Mexico has no shortage of good food.
This may be an obvious point to many of you.
If you only have one day to eat (and drink) all that Tulum has to offer, you’re in luck. Ā I’ve mapped out where to eat on Beach Road in Tulum, Mexico.
We spent 4 days in Tulum for a wedding at an all-inclusive resort with a gorgeous view and horrendous food. Ā As soon as we could escape to better eats, we headed for Beach Road. Ā It’s one long dirt road, with the beach in front of it and the jungle behind it. Ā Every restaurant, bar, and store embodies a hippie beach vibe. Ā The open-air format gives everythingĀ a funky jungleĀ feel. Ā Sort of like the adult version of Jungle Book!
The following restaurants are where we ate meals during our escape from hotel food. Ā There’s no shortage of options, but these are a fewĀ we researched and wereĀ pretty damn impressed with. Ā (That’s not just the tequilaĀ talking). Ā
Quick Tip:Ā Make sure you get pesos out of an ATM. Ā Most places on Beach Road don’t take credit cards, and using US dollars costs more.
Breakfast:
Zamas is a postcard-perfect beach hotel and open-air restaurant less than 5 km from the Mayan ruins. Ā I’d love to stay here if we come back; the cabaƱas with theirĀ thatched roofs and private porches with hammocks looked heavenly.
We came here in search of breakfast and were not disappointed. Ā The pour-over coffee andĀ freshly squeezed orange juice were great starts, but the mains were even better.
I had the Huevos Rancheros, which is one of my all-time favorite breakfasts. Ā This was the most well-executed I’ve had in recent memory. Ā Most of the time the tortilla chip baseĀ is soggy and oily, but these mysteriously remained crisp under the black beans, fried eggs, and ranchera salsa.
Lunch:
We decided to walk to the other end of Beach Road for some shopping before our next food adventure. Ā It was a bit further than I’d anticipated (translation: Vegas wanted to kill me). Ā If you’re over-heated or not into walking, I’d recommend grabbing one of the many cabs. Ā Just make sure to ask how much before you get in!
I quite liked having a good walk after breakfast. Ā It made these drinks on the beach at La Eufemia all the more refreshing.Ā Whatever you do, don’t miss the tajin-rimmedĀ cucumber margaritas! Ā You can also rehydrate with fresh coconut water. Ā If you ask nicely, they’ll crack open the coconutĀ after you’re done soĀ you can scrape out theĀ bits of meat.
La Eufemia deserves its own blog post. Ā It’s that amazing. Ā This place is 100% what you expect from a hippie beach Mexican restaurant. Ā There’s an easy-to-miss painted sign on the beach side of the road that includes their tagline: “Hippie chit taco boutique.”
Enter under it and follow the palm tree-lined path to the beach. Ā You can sit at the bar under a thatched roof, or on the beach with your feet in the sand. Ā You’ll catch wafts of neighboring tables’ jointsĀ mixed with fresh fish being grilled.
Shockingly, they have wifi. Ā The password is “fuckingtacos” … you’re welcome.
The food is every bit as fabulousĀ asĀ the drinks. Ā You can choose from all-day breakfast items, various tacos, and a few snacks. Ā Go for the tacos. Ā They’re fairly small; 1-2 make a decentĀ snack.
Specifically, tryĀ aĀ shrimp taco and add bacon. Ā Everything is better with bacon, but these shrimp tacos are especially better with bacon.
Snack:
Cenzontle is proof that god loves usĀ craft cocktails are alive and well in Tulum. Ā This is better than any hipster bar in the states. Ā The bartenders are friendly and the eclectic thrift store decor makes you feel like you’re sittingĀ in your a-little-crazy-but-cool Aunt Martha’s living room.
Plus they muddle cocktails in unison. Ā That chit is impressive.
The winning drink of the evening was actually given to me by accident. Ā It’s kismet.
It’s called the Ella Fitzgerald: lime, pineapple, jalapeƱo, a bit of agave, and tequila. Ā It’s fairly low alcohol and refreshing.
Everywhere I go, I have to try the octopus. Ā This was no exception. Ā The different part was that Vegas actually LIKED it! Ā My wife is a pretty picky eater; for her to like something this “odd” is a big deal. Ā She turned her nose up at all the octopus in Greece!
Their octopus perfect – diced and garnished with ginger mayo, cucumber, avocado, jicama juice, serranitos, and chile de arbol oil.
Dinner:
We didn’t have a plan for dinner. Ā As soon as we happened upon Casa Jaguar, we only had to exchange a glanceĀ before walking in. Ā This quirky spot feels like a pop-up dinner in the jungle. Ā Like most places on this road, it was lit solely by candles and torches.
My pic didn’t turn out, so I borrowed this from their Instagram feed to show youĀ what I mean:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BNVMlS6hi_b/
Vegas and I shared a plate of grilled veggies tossed with ginger, roasted pineapple, and a sweet and sour sauce. Ā I had Tuna Tostadas at our server’s suggestion. Ā I’m normally not a huge tuna fan, but the freshness of the fish resulted inĀ a flavorful, delicate dish thatĀ I fell in love with.
Vegas had the most giant prawns I’ve ever seen, served over mixed greens and grilled tomatoes. Ā The prawns were grilled over a layer of sea salt in their brick oven, so the flavors just permeated throughout it. Ā It came with a dipping sauce that I can only describe as mole dressing. Ā I wish I knew what it was… I wanted to slurp it downĀ like a decadent soup.
Nightcap:
I know, I know… weĀ did a lot of drinking. Ā But weĀ also didĀ a TON of walking and even more sweating. Ā Plenty enough to justify a nightcap at Gitano (Spanish for āgypsyā).
Gitano is a Mezcal bar owned by a cool hippie (do you sense a theme here?) guy from Venice. Ā Itās on the jungle side of the road and actuallyĀ looks like a jungle speakeasy. Ā They serve food, which I was too painfully full to order. Ā I can tell you that it smells downright intoxicating coming off of an open-fire grill in the back.
What we did have were a couple of cocktails so good that I could haveĀ rolled around naked in them. Ā This is not an exaggeration. Ā The drinks are crafted with handmade syrups and freshly pressed juices, then garnished with fresh fruit.
Mine was the Unicorelle: mezcal, ginger, blackberries, lime, and bubbles… garnished with starfruit! Ā Vegas had the Ruby Bolt: mezcal, grapefruit, damiana elixir, and honey. Ā We couldn’t decide whose was better!
[Tweet “If you only have one day to eat in #Tulum, Mexico, this is the way to do it!”]
Make sure toĀ link up toĀ Jenn’sĀ WIAW baby right hereĀ today!
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In true fashion, I packed ACV and BCAAs so we could start each day with theĀ usualĀ morning cocktail. Ā Vegas requested it!
Have you ever been to a jungle destination? Ā It blew me away!Ā
Did you know there were craft cocktails in the jungle?
Omg everything sounds amazing. I had no idea there were craft cocktails in the jungle!! But yes I’ve been to the jungle in Ecuador. But we didn’t have drinks. Yay for Mexico- my trip there last year was filled with so many good eatsand I can’t wait to return!
I had no idea any of this existed… it was like a jungle mirage!
looks like so much fun and great food! that’s my kind of good time
Is this the road to heaven? OMG, seriously!! No wonder you’re never coming back.
This is some amazing chit woman. Thank you for making us all insanely jealous š
Vegas and both commend you or your use of chit. Well-played.
This is killing me. I so wish I could go to Mexico for our vacation, FREAKING ZIKA.
I need an Ella Fitzgerald to help me cope.
Yeah! An Ella Fitzgerald would definitely do the trick! š
Awwwww… soon! The bride’s sister actually had to miss the wedding because she’s preggo and Zika isn’t good for that, apparently. I was bitten by no less than 34842578 mosquitos.
I think you are probably the only person I know who would say, “Everywhere I go, I have to try the octopus.” Hehe.
That’s not normal? š
OH mexican food is my favorite! We went to Riviera Maya for a wedding a few years ago and the food was awful at the resort too. Wish I would have known more about venturing off the resort, but oh well. I’ll just sit here and drool over your food and drinks!
I wish I known to venture off earlier too! Actually, I wish we’d only stayed there for the wedding and moved on to one of the super-cool eco hotels. They were gorgeous and much more my style.
No BUT it looks like a fantabulous time, may have to try to have a jungle destination sometime soon! =)
Now I really want some guacamole š
Ahh I’m so jealous! Riley and I got married north of Tulum in Playa Del Carmen and those beaches are just amazing. The food is also incredible and all of your stuff looks amazing. Plus, cocktails are just part of the Mexico vacation deal, so no judgment from me!
It’s a gorgeous setting for a wedding! I can’t wait to go back so we can explore Playa del Carmen. I hear it’s incredible!
Cannot get over all the gorgeous colors in this! Looks like so much fun!
this makes me want to go to mexico like right now haha! Fresh mexican food is always the best š
Haha! Right?! We were plotting a move by the time it was over.
I’ve never eaten on the road on Mexico, but the authentic Mexican food we got in restaurants was AMAZING. No words to describe.
Agreed! I could eat Mexican food daily. Thankfully it’s on practically every corner in SoCal. š
Oh boy!! I always would love to travel in Mexico again…but this really makes it a reality!! š Yum!
Roll around naked in some cocktails, eh? I could get down with this. Agave might be a little sticky but, that could add to the fun.
I love mexican food – so much – yet I always forget about the brunch/breakfast options. Dan actually just went to a specifically brunch mexican restaurant the other day and at first I was like, what? But then realized… duh. Huevos Rancheros. Eggs. Cheeeeeeese. Oh ya baby.
I’d love to go to a jungle of any sort. I need to get my animal on.
They weren’t too sweet… just a touch of agave. That’s a tolerable level of sticky, no? š
I worked in Mexico for TWO years and the food was amazing, but I gained a lot of weight. It’s definitely not that waist friendly, but amazing for vacations!
You did whaaaaaat?! I’d love to get to work in another country for a few years. Italy… I’d totally get fat for that. LOL!
Huevos Rancheros is one of my favorite breakfasts also!
I live in Northern California and have yet to visit Mexico. It’s a shame even my parents went to Mexico a couple of times a year while I was growing up. Iām going to change all of that in 2017; I plan on taking lots of road trips taking advantage of all the beautiful within driving distance. Those fuckin tacos look awesome Laura! lol
I feel the same way – being in California there are SO many places to see and I need to get a move on it! Leave it to me to live her for almost two years – 30 mins from Mexico – but fly into southern Mexico for my first trip. Oy!
(The tacos were fuckin awesome. š )
Those roll around naked craft cocktails are what I”m talking about! They look delicious!
It all looks and sounds amazing! And that has to be the best wifi password ever.
I’m so pleased you noticed. You’re the only one who did! I think I’m going to change my network at home now…
Thanks Laura for mentioning us on your blog, Great recommendations! We hope to see you soon!
Ella Fitzgerald will be waiting for you! š
Thank you!!! We had such a great time at your restaurant. Your staff is amazing as well!
Glad you had a good time! I have never been to Mexico but it sounds like quite a trip. It’s cool that you got to go before Christmas for a change of pace too! š
You would love it! So much fresh, colorful food. Plus, warm! š
This street is my happy place. I love Huevos Rancheros and booze.
A jungle speakeasy… Now that sounds like fun!
When we were down south last week we went hiking and I swear every 10-15 mins or so the terrain completely changed and at times it was like we were walking though the jungle. Next thing you know we turn a corner and the most beautiful sandy beach appears before our eyes. It was breathtaking.
Whoa, looks like lots of yummy drinks & food in one day! I dig hippie vibes so Beach Road sounds great to me. I always laugh when you mention Vegas wanting to kill you because of walks & hikes turning out to be longer and more treacherous than anticipated hehehe