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Stopped by Don Cafeto for second dinner as we weren't quite full from our first one. It was pretty empty when my friend and I dropped by on a Monday evening evening around 9:15 pm. The restaurant is a no frills spot popular with tourists and locals alike. We walked by many times through the course of our trip and it was always full of customers. The menu is your standard Mexican fare - soups, quesadillas, burritos, tacos, enchiladas, steak, various seafood dishes, etc. It's definitely not veggie friendly so don't come here if there's a vegetarian in your group. Since neither of us were that hungry, we shared the pollo a la parrilla, i.e. grilled chicken, for 210 pesos. To start, each table gets a huge bowl of nachos with some incredibly spicy salsa and spicy pickled veggies on the side. Both were too spicy for me so I didn't go anywhere near either. The grilled chicken was okay, but I didn't realize it'd be breast meat. Found it a bit on the dry side. It only came with a small scoop of rice, so it's good that this wasn't our main meal. I would recommend this spot for folks looking for a more authentic feel rather than some of the overpriced touristy restaurants in Tulum.
Might be the best food we had in Tulum! It was our final meal, and we went hunting for enchiladas. These were amazing! I went out on a limb and got the mole enchilada and my husband got the roja one. This is the best mole I've ever had - it seemed to have a peanut base and was well rounded - no bitterness from over toasted spices or coffee, no over sweetness from chocolate, just flavorful nutty deliciousness. The roja was also great, it tasted much more like freshly made sautéed tomatoes. The pickled blistered veggies and salsa and chips that come with each order was also so delicious, we chomped down on seranos, nibbled habaneros, and added the potatoes, carrots, and onions to our dishes. The drinks tasted fresh and light, we got a pina colada and tequila sunrise. There was live music but not intrusive, and was a generally jolly place to be! Highly recommend coming here!
Came here for the enchiladas and wasn't disappointed. They make a really great mole. Not too sweet but still super rich. Absolutely loved the chips and dip they brought in for the table. The pico was a bit spicier than your normal fair + I think they said they used habanero. The pickled veggies were great and included a lot of garlic, onions, carrots, potatoes and serranos. Staff was great and got us our drinks super quickly. They had some love music which was at a nice level for a lunch - not too loud like some other places. A big fan of this place
I was so hesitant to go to this restaurant. Although it appeared on all the lists of "Places to eat in Tulum," I thought it would be touristy, which in my mind meant meh. In fact the only reason I ended up going to this restuarant is because I ended up having a late dinner on my last night in Tulum, and the other places I was thinking about going already closed their kitchen for the evening.. After dining there and having a lovely experience, I know I was very wrong. In fact, had I eaten there earlier in the trip, I most likely would have dined there multiple times. Unline some of the other restaurants in tulum (and in Riveria Maya in general), the food at Don Cafeto was really tasty, not overcooked, and had soul -- tasted like yummy home cooking. I had a chicken soup - awesome, flavorful, bright, and hearty just like it should be and chicken with mole - not as great as in Oaxaca proper, but better than most others I've tried! I also tried some of the Carne Asada and that was also really good and the meat was not tough or rubbery. They also had live music at least for part of the time we were there. Always appreciate that added level of ambiance. Don't be like me and have any doubts about this place. just go!
I tried this place since I love enchiladas and saw a recent review so I tried it out. The enchiladas was as good as the reviewer said it was!! The only complaint that I would have is that they were out of sugar Coke. Without my favorite Coke I was going to downgrade it but it wouldn't be fair for them. A solid place at a very good price in Tulum Mexico
Rode our bikes out to tulum centro and stopped by here. Looked at reviews and glad we went and tried it out. We ordered Plato the Mexicano. Big plate to share for two people. It has pretty much everything In there. So good. So flavorful. Taquitos were crunchy. The chili rellenos made of sweet pepper and sauce was amazing. I had to dip my quesadilla on that sauce. Margarita amazing and mint lemonade was nice and refreshing. Suri was sooooo nice. So friendly and just made things happened with seating us and everybody else who were waiting. Great great cheap find this place.
We came at a time of day were there was a lot of open seating and some live music. The food was good, I thought the Marinara pasta was missing a bit more of seafood for what the price is but it tasted good. The other plate we ordered was the Tampiqueña, and that was a very good steak dish that came with some rice, plantains, enchiladas and a two tostadas, one with beans and another with guacamole. The price is a lot for what you get, this is why I wasn't 100% sold on this place
This is a must stop when in Tulum. I stumbled on this place 3 yrs ago and eat here every time I'm here. I got the mole enchiladas and the favor was out of this world. My wife got fish tacos and she said the fish tasted fresh and perfect light breading on them. The other couple in our group got the seafood platter for two, which is wife's favorite but I wanted to try something different this time. The shrimp in the platter were huge. They give marinated carrots, garlic, and others vegetables with the chips, everyone loved but I skipped for the pico de gallo which has fresh jalapeños and is spicy. The girls got the chayagra drink which I guess they are famous for. Must have been good as they both ordered another one. Great authentic Mexican food. Great Service!
Absolutely loved coming to don cafeto while in tulum. Came across this place walking down the street and we decided to walk inside. Being from Miami, I am a queso fondito expert and this place hands down had the absolute best tasting queso fondito I've ever had. Perfectly melted cheese with bacon and mushrooms . I then got the ribeye which was a giant chunk of meat to have after stuffing my face with melted cheese The servers were very attentive to us and the price is very reasonable for the quality and amount of food you get. At the end of the day I will be back to don cafeto to have their queso fondito. You will not be disappointed here.
Don Cafeto is on the main Tulum downtown area on the main commercial street. We came as a group of six and were able to sit fairly fast during the main rush hour. There was live music for the breakfast time which was a guy on a keyboard playing Mexican music classics to add to the ambiance. The breakfast selection is huge and they have all the staples. I ordered the huevos motuleños which are pretty much fried eggs in a tostada smothered in salsa but they were delicious and came out super fast from the kitchen. The coffee was standard American coffee (no espresso drinks available) and I topped it off with a fresh fruit smoothie (licuado) which was really good. The prices were excellent and would definitely come back and recommend it to other people visiting the area.
Came here for lunch after visiting the cenote so you can bet we were hungry! There wasn't a wait when we got here and we were able to sit at a table outside. They took your temperature and gave you hand sanitizer before you get seated. They bring out fresh pico de gallo and pickled veggies (carrots, potatoes, peppers, garlic) for each table. We asked for the pico to be extra spicy so they added in some spicy habaneros, which was so good! The pickled veggies were also delicious! For appetizers, we decided to order chorizo queso, mixed ceviche, and sopa azteca to start off. The queso had plenty of chorizo bits in it but the cheese congealed super quick to where it became one lump of cheese so I wasn't a fan. The ceviche was pretty good but it definitely could've been seasoned a little bit more. The sopa azteca is their tomato broth with fried tortilla but it was super bland and flavorless. Definitely would not recommend that. For our entrees, we ordered the steak tacos, garlic shrimp, and mole enchiladas. The tacos were pretty good and there was a generous portion of meat that came with it plus cilantro, onions, and limes. I did ask if they had some spicy salsa or sauce but they didn't have anything besides their pico. The garlic shrimp was very delicious and had a great buttery garlic flavor and the veggies that accommpanied it was also buttery and tasted amazing! The mole enchiladas were pretty tasty, if you like mole. I'm not a huge fan of mole myself so I did not eat too much of this dish but I will say, it is probably one of the best mole enchiladas I have tried. Overall, this place has a wide selection of food to choose from so everyone will find something they can enjoy here. Definitely check it out if you're in Tulum and want a quick and casual meal.
Fueling up with a hearty breakfast before exploring the Mayan ruins was the perfect start to our adventure. The spread offered a delicious mix of freshly squeezed juices, tropical fruits and savory local dishes. With the right balance of nutrients and flavor, we were energized and ready to explore the fascinating ruins with enthusiasm and vitality.
5 years ago
5 years ago
Loved this place! We sat outside adjacent to the street. Service was solid. I ordered orange juice and coffee to drink. Both were great. My wife ordered pineapple juice which was also great. My food order was pancakes with eggs and bacon. These were some of the best pancakes I ever had. The eggs and bacon were meh. Highly recommend this place! read more
Best eggs I've ever had! I came here for breakfast after exploring the Mayan ruins so I was definitely hungry! Upon being seated (immediately) we were greeted with a bowl of what seemed to be spiced, pickled carrots/garlic/peppers/etc. It was very delicious, but pretty spicy. I love spicy things, but if you don't, beware! We wanted to order something from the breakfast side of the menu, so we went with the Aztec breakfast, which were sort of like a fried egg taco, completed with a DELICIOUS fried plantain, toast and fruit. I savored every last bite and even had to use the toast to soak up the remaining bits of egg remnants. Also, prepare your taste buds for the orange juice! It's freshly squeezed and comes with a lime wedge, which makes it oh so tasty and refreshing. I really thought I was in a Florida Orange Juice commercial. Overall, Don Cafeto made for a perfect start for the day to fuel us through the rest of our Mexican adventures! An absolute must for your Tulum breakfast. Los mejores huevos del mundo!!!!! Despues de explorar las ruínas vinimos aquí a desayunar. El servício fue tan amable y podíamos ordenar facilmente. La entrada fue una salsa con ajo, zanahorias y jalapenos. Muuuuyy delicioso pero taaann picante. Me encantan comidas picantes, pero ten cuidado con la salsa si no le gusta picante. Ordenamos el desayuno Azteca. Es como un taco con huevos y salsa, muy bueno! Uno de los mejores restaurantes de Tulum. Todo el mundo necesitan comer allí si visitar Tulum, especialmente si tener sed. Toma el jugo de naranja! read more
5 years ago
8 years ago
We stopped in on our walk around town and this place looked busy, a good sign. The food was outstanding. So delicious, fresh, perfectly seasoned. We had the garlic shrimp, the shrimp tacos, fish tacos and filet Veracruz style. Food was perfectly hot, not over salted and good price! We loooooved the appetizer pickled vegetables. I would go back to eat just that. We paid about $55USD for all of us including an alcoholic drink each. Not street food price, but way above street food quality! read more
Went for breakfast twice and dinner once. Service is so-so. We were actually completely forgotten on our first breakfast there after ordering so word to the wise, try to be seated where the staff can see you, not to the side our front. Aztec breakfast is awesome, love all the different bits that come with it. Mole enchiladas were good, not great. The mole sauce was good but the chicken inside was dry. The relish bowl is truly the highlight! read more
Straight up 5 stars for their fish tacos. They start you off with complementary nachos and salsa (beware, the salsa is spicy). I got the fish tacos, they offer grilled or fried, like the fat kid I am, I went fried and no regrets. They are amazing. Come here if you're in Tulum for the day. I'm off back to Playa Del Carmen. read more
4 years ago
3 years ago
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7 years ago
9 years ago
Affordable, tasty, authentic Mexican in downtown Tulum. Complimentary chips, salsa, and vegetables. Beware of the Habanero pepper in the vegetables!! There is a Live band playing while you eat. The skirt steak Mexican platter was phenomenal!! Highly recommend. read more
4 years ago
4 years ago
4 years ago
If you're looking for authentic Mexican cuisine this is the place. The food was amazing. You truly get a lot for a little ($). The kitchen staff are quick, efficient and professional and so were the wait staff. read more
Decent spot on the main Tulum town road. Decent food. Good people watching. Friendly and efficient service. Wouldn't necessarily go there again but it was a decent meal in a covered restaurant while we waited out a afternoon thunderstorm to pass. read more
8 years ago
We came here after a tiring day of roaming around Tulum city and the ruins. It was really great to taste the authentic Mexican dishes. We sat outside and the weather was great. They give a big bowl of chips and salsa on the house so if you are planning on ordering chips/nachos you can avoid that. The waiter was really friendly. Usually waiters stand outside and call me tourists to try their food which is kinda unnecessary but none if that happened with us at this place. We checked out the menu first and then decided to eat here. We were seated right away and the service was quick too. If you are in Tulum definitely check out this place. read more
5 years ago
4 years ago
Best escabeche I've ever had in my life! Seriously, this stuff is insane. For the uninitiated, escabeche is not ceviche (fish marinated in lime), it's vegetables that have been pickled Mexican style. And Don Cafeto's kills it in the escabeche game. The stuff comes out free when you sit down, and the bowl is brimming with carrots, garlic, potatoes, onions, hot peppers and a whole mess of pickled, oily goodness. Think a cross between Italian preserved peppers in oil and pickled veggies, with spice added. The game here is to sit and order some drinks, enjoy some escabeche, and then maybe head elsewhere for a full meal. The drinks are tasty, but the rest of the food leaves a bit to be desired. I sampled the queso fundido, which is just melted cheese with the optional chorizo or champignones. Tasty enough. But the rest of the food looked (from glances at other tables) to be fairly standard fare. For a more exciting full meal, check out El Pollo Bronco just down the street. read more
11 years ago
Don Cafeto is a good choice on this main strip in Tulum if you want straightforward and more traditional food. Where they really exceed is their escabeche, which came highly recommended by my fellow yelper Don B and comes out free before your meal. It's very spicy, but so tasty... and they give you a ton of it! As for the food we actually ordered, it was hit and miss. I loved my fish filet with garlic - the fish tasted so fresh and the garlic wasn't overpowering. My husband was less than thrilled with his mole enchiladas. One thing I often think is that the sad little side salads with the ranch dressing on our dishes is completely unnecessary. I'm not sure if they do this thinking it's what the gringos want, but it goes untouched. There were a couple of dudes playing live music on the night we went, and we got a table outside to enjoy the hot evening. It seemed like a place that welcomed locals and tourists alike. One unpleasant surprise probably had nothing to do with the restaurant itself. We excitedly ordered micheladas, expecting the more tomatoey flavor we're used to in the states. I guess over there they do it with a sauce that's very heavy on the Worcestershire, and we just couldn't acquire the taste that evening. A sad waste of beer, but an educational experience indeed! read more
3 years ago
7 years ago
7 years ago
People watching, salsa is spicy hot. I'm korean and. I couldn't handle it. Tasty food for lunch read more
7 years ago
11 years ago
If you are looking for a more traditional food option during your stay in Tulum, give this place a shot. We stopped there for brunch and it was so good that we came back 3 times (for brunch too). The Desayuno Azteca was pretty good (I love chilaquiles!), as well as the Arrachera. In terms of drinks, I had a really good watermelon licuado and my friend really liked his Margaritas. The service was great. A little music, more fans and a cozier lighting could help upgrade this place to 5 stars, although I personally loved it! read more
Don Cafeto was DELICIOUS!! I was greeted with a freshly squeezed juice as I sat which was amazing cause I was hungover LOL. I had a cafe de olla and desayuno azteca and it was so damn good. I had a Bloody Mary as well, but that wasn't very good haha. The service was amazing and i just had a great time here. Definitely stop by and if you're in the neighborhood. read more
8 years ago
6 years ago
8 years ago
Amazing shrimp tacos. Excellent service. Would definitely recommend. Fyi the pico has habaneros and is no joke LoL! read more
5 years ago
6 years ago
11 years ago
Totally agree with all the other posts. Great food that has a lot if items traditional to this area. The best part of the meal was definitely the escabeche, best escabeche I've ever had. They put some love into that little pickled veggie mix. I was vegan at the time I ate here (lent) but I still worked it out with the breakfast special. They looked at me crazy when I said chilaquiles with no eggs or cream hahaha. My friend who was eating meat and dairy at the time got the same dish with all the usual ingredients. We both enjoyed our meals. read more
5 years ago
9 years ago
More info about Don Cafeto
Av. Tulum 64
77780 Tulum, Quintana Roo
Mexico
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984 871 2207
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