Gotta be honest, I saw the 5 star reviews and had to try. I didn't realize there was such few reviews, my bad. They were out of the filet so we were talked into the tomahawk over the ribeye. We requested med and it came out very rare. We had hem put it back in to cook longer and it was still super rare. We weren't even able to finish it. The sweet potato was covered in granola but felt more of like raw oats. Mashed potatoes were decent but honestly felt like they came from a box. I hate to write this I just needed to share bc the 5 stars felt over deserved. Vibe was there and this was the nicest restrooms I have seen all week. However the water for the sinks wasn't working initially. The spicy sauce they served was the best part. Drinks were also decent but small and when we reordered it was missing things the initial drink had. Just overall not impressed for the price. Ok just got home. Everyone is puking so I just changed the rating to one star. There is no way this restaurant has 5 star ratings, must be fake read more

BAL NAK' - Ordered medium cooked steak, sent it back and this is what was served. - Mexican Near Me - Tulum, ROO

Service was outstanding , drinks were super tasty and the food was exceptional. Love how the mixologist was super passionate and Crafty with all the cocktails he made us! I was pretty amazed and was impressed with his expertise and execution of the drinks. Definitely added another element to our dinner. The Mexican elderberry was my Favorite drink 5/5 The food was super tasty. We had the chocolatas clam , grilled octopus , roasted piglet , and the guava churro for dessert. All the dishes were excellent and the service there was exceptional! read more

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Strongly recommend Bal Nak. Small, great ambiance and service, and the deconstructed tacos were a work of art. read more

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I have to say that this place was amazing. Great vibes, great food and even better service. Lauro, was our server and his service was on point. He greeted us and sat us at our table. He was very cordial and asked us if we wanted mosquito repellent lotion. He made great recommendations and provided the best service. The food was great as we had the grilled octopus, which was nicely grilled and wasn't chewy but soft. Catch of the day, which I can't remember off the top of my head was amazing. The dessert was also delicious as well as the drink. I'm writing this a week after I got back from Tulum but I do have to say that this place was a highlight. read more

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My daughter and I have our New Years Eve Dinner here. This is a most amazing restaurant . From being greeted by Daniella and seated . To being served in a way that I never experienced before . We ordered drinks and our server gave us the breakdown on what was in them, where they came from. Even the food is Mayan Inspired. We were told the history of the dish we ordered. Everything when pressed was explained. It was truly amazing. Now for the taste , absolutely delicious. Every bite , every spice was bursting with delicious flavor. This is truly an experience in dining. When in Tulum make Bal Nak one of your dining restaurants. You will be glad you did. read more

BAL NAK' - Cheers to all you Yelpers ! Tell them Pippi recommend you. - Mexican Near Me - Tulum, ROO

Overall the food was good and the ambiance was intimate, but for myself it was a little too dark and there were tons of bugs (yes, I know its the jungle). The food took a little bit to come out, but the short ribs were delicious. The piglet's veggies seemed kind of like an after thought and were not really paired well with the entree. The drinks were delicious and the waitress was super friendly. Plus the artwork was neat. read more

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Not sure why this spot didn't receive the same foot traffic as its neighboring restaurants! The first night on the strip, i felt a kinship to the spot and on the second night we decided to give it a try. The ambiance is exotic jungle with the nice scents of copal/citronella used to ward of the insects. Since we had already eaten, we opted for dessert, drinks and hookah. The hookah was so fresh! Ice tea with mint. The drink menu was peppered with 2 for 1 specials. I got this cool drink that resembled the sun setting. The dessert was small but the flavors paired so nicely with the roasted sweet potato. The food in tulum definitely trumps Cancun. I would recommend this location and i am coming back to try a meal. read more

BAL NAK' - Dessert with sweet potatoe - Mexican Near Me - Tulum, ROO

Food was amazing and the staff was also the best. I really appreciate all the special Attention I got. Loved the Kobe steak presentation. I recommend this restaurant. read more

BAL NAK' - Rolls and classic margarita - Mexican Near Me - Tulum, ROO

I can't. Even. Begin. Service: 11/10 Ambiance: 11/10 Location: 10/10 Food: 25/10 Let me break it down from there. Allow me to set the stage: Friday night mid-COVID and Hartwood had a wait, but Bal Nak had been on my list for bday dinner from day 1. I'm so glad I skipped Hartwood and headed literally 2 minutes down to Bal Nak. Now let's get into the ambiance/location: jungly AF (typical of Tulum), cozy (but not in the NYC apartment kind of way), inoffensive lighting, chill music and lanterns to get rid of the mosquitos. It's right in the heart of Beachy Tulum and almost next door to Hartwood. It can be hard to see as the restaurant itself is quite narrow, but the sign is easy to spot. The service: Personal attention is the understatement of the century. Even in COVID, they were patient and explained each of the dishes in full as they came out to me, going so far as to say where certain leaves were sourced (hint: literally everything here is sourced from Mexico and legit Mexican dishes). My food came out in a timely manner and in the order I requested. Now the best part: the food. Oh my GOD the food. I ordered a Mexican Elderberry cocktail (tequila + elderberry + lemon = the universe made this just for me) that was like a cup of foamy tequila-laden perfection. Originally I had only ordered the pulpo, but opted for the Tíradíto as well (it looked too good, and it was). The Tíradíto had sliced Star fruit mixed in with fresh sliced raw fish in a balsamic and citrus vinaigrette. It was light and I literally felt the Ratatouille-esque lightning-y explosions in my mouth. I will dream about that dish for years to come. Then it was onto the main course: the pulpo. Anyone who knows octopus knows it is VERY easy to over or undercook. Bad octopus is worse than improperly cooked shrimp. It's garbage. Fortunately that was not the case here. The complete opposite, in fact. I did not know octopus could be cooked this perfectly. Crisp on the outside and buttery AF on the inside. The potatoes, onions and various sauces complimented it perfectly without being in any way overpowering. I had planned on eating elsewhere tomorrow night but uh... that's not happening. I'm never one to return to the same restaurant on a vacation, but why mess with a good thing? read more

BAL NAK' - Tíradíto - Mexican Near Me - Tulum, ROO

Very nice experience at this place! The cocktail and food was delicious. The service was also friendly and obliging. I had hibiscus mezcalita and octopus with a salad. Everything tasted great! Highly recommend! read more

BAL NAK' - Octopus was yammy :) highly recommend! It is not big portion but for me it was perfect size. - Mexican Near Me - Tulum, ROO

This is absolutely out favorite restaurant in Tulum. We dinner here our first night, Christmas, our last night, and sometimes once more. Interesting menu with many Maya flavors that never disappoint. The presentation is always magnificent and the service always excellent. The decor is elegantly simple and the music allows conversation without having to yell. They are also very accommodating to those with special dietary needs. read more

The cocktails were the best I've ever had in my life! The catch of the day was sea bass and it was a little dry for my taste but the corn was the star of the show. I expected more flavors from my entree. Four stars because the dessert, service, and atmosphere (jungle) were all phenomenal. read more

BAL NAK' - Jalapeño & green pepper cocktail and Beetroot cocktail - Mexican Near Me - Tulum, ROO

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The ambience, the food, the drinks, and the service were all superb! It was a perfect meal. I started with a jungle cocktail with jalapeño mezcal and it was great. Then I had the beet salad and I almost lost my MIND over it. It was perfection. Then I had the elderberry cocktail, delicious. Then the short rib--divine. And last the cornbread dessert--yummy! I realize I sound like a glutton but actually the portions were not huge and I ate most of it! 5 out of 5 WOULD GO BACK! read more

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Phenomenal experience, from start to finish! The food, the drinks, the service, and the ambiance were all on point. The duck and the cornbread dessert were some of the best things I've eaten in a while. Strongly recommend you check them out. read more

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Where do I even start... everything about this place is top notch. The design, the music, the service, the drinks, and most of all.... the FOOD. I've been to restaurants all over the world and this might be on the top 5 of my personal restaurant list. Defiantly worth a try when I'm Tulum. Drawn in by the design and ambiance, we stumbled upon it to have a drink before our reservation at another spot to have drinks. We were so pleased we decided to come back for dinner the next nite. I'm glad we did because every dish we had was not only a work or art but a true culinary masterpiece. MUST TRY! read more

So far one of our favorite restaurants in Tulum. Very unassuming relative to other popular spots but the food is fantastic. Would highly recommend the Octopus and loin steak. Will be coming back. Only downside is outdoor seating lends itself to bugs but this seems common across Tulum read more

We were very pleased with our meal. Got the fish of the day cevice, pork confit, grilled octopus, the shrimp, and the loin steak. Kids adored their shrimp and steak and octopus was so so tender... Cocktails were fantastic too! read more

I seldom make the effort to write a review while on vacation, but tonight I was inspired. This gem of a restaurant was the icing on the culinary cake for our last night in Tulum. Wish we had discovered it sooner. Bal Nak is laid back yet sophisticated. Hands down the best cocktails we had all week. Nothing overly foo foo just perfectly fused drinks where you can actually taste the alcohol. The chef has a wonderful way of incorporating ingredients and from many areas of Mexico, not just the local splendor of the Yucatán. Every 2O minutes one of wait staff paces through the restaurant and bar area with an iron pot contains smoking embers of resinated wood from the Copal tree resin that has traditionally been used to cleanse energy and keep away any unwelcome mosquitos. The fish was fresh and the sauces and side dishes absolutely unique and plentiful. They have a well rounded menu that is refreshingly diverse in terms of proteins choices compared to their overpriced competitors next door. Most impressive was the incredibly attentive and impeccable service. Leo, our server and Tōno the manager really went out of their way to make sure that we had a superb evening. It's not a crowd scene yet and the beautifully designed restaurant is set back from the street so don't be discouraged if the front bar isn't packed. They've only been open a short time and I'm sure their popularity will steadily grow. read more

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Service was amazing. Drinks amazing! Ambiance as well but the food just missed its mark. Four of us had a number of dishes from steak that seemed like it was made to be like ground beef then fried to fish that didnt have much flavor and super small. The Piglet I had wasnt much either on the flavor or portion scale. One appetizer, 4 entrees, 4 cocktails...a little over 200USD. We went for roadside tacos right after. read more

We had one of the most delicious and beautiful dinners of our lives at Bal Nak last night. The fact that it's a little hard to find, nestled amongst shops and other restaurants in the Zona Hotelera in Tulum, just made it's intimate, lush setting even more special and unique. The food was absolutely delicious. We shared the Pork Belly Confit and the Catch of the Day Tiradito and spent the whole meal telling each other how happy we were and how incredible the food was. We also had one of the best cocktails of our lives--the Mexican Elderberry. The staff were incredibly friendly and helpful, and they created a calming atmosphere by burning some lovely copal around the outskirts of the restaurant before we ate. I cannot recommend this restaurant enough. Thank you, Bal Nak, for an unforgettable evening! read more

BAL NAK' - The delicious Mexican Elderberry cocktail: tequila reposado, passion fruit, and lime! - Mexican Near Me - Tulum, ROO

Service was attentive, possibly a bit overdone. Ambiance was well executed. Food was solid though perhaps plating was overemphasized as we were instructed to "mix everything up" before eating a couple times. Overall, Bal Nak delivered a good "product" but not at the price. IMHO there was about a 50% tourist tax for the quality of what they delivered read more

We had our anniversary dinner here--absolutely wonderful! I had the octopus and it was very tasty. The service was impeccable as was the ambiance. We felt like we were the only ones in the restaurant/jungle. Drinks were great! Coconut explosion for dessert was very good. read more

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This place deserves a great review so I will try to write one. I am so so glad that we stumbled across this restaurant online while planning the trip because I'm a fomo eater and usually only check out places that I hear good things about. There was almost no one in here as it's a new restaurant and hasn't gotten as hyped up yet, though I was here outside of busy season (I think) in April. The cocktails were the best drinks we had all week. I'm spoiled with great cocktail bars in DC, and Bal Nak's drinks were spot on. I found most drinks in Tulum to be unbalanced; too fruity and/or lacking enough booze. Because we ordered 4 cocktails we got a free appetizer (the guac and pumpkin spread) which was a nice touch. Hats off to the chef, the food was exceptional. Dessert is rare for me, but DO NOT pass on the vanilla bean ice cream with dehydrated sweet potato. The only thing I would have swapped out was the catch of the day (I don't remember what fish it was). The fish tasted a little boring compared to everything else on the plate and everything else we ordered. Lastly, the service was probably the best we had received all week as well. Thanks so much. 5 stars. I dream of returning soon. read more

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One of my favorite restaurants/experiences of all time. The only thing better than the food was the outstanding service. The staff clearly cares so deeply about the experience they deliver. I was endlessly impressed by the freshness and preparation of every single item placed in front of us. I wish I could come here weekly. Do yourself a favor and make every effort to come here. read more

Do not sleep on Bal Nak! I put this on the list for my most recent trip to Tulum after reading the reviews and it did not disappoint! The restaurant is very unassuming and you would probably walk past it if you were just walking down the main strip on Tulum beach as there isn't much curb appeal and it's a bit tucked away. We got the pork belly confit which were like pork belly tacos. The pork belly was cooked perfectly. We also got the catch of the day tiradito which was out of this world! The apple vinaigrette and starfish gave it the perfect amount of citrus and the dish came in bite size pieces that exploded with flavor. For drinks we tried a few that all were extremely well done, but the favorite by far was the Mexican Elderberry. The only cons were that the mosquitos were pretty bad here, specifically more than other restaurants in the surrounding area, but they did come around with bug spray which was helpful. I also think they could work a bit on the ambiance. Compared to other places with that caliber of food, the decor/bar set up was very basic/minimalist. read more

Fine dining in the jungle!! This was an amazing culinary experience at an outstanding value. If you are a foodie, you will love this restaurant. The service was top notch rivaled only by the cocktails and food. I had the Mexican Elderberry cocktail that was beautifully created with a perfect flavor balance. The chocolato clams were out of this world and the grilled octopus was absolutely delicious...so tender and flavorful! My husband had the chicken which was also quite delicious. I was shocked that the restaurant wasn't full. It is obviously the best kept secret in Tulum. This is a must try- you will not be disappointed. I'm so thankful that we chose this as our last meal in Tulum. We definitely ended on a high note! read more

BAL NAK' - Mexican Elderberry - Mexican Near Me - Tulum, ROO

The atmosphere was lovely, quiet and quaint with live plants and nice music. Although the restaurant looked empty it was not. The main didn't room is off of the street out of view. Drinks were fun (bourbon drink lit on fire), food tasty and reasonably priced. My husband's roasted piglet was small but the salad we shared was ample and so fresh with romaine and toasted pumpkins seeds. The downside was the incense they burned too often and too much - to the point you had to cough; although it did provide us with a great photo opp "in the smoke" as we posed. Very friendly staff. read more

Really wanted to like this restaurant: the staff so attentive, no loud music, lovely setting, and the dishes so beautiful. But sadly the food doesn't hold up - a dish shouldn't look better than it tastes. I ordered the tiradito and duck. Tiradito was actually a ceviche, it was ok but nothing special, flavor was lacking. My duck was really over cooked, too dry to eat. For a restaurant trying to compete with Hartwood and Arca, and priced similarly, they really need to fix the actual product. Hope this restaurant gets it together, they have everything else going for them. read more

The food and service are excellent. This is very special Yucatán cuisine with a wonderful explanation of the spices and flavors and a brief history of each dish. The atmosphere is relaxing sit in the garden in the back is is beautiful. A truly enjoyable experience read more

After eating there tonight I can understand why they have 5-stars. The food is exceptional, a creative use of classic Yucatan foods and flavors. The service is excellent, the atmosphere is lush but chill. Probably my favorite meal on this trip. read more

Great relaxing atmosphere friendly staff. My server Alan was very personable and seemed very invested in the restaurant and the experience the guest has. Enjoyed my dinner and would definitely go back. read more

The most incredible restaurant / bar in all of Tulum. This place is brand new and has not gotten the recognition yet but wow... drinks are a work of art, food is out of this planet delicious and staff is very professional. The design of the restaurant is exotic, clean, contemporary! I cant get enough! Came here two nights in a row! Also music choice is excellent read more

Fantastic service and a beautiful setting. Unfortunately the food felt under seasoned. Pretty pricey as well as 2 entrees and 4 drinks was well over $100 usd. read more

Bal Nak in Mayan means gluttony but Bal Nak is sinfully delicious. It's an elevated and contemporary take on Mexican food using fresh local ingredients. The chef is a food genius. The service is superb. Bal Nak is on the level of the finest NYC or LA restaurants. Bal Nak is a must while in Tulum. @balnaktulum gracias por una cena inolvidable! Les deseo lo mejor! read more

First - I never write Yelp reviews, but for this place, I had to. This restaurant was one of the best places I have ever been! I have eaten out a lot in my life and I was totally blown away - from start to finish the food was fresh and incredible, with interesting flavors mixed in amazing combinations. The suckling pig was one of the most delicious things I have ever eaten. The service was impeccable and the drinks were to die for. I rarely get dessert and I told my husband we had to get it because you know it will be fantastic, and it was beyond expectation. Seriously, just stop looking at Yelp and go eat here - you will not regret it. read more

I ate my way through Tulum and Bal Nak was hands down the best food I had the entire time. The service was stellar and attentive (and more than willing to deal with my plethora of food allergies). I was still able to eat almost everything on the menu. We had the jungle salad, pork belly confit, grilled octopus, duck breast, and the grilled loin steak - each made to perfection. A gem of a restaurant tucked away by the tulum classics such as Hartwood/Arca. Supposedly not many people know about it and that's a true shame ! read more

Sext and beautiful spot! Great selection of spirits. Friendly staff. Fun menu. Music is on point. Guess it's new so people haven't started coming here and it sits empty. Come check it out! read more

Easily the best meal we had in Tulum! We ate at a lot of the recommended restaurants and this one blew them out of the water. Service was excellent and the food was incredible. Highly recommend the broccoli, duck, chicken, and desserts! Such a great way to end this trip. Bal Nak means gluttony in Mayan, perfectly sums up our desire to order the whole menu after trying a couple dishes. Go here, you won't regret it. read more

BAL NAK' - Coconut and sweet potato desserts! Yum! - Mexican Near Me - Tulum, ROO

This place was beautiful and had an exotic ambiance- it felt like we were dining in the jungle. The service was fantastic. The manager or maybe the owner was there and explained all the dishes to us as well as the Origin of the restaurant. He was a very nice gentleman and extremely attentive in the best way possible. We were initially brought in by a sign that had 2x1 cocktails but little did we know it would be such a treat. The cocktails were some of the best we've had and the presentation was next level. We already had dinner before we got there but with how good the drinks were we decided to try the Tuna Tiraditos which was amazing. So flavorful and fresh. Flavors that we did not expect to go together went together perfectly to make something we've never had before. Will definitely be back before we leave next week. read more

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Food was so delicious and unique, flavorful food and such nice ambiance. Drinks were so good! Staff was attentive and friendly. read more

BAL NAK' - Octopus yummmyyy - Mexican Near Me - Tulum, ROO