniemex]

Hmmm, I don't think we have ever done "cheapest" breakfast in the Pueblo. Any suggestions or ideas out there?? A lot depends on what you order too! Does it include meat, eggs, or are you looking for just a continental type??

[lostgirlfound]

Guess it depends on all that but we have a family of 5 so I guess everyone would probably want something different. I suppose maybe the "cheapest" wouldn't be the best question but maybe most affordable all around for most of these choices. Does this narrow it down? NOPE. :)

[TheWindyCity]

I think a good bet for really good food at low prices will be at the south end of the pueblo, on the east side of the road. El Tacoqueto is known for it's home cooking. Many locals go here, so I think that says a lot. They'll let you in the kitchen to show you what's cooking. There are no menus, but they describe what they have for the day. They make fresh fruit juices as well.

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/Tulum2008/2Tulum2008/IMGP0875.jpg


http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/Tulum2008/2Tulum2008/IMGP0874.jpg




http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/Tulum2008/2Tulum2008/IMGP0869.jpg

Chilaquiles with eggs:

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/Tulum2008/2Tulum2008/IMGP0868.jpg

Huevos Rancheros:
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/Tulum2008/2Tulum2008/IMGP0865.jpg

Juices:
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/Tulum2008/2Tulum2008/IMGP0860.jpg

Fresh Salsa (muy picoso!):
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/Tulum2008/2Tulum2008/IMGP0859.jpg

The two breakfasts, two juices, two coffees came to 135 pesos, about $10-$11 bucks!




.

[lostgirlfound]

Okay yummy. I'm definitely going there lots. Chilaquiles for me.

[beachreader]

I know this may have already been asked before but hands down what is the best cheapest breaky in Pueblo? It seems like Banana on the beach right?


Aren't you guys staying at Playa Mambo, or is it Nueva Vida? Either way, continental breakfast is included with your room, which seems like the cheapest option to me, no? :)