Creative dishes, experimental cocktail recipes, and an atmosphere that captures Tulum’s achingly cool aesthetic, ARCA is the kind of place that doesn’t have to try to achieve full capacity at 5.30PM on a Tuesday – but being a place you’ll really want a table at, you’ll find that’s often the case.
The Lowdown
Wooden tables lit by the flicker of candles and an open-roof bar with a direct view of the stars: this is Tulum dining at its finest. The space is well designed, void of pretence, and always full. The kitchen overlooks the restaurant and the staff are attentive in a way that’s both subtle and friendly. In short, ARCA delivers seasonal, premium quality food, original recipes, and a memorable experience that feels unique to its location in the Yucatán.
What To Order
Fish and vegetable dishes are ARCA’s speciality and, as with many dining spots in Tulum, plates are designed for sharing. Everything comes with a surprising twist, so expect combinations you haven’t seen anywhere else. It works. So well, in fact, that it sets this restaurant a step above the rest. Order the octopus in all its forms and choose avocado ice-cream for dessert. If you’re keen to sample the cocktail menu but don’t know where to begin, ask for pairing recommendations; drinks are as much of a focus as food here and the list rotates monthly.
Who To Bring
Whether you’re travelling with friends or as part of a couple, add this spot to your Tulum bucket list. Book in advance to ensure you get a table.
The Dress Code
Leave your heels in the hotel (if you so much as packed them, that is) and channel Mexico’s luxe-bohemian style. Billowing silk kaftans, linen twinsets, and strappy gladiator sandals, topped with a feather-trimmed fedora from one of the neighbouring boutiques, will embody ARCA’s mood in fashion form.
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