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Recommended Reviews - ARCA
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Wow wow amazing foodie experience here. Can't recommend enough if you want a unique, superbly tasty experience highlighting ingredients of the region. We had a great server, Jonathan, who gave great recommendations. Each dish was presented with a detailed explanation which was appreciated. Everything was super high quality, unique and delicious.
Made dinner reservations here for a Sunday night and the place was packed. The restaurant/bar was outdoor, with an open kitchen and had candle lit tables. It was very intimate and perfect for couples but can definitely accommodate a large party. The cocktail I ordered was the Naked in Tulum which was mezcal based and tasted good, so much so that I ordered another one. The food we ordered included: the bone marrow, scallop crudo, Mayan octopus, suckling pig, and grilled sourdough. All were good. However the stand out for me was the Mayan octopus (highly recommend). For dessert we ordered the Marquesita which was not too sweet and a great finish to our meal. I can see why this place was on the Michelin guide. But be prepared to pay a pretty penny for your meal. Shout out to our server Melissa for being attentive, friendly, and giving us recs.
The Striped Seabass with green mole and jicama salad is worth the trip. Order 2. You won't want to share. Other highlights include the prawns, wagyu, and bone marrow. Do not skip desert. The ingredients and preparation are outstanding. Believe it or not, the inventive cocktail menu makes the already superlative menu even better. Don't overlook some adventure in a glass. With the tulum vibes in the dining room, open kitchen, and great service ARCA is a must visit.
I don't know what I could possibly say about Arca that would do it justice - this is a food experience that I genuinely will remember forever. Despite staying at an all-inclusive in Tulum, once we all heard that there were so many Michelin restaurants in Tulum, we knew we had to leave the resort and experience some incredible cuisine in Tulum. Arca doesn't just feed you, it gives you a cultural experience in addition to the absolutely incredible food and drinks that are unlike anything I've experienced - and for a price that you couldn't touch anywhere else given the quality, ambiance, and experience. Stepping into Arca is like stepping into a jungle experience with its outdoor seating, wood fired ovens, with beautiful greenery around you, and candles everywhere to light the area and also keep the vibe special and natural. It's also spacious - no tables on top of each other so you just feel like you can breathe and take your time. The DRINKS! A great mix of classics and ones that brought in a really unique cultural vibe - for example, my friends ordered dirty martinis, while I opted for the Mestizo Margarita - which used sour orange which is native to Tulum and recado negro syrup to give it the black coloring. DELICIOUS! Everything was fully explained to us when it was brought out, which really added a special touch to the experience. The FOOD. Oh my god, my mouth is watering as I write this review. The food at Arca is my favorite vibe - tapas to share, so plays nicely into my typical "Do you guys just want to get a bunch of apps?" vibe. We threw everything in at once, but it was all spaced out and basically arrived 2 at a time. We had the sourdough bread that was hot and so fresh, served with a coconut butter that lives in my dreams which arrived with the bluefin tuna crudo, served in an aguachile and with a vegetarian take on a chicharron. All dishes come out with explanations of how they should be eaten as well as the culture/history behind them as well. From there, we got my personal favorite, the whole squash, which was literally a roasted squash prepared so many ways and included squash blossoms and this AMAZING sauce. That came out at the same time as the grilled broccolini that was basically a deconstructed Caesar salad with some really unique, delicious twists to elevate it. Lastly, we had the crab esquites which was a massive portion served with corn, tomato, and in this delicious broth (it was also served in a massive shell) and the Mayan octopus that sat on lentil puree with radishes. Everything was AMAZING and it was the perfect amount of food for us. Again, the service was just top-notch, next level with every dish presented and described - you could feel the pride everyone had in being a part of the dining experience at Arca and it was truly special being a part of it. As a last surprise and delight, they brought out a cake and candle since my best friend and I were in Tulum to celebrate our collective birthdays. It was SO good and came with a goat cheese ice cream that I will also probably crave forever. This is truly a must for those who want a cultural experience in a gorgeous environment with people who are truly the best of the best at what they do. This is a dining experience I still think about and cannot wait to return to for the next time I'm in Tulum!
Pros: The food is actually as good as they say online, and their beverages excel in quality compared to everything on the main Tulum street. Good vegetarian and pescatarian options. My partner has a huge aversion to mushrooms and he inhaled the mushroom ttlayuda. The ambience is amazing, an introverts paradise if you're a fan of dim ambient mood lights. Cons: Expensive! Steep. They were out of most of the mixology options on the menu that we were there to try. While seafood plates were good, the octopus was overcooked and a bit chewy. Crab tacos tasted or were primary just batter, no meat.
We went for dinner a couple weeks ago when we were in Tulum. I'm still thinking about the amazing seabass and green mole! It's so unique - doesn't taste like any seabass I've had. And so delicious and flavorful. We also got the Dzikilpak spread. It was unique and flavorful and filling. The restaurant is trendy and outdoors - typical for Tulum. Service was as expected for Tulum.
Really nice spot. Excellent service. We did the chefs tasting with alcohol pairing. Everything was small bites but so delicious and you can order more if you want. The presentation for each dish was pretty and explained with background of all the ingredients. Each pairing went well with each course. Would def recommend a nice fine dining experience here.
Best food I've ever had. My first experience at a Michelin featured restaurant. The soft shell tacos were INCREDIBLE. The crab was perfectly tempura fried giving the taco a nice crunch. The tortilla is subbed out for a leaf, which I found worked perfectly with the tempura. Where a regular tortilla could have been too heavy, the leaf gives a nice freshness to the taco. All of the flavors worked well together. The saltiness of the sea urchin paired well with the sweetness of the scallops. The bass was cooked to crisp perfection and I could drink the green mole sauce. The sauce was slightly smoky which worked well with the light and bright jicama salad. The salad also cut some of the richness from the sauce and the fish. The mushroom tlayuda was perfectly crisp with smoky, meaty mushrooms and fresh greens. The prawns were soft and juicy and I could drink that sauce as well. The atmosphere was laid back and sophisticated. Great music, not too loud. Definitely very pricy but worth it for the experience.
Hands-down my favorite dining experience in Tulum. We had a 5:30 PM reservation and were seated immediately. As a family of five, it was comforting to see other families dining there as well, since some restaurants tend to lean on the clubby side. But Arca is not that, you can tell they that their focus is in the quality of their dishes. First off, I must give major props to the spots amazing taste in music, from disco to Feist, I couldn't stop singing when I wasn't sipping from the delicious cocktails. The restaurant is moody and chic, tucked under gorgeous palm trees. All of the food is shareable, and it's more fun that way so that you can taste a bunch of things. We ordered about five dishes, excluding the kids, delicious crispy chicken and potatoes. EVERYTHING WAS 10 OUT OF 10!! We live in Los Angeles and dine out frequently, a lot of restaurants are trying to pull off the Tulum thing..and while they are absolutely delicious and elevated, Arca is top tier. Highly recommend visiting.
We went there when vacationing in Tulum. It was a perfect dinner for the occasion. We all loved our drinks, perfectly balanced, not too strong or too sweet. The food was served in smaller portions so we probably ordered 8 items for 5 people. Everything was very delicious. The ambience was amazing. We sat by the open kitchen and it was so much fun to see their actions. They are definitely in the top 50 as awarded.
ARCA was such a brilliant culinary experience we came back a second time! The whole atmosphere is designed to please- open air kitchen where the artist chefs create delish dishes. The soft shell crab tacos were amazing, the wagu was perfectly tender, the prawns flavor was to die for. Every waiter and waitress were kind and enthusiastic. Not many places that boast these kinds of prices can live up to it but ARCA surpassed expectation!
5 years ago
7 years ago
ARCA was our favorite meal in Tulum. The restaurant is outside (as most of the restaurant in the area) and very chic. We started at the bar, and had the best drink of all time, the ARCA Colada (MUST TRY). The bartender was very friendly and entertaining. We were seated after a short wait and ordered three dishes to share (between 2 ppl). We ordered the soft shell crab tacos, they were very different and unique, but good. Then we had grilled octopus which was awesome. And lastly, as had the sweet potato empanadas, which were also very unique and good. Our server was very kind and explained the whole menu in English. He also gave us a complimentary dessert with mango and these ice cream like balls, it was so good! Some tips: wear bug spray, it's very hot, cash only, order dishes to share because everything is so interesting and you'll want to try it all! read more
5 years ago
7 years ago
Arca was recommended by a friend of mine and an acquaintance of the owners. We had a group of 6 looking for a great last night meal in Tulum and this...was it. First and foremost, the ambiance is stunning from the moment you walk in to the kitchen to the back bar. We arrived around 815 and were seated right away despite not having a reservation. Drink menu was first and pleasantly unique. Food menu was beyond. Other reviewers mentioned the chef being Michelin Star status and I couldn't agree more. The kitchen staff responds to chef's order call out and it adds to the high quality vibe you expect. I shared the sweet potato empanadas (just order them, don't think about it), the grilled avocado, soft shell crab tacos and lobster. The rest of the table had a mix of the rest of the menu and not a single thing disappointed. Price is next level so just know that going in. It's reasonable if you expect a quality dinner with a restaurant and staff that treats you like it. Save a few more pesos by eating $2 tacos in town and make it happen. My bill for 2 people was about 1500 pesos with tip. Bring the bug spray, but truly make a visit here, you won't be disappointed. read more
4 years ago
an absolute must if you are in tulum! we planned this dinner for our last night and although pricey, it was super worth it! the food and ambience was amazing, and i loved that the waiter talked through every dish they served- it tied the whole dinner experience together. we got the soft shell crab tacos and scallop crudo for starters and both were to die for. the soft shell crab was paired with a leaf 'taco' that was the perfect match between crunchy and refreshing, and the scallop crudo was tangy and fresh. for our main courses, we got the octopus al pastor and the roasted bone marrow. i wasn't a huge fan of the sauce that came with the octopus just because it was a bit smoky for my liking, but my boyfriend absolutely loved every bit of it. the bone marrow, however, was the showstopper. It was so soft and buttery and paired with the bread and butter - it was absolutely amazing! I highly recommend this dish for your dinner here. Lastly, we had two different cheesecakes for dessert (which i believe we're season flavors). They were both light and sweet! overall, a must go to if you are in the area! read more
Space is Smokey and surreal at night. Service is impeccable. Dish presentation is art work you simply have a moment of dilemma of whether or not to destroy or devour and so you inevitably take out your smartphone and attempt to freeze it in time before you take your first bite and just like that the next masterpiece arrives. It's like that here at ARCA. This is the way they roll. They are exceptional at what they do and everyone knows this. If you can snag a spot here on a late evening for dinner, consider yourself lucky. You are in for a real experience. This will complete your Tulum dream. read more
3 years ago
3 years ago
Beautiful restaurant. Beautiful presentations. They request you order all your dishes at one time. Specialty cocktails are a must try. Plates are small and meant for sharing so order a few of each and then reorder more of your favorite. We were definitely hungry after our dinner. Octopus was very good. Shrimp was amazing! read more
Nice! Great atmosphere, service, and food, esp for the price! Orders almost everything on the food menu. Everything is slightly over salted but not unbearable. I liked the sea urchin (uni) ceviche because it was just so different than anything I've ever had. It's served in a fresh orange which makes the presentation really pretty but also the citrus really makes the dish pop. I ordered two of the bone marrow bc it was my favorite dish of the night. Spread it on the warm bread they give you and sprinkle the salt on top for a spectacular bite. The soft shell tacos were unique and tasty too!! Skip the red pepper tartare and the crunchy avocado. They were very underwhelming. read more
7 years ago
Booked a table 2 months in advance for a special occasion. The staff was super friendly and the service was great. The lobster empanadas, soft shell crab cakes, and the jumbo shrimp were very flavorful. We loved the empanadas so much that we ordered them again! The drinks were good, but nothing great. Keep in mind that they don't accept AmEx. read more
3 years ago
I LOVED my meal as well as my bar experience at ARCA. I think it is my new favorite dinner spot in Tulum. The restaurant is beautiful and has that amazing jungle Tulum vibe that we all love. We walked in on a Saturday night and had to wait about 30 minutes which we happily did at the bar while the amazing bartender created some delicious and beautiful mezcal cocktails for us to try. The meal and service itself was equally great and we tried a variety of dishes which were all superb. The stand outs were the soft shell "tacos"- wrapped in a leaf that is native to the area which were delicious. I also adored the prawns and pulpo. The waiter from Argentina (forgot his name) was also very attentive, friendly and offered great recs. A must try dinner spot while in Tulum. read more
4 years ago
Best meal we had all week, and great cocktails to boot! For comparison, in the same week we also visited Hartwood (recommend), Kin Toh (recommend) and Rosa Negra (don't recommend) for dinner. This place is a "must-go" when you're in Tulum. It's unassuming al fresco dining that is still highly sophisticated and elevated enough to be a destination for the most celebratory of occasions. The open-air kitchen is a wonder to behold - the team works in such harmony that it's almost like dinner and a show, and the dishes come out remarkably fast. Speaking of the food, it's damn good. There were two of us dining, one vegetarian who loves bread, and one gluten-free carnivore. The menu suited us both, they do a superb job with everything! We had the fresh sourdough bread, the pumpkin seed dip, the roasted squash, lobster crudo and seabass - all excellent, we barely left a crumb on the plate. We thought we were too full for dessert but our server convinced us to share the avocado gelato and we are SO glad we did. The presentation alone was enough reason to order it, but it was also so so so creamy and light! It was the perfect way to top off our meal. The cocktails were all super well-balanced and delightful. I can't recall the name of it now, but I especially recommend the one with the clarified whiskey and the xtabentún. Absolutely delicious. read more
6 years ago
The food, the ambiance and the overall experience at Arca, is incredible. This is a late review. I visited in 2018, but I have just found the time to write a review due to Covid lockdown. This place is a must visit while in Tulum. The bone marrow is to die for, and the soft crab tacos are incredible. One of the top 5 meals I've had in my life. A must try! read more
3 years ago
7 years ago
Arca is awesome. I've been to Tulum multiple times and eaten at many of the high end restaurants in town. Arca was my favorite, one of the best meals I've had in the past year. The hostess told us there was a 30 minute wait for the front restaurant, but we could eat in the back bar. We chose to sit in the "back bar" it was also extremely picturesque. The bartender was incredibly friendly. We had the avocado, bread, prawns and the seabass. Every item was excellent. The bill was just around 100 USD for the four plates with three drinks between us. I will return to Arca on this trip and most likely on future trips to Tulum. Sorry my photos aren't better. I decided to write a review after I left. read more
7 years ago
7 years ago
CASH ONLY About US $75 per person, including one cocktail, dessert, mineral water and 15% tip. read more
5 years ago
By far the best meal we had in Tulum and quite possibly one of our top meals ever. Everything was incredible, especially the soft shell crab tacos which we ordered seconds of because they were THAT amazing. I really can not rate this restaurant enough stars! read more
This was by far my favorite established in tulum (in this price range). Can't really compare this to the taco stands, those are good in their own way too. But in the realm of Hartwood or rosa negra, i don't even think it's close honestly. Hartwood is very good but I didn't see much in terms of fine dining outside of their excellent cocktails. All are still patio restaurants, one with nature surrounding themes, but arca was the most serene. A great date spot for sure. Food, nothing I can say more that hasn't already been said but they definitely tell a story. From using a whole vegetable in 7 different ways (noma background?) to a dish resembling the Mexican flag, there's plenty to pay attention to and I highly recommend it to everyone and anyone in Tulum. It's one of the few restaurants I truly look forward to coming back to! read more
3 years ago
The food was great! Each dish was visually appealing. The ingredients were fresh. We also enjoyed the service as well. read more
2 years ago
Hands down best food I've had EVER, ANYWHERE. Everytime a dish was placed in front of us, we oooohed and ahhhhed at the art on the plate. It looked too good to eat, but tasted too good to just look. We started with the citrus free ceviche served with a homemade cracker that looked like a reef sea creature. Every bite was heaven. I had the chicken mole and my dining partner had the catch of the day. Every taste was fresh and amazing. Cocktails were also delicious. We didn't have reservations but managed to get a walk in table. This was definately the most pricey place we went in Tulum (and not much is cheap there) but the price was comparable to the best restaurants back home. I usually don't put prices in my reviews because they change over time, but to give an idea, 2 cocktails, 2 entrees, and an appetizer was about $95 USD in May 2018. Worth every penny. read more
Came here for a cocktail and was definitely impressed. Just 15 minutes after sitting at the bar the whole restaurant filled up. I had the bartender make a mezcal cocktail which was amazing and never had anywhere else! Staff was great and definitely want to come back and try more of the menu! read more
2 years ago
11 years ago
Food I give one star. Cocktails we would say 4 (Chechen was great while El Solar was meh...). Go here for cocktails and a pretty ambiance. Very pretty at night with candles and the music selection is good as well. Be sure to slather on lots of mosquito repellant. The octopus was bland and sat in a bath water warm broth with some white beans and four shreds of a kale leaf. I asked for extra jalapeño (the garnish) to add some flavor to the meal and could only stomach three bites. Bleh! We literally went over to a nearby pizza place to get a pie afterwards because we were hungry. Pizza in Mexico... read more
7 years ago
My girlfriend and I visited Tulum and was told that Arca is a must for dinner. The drinks were amazing and really got excited for dinner. Every course was spectacular! I can't wait to visit Tulum again and have this experience again! read more
3 years ago
3 years ago
More like a 4.5. Really good all around. Dishes were small sharing plates basically very nice presentation. Drinks were good too. Me and my girl got 6 plates and it was plenty. Also their version of a Cesar salad was surprising but absolutely delicious and worth a try. read more
3 years ago
6 years ago
This restaurant is absolutely mindblowingly good. The soft shell crab, scallop, lobster dishes are all game changers. 10/10 for food and service read more
6 years ago
After I heard so much about this place, clearly I was excited. To be very honest nothing special. Not enough choices on the menu, very small portions, over priced & service was below average. The waiter had a bad attitude and was very slow. Honestly and sadly I would not recommend this place. read more
We were recommended to this spot by a friend. We didn't make reservations ahead of time (which is not recommended...make the reservation!) but managed to get a table at the back bar around 7:15. We actually preferred the back bar because it was quieter and more "cozy". We ordered the crab tacos, Cesar beans (which ended up being broccolini), sea bass, and suckling pig. We finished with both desserts- a cheesecake and an avocado mousse affagato. I cannot say enough good things about the food and drinks. Absolutely incredible and probably the best food we had all trip (we spent time in Playa del Carmen and Coba before this). Oddly enough the crab tacos were our least favorite- although everyone else seems to rave about them! Our server started out incredible, but clearly became oversat later on in the evening because we waited over 45 minutes for our check after asking twice. I subtracted one star for that, but other than that it was an incredible experience. Highly recommend! read more
5 stars! I would make the argument that we had our best meal at Arca while in Tulum. Get the bone marrow, if there's one thing you do, do this! The marrow was some of the most flavorful I have ever tasted. Phenomenal ambiance with kick ass drinks and entrees. Definitely on the top of my list for tulum! read more
More info about ARCA
Carretera Tulum-Boca Paila Km 7.6
77780 Tulum, Quintana Roo
Mexico
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http://www.arcatulum.com
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