WILD Tulum — Restaurant in Tulum

WILD Tulum offers an exceptional dining experience, especially for those seeking high-quality cuisine in an open-air, jungle setting. The food here is absolutely 5-star quality, with flavors that are inventive and beautifully presented, though the drinks left a bit to be desired. While they’re tasty, the drinks are on the stronger side, which could appeal to those who enjoy a bolder sip, but a bit more balance would have elevated the drink experience to match the incredible food.

My fiancé and I sampled several items from the Small Plates section, each of which was delightful in its own way. The Crispy Avocado was a deliciously unexpected dish, with a great contrast of textures that was both crunchy and creamy. The Sikil Pak and Pico de Gallo paired perfectly, adding a fresh, bright element to the spread, while the Oxalis added a unique twist. The Huitlacoche Ravioli was another highlight; the combination of sweet corn, truffle beurre monté, and the delightful puffed sorghum and corn bubbles made for an earthy, decadent flavor profile that was truly satisfying.

We also tried the Campeche Prawns with chorizo and tajin—this dish was packed with flavor, with the Nayarit sauce adding a delicious spice that complemented the prawns well. My fiancé’s Cochinita Pork Belly was equally remarkable. The achiote provided a rich, smoky flavor, and the crispy tamal and rice chicharron added a great crunch, rounding out the dish.

For dessert, we opted for the Chocolate with Brown Butter Rocks. This dessert was a lovely mix of textures and flavors, with the dulce de leche and candied japonés adding a perfect touch of sweetness balanced by the blueberry-lime accents. As it started to rain before we could enjoy it on-site, we took it to go. WILD Tulum is entirely outdoors, so I recommend bringing an umbrella just in case—although umbrellas are available, the staff is a bit slow to offer them unless you ask.

All in all, WILD Tulum offers a unique and upscale experience with exceptional food, though the drinks could use some refining. Despite the minor issues with rain accommodations, the setting, food, and flavors make it worth a visit. Overall, I’d rate WILD Tulum a solid...

My path of experiencing Tulum was by visiting some listed in Michelin Guide restaurants. Most of them are overpriced for general narrative of expensive destination and Wild is not exception. The question is what you get in return. Wild looks nice, the reception is warm and girl at reception genuinely tried to be helpful. Beware, this place is mosquito paradise. We have not experienced so much bites in any other Tulum location than in Wild. However, nice lady on the reception is natural born fumigator and she bunt lot of copal that spred pleasant smoke accross the restaurant. That kept misquitos away, but still mosquiotos' bites signified the evening substantially. The waiter was either slightly tired or not invested into serving (as in other places), but well, nothing to complain, just no magic. Food was as expected, nicely presented, fresh, tasting good. For any standard restaurant this would be highly praised, just no magic. However, for one of top priced places, it was missing that wow effect that elevates senses to metaphysical realm. Beats as appetizer, sibas for the main course and coconut fruit cake are all good choices, shrimps cooked in Yucatan style sauce is also quite tasteful. Sparkling water was exceptional. Nothing to complain, except it is not something to remember. Wild will charge you 'recommended' 18% tip over the full amount of check without asking. That's rude and put the place immediately to my Black List, because of that 1-point rating. The waiter who knows that he will grab you from your hard earned money without dedication to earn it, well, this is the result. Bad if this is restaurant's policy, not just a waitor's own initiative. All in all, no reason to waste time and money at Wild. It is good, but there are good choices around, as well. Nothing under the Sun gives this place a special right to impose tips just because they exist. All in all, my warm recommendation is to avoid Wild, except if a little bit of waitor's indifference, mosquitos bites and good, but unexciting food is your thing. If you prefer to eat in selected restaurants, there are more then dozen of them in Tulum (incl. Michelin...

Sigh. Gorgeous setting, friendly but overworked and under-trained staff. Food was all smoke and mirrors.

We were seated for our 8pm reservation; by 8:25 with no waiter or water in sight, we flagged someone down and asked if he would get our server or perhaps was he our server? With surprise and a pause he said, “oh sure I am your server” We ordered our water and two drinks. Both cocktails were okay, very citrus forward with not much subtly in other flavors. Our waiter was kind but unable to provide any enthusiastic insight into the dishes on the menu. My partner and I love dining out, and as avid travelers and NYC dwellers we love having a conversation with our server or bartender about the food and beverage. That was not so much an option here at Wild. I have worked in the industry as a line-cook, chef, and now food editor for over 15 years and I can tell that this menu, at its inception, was brilliant but over time and with the shear amount of services the execution has deeply taken a hit.

The tomato tartare was just a deconstructed bruschetta. And a bland one at that. The ravioli had all the foam and presentation and heavy handed use of truffle oil that used to get diners excited back in 2010.

What made us most sad was the octopus. Preparing octopus well takes knowledge and know-how, but one tentacle was so tough that I could not cut it, resorted to trying to just pick it up to take a bite, and still no luck. This was removed from our bill after I asked.

The highlight of the meal was the mezcal tasting experience (which when I ordered the waiter looked surprised as if he was unaware this was even offered, so we pointed it out on the menu). The bartender came over, poured our 3 mezcal tastings which was accompanied by the traditional orange slices, spicy salt and chapulines. The grasshoppers were the saving grace of the entire meal. Delish.

I wanted to love this place. But it is clear that the lovely staff is overworked, undertrained, and the kitchen is doing its best (but failing) to execute a menu that needs an update and loads of...