The experience at this restaurant started out great. The waiter was initially friendly and accommodating. The food was excellent as well. However, my friend ordered the lobster, which was listed as "market price" on the menu, but she wasn't informed of the price ahead of time by the waiter. When the bill came, the lobster was listed as $150. We are from NY and at the nicest restaurants in NY you wouldn't be expected to pay that much for lobster plus you'd be told the market price ahead of time. When she brought it up to the waiter, he was not empathetic and said it is what it is essentially so we paid and left. There was no effort to rectify the situation or apologize for the oversight. Overall, nice atmosphere and food, but service turned out subpar and borderline rude. read more

Loved the staff there, and the food and drinks were off the charts as well. Their cocktails were amazing. They had one with muddled pepper and pineapple that had the option of mescal or tequila. I went for the mescal version and it was fantastic. The duck tacos were addicting. They get their masa from a famous taco truck (am not allowed to say which one) and it is that earthy, gritty tortilla you can only dream of in the united states. Have fun....you will love it. TIP If one or two people, sit at the bar and chat with the bar tenders. Really nice guys. read more

Never been to tulum before but we were told this place is a must and it didn't disappoint. The food and drinks are good but be aware they don't serve cola and the kids menu is quite sparse. Staff are hard working and adequate, the music is very cool. read more

If you're looking up restaurants in Tulum, congrats. That means you are already in paradise or soon will be. And let me tell you, out of all the great foodie places on the stretch of Tulum beach, I think Cenzontle was by far the best and was one of the better restaurants I've been to in awhile regardless of location. While I was in Tulum for a week, my wife and I went to Cenzontle three times. The first night we just stumbled upon it and liked the look of the menu so we went for it. I had the Rabbit Birria and even though I was hesitant to get a hot & spicy rabbit stew in 80F weather I'm so glad I did because it was incredibly delicious! The flavors were layered, exciting, and fantastically tasty. My wife had the Snapper catch of the day, which was topped with sage & capers and served with a side of quinoa and asparagus. I recommend both dishes and I absolutely fell in love with snapper while in Tulum. One of the most surprising elements of Cenzontle were the cocktails. Coming from Chicago I can attest that the bartenders at Cenzontle were true mixologists. These were the best cocktails at Tulum Beach and compete with some of the best craft cocktails I've had in Chicago and other North American cities. The Garbo, Madame Piaf, and Ella Fitzgerald were all exceptional (plus I love the names!). Mauricio in particular was a great bartender and was friendly, talented, and fun to talk to. He gave my wife and I a free shot since we were on our honeymoon. We came back for drinks a couple nights later, and then our last night we returned with some friends to have our goodbye meal. Cenzontle, like most restaurants at Tulum Beach is expensive in the Mexican context, but it's about on par with going out in a major US city. With 2 entrees and a couple drinks I would expect paying $100 total. I hope I get back to Tulum and if I do Cenzontle is the one restaurant I will definitely go to! I can't recommend it enough! read more

This lovely restaurant, appropriately named el 'jardin secreto', is one of Tulum's best kept secrets. The owners Ivan and Linda are such amazing and accommodating people, the ambiance is unpretentious yet jungle chic, and the food is thoughtful and unexpected. We held an event for our wedding here based on a recommendation from our planner, and I must say-Cenzontle exceeded expectations. The bartenders are some of the hardest working I have ever come across and the waitstaff did such a great job of making sure all of our guests were happy and well-fed. All of the craft cocktails were delicious and eclectic and the food was equally outstanding. Some noteworthy menu items include the duck tacos, beet gazpacho, coconut shrimp and hibiscus empanadas. There are many options on the beach road, but please pay Linda and Ivan a visit when you are in Tulum. Cenzontle will dazzle your tastebuds and celebrates the true essence of this this very special town! read more

With so many great restaurants to choose from this wouldn't be my first pick but it's still decent food and a nice ambience. My favorite dish was the grilled octopus on pears. Very unique and delicious flavors. Everything else was just ok. I ordered an old fashioned and it came out more like a frothy whiskey sour. Whiskey lovers- Arca has an awesome old fashioned FYI. read more

Cenzontle - Entrance. Great ambiance. The lights kept going out but it was actually kind of awesome with all of the candles lit. - Mexican Near Me - Tulum, ROO

We had the Piquillo peppers, ravioli and catch of the day (sea bass). Everything was very delicious. Overall, this place has a slightly more chill, garden-like vibe, and we loved the music playlist. Highly recommend! read more

This spot was recommended by a hostess from a different restaurant and the entire experience was amazing. Great service, ambience, food, music, location...everything worked out! read more

Nice ambiance. Pretty typical for tulum on the jungle side. Outdoor seating, under tents. Rustic/rugged. Food: Unique and refreshing. Had the pork bun (larger than you would expect. More like the size of a sandwich, vs. Asian style pork bun). Great flavor. Crispy pork with great sauce. Watch out for the few jalapeños sliced and served as garnish. We also had the octopus and pear. Unique flavors. Loved the pear. For the entree we had the catch of the day. It was grouper. Solid dish. Nothing to write home about, but enjoyed it. We left full and satisfied. Minus the bugs!! read more

Pricey but the food was good. $100 for 2 entrees and a drink each. We got the tortilini which was yum but the quantity was very less. Bring cash. They do serve you some free bread so thats nice. We were here for dinner and then walked over to casa jaguar for Thursday night party! read more

The pork short ribs were amazing. The octopus cocktail was second to none. My wife and are are not big eaters so we shared the octopus cocktail as a starter, then shared the ribs. The ribs were prepared to perfection and the meat just fell off the bone. We would whole heartedly recommend to friends, family and fellow yelpers. read more

I feel awful for downgrading my review but it's just not what it was 3yrs ago. It felt heartless and lacked ambience something most restaurants in Tulum excel at. I've been sending people here for years but I'm not sure I'd recommend it any more. The staff were a pleasure but everything else lacked for me. read more

The atmosphere, decor and service are nice, and the dishes were beautifully presented. I wish the food were better. I had the short ribs, which were just too sweet. It needed to be balanced with something sharp or spicy. My daughter enjoyed the duck, but the mole was not as complex as I have had other places. My son had the fish, which was nicely cooked, but the sides on the dish were bland. Because it is on jungle side, the restaurant periodically smokes the place with incense to deal with the mosquitoes. This is unpleasant and detracts from meal. read more

BEST food we had on our trip to Mexico. We absolutely loved this place! We came here after running through Tulum in a storm and it really felt like we're entering a secret garden. I had the filled pumpkin which was beyond delicious. The atmosphere was magical and beautiful, even the restrooms were really cool. Both of our waiters were friendly and sweet as well. You should definitely check this place out when you're in Tulum. read more

Cenzontle - Mexican Near Me - Tulum, ROO

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Incredible flavors, charming and attentive staff, and the most romantic garden setting that epitomizes the best boho chic of Tulum. My husband and I intended to order full meals but we were so excited about the innovative selections on the appetizer menu that we ordered them all (some twice) and shared for our dinner, along with their amazing local organic wines. We can't wait to go back for more apps, entrees, and dessert. This is a really special place, with attention to every detail, and the creative sauces and taste and texture combinations are out of this world. read more

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My wife and I had a really great experience eating at Cenzontle. This came at the recommendation of the concierge at Cabañas Tulum which was spot on. To start we each tried some of the house beer (a peach pale ale) which was very tasty. Afterwards we shared the duck carnitas taco which was very tender and well seasoned. For our main course my wife had the grilled octopus and I had the fish special served over risotto. Both were delicious! As far as the ambiance goes, I thought it was perfect. There was just the right amount of background noice/music plus very romantic lighting combined with an interesting decor. We also thought the price was a nice middle ground compared to some of the more hyped beach restaurants. Overall this was our best meal while in Tulum and would highly recommend! read more

Cenzontle - Fish special - Mexican Near Me - Tulum, ROO

Amazing! I didn't believe the reviews until I experienced this place for myself. Nice music and the food is top notch. Back in my home town we would have paid twice as much. Prices are reasonable for the area, service great and food was delish! Had the sea bass appetizer (sort of ceviche style), duck entree and an amazing margarita. Dont pass this place by. read more

The fish of the day with butter was delicious, selection the wine is good and decoration and atmosphere exquisite

I just got to my hotel from celebrating my 31st birthday here. The meal was my favorite so far on this trip. We had the piquillo peppers with goat cheese and the mushrooms as appetizers. I ordered the pork ribs over sweet potato purée and apricot compote. If you love sweet and salty, get the pork ribs. Uh-mazing! For dessert we had the fried shaved carrot glazed with dulce de leche over panna cotta gelato. I am going to dream of this meal once I am back home. The place also has great music and ambiance - think candlelit dinner in the jungle. They even offer free bug spray at the entrance, which was convenient since I forgot to spray some on before leaving the hotel. Great, friendly staff. read more

Cenzontle - Pork ribs - Mexican Near Me - Tulum, ROO

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Let's recognize that five stars in the jungle is different than five stars in San Francisco or New York. Having said that.....we had an amazing meal and amazing service here. Beautiful food (especially the stuffed pepper and duck tacos). Cocktails and wine list were fantastic. Kind, well paced service. Bug spray available for those who need it (is!). One of my favorite meals in Tulum, and one of the top three overall (and the food was amazing!) read more

If flan and coffee mezcal shot are your thing then try this spot. The flan had an interesting texture, more like cheese cake but still very yummy! And holy cow, the mezcal coffee shot committed so well with that flan. Take one sip of the mezcal then one bite of the flan, a very satisfying experience after walking in the dark on that jungle road read more

Cenzontle - Mexican Near Me - Tulum, ROO

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Standout food, service, and craft cocktails. I came in for a light meal. Ordered the sea bass appetizer at the waiter's suggestion. Delicious flavor combo with citrus, salt of the squid ink sauce, and sweetness of the bass. Also enjoyed the herbal flavors of the mezcal cocktail. I only wish I'd been hungry enough to order more. read more

This place was incredible. Loved the atmosphere. One of the staff at Hartwood actually recommended this place to us and we were NOT disappointed. Due to reservation issues, we didn't get to eat at Hartwood but were surprised to see Cenzontle with better reviews so we headed there. Great drinks and service and the food was incredible. The roasted ancho peppers with goat cheese (and something about chipotle perfume?) was so darn good. Almost no matter where you sit, you feel the privacy. Don't be afraid to ask for the bug spray- they have a ton on hand for bugs. We almost came back a 2nd time but our quick weekend get-away was over. read more

If you're looking for a delicious dinner in a quiet garden lit up like a fairytale, this place is for you. The food was excellent - be warned, the menu on their website is not necessarily the menu you will get at the restaurant but it is absolutely delicious nonetheless. We got the ribs, steak and Brussels sprouts, and both the food and the quality was excellent. Their neighbour's mutt sometimes wanders in (drawn by the smell of all that deliciousness I bet) and wanders through the guests. He is friendly and very cute and doesn't bother anyone who doesn't want to meet him. Highly recommend to anyone who is looking for a good dinner. Two entrees, a vegetable/appetiser, and a bottle of wine will set you back around $ 130; it's worth it. read more

We went there our first night in Tulum at the recommendation of our hotel and it was such a perfect introduction to the town! Situated on the "jungle" side of the road, it's a charming and eclectic vibe with twinkly lights and kitschy table lamps in an adorable way. The food was very very good as well. We had octopus and a stuffed pumpkin dish which was insanely good. The menu is small but everything was yummy. They also had large farm style tables so this would be good to go with a group. The service was iffy but we were also tucked away in a little corner so that might have been it. read more

Great experience, ambience, music And the food straight out a culinary experience wondeful mix of ingredients to wash it all down with some great cocktails a must if visiting Tulum read more

Delicious food, friendly waiter, super design. Cenzontle is definitely one of my favorite restaurant on Tulum beach. Great vibe... a bit pricy but totally worth it! read more

This place was closed! Supposedly for the next month. Would have been nice for them. Not to accept and online reservation seeing as we had to take a cab there especially to go there. The restaurant 3 doors down la Velda was fantastic though! read more

OK so I'm torn writing this review. We just got back from our week long adventures in Tulum and we had a great time. Including here at Cenzontle. We didn't stay for dinner, although it sounded like some of the dishes are pretty good here. We went for an hour or so, had a drink or to and hung out talking to the bartenders while we waited for our late dinner reservation at Hartwood. So, some notes about Cenzontle... + really nice look here, cozy cazual jungle theme, we sat at the bar under the protection from the rain that was coming/going that evening. tiki torches, cool setup overall. + SUPER nice and friendly bartenders. They were polite, didn't mind chatting with us, gave us GREAT local spot recommendations for the rest of our trip. + they have some decent craft beer options if you ask, also they seemed to have some "homebrewed" options also. I tried one of those. - the drinks. My wife had one, it was kind of "not that good". not too strong, in a tall boring glass, and just compared to some we had at other places was missing that something special. - i tried one of the homemade beers. ah, it just wasn't really ready for prime time. no carbonation, kind of just malted water. i really wanted to like it, being beer making is my new fav hobby. my thoughts are they should perfect their recipe and/or hobby before releasing it to customers. i then switched gears and got one of the other not homemade beers. If we had gone again, I really would try the Rabbit Birria based on some reviews I read. I wanted to get that one. But you know when you get drinks somewhere, if they don't have that down, sometimes you don't want to try the food. So many options. But if we go back to Tulum, maybe we'll try again? read more

We went to this restaurant on our second night in Tulum, and I have to say that it was a very good restaurant. We arrived somewhat late, and we were seated immediately, since it was not very crowded. I liked the lighting and atmosphere. Our server was very kind, and took our orders quickly. We ordered some hibiscus empanadas and coconut ceviche for appetizers, and they were both very tasty. I ordered the barbacoa with Valladolid lamb, which came with tortillas, beans, and pickled onions. The food was quite delicious, and I took advantage of the fact that there were warm tortillas in order to make a taco. I took away a star, because the service was somewhat slow, and the menu only included a few things, but I would definitely return. food 5 stars service: 4 stars employee kindness: 5 stars menu variety: 3.5 stars cleanliness: 4.5 stars atmosphere: 4.5 stars read more

Great food ! Interesting, local ingredients made everything unique and delicous. The wait staff was attentive even when we got bit by bugs - bring your bug spray - but they have some there too thank goodness. The octopus on pear appetizer is delicious and the hibiscus flower empanadas were tasty ! read more

Amazing food, ambiance and service! Loved everything about our dinner, drinks and delicious dessert. I'd go back in a heart beat. Be sure to wear some bug spray though - you are eating outside. :) read more

Dinner in the rain, I had the pastor, she had the pumpkin. We shared a couple appetizers. Everything was perfect. I was about to order too much, (typical American) and the waitress guideded me to the perfect amount. Like I said, Great service & excellent cocktails. Felt almost like a pop-up restaurant given the various tent type situation overhead. Definately worth a stop. A real gem read more

My husband and I dined here on a Friday night. The friendly wait staff, low key environment and home-like ambiance lured us in. I had the catch of the day; it was beautifully cooked, lightly seasoned and served with a fresh side salad with slices of grapefruit. My husband had the homemade pasta with grilled shrimp. Both meals were perfecto! Still, both slightly hungry after our meal, we ordered roasted pork tacos with a fried piece of chicharron just over the top, oh my goodness! Best taco we've ever eaten. We ended our meal with a slice of homemade apple pie and tarragon ice cream. Overall, it was a great experience. read more

Everything was wonderful about this place. Drinks were very tasty, and the food was spectacular. Pretty spendy, but you get what you pay for. The pumpkin bowl is unique and very tasty and not just for vegetarians! I almost went with the catch of the day ( which was a white snapper ) that my wife got, but this way we had more variation ( good suggestion from our waiter ) read more

Cenzontle is a super cute self-professed "secret garden" and place to eat. We made reservations for our large group and was seated immediately. While the food and drinks were decent, what soured the experience were that the server rarely came by and as it got colder as the night went on, it took us ~30 mins to get the bill and pay. He wouldn't even let us leave without double checking the bill, which took extra time. read more

Wow, forget the famed Hartwood of the Tulum beach area, go to Cenzontle! Wonderful helpful staff, amazing and interesting food and beer (and if your lucky some magic!). It was NYE and we needed a place to celebrate. We are not ones to book ahead of time or spend $500 for a super fancy coursed our meal. We wanted a fund time, good food, then to feel free to roam the beach. During our early afternoon stroll along the main road the staff told us to return before 8 to try and get a seat. They were not accepting reservations, or something like that. Maybe they were, for larger parties. Anyways, we returned maybe around 7 and were seated right away. The restaurant was already almost full and a line at the bar was forming. Our waiter was super super nice and friendly. He was very informative and took the time to answer all of our questions on the menu that night. The food is very innovative and experimental. It might sound odd, but trust them there is probably a reason they paired hibiscus flower with onion and ginger in bread. We dined al fresco at night, so things were a bit darker. I still enjoyed the warm lighting, trellises and eclectic decor. To eat, you are started with homemade bread and butter. Oh the butter, it was a rosemary, herb light butter. It was soo delicious. (we are from Chicago and bread and butter are several of the well known restaurant's strong points and Cenzontel's butter rivaled those of our city!). Needless to say, we felt right at home. My fiance and I were going to head back to our small hotel to enjoy a family dinner, so we only ordered a main between the two of us. Our main dish option turned out not to be my cup-of-tea, though it was very good and my fiance still raves about it and says it was his best meal of the trip and one of the best pieces of fish he has had (he is a fish connoisseur, not a meat eater). I am pretty sure the menu has already changed, at least the online menu has. It is possible they will have the same selection when you arrive. We had a piece of bass similar to the one currently listed on their menu (local lagoon bass fillet) that was soaked in coconut water and wrapped in a seaweed, with a perfume of something and sprouts. Personally, for me the sprouts were way too much and overpowering. I also did not like the crispy tortilla strips they threw on. The fish inside the seaweed was white, juicy and tasting. I wish we had ordered more so I could have fallen in love with something. I still loved seeing my fiance nom nom nom on a dish. Of course NYE, we ordered or first dessert of the night. That night, we wend with the dark chocolate lava cake and ice cream. It was delicious. If we return to this part of Tulum, we will return to dine again! read more

This place is a class act. Amazing bartenders, amazing service, amazing food, amazing drinks, amazing atmosphere. This place mirrors the magical and enchanting atmosphere of Tulum. The owner / management has taken the extra effort to make sure every little detail is perfect. Love this place. read more

Recommended by people in Tulum, we gave it a try. Nice place and ambience, friendly but a bit slow service. We tried as appetizers the octopus on sliced pears and the piquillo relleno. Octopus was a bit gluey and both dishes a bit generic in taste. Catch of day (grouper) for both, cooked in 2 different ways, one with lots (too many) sage leaves, one in a leaf, typical Mexican way. Again, can't say they were bad, but very generic. Also, pricey for what we ate. read more

Loved eating dinner in the magical garden atmosphere here! The food was great but ambiance was the icing on the cake (drinks were definitely something to write home about). Service was outstanding, although a huge (30 plus people party) came shortly after us the staff kept our drinks flowing, only to forget our entree, they apologized profusely upon noticing, we didn't care much because the drinks were that good and they brought it out immediately, free of charge and gave us tequila shots to boot! Will be back read more