Arca Tulum — Restaurant in Tulum

This is a mid to lower-upscale restaurant that wants to be a Michelin restaurant (and charges those prices). The co-owner and head chef has worked at Noma previously and there are fine dining aspects at Arca. Some of the dishes are creative and amazing, many others are average / forgettable. Ambiance and especially the bathroom leave a lot to be desired and would NEVER pass for a fine dining or Michelin restaurant anywhere else in the world.

Food: Some dishes like the soft shell crab taco and sea bass with green mole are so unique and artistic in flavor that you can really see the craft coming through. I would 100% order these dishes again. But there are other dishes like the suckling pig that are average, hard to finish and I would not order again.

Ambiance: As others have noted, dining outdoors in the jungle also means you will be surrounded by mosquitos, flies and constant heat. That's totally to be expected in Tulum, but it would never pass for a fine dining or Michelin star restaurant.

Cost: If you plan to eat a full meal here, expect it to cost around $100-150 usd/pp BEFORE tip & NO alcohol (if you order 5-7 plates for 2 people to share). Cocktails are 350-500 pesos each so you can easily end up over $200usd/pp if you're ordering drinks. If you're looking at their online menu, just know that each plate ranges from 500-800 mxn pesos per small dish, with the majority being 700+. Water served is Acqua Panna Still for $10 usd/750ml or 1L and even the bread is $15 usd for a few slices.

Tasting Menu: 4,500 pesos/pp . This is on par with what Pujol and Quintonil in CDMX charge for their tasting menus but keep in mind those restaurants are just worlds above Arca in terms of fine dining.

Prix Fixe: 2,500 pesos/pp as of August 2024.

I have no problem with restaurants setting their prices and standing by their craft, quality, and experience. But most fine dining will set a tasting menu or prix fixe with a clear price when you make your reservation - it's up front, they are proud of the food they serve and the experience they offer. And they want you to come in with high expectations which they are certain they'll exceed.

Places like Arca and the like in Tulum feel completely overrated and overpriced because...it's Tulum. Arca's menu on their website has no prices because I genuinely believe they don't want you to know before you get there and they wouldn't survive if it were not for their location in Tulum in the beach hotel zone. The prices as of august 2024 has doubled to tripled since their 2019 menu (posted on Tripadvisor) because of all the hype around this restaurant. The portions are small and the staff expect and pressure you to order a lot and tip.

There's a lot of mixed reviews online for places like Arca, Casa Banana, Hartwood, etc. The food was good to great depending on the dish. But my main gripe is that Arca (and others like it in Tulum) have become super overhyped and are charging Michelin/fine dining prices with absolutely NO comparison to true fine dining restaurants.

I recommend coming here if you are in Tulum looking for that "Tulum Beach Zone Instagram" experience and are willing to spend $150-200 USD/pp on upscale not-quite fine dining food or ambiance. If that's not your vibe, eat better and cheaper food in Tulum Centro. Then visit an actual fine dining restaurant in Mexico City where you’ll leave full and the food & experience will be worth the price.

For the cherry on top, there's no parking so you'll need to find a nearby lot and pay 200-300 pesos to...

An Unforgettable Culinary Experience at Arca Tulum!

If you’re considering dining at Arca, stop thinking and make that reservation now! This spot is all about the experience—from the stunning open-air setup surrounded by lush greenery and soft candlelight to the delightful food adventure that awaits you.

First, let me rave about the ambiance. The restaurant is completely outdoors, with trees and plants all around, creating a serene and natural vibe. Each table is thoughtfully decorated with candles in modern vases, ensuring no distractions while you soak in the experience. The seating arrangement gives you space to breathe—you’re not crammed in like sardines—and there’s a constant soft trail of copal smoke in the air, adding a mystical touch. Bonus: the copal also works wonders at keeping the mosquitos away! Not a single bite all night. They’ve also set up fans throughout the area, keeping the temperature comfortable and pleasant. There’s even a lounge in the back with a chic bar, perfect for post-dinner relaxation.

Now onto the service and food—absolutely stellar. The staff were beyond welcoming and attentive. Most spoke excellent English and happily switched between Spanish and Spanglish with me, making my daughter (who’s learning Spanish) feel right at home. This is a restaurant where you open your mind and palate to new flavors, so don’t expect typical comfort food. This is upscale Mexican cuisine, served tapas-style, and every dish is crafted to delight and surprise.

We started with the sourdough bread and coconut oil butter. While the bread wasn’t fresh out of the oven, it was still delicious. Fun fact: despite our lactose intolerance, the Amish butter the brought along with the bread didn’t bother us like it usually would.

The mocktails were next-level. I had a passion fruit, ginger, and hibiscus drink served with a coconut leaf straw—refreshing and perfectly balanced. If you like ginger, this one’s a must. My daughter’s hibiscus drink was equally tasty—she practically inhaled it!

For appetizers, we ordered the soft-shell crab tacos, which are wildly popular. The “tortilla” is actually a leaf, but don’t be fooled—it’s packed with flavor. The sea bass was next, served with a tropical Mexican fruit that tastes like green apple, topped with coconut and jalapeño shavings. Paired with homemade tortillas that reminded me of the yaniqueques from my childhood in the Dominican Republic, it was pure perfection.

The mushroom dish was my daughter’s favorite, full of rich flavors, though I had a texture moment and had to pass after one bite. For dessert, we tried the tamale with cacao, nuts, and kombucha syrup—probably best for serious chocolate lovers, which we aren’t.

Overall, Arca is a must-visit for anyone in Tulum who wants an elevated culinary experience. It’s not just dinner—it’s a feast for the senses. Just remember, come with an open mind and a sense of adventure. You...

Here's the revised review with the additional point:

A Mixed Experience at ARCA: Excellent Food, but Service Falls Short

Our recent visit to ARCA in Tulum was a combination of exceptional food and ambiance, overshadowed by significant service issues that left us with a less-than-satisfying experience.

We arrived 10 minutes early for our reservation, anticipating a smooth and welcoming start. Instead, we were left waiting outside by the curb in the scorching heat, despite more than half the restaurant being empty. There was no effort to welcome us into the receiving area, which set a negative tone right from the start.

Once seated, service continued to disappoint. The simplest request—a slice of lemon with my water—took over 20 minutes to fulfill, requiring three separate reminders to the waiter. It was an unnecessary delay, especially considering the restaurant’s status as a premium establishment.

Adding to the frustration was our server’s overly confident attitude. He was insistent on his suggestions, to the point of discouraging us from exploring the menu ourselves, which felt more pushy than accommodating. For a restaurant where guests are paying top dollar, this level of service fell short of expectations.

To further complicate the experience, one of my vendors had called the restaurant and left his credit card with the manager to cover the cost of our dinner. However, there was absolutely no mention of this to us throughout the evening. Instead, we were presented with the check and ended up paying for the meal ourselves, unaware that it had already been taken care of. This oversight added to our dissatisfaction with the service and lack of communication.

On the positive side, the food and atmosphere were truly remarkable. Each dish was beautifully crafted, though vegetarian options leaned too heavily on lemon, with the exception of the mushroom dish, which stood out. However, a few items we were eager to try, advertised on the menu, were not available by the time we sat down, which was a disappointment.

Interestingly, the staff not directly interacting with customers were efficient and professional, contributing to the overall smooth operation of the restaurant. It’s unfortunate that their attention to detail didn’t extend to the customer-facing team.

In conclusion, while ARCA delivers on its promise of fantastic food and a vibrant atmosphere, the service needs significant improvement. A restaurant at this price point should prioritize communication and making guests feel welcome and valued from start to finish. Unfortunately, ARCA fell short in delivering that level...