The Best Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants in Tulum, Mexico

Centrally located on a quiet street away from the noise of Tulum’s main drag, El Vegetariano offers a relaxed vegetarian dining experience with a good choice of vegan options. From Mexican dishes, like quesadillas and enchiladas, to international favorites, such as falafels and club sandwiches, this popular restaurant is a hit with vegetarian and meat-eaters alike. The “champiburger,” served with sautéed potatoes and a tasty chipotle sauce, is El Vegetariano’s signature dish.

Superfood and happy vibes is what this cute beachside café is all about. Located at Hotel Ahau, Raw Love is a chilled spot hidden between the beach and the jungle. It’s the perfect place to idle away time in a hammock, read a book and recharge with one of their shots, like the “flu fighter,” which is made of ginger, lime, tumeric and cayenne pepper. With plant-based creations that include raw dark chocolate with honey and zucchini pasta in a creamy garlic sauce, Raw Love Café is on a mission to nourish your mind, body and soul.

This medium-sized restaurant located in Tulum’s centro offers all the vegetarian and vegan favorites, from juicy mushroom burgers to spicy soy tacos. For breakfast, start the day right with the banana pancakes and one of La Hoja Verde’s super smoothies. With an extensive drinks menu, there are lots of smoothie and juice combinations to choose from. Try the alegria, which is Spanish for ‘joy’ and is a refreshing mix of mango, coconut milk, amaranth and walnut.

Using fresh plant-based ingredients, Charly and his team cook up traditional vegan-style Mexican dishes in a lush jungle setting. Hailing from Mexico City, where he developed his talent as a vegan chef, Charly offers a wide-range of taco fillings, from smoked portobello mushrooms and jackfruit in ancho pepper to marinated soy and grilled seitan. But it’s not all about the tacos. Try the enmoladas poblanas – homemade corn tortillas filled with roasted potatoes smothered in mole (a traditional Mexican sauce) and served with rice and fried plantains.

Tucked away behind a bamboo-clad wall on one of Tulum’s side streets, Co.ConAmor offers a range of sandwiches, daily specials and raw food options. There’s no shortage of vegan dishes, and there are good lacto- and gluten-free options, too. Avoid the midday heat by relaxing under a canopy with a vitamin-filled kale salad and one of their energizing smoothies, like the rojito amor, which is a blend of beets, melon, carrot and apple. Co.ConAmor also has a small shop opposite selling an array of health-food goods and beauty products.

This small friendly vegan eatery is owned by Eduardo (Laylo) and Melina, who, along with their staff, go out of their way to make sure their customers have a good dining experience. For a pick-me-up breakfast, which comes with free coffee and is served until 2pm, try the scrambled tofu served with fresh tortilla and beans. For lunch and dinner, expect a range of plant-based bowls, burgers and baguettes as well as vegan sushi. Laylo’s is also a fun spot to enjoy a cocktail, or two, and a late-night bite.

Expect fine dining in the jungle at the Kitchen Table Tulum. Although not an exclusively vegetarian restaurant, those avoiding meat will not leave disappointed with delights such as the vegan organic butternut squash with a walnut and shallots stuffing and celery and pickled eggplant. Other offerings include the vegetarian smoked “wanton”, made from local squash, caramelized onion and soubise sauce.

Bringing the goodness of Italian home-cooking to the Caribbean, Posada Margherita’s chefs pride themselves on crafting the best pizzas, making pasta from scratch and creating traditional gelato. There are ample vegetarian offerings and vegan options available. Try the acqua pazza – garlic, oil, tomatoes and lemon – accompanied by fresh focaccia and washed down with a glass of fine Italian wine. Made with ingredients that include coconut from their own palm trees, Posada Margherita’s gelatos are something special – don’t leave without trying one.

Dine Marrakech-style at the beach with rugs, blankets and Moroccan poufs. This beautiful beachside restaurant at the Nômade hotel delights with a plant-based menu that uses fresh organic ingredients. Leave feeling nourished with healthy creations like the vegan tortellini, which comes stuffed with chaya (a local plant similar to spinach), mint, ginger, chives, potato cheese and vegan cassava, topped with Indian walnut and coconut sauce, vegan parmesan and praline sunflower seeds with balsamic. For those dining with non-vegetarians, Macondo excels with its meat and fish dishes, too.