Super charming. Flavors and service top notch. Would highly recommend and will definitely return at some point. read more

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One of my favorite dining experiences ever. Food, wine, atmosphere, and staff are all exceptional and exceeded hopes and expectations. Will be returning every chance I get! read more

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This restaurant is one of a kind in Tulum. A little bit of a drive from the hotel zone, but totally worth it. They specialize in Aztec cuisine. You could easily plan to spend 2-3 hours for a relaxing dinner. They have very interesting items on the menu. Many kinds of mole! What we didn't know was they bring a huge complimentary appetizer. We ended up ordering too much food. But hey, we were on vacation. We started with drinks, a soup, the cheese enchilada in green mole, the stuffed pumpkin and the pachuiki in red peanut mole sauce and a dessert. The food took a little while to come because it's all freshly made upon order. But we had the big appetizer platter to graze on. So, plan to spend the whole evening! Everything we ordered was beyond amazing. It's $$$ and you get what you pay for. This is a must-visit when you are in Tulum. read more

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Cetli is located a little bit apart the city area of Tulum, outside of the hotel zone, so it's different from the overpriced, fusion items near the resorts as well as from the cheap tacos in the main city. Most of the items are different types of mole but there are other options for those not a big fan. Few things to note, all prices in pesos and cash only, and the restaurant is open air so beware the mosquitos. Appetizer - Free - 5/5 The complimentary appetizer is a whole meal by itself. It comes with many different small bites that are very different from each other and is quite the experience itself. Chile en Nogada ($500) - 5/5 This is called the specialty of the house for a reason. This is a well sized poblano pepper stuffed with all sorts of ingredients with varying tastes and texture. It is presented beautifully to match the Mexican flag. We only ordered one but definitely should have gotten at least 2. Istak ($350) - 5/5 This is a soft white fish in white almond mole. I've never had fish with mole nor white mole so this was very exciting to me. The fish is cooked perfectly, as in fully cooked but barely. It is super soft and very juicy. Even without the mole, it would not be dry at all. Subtle flavors but very delightful. Pachiuki ($330) - 4/5 Vegetarian with red mole. Similar style to Chile en Nogada above but vegetarian and not as pretty. Metztli ($370) - 4.5/5 The classic black mole with chicken. Cetli puts its own spin on it by adding plantains to add sweetness to cut the bitterness of the mole. Chicken was a tad dry but the excess mole on the dish helped with that. Ixoxoctic ($370) - 3.5/5 Green mole with chicken. Tad dry and underwhelming in flavors. Disclaimer: rating is relative to the other amazing dishes above. If I had this dish alone in the U.S., easily 4/5. I love mole but unfortunately, I only know what I've seen on Netflix shows. However, I can confidently say that Cetli gave a very diverse offering of different types of mole with different flavor profiles and ingredients, pairing different types of mole bases (almond, peanut, classic) to different colors (red, black, white, green) to different pairings (fish, chicken, peppers). Definitely a one of a kind experience in my life and highly recommend to anyone adventurous or looking for something different in Tulum. read more

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Great ambiance! Awesome presentation of food! We got a complimentary bread plate appetizer (pupusa, bread and homemade cheese and homemade butter, crickets and oranges) Got the fish with almond mole Glad I went But kind of $$ for what you get.. Therefore I will not be back read more

Cetli was definitely a simple but eloquent dinning experience. Reminiscent of a home meal the restaurant lack of decor and comfortable vibes was a welcoming embrace of a loved one after a long travel. The restaurant was also well rated on Eater, numero uno. I can understand why. The food here is wonderfully straightforward. Nothing fancy. Cetli doesn't have the fanciful decorations you would expect in high end restaurants, it doesn't need too. The food pays homage to the local cuisine and the ambiance is that of a home cook meal. The appetizers were included and had a variety of items ranging from garlic butter, local cheese and beet jam, empanadas and oranges w grasshopper. We ordered the Metztli and Istak. Both were great dishes. The Metztli was spicy and had an amazing rich flavor from the mole. The chicken and plantains were delicious with the sauce. The Istak was amazing and my favorite. The fish was soft, buttery and the almond mole sauce was creamy. I wanted more of it! The Cetli, cornbread w chocolate, which shared the restaurants name, was delicious. The rich thick chocolate mixed well w the fluffy corn bread. Overall, I really enjoyed our experience. I can see why it was well received. My only criticism was the lack of menu choices and they no longer had the lobster available. Small criticism for a great night. read more

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Love the interior. Great ethnic vibes. Salsa picante is amazing! Unfortunately they didn't have vegan options. But vegetarian options for breakfast that my husband tried was eggs on corn tortilla & hot chocolate are which he loved read more

Cetli - Very traditional. Love the interior decor. - Mexican Near Me - Tulum, ROO

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Chile en nogada (under Specialty of the house section)- highly recommend. I wanted to go back to this spot just for this, but sadly didn't have time. Friend ordered Topil soup & a main dish called "Yeyetzi" (fish jn tamarindo sauce), he raved about both dishes, unfortunately i didn't get to try. Metztli (chicken in mole negro sauce)-didn't get to try it. Friend ordered, can't give an accurate review as he is more of a fish guy. Bring cash, this place was somewhat pricey. (3 alcoholic beverages, 1 soup, 4 main entrees, 1 dessert sweet corn cake. Total before tip was $155.00 (USD) (January 4, 2022) read more

Cetli - Appetizer/starter plate-complementary - Mexican Near Me - Tulum, ROO

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Amazing authentic Mexican experience. The food is extraordinary here. Plus we've got to try the grasshopper for the first time. The staff went above and beyond to keep us happy with a round of free tequila shots and complementary appetizers. We went family style and ordered most the items on the menu. My two favorites were Chile en Nogada (stuffed peppers with mole sauce) and Istak (fish/white mole sauce). This place is a must see in Tulum if you're looking for a great Mexican ambiance. read more

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Acting in stark contrast to the likes of Hartwood, ARCA and NÜ it is perhaps one kilometer from Avenida Tulum that diners will find Restaurante Cetli, a humble space built of adobe where Chef Claudia Perez Rivas prepares historic Mexican fine dining plates in an open kitchen almost entirely by herself. A native of Puebla, her home state represented across Cetli's multi-page menu, it was just past noon Saturday that doors were found open, the Chef and a single assistant seating guests amongst folk art as overhead fans spun to abate heat and humidity. Open early for Breakfast and cash-only, with the whole menu starting at 11:00am, it is while debating choices that a young man acting as server + busser + dishwasher + host + translator + sous gathers Water and place settings, everything decidedly rustic right down to hand-painted stone plates. Happy to accept recommendations, many dishes seasonal including Cetli's now-signature, it is while waiting that diners are gifted a complimentary Appetizer, seasoned Beans and Cheese each memorable while flaming hot Salsa pairs well to a tiny Empanada and Bread ready to be slathered in Herb Butter. Approximately thirty minutes between ordering and eating with only one other table occupied, the love and labor involved in each recipe evident as Chef Perez Rivas works quietly, fans of Mole will be fascinated by an intense version served around rolled Chicken with Bananas and Chaya while classic Chile en Nogada dances across the palate, morphing from unctuous meat to dried Fruits beneath smooth and nutty Sauce. Best compared to eating at the home of a talented and eccentric Abuela, hearty portions justifying prices ranging 200 to 400 pesos, Dessert poses a whole 'nother set of tough choices, though Cetli's eponymous Corn Cake with Chocolate Kahlua Sauce is undeniably delicious, rich, complex and large enough to share. read more

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Walked in at 8 p.m. on a Monday and were the only souls in the place other than the kitchen staff and a server. We debated staying but decided that the raving Yelp reviews warranted trying out the food. So thankful we stayed! The complimentary appetizer plate came out just as pictured for everyone else. The tortilla soup (not pictured) just tasted like spicy tomato so I'd pass on that in the future. The highlights of our meal were the stuffed pepper (house specialty) and a surprise peanut candy with our bill. The boiled peel and eat shrimp in the huitlacoche dish needed something else but this was remedied by peeling them and letting them soak in the sauce for a bit. Go here! Get the stuffed pepper. It was so much better than anything we ate in the center of town and 1/3 of the price of our one dinner on overpriced Tulum Beach. read more

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My friend and I ordered two dishes, both of which were good, but I definitely preferred the fish over the chicken. I wanted to try the chicken with chocolate mole, even though I don't like chocolate. You never know if maybe you'll end up liking the dish and it doesn't hurt to try, but I ended up switching plates with my friend for that reason as well as the fact that the fish was one of the best that I've had. It had almond mole, which was lighter, and everything melted in your mouth. The two dishes were on the heavier side, so we were pleasantly full after those. The service was good and the place was decorated in a very cozy way. Worth stopping here to try the food, and there's a little "gift shop" too. If you're visiting the cenote right next to it, give this place a try. read more

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Hoooo my god. If there's one restaurant you go to in Tulum, it should be Cetli. Incredible food, charming atmosphere... it felt more like an experience than a meal. It's a few km north of the hustle and bustle of the dense pueblo, and the whole thing is decorated with Mexican trinkets and art. It feels like a little abuelita's house, even down to the kitchen. We started with a couple of drinks -- I got a piña colada, which was just the right amount of sweetness. Shortly after, the waiter brought us an appetizer plate. I was surprised that it was complementary, because it was a pretty generous portion. It came with cheese empanadas, mini tortillas with beans and cheese, spicy green salsa, homemade bread, garlic butter, pickled beets, tomatoes and cheese, and orange slices topped with (surprisingly good!) chili-spiced grasshoppers. Everything was good, especially the empanadas and tortillas. You could really tell that the dough was handmade. Afterwards, we got a tortilla soup that was perfectly spiced with tortilla strips and some melty cheese on top. For mains, we got the Chile en Nogada and the chicken enchiladas. The chicken enchiladas came with a green almond mole -- I was a little wary about ordering it since I've never really liked traditional mole, but this was something special. It was crazy creamy, savory, and didn't have any cocoa powder in it. The chicken was nice and juicy too. The Chile en Nogada was a sight to behold. It's supposed to represent the three colors of the Mexican flag: a green poblano, white walnut cream sauce, and red pomegranate seeds (although Cetli's version had strawberries instead). The poblano was filled with a picadillo of minced beef and dried fruit with warm spices (cumin, cinnamon, cloves maybe?). The sauce was lick-the-plate good, rich without being heavy and had a nice little touch of sherry in it. The strawberries added some nice freshness and textural contrast. For dessert, we got a bread pudding with a cream sauce and strawberry granita. It was damn near transcendent. We were stuffed, but it was so good we had to finish it. A few last things to note: - This is slow dining -- better suited for a romantic dinner than a quick meal. - It's a quiet, intimate atmosphere -- not the place for loud partying tourists. - There's a nice little courtyard that's perfect for sitting and sipping a drink after the meal. Take advantage of it! - They have a store where they sell handcrafted art and souvenirs, along with jars of their mole sauce. They were expensive, but I had to get a couple of to go! Overall, A effin' plus. I hope I can come back one day. read more

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We had our first dinner meal at this charming restaurant off the beaten path in Tulum and we couldn't be off to a better start. We were welcomed with a complimentary bread, cheese and small bites platter. Everything was tasty, but the orange pieces with tiny grasshoppers were a perfect combination of citrus with crunchy tamarind flavor. For one of our entrées we got the pachiuki, a vegetarian dish composed of a poblano pepper filled with black mushrooms and covered in red peanut mole. I must say the peanut sauce was outstanding, so flavorful and different from any peanut flavored sauce I've had, perhaps only somewhat similar to Thai peanut sauce. We also had the house specialty, chile en nogada, which was fantastic. The meat filling was so moist and flavorful and the presentation of the dish was beautiful. At first I didn't understand why the dish had pomegranate seeds but know I see how it adds a certain acidity that balances the slight savory sweetness of the meat and the creamy sauce. For drinks we had their house agua fresca, made with cucumber and mint, and a margarita, which was frozen, not sure if they can also make it on the rocks. We finished our meal with a delicious corn cake dessert served on top of a chocolate and Kahlua sauce, it was so good! Make sure you bring cash, either Mexican pesos or US dollars as they are cash only. The prices are reasonable for American standards and given the quality of the food but they are higher than your average small Mexican restaurant. They are definitely much less pricey than your average Tulum overpriced, tourist trap restaurant though. They have a little store in the back if you're so inclined to buy some crafty souvenirs. The staff is welcoming, so helpful and accommodating. These are very humble people who love what they do and take so much pride in their delicious food. Visit them, it's worth leaving the strip for some great food and a bit of tranquility! read more

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What an amazing place. This spot is a must in tulum. The staff is incredibly nice and the food is amazing. We came for lunch one day then immediately decided to come for breakfast the next. We tried as much as we could all the Moles were delicious and they showered us with extra samples and tastings We also loved the location it's outside of town but not that far 5 mins maybe. Just go read more

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We absolutely loved this place. The atmosphere, service, everything was wonderful. The food was outstanding. The flavors on the chile en nogada are so insanely good, and we loved the cheese enchiladas. Such delicious sauces. Can't recommend this restaurant highly enough. Our only regret was not going back a second time! read more

Cetli - Chile en nogada - Mexican Near Me - Tulum, ROO

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Visited with really high expectations after a friend told me that Cetli was one of the best meals of her life and felt like she was dining in someone's home. It seems that the restaurant moved to a larger location, which is beautifully decorated, but a very different vibe. I got a reservation by sending a Facebook message to the restaurant, although it didn't seem like one was needed on a Saturday evening around 8pm, because there were still a few tables open. I'll start by saying that my dish, the only house special, a pepper stuffed with beef and covered in flavorful cheese sauce, was really delightful. Excellent balance of spice and sweetness. Everything else we ordered, though, missed the mark. Our drinks were presented nicely, but my mezcal one was blended rather than on the rocks, and thus half of it was undrinkable ice. The complementary appetizer was a nice touch, but all but the bread and cricket-covered oranges had cheese or butter, so my dinner date couldn't eat most of it, and there were no substitute options. He was also disappointed with his shrimp and mushroom dish, which turned out to be lukewarm and pretty flavorless. The rice was also very bland. So if you're with someone with a lactose allergy or who doesn't eat meat (and this can't eat the one house special dish), just don't go. Not worth being disappointed for the most expensive meal of our trip. read more

Best dinner on our 10-day visit to Tulum The availability of vegetarian options, I had the Pachiuki, along with the excellent Chile en Nogata, nice linens and decor, and excellent service thrilled everyone in our party. It may also have been the most expensive meal on this trip as well, though. We wanted to go back but closed on Wednesday. :( read more

Cetli - Pachiuki - Mexican Near Me - Tulum, ROO

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One of our favorite places in tulum. A little bit further from the city center and beachfront area but I'd say it's worth the stopover if you're going to the swimming holes nearby. We were surprised it was empty since the place itself and the food were incredible. Would definitely recommend the white mole. My boyfriend who's a chef loved it so much that he kept trying to get the recipe from the waiter LOL. We also went to a cooking class later that week and turns out the Mexican grandma who hosted also recommended this place as she feels this spot could be the closest best mole tulum has to offer. read more

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Authentic, spectacular, absolutely unforgettable. A beautiful restaurant and a chef who is a one-woman show, a sweet lady who makes carries her family-legacy recipes in her bare hands. The appetizer platter is a small feast, an assorted tray of small delights, some well-known to us and some not so much. Some of my favorites include a chewy seeded bread with mind-blowing garlic butter, crumbly cheese empanadas that come to life in habanero salsa, and a tart orange is topped with feisty fried grasshoppers. Every entree is exceptional, and each has its own unique flavors. The Metztli is a chicken roll with plantain in a lake of fabulous black mole. Sesame enhances this dark, nutty sauce, and I've never had one this good! The Potosi is a chicken roll with chaya, covered with a light cactus fruit jam that errs on the sweeter side. The Chile en Nogada is the absolute best thing EVER! An oven-roasted poblano pepper is full of savory beef and pork, sweetened with nuts and raisins in a sherry sauce sprinkled with pomegrante that I swear is liquid crack. The desserts are optional, but they are as awesome as the entrees. The Nimbe is a dense marble cake filled with ice cream in a dark chocolate and mezcal sauce. The Tzopelic is raisin-bread as a pudding, moist and soaking in a cream sauce much like light white chocolate. The strawberry sorbet is a show-stealing side. THIS is the best restaurant in Tulum. There are none like Cetli, and there are none that come close. Never have I had a meal so inspiring, and I feel I may never find anything this special again. read more

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Wow! The location is now off of Ave. Coba and not in town. Looks modest on the side of the highway but hides incredible Mexican flavors and a lovely open aired courtyard. The begin with complimentary appetizers of bread, cheeses with beets, quesadilla, garlic butter. I had the specialty of the house...a poblano stuffed with meats, figs and spices covered in a brandy almond mole, and stuffed local pumpkin. Amazing flavors! Chaya in all also. Truly a standout. Chef is trained in Mexico City. Vamos!! read more

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Felt the need to write a review so there was another take on the experience other than the ones I saw that convinced us to go for a celebratory birthday dinner in Tulum. For one, we got there and were the only people there at prime dinner time on a Saturday night. There was no free appetizer that everyone mentioned (in fact, the photos of the app plate look like more food than you'd get with anything on the menu by far). We ordered the "House specialty" and two drinks to start ... and were so underwhelmed by the service and price for what it was that we decided to stop ordering and finish dinner elsewhere. The building was extremely cute - but everything else was a total disappointment. read more

A bit on the outskirts of Tulum, this is the place for authentic Mexican cuisine though not from Yucatan. Located in a very cute small hacienda, the cuisine is very flavorful with at its core mollé black, peanut, almond or green. The mollé is the basis for fish or meat dishes accentuated with typical Mexican herbs, spices or vegetables. Delicious ! The desserts are equally tasty. Better make a reservation ! IT's a small venue sitting 20-30 people only so that the cuisine can be done on demand. read more

This place is super authentic. They have like five kinds of mole!!!! I ordered the fish with mole. The fish seemed like it had been frozen to be quite honest, but what my friend ordered looked pretty good. The mole unfortunately has wheat inside it, and their ambiance is super nice and low key. It's a great place to go off the beaten path read more

The only authentic Mexican food restaurant in Tulum. Finally a decent restaurant. And I didn't even know what anything on the menu was, which was refreshing. Only 12 minutes from holistika. Was amazing from start to finish, amazing drinks, starters, and main dishes. Highly recommended. Usually you have to leave Tulum to find authentic Mexican. Everything in Tulum is touristy and white washed read more

This place is a hidden jewel of Mexican high cuisine. Pre colonial ingredients prepared at the moment with hand made tortillas and freshly squeezed drinks. The ambiance is relaxed and delightful while it is elegantly decorated. The impeccable service and attentiveness to detail makes you feel like a Tlatoani. read more

Cetli - Mexican Near Me - Tulum, ROO

Hands down one of the best meals of my life! Do not miss this experience if you are anywhere near Talum. Where do I begin? This place was recommended to us by the owner of another fantastic restaurant by the name of Carboncitos so expectations were high. We were not dissapointed. Turn off the main highway heading into Talum and three minutes down the road you will find the hacienda of food heaven. There will be a four foot Mexican woman who makes miracles in the kitchen and you will be wishing you grew up under her roof. So let's start with the gratis appetizer tray. Never have either of us come across anything close to this. From the lemon and what turned out to be locally seasoned grasshoppers which magically turned into a completely different taste when combined all the way to the bread and unbelievably tasty butter wrapped in some type of leaf...everything on the tray was top notch. We were so excited to see what would show up next after eating every bit of tastiness that just blew us away. We decided on... The "Chile en Nogada" Poblano stuffed pepper with meat & pork, prune, raisins, pineapple, cinnamon,walnuts,cheese,parsley,cherry liquor sauce, and pomegranates. Do yourself a favor and order this! The presentation alone makes it worthwhile but just reread the ingredients and say you do not want to try...I dare you. Also ordered the Tliltic Shrimp prepared in huitlacoche with epazote and corn. Which was also amazing and fresh as can be. For dessert we had some type of bread/cake that was served on top of a plate of chocolate pudding. This put the icing on the cake. This meal was so amazing and the only thing that had us dissapointed was that we were leaving Talum that night. We really wanted to return the next day to try more of the menu. I can not praise this place enough. Outstanding. P.S. Try the Tamarindo Margherita. read more

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A beautifully designed place that makes you feel like you've been invited to someones home for dinner. Delicious Oaxaca-style food that is deserving of well beyond five stars. read more

This was my most memorable experience in Tulum. Cetli is in the city and off the main strip a bit but totally worth the trip. The restaurant feels like a dream, a very local, humble, perfectly curated Mexican dream. The chef takes such special interest in each dish. Moles to die for and a complimentary starter with many well thought-out tastes attached. I'd go here every time I'm there. ***be prepared to spray mosquito repellent. It's a mosquito haven. read more

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This place was absolutely amazing. The employees were so so nice and took care of us. They have us an app service that I didn't expect. It was such a nice atmosphere. It was romantic and was a place that made you feel so good being there. The staff was so nice and welcoming. We ordered the green mole enchiladas and the pachuiki. (I might be spelling that wrong) and both were so so delicious. It's been a really long time since I've had a meal that made me FEEL a type of way. Both moles were so (excuse my French) fucking bomb. You can taste in the food how much care and pride they put into it. My partner loved the bread and the crickets! The green mole was top notch and tasted so deliciously traditional. I loved it so much. I M definitely going to go back while I am staying in Tulum! read more

Walking into Cetli is like entering a living Frida Khalo house. It is an amazing aesthetic and sensory experience. Beautifully decorated with meaningful indigenous Mayan and Mexican arts and crafts. Then there is the food. Truly delicious and carefully plated and presented. This restaurant is not to be missed when in Tulum. read more

Just had dinner there last night. Didn't know what to expect and had a fantastic meal. We started with two of the three spinach salads. My wife had carrots as part of her salad and it tasted like a traditional spinach salad, very good & healthy. My spinach had almonds, small pieces of meat with a dressing that I'm still craving today. It was fantastic!! Our main courses were both fish, were outstanding in both taste, quality and quantity!! We shared a desert which was a warm breaded pudding with a scoop of strawberry sorbet sitting in a vanilla cream.....and of course it was scrumptious!! A great meal in a very relaxed environment. We just purchased a condo nearby and will be returning often..... read more

Pro tip. When you see fish on a menu in a touristy area, don't trust what any restaurant says it is. Ask if it's a fillet or a whole fish. Whole fish is likely local and fresh, fillet is usually frozen and often basa or swai farmed in Asia. This place said it was grouper but it sure looked and tasted like swai. I might rate them a 3 but low quality ingredients (and tiny portions) when you're being charged top dollar is my pet peeve. The specialty poblano stuffed with beef tasted good and was spiced very well but again was hamburger. If you're being charged three times the normal price and getting a tiny portion you at least expect a decent piece of grilled beef which has been shredded after grilling. The moles look good in the photos but are a bit bland and watery. Not bad food but extremely overpriced for what you get. Ambiance inside was great and no typical loud music. Outside it was a somewhat industrial area and rough parking lot so their rent/cost should be way below a good area in town - all the more reason the extreme food prices were unwarranted. Final pro tip, when all customers are foreign and reviews in English it's probably a tourist place and the locals found better value elsewhere. read more