Kitchen Table

Another wonderful meal in Mexico. Kitchen Table backs up to the jungle and our table was quiet, secluded and had a good view of the kitchen.
Now the food. We had the Deviled Avocado and it was sensational. For dinner I ordered the Grilled Ahi and Gretch ordered the shrimp. Both dinners were excellent and the presentation fit our environment, which made it perfect.
The staff, cooks and bartenders were all at their best and made us feel welcome while we ate dinner. They were available but not intrusive.
We will eat here again during our next trip to The Yucatan.

I ate at kitchen table a few months ago and walked away thinking it was the best meal of my life. I went back last week curious to see if that impression held up. Kitchen table did not disappoint. We ordered the entire menu. For me both times the salads were amazing, but the deviled avocado stood out to me most. It has the taste of a deviled egg without the texture which makes me nauseous. For entrées they are all amazing. I never thought I would go for octopus but the texture and taste were both incredible. I would and have recommended kitchen table to anyone passing through Tulum. My only word of caution is don’t read the sign in front of the restaurant; there is a nasty fire ant nest that lit my feet up.

Mmm mm good! A little off the beaten path, but it’s worth the find. It’s one of those nicer and upscale restaurants, but it’s still outdoor and no all natural bug repellent or ac! It’s not bad when it’s night and breezy, but the bugs, they’re real when you’re this Asian who gets eaten alive by mosquitos.
I had the octopus and it was PHENOM! They definitely did this the right way. Mind you, I paid like $ 25 for this, so it better be right. The kitchen is right there in the open and you can just watch them make everything, but the only unpleasant part was the fire because it was so warm and we were already so hot.
Anyway, the octopus was so incredibly tender and then perfectly grilled on the outside so it was so crispy. The seasoning was absolutely divine — savory, a bit buttery, some herbs and other spices — it really was one of the best I’ve ever eaten.
The friend got the pork ribs which were a bit dry to her (but to be fair, she says she really only eats bbq/​smoked pork which is fall off the bone and really tender). She also got an arugula salad which I had a bite of and it was delicious. The arugula was mild and not too bitter or peppery, the grilled pineapple was a nice touch and the dressing was light, yet flavorful enough (and not too heavy on all of the lettuce).
Also got a salted caramel pot for dessert which was decadent. It was too much for us bc it tasted just super sweet and needed a cookie or something to offset the rich, velvety taste and texture.
I also got a balam drink which is like a caprihini but with a different rum is what I’m told. It wasn’t as tart as a caprihini and it was just alright. Passion fruit seeds in it… not sure why they do that!
Overall, nice experience, a little relaxed and slow, but worth the shot!

The food was very good and the ambiance was cool. Compared to other options nearby for the same cool ambiance and delicious food, this place is overpriced. We went on a weeknight and there was only one other couple there during the prime night slot which felt really weird. After our delicious meal, our waiter (who was only serving us) sat at the bar and started drinking and conversing with the other staff and did not even look at us for over 30 minutes (I know because I was wanting to signal we were ready for our check). I finally had to ask the other waiter to get our check for us. This waiter went down near the other waiter, talked to him for a minute, and brought us our check like a champ. I wanted to give it three stars for it being overpriced with subpar service, but I am sure our experience was an outlier and not the norm. Just a word for the wise, if your servers are going to drink because of a slow night, don’t position them at the one table facing the bar when the rest of the restaurant is empty.

Came here based on the Unilocal reviews (and wanting to avoid Hartwood), and was NOT disappointed. Gorgeous setting and excellent food. Started with the fig & goat cheese salad, then I ordered the angus beef while my companion had the octopus. Though I did not try the octopus, Companion said it was great. My beef was delicious and tender. We didn’t have time to stay for dessert, though we wish we had. Highly recommended.

What a gem of a surprise. The jungle-​like setting but on a hill top with a nice breeze and no Mosquitos! The Mayan stone carvings were great. And it feels as if every table is the chefs table. We had the octopus, the tuna and the ribs– all were exceptional. I’d put this one up against anything down the road. We loved it!

You know that feeling when something leaves a strong impression on you that you just want to go back right away? My experience at the Kitchen Table felt exactly like that!
My husband and I were greeted and seated by who I believe was the owner/​chef himself. He & the rest of the staff was so warm and welcoming. Since we came right when they opened, we had a pick at basically any table we wanted. They have tables available under the canopy and outside the canopy. We wanted to experience a little privacy so we decided to sit outside the canopy. It felt as if we were dining right outside the jungles of Tulum. We could hear the birds singing right next to us.
The service was attentive and friendly. We didn’t feel rushed at all during our meal. We ordered the enchilada to start. For our main entrees we devoured the swordfish and grilled octopus. We left some room for dessert. For that, we ordered salted caramel with walnuts.
The swordfish and grilled octopus were cooked to perfection. Good amount of salt on the octopus. Neither were over cooked, so it made the dishes so tender.
The salted caramel was a nice ending to a good meal. It wasn’t overly sweet. The walnuts added texture and flavor to the salted caramel. I believe it may have been made with some goat cheese or milk. Not too sure, but it really added good flavor and depth to the simple dessert.
From the time we left, I have already been trying to convince my husband to return once more to Kitchen Table before we leave Tulum! Thank you to the chef, cooks and staff for a wonderful meal!

This is a late review. But we were in tulum July 2015. We actually stayed across the street from this gem of a restaurant. At that time it was very new open that year. Food was amazing. Grilled octopus was amazing. Chef was and service were very friendly and amazing staff. Every fish we had there was fantastic.
Located in the jungle great ambiance.
Glad to see this restaurant has become so popular.

Awesome place in the middle of the jungle. Great food and perfect service. Recommend to go. But take cash — they don’t accept cards.

This is probably one of the best restaurant I have ever been to
The location and ambience is inviting. Quiet. Rustic, clean with an open kitchen. Only 12 tables. the owner is extremely friendly and he chooses the music which is light jazz.
For appetizer we ordered the stuffed avocado and mushroom quesadilla. The best
Entrée I ordered angus beef shoulder which was grilled to perfection on a bed of beans w Chad and onions. Spicy snd sweet. Really special
My husband had the grilled octopus. Out of this world. Crispy warm and delicious .
For desert we ordered salted caramel which was served in a small glass jar .
Prices are very reasonable. Especially if you come from Manhattan .
Word of advice: if you get there around 7:00 pm you will get a table. If you show up at 8:00 or after be prepared for a long wait

Where do I start… well, this place has no walls. So if you are into those sort of things or A/​C you are out of luck. It is in the jungle; -) In a great way. Posted pics of just about everything we ate except for dessert (chocolate ganache… frozen but soft and sunflower seeds sprinkled on top… ate before a pic could happen… yum). Quesadilla (mushroom) is outstanding and a new flavor (to me, FWIW). Wood-​fired everything… we had the octopus and the ribs. Wow. At least 2 and probably 3 chefs looking at your plate and making everything just so before it is brought to your table by super friendly staff. Have a rental car sitting here at Villa Pescadores but decided to stroll down the beach road (if it’s dark bring a flashlight or strobe app on your phone but otherwise a safe walk). Bring cash (Peso for the bill and tip like we did and they will helpfully convert the bill to USD at an FX of 16 as of this writing if you are math challanged). Just like a dream so we will have to go back for another session and a mojito that converted this non-​mo guy.

We had two wonderful meals here during our stay in Tulum. The setting is truly jungle dining, but elevated so it feels really great to be up high. The first night we sat by the kitchen and watched the quiet, masterful chef and cooks getting the food out — they were almost zen like. We loved everything on the menu — and we had it all. We returned with our foodie friends from our hometown of Montauk and tried everything we had missed. I am obsessed by the ahi with the spiced potato salad. It was such a beautiful delicious presentation. Bernardo and Anna were great servers and Ignacio is a masterful chef. Thanks Kitchen Table!

Wow. Just returned from easily the best meal I’ve enjoyed in a very long while. Everything was so delicious — service outstanding and flavors surprisingly good. The atmosphere at Kitchen Table was spot on: romantic without alienating those not there with a SO, music just enough to provide added ambience without interfering with conversation, plenty of space between tables and the right amount of candlelight and soft generator driven leccy lights (if you’ve eaten in Tulum for a while, you’ll know how «soft lighting» starts to get old when you can’t see your food, the menus, your dining companion, where you put your fork down etc… I’m looking at you Posada Margherita). We arrived this evening, a Thursday, at around 7.30pm on a whim, fully expecting to find a long wait or a place that couldn’t or wouldn’t be a good fit for our family of 4. But the charming host said he happened to have a suitable kid friendly table right away (I think we got really lucky with this as another family had just left as we rolled in) and we grabbed it. I’d already fallen in love with the atmosphere and knew my husband and I would find something to love from the short but sweet menu. I was less sure about the kids, but forged ahead regardless. So glad we did. Kids loved sharing the quesadillas and the delicious short ribs with plantain mash. Husband had the steak with amazing spicy beans and I plumped for the most delicious octopus to have ever graced a plate. Tummies bursting, my daughter and I shared the ganache chocolate cream pot. Husband enjoyed a couple of really nice Mexican craft beers and although I wish I’d tried one of the gorgeous looking cocktails, I stuck with some South American white. Poor 4 yo fell asleep quietly at the table and was pulled into his Daddy’s lap while we gobbled the rest of our dinner. The host brought everyone blankets as it was a chilly night. We had a choice for one last blow out in Tulum between here or Hartwood. So glad we picked here. There’s no way the food at Hartwood could be any better than this and I’m willing to bet the service (see ridiculous booking policy & up its own bum reviews) is way behind. Just wish we could go back tomorrow and try everything we missed! Delicious. Beautiful. Charming. Why can’t everywhere be this good?! Oh and the bill for apps, mains and one dessert plus 4 bevvies for ¾ ppl? $ 110. A bargain for such perfection.

Great Mexican fusion style food, drinks and service. I enjoyed the atmosphere, music, ambience– rustic, intimate, cozy.
Btw, cash only!

In a few words: Better than Hartwood… Skip Hartwood and make reservation there.
— Very charming place.
— Very tasty food with incredible flavors and a real unique presentation.
— Very romantic and beautiful.
— Portuguese owner really cares about his customers and came to check twice on us to make sure we were happy with everything. He apologized for the food being slow but once you are there honestly time flies and you’re on vacation… It wasn’t that slow and it was amazing !!!
Order the octopus it’s the best one I ever had in my life !!!

4.5 stars. The Portuguese chef owner Antonio takes great care of the food. A cozy place with the grill right in the center set in the garden.
The pork ribs are the best dish that we tried. Perfected salted, bursting with flavor, just the right texture.
Grilled skirt steak — pretty good.
Arugula salad with sunflower seeds and parmagiana cheese. Like the kick in the arugula from this region and addition of sunflower seeds. Didn’t care for the cheese inside the salad — wished it was lighter or optional.
Granache — nice ending to the meal. Creamy and not overly sweet.
Great value and pleasant Brazilian music spinning in the background.

Most beautiful, romantic honeymoon dinner. Was able to be accommodated as a walk in despite limited reservations and hours.
Atmosphere was cozy. Comfortable. And exciting to see our food grilled over fire.
Beautiful food presentation. Loved my lobster, my husband loved his ahi. The apps were great too!
The owners/​chef are super nice.
Drink menu looked amazing, though we didn’t try any. They ran out of the passion fruit drink before we arrived so that was a bummer. Hope to be back again!

Adorable hidden gem in the jungle. Delicious food, perfect ambiance and setting. What a lovely meal! The Huitlacoche quesadilla was our favorite dish, and everything else was also very tasty. So glad we found this!

The atmosphere at this restaurant was amazing. It’s everything you want to feel in a tropical destination. A big palapa. Open kitchen. Candles lined up the staircase with Jack Johnson playing in the background. There were pillow seats with small tables in the waiting area and a huge beautiful bar before you reached the top of the restaurant. It’s a small restaurant with only about six tables so I would imagine in high season there would be a long wait.
Cocktails were spot on and had that artisanal flavor we are so used to in San Francisco — and served in mason jars which is always nice.
We ordered crispy fried camarones with a sensational mayo dip of some sort, as well as the grilled mango salad with arugula, basil and a blue cheese dressing.
For dinner, we shared the hog ribs with mashed plantains and the skirt steak with Lentils and Swiss chard and they had some curry spices on them. We loved the meat in both dishes but thought it was all a bit too salty.
Everything was amazing and the waitress Michelle was super good and we loved how involved the chef was. He said sorry that our food was taking too long (which wasn’t long at all) and waved as guests came in.
You must try this place !!!

We loved this place! The food is amazing and the ambience is lovely and relaxing, with very good service and open kitchen.
We ordered for appetizer a salad with arugula, mango and blue cheese dressing and it was so good.
For main course we had ahi tuna and pork ribs and it was even better! Dessert was good.