woman at Macondo restaurant Nomade Tulum

Tulum, Mexico

The Complete Guide To The Best Vegan Restaurants In Tulum in 2023

(Last Updated On: November 22, 2022)

Looking for the best vegan restaurants in Tulum? Keep reading to find out the top locations for the most scrumptious food in paradise.

In recent years, Riviera Maya destination Tulum has become one of the best beach destinations in Mexico, if not the Americas. Not only is it stunning- think calm turquoise water, powdery white sand framed by lush tropical jungle, Tulum also has a thriving vegan wellness and healthy eating scene. Tulum could just be the destination for the best vegan restaurants.

It’s known for its boho vibes, boutique shopping, style and all the variety of places to eat in Tulum.

Resorts, boutique hotels and even budget Airbnb’s come beautifully decorated and designed making it the ultimate place to spend a week or two soaking up the sun and eating at some of the best vegan restaurants in Tulum.

As you can probably image, Tulum is a heaven for plant-based eaters.

In the week that I spent there most recently, I didn’t even come close to sampling all the deliciousness on offer. Food, in general, is well-prepared and well-presented, hello Instagram, and costs probably half of what you might pay back home if you’re from the West. (Do bear in mind though that it is significantly more expensive than other places in Mexico.)

Most importantly it’s healthy, fresh, local, packed full of nutrients and there are options for just about every diet. Things don’t get much better for plant-based, fresh, wholesome options that will leave you feeling good and glowing from the inside out. Am I right?

Woman enjoying a coconut on the beach in Tulum

Farm to Table- vegan pancakes in the best vegan restaurants in Tulum

Before diving into the best vegan restaurants in Tulum you should probably know that Tulum is split up into three main areas which are:

↠ Tulum town where locals live or where you might choose to stay if you’re on a budget

↠ Tulum beach, where most of the boutique or luxury resorts are located

↠ Tulum ruins, the area where the Tulum ruins are, about 5km outside of town.

To get between all three areas it’s a good idea to rent a bicycle, scooter or car so you’re not relying on expensive taxis all the time. It takes about 15 minutes to cycle from the town to the beach strip. If you’re cycling at night to go to dinner bring a torch as the cycle highway is really poorly lit.

Both Tulum town and the beach have many plant-based restaurants and cafes and many other restaurants also offer veggie and vegan options on their menus.

Here are some of my favourite vegan restaurants in Tulum which you simply cannot miss.

RAW LOVE TULUM

This is probably the most famous of all Tulum vegan restaurants, made Insta-famous by its giant, female-figure sculpture at the entrance- both belong to the Ahau resort.

Don’t get discouraged by the queue of people taking photos from the outside, come straight into to health food heaven.

Raw Love specialises in raw, healthy, nutritious and living foods which are great for rebuilding the body’s cells and promoting a healthy body and mind.

On the menu, you’ll find an array of salads and raw dishes, smoothie bowls, juices, kombucha etc. Take a seat in their shaded outdoor seating area, feel the sand between your toes and get ready to get nourished.

Location: Tulum beach strip, located in the Ahau Hotel and Tulum Town, main highway

BURRITO AMOR

Burrito Amor is a vegan Tulum institution with a huge following. For some of the best vegan burritos in town- do yourself a favour and head straight to Burrito Amor.

The vegan burrito here is stuffed full of black beans and guacamole and it’s utterly delicious. If you’re staying in the area they also have some great looking breakfast options such as granola and coconut yoghurt and of course a breakfast burrito!

Check the menu at Burrito Amor here

Location: Tulum Town Av Tulum Pte Mz 3 Lote 5 Local 1

TAMARINDOS

While not fully plant-based, they serve meat too, Tamarindos simply has the best concept for sourcing the freshest ingredients and putting them straight onto your plate.

Their menu is seasonal and includes the best and freshest of what is available at local sources right now. I simply love this sustainable and conscious concept and it’s beautifully designed too.

Head there for a delicious brunch and enjoy a menu full of vegan pancakes, fresh fruit platters, avocado toast, vegan burritos, acai bowls freshly squeezed juices and coffee. They are also open for lunch and dinner too. A perfect option for brunch with a non-vegan partner or friend.

Check Tamarindos menu here

Location: Tulum Beach Strip Km 8

LA HOJA VERDE

For the best plant-based versions of Mexican classics head to La Hoja Verde.

This open-seating restaurant is 100% plant-based and does the best vegan ‘El Pastor’ tacos I’ve ever had. Tacos are a must here but if you’ve had your fair share already they also serve salad bowls, burgers and stews as well as delicious smoothie bowls and a large assortment of fresh fruit juices and infused waters to help you tackle the heat of the day.

This is one of the most popular options in Tulum town and if you’re staying nearby this is a must for a relaxed dinner.

Check their Facebook page here for more information

Located in Tulum Town, Beta Sur S/N

MACONDO AT NÔMADE TULUM

Located almost at the end of the Tulum beach strip, Nômade is a hotel that also has two delicious restaurants; La Popular, a fish-based, beach-side restaurant and Macondo, a Moroccan inspired mostly, plant-based option.

The food at Macondo is insanely good, definitely one of the best places to eat in Tulum and even though it might be a little more expensive than your average meal in Tulum, it’s certainly worth it.

The food is inspired by middle-Eastern fare and you’ll find the menu filled with delicious hummus, baba ganoush, roasted aubergine, fattoush salads and falafel. It’s best to order a few different dishes and share them. My favourite dishes were the hummus and the roasted tahini aubergine.

Discover the menu at Macondo here

Location: Tulum Beach Km 10,5 (towards the end)

VEGAN TACOS EL BAJON

If it’s just quick, cheap and tasty tacos you’re after in Tulum town then you have to come to this place. It’s probably one of the top vegan restaurants in Tulum for tacos and they just don’t get much better.

They serve plant-based al pastor, maciza, and pibil jackfruit tacos and tortas. Order your fill, pile on the toppings and feast.

They don’t serve alcohol but they’re happy for you to go to the store next door, buy some and consume on the premises.

For more check them out here

Located in Tulum town, on the corner of Calle Sol with Calle Orion Sur

EL VEGETARIANO, MAR Y TIERRA

If you’re looking for a non expensive vegan restaurant in Tulum then head to El Vegetariano.

This cute, local veggie place also serves a wide variety of hearty Mexican classics such as tacos, tostadas, enchiladas and sopas. A great place to come if you’d like something authentically Mexican yet plant-based.

As their name suggests, their menu isn’t 100% plant-based as they do use cheese but about 80% of dishes can easily be made vegan. The staff here are extremely welcoming and friendly.

Discover more on their Facebook page here

Located in Tulum Town, Calle Sol Ote

Vegan enchilladas best vegan eats in Tulum — dav

MATCHA MAMA

For all things smoothies, smoothie bowls and iced matcha lattes Matcha Mama is the place to go.

This little shack you’ll probably recognise from Instagram and it can be found both in town and on the beach strip.

It’s the perfect place to go for breakfast or an afternoon pick-me-up. I don’t know about you but, I personally couldn’t say no to an ice-cold smoothie bowl after a few hours on the beach.

Find out more on their Facebook page here

Location: Tulum Town and Tulum Beach Strip

ANTOJITOS LA CHIAPANECA

A vegan Tulum restaurant guide is incomplete without some local options so here is one of the best. If you’ve been yearning for a local, authentic experience, this is the place you absolutely must try.

While not completely vegan, this place is 100% Mexican. Take a seat at the bar with the locals and watch the staff squashing out tortilla after tortilla as you order. Choose between tacos, sopas ( a thicker tortilla crunchy on the outside but soft in the middle), tostadas or pancuchos ( a delicious bean-stuffed tortilla).

In terms of vegan options just load your tortilla base of choice with black beans, avocado, tomato, pickled onions, guacamole and hot sauce of choice.

Location: Tulum Town Calle Acuario Nte. 3

I SCREAM BAR

For when you’re sweet cravings strike head straight over here for a scoop of vegan creamy heaven. The ice cream here is made fresh every day and they often have new and changing flavours, so it’s worth coming more than once during your stay. I tried the chocolate and the pineapple- both of which were divine.

Location: Tulum Beach strip, next to Origami Gelato (non-vegan ice cream shop)

There are literally so many more vegan or vegan- friendly places to eat in Tulum from luxurious, slightly overpriced hotel restaurants to local taco stands. So many in fact that I couldn’t try them all.

I highly encourage you to get out there and see where your taste buds take you.

If you haven’t downloaded it yet, I’d highly recommend you download the Happy Cow app on your phone. It shows you all the vegan/veggie places around you in any place around the world. This app is my go-to for finding delicious plant-based meals all around the world.

Do you have any comments or questions about vegan restaurants in Tulum? Let me know below and I’ll get back to you.