Hartwood prides itself on having no menu; instead, there are daily options based on whatever is available from nearby ranches and farms. Of course, that means locally sourced ingredients only, in the service of innovative, Mexican-inspired dishes. The never-the-same menu has made Hartwood one of Tulum’s most popular and in-demand dining rooms of late. Its dreamy ambience, with a gravel floor and a palm-shaded outdoor setting, melds beautifully with recipes created in the moment. Walk-ins are usually not accepted; book a table well in advance.
More Recommendations
Mandatory Eating at Hartwood
The ambience and food at Hartwood make it a mandatory stop when within 50 miles ofTulum. The expat chef and owners have upped the ante with delicious food and local ingredients on Tulum’s pristine beach. The menu also changes daily, and while the prices are equitable to those you might see in New York or San Francisco, the food is totally worth it. Their cocktail menu is incredibly unique and refreshing and they have done a wonderful job at staying true to Tulum’s vibe. Note that they currently open Wednesday through Sunday, and their hours are 6 to 11 p.m.
It's worth the wait
Kind of a must do in Tulum, and the food, cocktails, people watching and scene are well worth the hype. After some of the little hole in the wall taco stands and beach ceviche, it’s hard to swallow the NYC like $100+ meals, but go ahead and splurge, you’re only here once!
A Dinner Worth Waiting For
I had heard about Hartwood not only through friends who’d recently traveled to Tulum, but also from locals once I arrived. Essentially, Hartwood is an open-air restaurant on the jungle side of Tulum. The restaurant, like so much of the eco-chic area, boasts solar panels as its source of sustainable energy and a wood-burning oven to prepare all of its cuisine. While the wait can be long (I waited about an hour for a spot at the bar), it was well worth it. The menu changes daily based on produce readily available and locally sourced. I thoroughly enjoyed the fresh jicama salad dressed with juice of prickly pear as well the grilled octopus.
Heartwood Restaurant, Tulum, Mayan Riviera
Former Brooklynites decamped to Tulum in 2009 to pursue a slower, simpler life, and in many ways, they found it; after all, the restaurant they opened, Hartwood, is totally off the grid, with all dishes prepared on an open fire. But in other ways, their life became more full as Hartwood became a destination restaurant in high demand. The menu changes daily, based on availability of locally grown and produced ingredients, so you’ll never have the same meal twice—that is, if you’re lucky enough to get a reservation more than once. Nearly 10 years in, the restaurant is more popular than ever and tables are generally full.
