<div>If you decide to stay in a beachside cabana in the "Hotel Zone" in <a href="http://www.jauntsetter.com/archive/trip_picks/tulum-beautiful-ruins-beachfront-rooms">Tulum</a> (as we recommended in <a href="http://www.jauntsetter.com/archive/trip_picks/tulum-beautiful-ruins-beachfront-rooms">this week's trip pick</a>), you'll have plenty of hotel-eateries to choose from. And in general, their food is pretty excellent; with the area's fresh seafood, and often organic local fruit and vegetables, it's hard for it not to be. </div><div><br /></div><div>Unfortunately, the food can also be on the expensive side. But never fear! We have a few favorites that we feel are worth the splurge. And if you're really doing Tulum on a budget, go ahead and head to town (Tulum Pueblo). It's only a 40 peso or $3 cab-ride away. Eating there isn't as picturesque, but it will cost you way less, and in many cases it can be a more authentic and exciting experience. </div><div><br /></div><div>One tip on ordering when in Tulum Pueblo - you might want to brush up on your Spanish. As our <a href="http://www.jauntsetter.com/archive/jauntsetters/kelly-holt">previously-featured jauntsetter Kelly</a> advises, "Many locals don't speak English, so ordering can be a challenge. Be brave! The smaller family-run joints have the best food; don't let the look of the place scare you off. Oftentimes we had no idea what we were ordering, but we were rarely disappointed." </div><div><br /></div><div>Scroll down for all our recommendations for restaurants in both the Hotel Zone and Tulum Pueblo. And of course, if you've got any Tulum favorites, share them! </div><div><br /></div><div>xo,</div><div>the jauntsetter team </div><div><br /></div><div>__________________________________________________</div><div><br /></div><div><strong><em>In the "Hotel Zone"</em></strong></div><div><br /></div><div><strong>Best Breakfast, Best Drinks:</strong> <a href="http://mezzanine.com.mx/restaurant/index.htm">Mezzanine</a> </div><div><br /></div><div>Mezzanine is one of our top lodging picks - but if you don't end up spending the night, we still recommend swinging by for a meal or a drink at their Thai-Mexican restaurant. It'll be a splurge, but a justified one. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.jauntsetter.com/archive/jauntsetters/kate-duffy">Featured jauntsetter Kate</a> says morning is the best time to go: "It's the most beautiful breakfast I've ever had: two eggs on spring onion and potato pancakes with pickled-onion relish and fresh tomatoes and a slice of tria (mexican spinach). It's super colorful: purple and bright, bright yellow (from fresh eggs from that morning) and bright, bright green." </div><div><br /></div><div>She adds that they also make outstanding guacamole and that their drink menu is unbeatable including "the best fresh mango margaritas, the most wonderful coffee and amazing fruit smoothies."</div><div><br /></div><div><strong>Best Mexican:</strong> <a href="http://www.anayjose.com/Restaurant/">Ana y Jose</a> (Kelly's favorite!)</div><div><br /></div><div>"The fajitas are amazing and the atmosphere is just what you'd want for a dinner on the beach," Kelly tells us. "They often have a mariachi band on weekend nights. The flambé is a real crowd pleaser too." </div><div><br /></div><div>While this place is pretty affordable ($11 for a steak; $9 for vegetarian fajitas), for even cheaper Mexican, head to <a href="http://www.zahra.com.mx/restaurant/">Zahra</a>; their menu is super extensive and it's also on the beach. </div><div><br /></div><div><strong>Best Seafood:</strong> <a href="http://www.posadamargherita.com/html/restaurant.php?lang=en">Posada Margherita</a> (Kate's #1 choice)</div><div><br /></div><div>Tulum is home to many Italian ex-pats, so you'll find many wonderful Italian-run restaurants there. And Posada Margherita is supposed to be the best of the best. </div><div><br /></div><div>Reports Kate: "It's stunning and has the most amazing seafood. The cook takes the catch of the day and braises it with sea water and serves it with local vegetables. It's just the most simple, delicious meal you'll ever have. And fresh pasta too!" </div><div><br /></div><div>Try the saltfish topped with tomatoes and with a side of rice, and for dessert, go with the tiramisu. Their wines (Italian, Chilean, Argentinian) are also wonderful.</div><div><br /></div><div><strong><em>In Tulum Pueblo</em></strong></div><div><br /></div><div><strong>Best Seafood:</strong> Oasis</div><div><br /></div><div>For seafood in town, this is your best bet. Try the octopus quesadillas, the shrimp glazed with garlic sauce, or the fresh fried fish. </div><div><br /></div><div><strong>Best Coffee</strong>: Cafe Expresso</div><div><br /></div><div>Good coffee is certainly not what Tulum is known for, but if you're as much of an addict as we are, you'll want to stop by Cafe Expresso, one of the few places that does it well. They also have good juices, friendly service, and low prices. </div><div><br /></div><div><strong>Best Local Experience:</strong> El Tacoqueto</div><div><br /></div><div>Not only is family-run El Tacoqueto ridiculously cheap (a meal for two with drinks comes to about $7), but it's also one of the few places in Tulum where you'll find authentic Mexican food - even the locals eat here. </div><div><br /></div><div>Plus, ordering is fun: there's no menu and no English - you just peer at the 5 to 6 cauldrons in the kitchen and point to your soup or stew of choice. Each one comes with rice, beans, and tortillas. Amazing value.</div><div><br /></div><div><strong>Best Late Night Tacos:</strong> Tacos al Pastor</div><div><br /></div><div>If you're in town past sundown, make sure to stop by one of the night-only taco stands located on the main road. They're all inexpensive - a plentiful meal for two will cost well under $20 - and have tasty fare. Next-door neighbors El Diaz and El Chicanquita are two great choices, but our favorite is Tacos al Pastor. Try their tacos of the same name: tortillas filled with pork that gets cooked on a rotating spit while a pineapple drips onto it from above.</div><div><br /></div><div>______________________________</div><div><br /></div><div><strong><em>Detailed Information</em></strong></div><div><br /></div><div><em>In the "Hotel Zone"</em><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><strong>Mezzanine</strong></div><div><a href="http://mezzanine.com.mx/map/index.html">Directions here</a></div><div>Calling from US: +52 (984) 131 1596</div><div><br /></div><div><strong>Ana y Jose </strong></div><div>Carretera Cancun-Tulum Bocapaila Km 7 Tulum</div><div>Calling from US: +52 (988) 880 5629 or 52 (998) 880 6022</div><div><br /></div><div><strong>Zahra</strong></div><div>Calling from US: 888 898 9922 (toll free)</div><div>Calling from Mexico: 01 800 123 3278</div><div><br /></div><div><strong>Posada Margherita</strong></div><div>Tulum-Punta Allen Rd</div><div>(984) 100 3780</div><div>Reservations essential!</div><div><br /></div><div><em>The Details - in Tulum Pueblo</em></div><div><br /></div><div><strong>Oasis</strong></div><div>(984) 114-1818</div><div>To get there: take a right at El Mariachi and go down 3-4 blocks. It's on the right. </div><div><br /></div><div><strong>Cafe Expresso</strong></div><div>To get there: walk south past the HBSC on the main drag, turn left at the fruteria. The cafe is on your right.</div><div><br /></div><div><strong>El Tacoqueto</strong></div><div>Located on the east side of the main road at the far (south end) under a palapa.</div><div><br /></div><div><strong>Tacos al Pastor</strong></div><div>Located on the west side of the main road, near the Weary Traveler Inn</div><div><br /></div>
2008-10-29T20:47:59Z
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tulum-s-toothsome-tastes
Tulum's Toothsome Tastes
2009-08-27T16:49:51Z