CHECKPOINT CIAO PIZZERIA — Restaurant in Tulum

Checkpoint Ciao is the real deal! The food is to-die-for, and the owners are wonderful. They treated us like family - could be because I was born in the Naples, Italy area. But I think they would treat any and all the in the same way. We ate there twice on our most recent holiday trip to Tulum. Once on a lazy afternoon after searching for pizza nearby, and once on NYE. On our first visit, when we caught a glimpse of the Brooklyn pie, our eyes popped. When we had our first taste, our minds were blown. Just amazing. Beautiful airy dough with the deepest charing flavor from the Neapolitan brick oven. Sweet tomatoes and milky cheese with high-quality toppings. This clearly is a labor of love. Then came the Pistachio Tiramisu. As mentioned from a previous reviewer, it was phenomenal. If you love pistachios as much as I do, you will not regret the calories. The photos I've included are from our 2nd trip, where they graciously gave us a table on a very busy NYE just a couple of days in advance. Once again, they go above-and-beyond to make you feel special. This time we ordered the Margarita with burrata and prosciutto added. Nuts! We also ordered the Pappardelle Bolognese. OMG! Perfect silky fresh pasta with a 6-hour meat sauce. Could it get better? Well yes. They sent over another Pistachio Tiramisu and Limoncello - made on premises! But seriously, it doesn't get any better. Not in Tulum. Get over there on your next visit, and you will find yourself wanting to go back over and over again. Thank you Maurice and Lena for making our holiday trip most memorable. Best of luck for the future - I'm sure it will be bright if you keep delivering what we experienced! We'll see you on...

We wanted to have a good Italian meal and chose Checkpoint Ciao after reading all the rave reviews. They offer a delightful blend of contemporary Neapolitan cuisine with a bohemian vibe that perfectly complements the serene beauty of Tulum. We visited this charming eatery after a mesmerizing walk on the beach under a full moon, and it turned out to be one of the best culinary experiences we’ve had.

The Ravioli was nothing short of authentic and delicious. The pasta was perfectly cooked, with a filling that was both rich and flavorful. Next, we tried their Neapolitan Margherita pizza, and it was a revelation. The crust was light and airy, with the perfect amount of chewiness, and the balance of fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil was impeccable. It was as if we had been transported to Naples, enjoying pizza the way it was meant to be. The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly the Tiramisu al Pistacchio. This dessert was a masterpiece, combining the classic flavors of Tiramisu with a delightful pistachio twist. It was creamy, indulgent, and by far the best Tiramisu I have ever had. It’s hard to believe that such an exceptional dessert can be found in Tulum, of all places.

Checkpoint Ciao should definitely be on your list when visiting Tulum. The combination of authentic Italian cuisine and a relaxed bohemian atmosphere makes it a must-visit. In fact, I would happily return to Tulum just to indulge in their exquisite Tiramisu again. Don’t miss out on this...

We went to Checkpoint Ciao recently to enjoy another one of their delicious pizzas. We were happy to see that their pizzas maintain the quality and flavor we (and so many other reviewers) have come to expect. We’ve ordered take-out a couple times in the past but this time we decided to eat inside their comfortable air-conditioned dining area. While enjoying our margarita pizza, we were greeted by Maurice the friendly Italophile owner. He chatted with us about their special pasta bolognese and the many hours it required to produce the authentic flavor and consistency of the sauce. He also told us how all the ingredients of the dishes and wines on his menu are either locally sourced or imported directly from an array of regions throughout Italy. We returned the next evening determined to try their pastas. We were very impressed by the aforementioned pasta bolognese along with a perfectly prepared ricotta gnocchi with an authentic pesto sauce. We also chose two glasses of cabernet franc from the vineyards of Pieropaolo Pecorari in Friuli an exceptional wine rarely found in most restaurants. We encourage others to continue enjoying their pizzas but don’t miss their many other savory dishes and their legendary...