15 Best Vegan & Veggie spots in Tulum: Restaurants, Cafés, Taquerías & Street Food Stands

A complete guide to the best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Tulum, Mexico, from local eateries and cute cafés to trendy spots for date night.

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Tulum, Mexico, is one of the most popular towns in the state of Quintana Roo, on Mexico’s east coast. It may be known for its highly Instagrammable spots and luxurious beach clubs, but it also has a huge vegan wellness and healthy eating scene. Needless to say, there is no shortage of places to get vegan eats in Tulum. But between overpriced smoothie bowls, places that cater more to aesthetics than flavour, and menus that feel repetitive and expensive, it can take a bit of trial and error to find spots that are actually worth eating at.

We quite literally spent our entire trip eating our way around the town (thanks to staying in a room with no catering facilities), and were thrilled at the abundance of vegetarian and vegan-friendly places, from casual taquerías and local favourites to well-known health cafés and beachside restaurants. Overwhelmed by all the choices? Don’t panic, we’ve collated the best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Tulum into a handy list. In this guide, you’ll find where to eat in Tulum Pueblo and the Hotel Zone, what to expect price-wise, and which places are worth going out of your way for, whether you’re fully plant-based or just looking for a break from al pastor tacos.

Where to eat in Tulum

Tulum’s food scene is as varied as its neighbourhoods, ranging from no-frills street food and family-run taquerías to polished, design-led restaurants aimed squarely at international visitors. You’ll find the biggest concentration of dining options in Downtown and the Hotel Zone, with very different price points, atmospheres, and expectations in each.

We like to keep our recommendations affordable, and as such, none of the spots on this list would be classed as luxury (although the food sure might taste like it), nor do they come with a luxury price tag. Tulum might have been featured in the Michelin Guide Mexico, but you’re not going to find lots of ultra-expensive, luxury dining experiences in this post. Instead, we’ve collated a list of local spots, mainly in Downtown, that are not only vegan-friendly but also affordable and authentic.

We’ve marked each restaurant between $-$$$$$, based on the average price of their dishes, but almost none of them exceed $$$, as even Mexico’s most popular spots are still cheap when compared internationally.

All the spots on this list also have an eco-friendly ethos, in keeping with Tulum’s eco-conscious vibe. Whether you’re looking for a quick bite or a 3-course meal, Tulum’s cuisine is some of the best on Mexico’s Caribbean Coast.

Tulum Food Tours

Joining a culinary experience, from taco tours to tequila tastings, is one of the best things to do in Tulum and a great way to sample local specialities and discover hidden gems.

Map of Vegan and Veggie Spots in Tulum

The best veggie and vegan cafés in Tulum

Tulum has one of the strongest vegetarian and vegan scenes in Mexico, largely driven by its wellness-focused traveller crowd, with a surprising variety of vegan and vegetarian cafés scattered across Downtown and the Hotel Zone. Many of these spots combine health-conscious menus with Instagram-ready décor, offering fresh juices, smoothie bowls, salads, and creative takes on traditional Mexican dishes. Here are our top vegan-friendly cafés in Tulum.

1. Matcha Mama

Let’s start with Tulum’s iconic tropical smoothie bar, Matcha Mama. Serving fresh fruit smoothies, açai bowls, ice cream and coffee, with an emphasis on matcha, Matcha Mama is a popular Instagram spot due to its cool decor and ‘I Love Tulum So Matcha’ surfboard sign, and many people head here as soon as they get to Tulum. We stopped by more times than we probably should have, and Dan highly recommends the Papacito smoothie, with its vanilla protein powder and cold brew shot. If you’re after something a little lighter, I can vouch for the matcha, and they do a solid latte.

There are actually four Matcha Mamas in Tulum, two in the Hotel Zone, one in Downtown (which is usually much quieter), and one in the up-and-coming neighbourhood of Aldea Zama. The sites are known for their open-air bamboo huts, swings, and pastel-heavy jungle aesthetic. Prices are firmly tourist-level, but quality is consistently good.

2. Co.ConAmor

Co.ConAmor is an organic café and zero-waste shop. Featuring a cute outdoor space, you can sample brunch classics like avocado toast, waffles and scrambled tofu. It’s a fully vegan restaurant and community space in Downtown Tulum, with a calm, airy atmosphere and bohemian décor.

Beyond brunch, the menu blends Mexican staples with global comfort food, including tacos, burritos, burgers, and raw desserts. There’s a strong emphasis on conscious living, and the space often hosts events, workshops, or pop-ups, too.

3. Raw Love

Tulum’s number 1 raw vegan café, Raw Love’s menu revolves around organic and unprocessed ingredients. It’s located in Downtown, but has a barefoot, beachy atmosphere, with a sandy courtyard surrounded by a slightly raised platform, with secluded corners.

Choose from smoothie bowls, entrées, desserts and hot and cold drinks. Ingredients are organic and nutrient-focused, and everything is designed to feel clean and energising. The food isn’t classically Mexican, and the raw flavour won’t be for everyone. The prices are high, too, even for Tulum, but the quality is consistent.

4. Botanica Garden Café

Botánica Garden Café is a plant-forward café set in a leafy garden space, offering a calm break from Tulum’s busier streets. A popular shared workspace for nomadic travellers, it features a quiet outdoor garden space and strong WiFi that’s great for getting some work done (although the courtyard is hot, so try and get a seat inside).

The menu focuses on seasonal ingredients, with vegetarian and vegan dishes inspired by global flavours. You can choose thoughtfully plated meals, good coffee, and natural wines or opt for light lunch and brunch options.

The best vegan taquerías in Tulum

Tulum is a surprisingly strong destination for vegan tacos, with several small taquerías and local eateries putting creative plant-based twists on classic Mexican flavours. These spots often use locally sourced ingredients like mushrooms, jackfruit, beans, and seasonal vegetables to mimic traditional fillings, while keeping everything fresh, colourful, and satisfying. This is our favourite way to eat in Mexico – wandering around Downtown (one of the best ways to get around Tulum), finding locally-owned establishments that offer authentic Mexican flavours in a vegan package. Here are our favourite taco joints and eateries for real Mexican food.

5. Suculenta Tamalería

Suculenta Tamalería is our number one vegan spot on this list and one of the best plant-based restaurants in Tulum. Not only is it the most affordable restaurant we tried, but it also has an excellent vibe and super-friendly service – the owner was so lovely, took us through the menu, and explained the background of each dish and his motive for creating the restaurant in the first place.

This is the place to go to try the infamous tamales – a corn dough with filling wrapped in a banana leaf. The menu focuses on traditional Mexican tamales reworked with vegan fillings, alongside tacos, salsas, seasonal sides, and smoothies and juices. The ingredients are locally sourced where possible, and flavours stay true to regional cooking rather than healthified versions, which can sometimes be hard to find when you’re looking for vegan versions of famous local dishes.

It’s tucked away in Downtown, it’s easy to miss if you’re not looking for it. The space is small and simple, with a covered outdoor courtyard, limited seating, and a lovely cat. The prices are very affordable, especially considering the labour involved in tamale-making.

6. El Bajón Vegan Tacos

If you’re looking for vegan tacos in Tulum, look no further than El Bajón Vegan Tacos. Specialising in this Mexican classic, the bright yellow building is home to some of Tulum’s cheapest tacos. The menu revolves around tacos filled with meat substitutes like mushrooms, jackfruit, and seitan, and topped with house-made salsas. Choose from three sizes of taco (taco, tostada, or sandwich), a variety of vegan fillings, and add your choice of toppings at the end.

Seating inside is casual, and the vibe is laidback and unpretentious. The prices are super affordable compared to most vegan options in town, too. It’s especially popular in the evenings and with people looking for something filling rather than ‘clean’.

7. La Vegan Taquería

If you’re like us and just can’t get enough of tacos, La Vegan Taquería is the place to go. Featuring 100% vegan Mexican recipes, La Vegan Taquería serves some of the most delicious tacos in Tulum. With over 15 types of tacos on the menu, there’s plenty to choose from. Fillings include marinated mushrooms, soy-based steak, slow-cooked vegetables, and even hibiscus flower, paired with punchy salsas. We were thrilled to find a Baja-style taco made with tofu instead of fish, which took us right back to happy memories in Baja California Sur.

The setting is simple and functional, usually with a dimly-lit, artsy feel inside. It’s one of the more affordable vegan options in Tulum, and it’s nice to be able to indulge in authentic Mexican cuisine without meat.

The best veggie and vegan restaurants in Tulum

There’s a wide range of vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Tulum that go far beyond simple salads. Many of these spots reflect Tulum’s signature aesthetic: open-air spaces, jungle or beachfront views, rustic wooden décor, and Instagram-worthy presentations. Here are our top picks for somewhere worthy of sitting in on a date night.

8. La Hoja Verde

La Hoja Verde (The Green Leaf) is a long-standing vegetarian restaurant in Downtown Tulum, popular with both locals and travellers looking for affordable, nourishing food. The space is casual but cool, with a relaxed, neighbourhood feel rather than a curated design, perfect for a date night.

With a twin restaurant (La Kaat) in Valladolid, which we were equally obsessed with, this central Tulum spot serves upmarket veggie food with an affordable price tag. The menu blends Mexican and international vegetarian dishes, including chilaquiles, enchiladas, curries, burgers, falafel salad bowls, pastas, and fresh juices. They also do a damn good cocktail, especially the spritzy, refreshing ones.

La Hoja Verde is one of those restaurants you’re going to want to return to during your stay (and we did, bringing along some friends we met through Instagram). Many dishes can be made vegan, and portions are generous for the price. It’s especially popular for breakfast and lunch, but we always liked the vibe at dinner.

9. Laylo Vegan Lounge

Laylo is a fully plant-based restaurant and cocktail bar located in Downtown Tulum, known for its moody lighting, eclectic décor, and relaxed evening vibe. This vegan lounge has a laidback vibe with an open-air courtyard. Offering a mix of Mexican and Western classics, as well as Elysium – Tulum’s first sober bar and café – Laylo is one of our top recommendations for plant-based restaurants in Tulum.

The menu blends vegan comfort food with global influences, including tacos, burgers, bowls, and small plates designed for sharing. We had to try a variety, and were absolutely obsessed with the summer rolls (a perfect light dish in the Tulum heat) and cauliflower tacos.

10. Burrito Amor

Burrito Amor is a popular Downtown spot known for its colourful, open-air courtyard and laidback daytime vibe. While not a veggie/vegan restaurant, it has a wide range of plant-based options on the menu and is a great spot to try these classic stuffed tortilla wraps.

The menu focuses on large, customisable burritos made with house-made flour tortillas, including vegetarian and vegan options, famously served wrapped in a banana leaf. Ingredients are fresh, and the fillings range from roasted vegetables to plant-based proteins and homemade sauces. It’s especially popular for breakfast and brunch, so expect queues during peak hours.

11. Del Cielo

Del Cielo is a long-running café and bistro in Downtown Tulum, best known for its extensive breakfast and brunch menu. While not strictly veggie/vegan, it has some excellent plant-based brunch options we couldn’t leave off this list. Offering bistro dishes with a tropical twist, delight your taste buds with everything from French toast to pancakes to eggs 7+ ways.

Vegetarian and vegan options are plentiful, including pancakes, tofu scrambles, smoothie bowls, and fresh juices. The space is bright and casual, often busy, with a mix of travellers and digital nomads. It’s a good spot if you need somewhere for a mixed group of meat eaters and vegans.

The best veggie and vegan street food in Tulum

Tulum is notoriously expensive, and when you combine that with eating veggie or vegan (which often comes at a high price point anyway), eating out on a budget can be tricky. Luckily, there are quite a few amazing little street food vendors in Downtown offering plant-based snacks and meals at affordable prices – if you know where to look.

12. Marquesita stands

You may not have heard of a marquesita, a Yucatecan special, but once you try one, your life will never be the same again. A rolled crepe, pressed until crispy and filled with cajeta (caramel), condensed milk, jam, chocolate, or edam cheese (also known as queso de bola), these snacks are typically served by street-side food trucks. You’ll find them in the evenings on the main street and by Museo de la Cultura Maya Park.

Many stands offer vegan fillings, and you can skip the cheese entirely. If you’re a vegetarian, get the “classic” – Nutella and cheese. We thought it was a joke when it was first recommended to us, but it’s honestly what the locals eat, and it’s a surprisingly good combination.

13. Perro No Come Perro

Tulum has a really popular night-time food scene, with several street-side vendors opening every night on both sides of the main road on Geminis Nte and Geminis Sur. On the north side, you’ll find Perro No Come Perro (Dog Does Not Eat Dog). Offering vegan tacos, tortas, and burgers, this food stall is a great option if you’re on a budget. The vibe is casual with simple stool seating, but portions are generous, and prices are some of the cheapest in Tulum. It’s a good option if you’re craving vegan fast food.

14. La Cordobesita

On the south side of the main street, a stone’s throw from Perro No Come Perro, is La Cordobesita Tulum. With a slightly broader menu including tacos, hot dogs, burgers, and pizzas, this vegan street food stand is so cheap, and the food is delicious.

La Cordobesita also has a sit-in restaurant in the trendy La Veleta neighbourhood, one of the best places to stay in Tulum. It’s a small, casual eatery serving traditional Mexican and Oaxacan-inspired dishes, with several vegetarian-friendly options. It’s known for its hearty breakfasts, including enfrijoladas, chilaquiles, and strong coffee.

15. Palma Central

Palma Central is a real hidden gem in Tulum – it’s a food truck and street food plaza in Downtown Tulum, loved for its casual, communal vibe and wide variety of affordable eats. The space is a covered, open-air courtyard with picnic tables, string lights, and a lively mix of locals and travellers.

Multiple vendors serve everything from tacos and tortas to vegan bowls, ceviche, and fresh juices, so there’s something for everyone in a single stop. Popular dishes include al pastor tacos, vegetarian tacos, and hand-pressed quesadillas, all made to order on hot griddles. Grab a dish, find a table, and enjoy a game of Jenga over a drink.

Where to buy groceries in Tulum

If you’re planning to cook for yourself in Tulum, there are plenty of grocery options. Downtown has several supermarkets like Chedraui and Mega, where you can find everything from fresh produce and dairy to packaged goods and snacks, though prices are often higher than in smaller towns.

For a more local experience, mercados (markets) like Mercado Municipal are a great spot to pick up fresh fruits, vegetables, eggs, tortillas, and local cheeses, all at more reasonable prices. Health-conscious travellers will appreciate the growing number of organic and health food stores, stocked with vegan, gluten-free, and speciality items, though expect a premium for imported products. Go to Farmers Market, Gypsea Market, Amazonia Healthy Food & Coffee, and Co.ConAmor.

Food delivery in Tulum

Food delivery in Tulum is convenient but can be hit or miss depending on where you’re staying. Downtown and parts of the Hotel Zone have decent coverage from Tomato.mx, while Uber Eats is growing in scale. Many local restaurants also take direct orders by WhatsApp or phone, which can sometimes be faster and cheaper than using an app. Expect small delivery fees and a tip for the driver, typically around 10-15%, as cash is still preferred in many cases.

Tulum Vegan Restaurants FAQs

To help you decide where to eat in Tulum, we’ve answered these frequently asked questions.

Where to eat in Tulum, Mexico?

Downtown (Tulum Pueblo) has more casual spots and street food, while the Hotel Zone focuses on upscale cafés and resorts. You can find everything from fresh tacos and seafood to creative vegan bowls and raw desserts. Even casual spots often have vibrant, Instagram-worthy interiors or open-air jungle vibes. Notable spots include Matcha Mama for breakfast bowls and smoothies, Laylo Vegan Lounge in Downtown for full vegan menus, and Co.Con Amor for creative, sustainable dishes. Street food like Marquesita stands or taco spots like El Bajón Vegan Tacos are perfect for quick, budget-friendly bites.

What are the best vegan restaurants in Tulum?

Tulum is a plant-based paradise. Laylo Vegan Lounge in Downtown serves hearty, full vegan meals with creative twists, while La Hoja Verde focuses on fresh, locally sourced ingredients, offering bowls, tamales, and vegan versions of classic Mexican dishes. Co.Con Amor combines sustainability with flavourful options, while Raw Love and Botanica Garden Café provide raw and wellness-focused menus. Casual spots like El Bajón Vegan Tacos, La Vegan Taquería, and Burrito Amor are excellent for quick, satisfying meals. For a sweet treat, Marquesita stands and Del Cielo offer desserts and coffee in Instagram-worthy settings.

Where has the best Mexican food in Tulum?

For traditional Mexican flavours, Downtown is where you want to be. Suculenta Tamaleria offers inventive tamales, El Bajón Vegan Tacos and La Vegan Taquería are perfect for tacos, and Burrito Amor is the place for breakfast burritos. La Hoja Verde reinterprets classic dishes with a plant-based twist, too. While La Cordobesita street and Perro No Come Perro food stands are perfect for authentic snacks on the go.

Where can I get the best tacos in Tulum?

Taco lovers, plant-based or not, are spoiled in Tulum. El Bajón Vegan Tacos and La Vegan Taquería are Downtown staples for vegan tacos, while Burrito Amor offers hearty, creative burrito-style tacos, and Suculenta also offers tacos on the menu. For something slightly cheaper, Downtown street vendors La Cordobesita street and Perro No Come Perro provide fresh, flavourful tacos at very reasonable prices. Vegan fillings like jackfruit, mushrooms, and plant-based cheeses are the stars at these dedicated vegan spots.

What are the most beautiful restaurants in Tulum?

Tulum restaurants are as much about the vibe as the food. Raw Love, Botanica Garden Café, and Co.Con Amor feature open-air garden seating with jungle-inspired décor. Downtown spots like Laylo Vegan Lounge and Onyx balance casual interiors with bright, inviting décor. And Matcha Mama is, of course, famous for Instagram-worthy swings and signs.

Is there one vegan restaurant in Tulum to avoid?

We enjoyed all of the restaurants that we visited, but we would advise that visitors avoid the Matcha Mama in the Hotel Zone. We love the smoothies and bowls available at Matcha Mama; however, the café in the Hotel Zone is ALWAYS packed with people queuing up for their smoothies and taking photos. We recommend the Matcha Mama in Downtown Tulum as it’s much less busy. This café is more relaxed and makes for a great spot to get some work done, too.

Is it easy to be vegan in Tulum?

When dining out, you are quite literally spoilt for choice! If you are not going to eat out the whole time, then you still have a variety of vegan grocery store options. Fresh fruits, vegetables, lentils, pulses and beans are widely sold throughout Tulum at local markets too. Chedraui supermarket, in particular, offers a wide range of plant-based substitutes.

Can you get food delivery in Tulum?

Yes! Not only do many of the finest restaurants in town offer delivery themselves, but there is also an official delivery service for Tulum – Tomato.mx. You can order from their website or through the app, which is available on both Apple and Android devices.

Is eating out in Tulum expensive?

Prices vary depending on the area and style of restaurant, but Tulum is typically more expensive than other Mexican towns. Street food and Downtown cafés like Marquesita stands, El Bajón Vegan Tacos, and Burrito Amor are very affordable. Mid-range spots like La Hoja Verde, Co.Con Amor, and Laylo Vegan Lounge are more expensive but still reasonable, while high-end beachfront cafés in the Hotel Zone can get pricey. Vegan and plant-based dishes sometimes cost more due to organic ingredients, but the quality is usually worth it. Always pay in pesos for a better rate, and tipping 10-15% is customary.

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