Welcome to Cetli
Cetli, located in Villas Tulum, Mexico, is a haven for food lovers seeking authentic and unique culinary experiences. This charming eatery, often compared to a vintage hacienda, offers a warm ambiance paired with exceptional service. Guests rave about dishes like the fish in almond mole and the stuffed poblano pepper, celebrated for their vibrant flavors and artistic presentation. The appetizer plate is a crowd-pleaser, showcasing delightful local ingredients. À la carte, the carefully curated menu highlights traditional recipes with a twist, ensuring every bite transports diners to a place of culinary bliss. Cetli is truly a gem worth discovering in Tulum.
-
Carretera 109 Tulum Coba Km 2.5, Villas Tulum, 77760 Tulum, Q.R., MexicoCarretera 109 Tulum Coba Km 2.5, Villas Tulum, 77760 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico Hotline: +52 984 108 0681
Welcome to Cetli, an exceptional dining experience nestled along Carretera 109 in Tulum, Mexico. From the moment you step through the doors, you're transported to a charming vintage hacienda ambiance, reminiscent of the enchanting film "Like Water For Chocolate". The atmosphere is complemented by artful decor and carefully curated music, creating a delightful backdrop for an unforgettable culinary journey.
Cetli isn't just a restaurant; it’s a celebration of authentic Mexican cuisine, successfully marrying rich, traditional flavors with innovative presentations. Whether you’re indulging in the beautifully plated fish in almond mole or the robust stuffed poblano pepper enveloped in rich red mole, each dish showcases the restaurant's expertise. Dishes burst with unique flavors, leaving you yearning to explore more. The appetizer plate, highly praised by patrons, is a testament to the kitchen’s creativity, featuring an assortment of house-made delights that awaken the palate.
But it’s not just the food that makes Cetli shine. The attentive and warm service puts you at ease, making you feel at home as you dive into a meal worth the price—especially in comparison to some of the more hyped beachside dining options. The commitment to excellence has garnered recognition, with mentions in the Michelin Guide and a deserving Bib Gourmand designation.
Each visit to Cetli is a new adventure, much like the culinary journey of Sheila Apolinario, who began her dining experience with enchanting margaritas and a beautiful, welcoming atmosphere. She was particularly impressed by the nuanced flavors and exquisite attention to detail, from artisan-crafted plates to the delightful local craftsmanship available in the boutique.
Well-cooked, traditional flavors were echoed in Tim English's experience, who found his meal enriched by the subtlety of flavors and the service that remained exceptional throughout. No detail goes unnoticed at Cetli—from the homemade tajin on the margarita rim to the perfect finish of a corn-based dessert, every element is thoughtfully crafted.
In conclusion, Cetli is a must-visit destination for anyone serious about food and seeking an authentic Tulum experience. The blend of traditional and modern, combined with dedicated service and a cozy atmosphere, makes it a dining spot that resonates deeply with both locals and tourists alike. Visit Cetli, and allow your taste buds to embark on a remarkable culinary adventure you won't soon forget.
My boyfriend and I had dinner here our first night in Tulum, and it definitely set the tone! To start, the music and decor made us feel like we were in a vintage hacienda, feeling like we were on the set of "Like Water For Chocolate". The waiter did a good job of pacing the food, and even brought us a cake for my boyfriend's birthday. Lastly, the food was delicious! Every dish was unique, authentic and beautifully plated. We loved it so much we came back for breakfast. This place is definitely worth the price, compared to some of the over- hyped restaurants on the beach.
A must dine place for people who are serious about food, they are mentioned in the Michelin guide and rightly so. We had the fish in almond mole, stuffed poblano pepper in red mole, both of which were really good and flavorful. But for me personally, the appetizer plate really stole the show. Highly recommend to anyone visiting Tulum!
Traditional well cooked low key food. We had the appetizer plate, a great salad and then fish with tamarind and sesame sauce. Well deserved Bib Gourmand as is was just delicious. The staff are extremely nice and welcoming. It is like being at home and a very welcomed escape from the hustle and bustle down the road. There is also a little shop were one can by local craftsmanship and mole.
I’m not one to write many reviews...but as I started reading these...I began to take the negative reviews oddly personal. After dining at other Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurants in Chicago - Cetli completely obliterated those prior experiences (which I thought were delightful). My husband and I were there at the weirdest time - Monday at 3pm (2/3). Disheveled after swimming in Gran Cenote, we walked to Cetli on the side of the busy, dusty road. Idk it made sense at the time. The ambiance was spot on, plants out front were being watered on our way in, smiles and nods along the way. Details at every nook and cranny: different mediums of art on the walls, silverware tied together sweetly, pretty cloth napkins, something like a lava rock holding down extra paper napkins, colorful plates and bowls. Right away when they brought the hand-painted menu - I said under my breath to my husband: “Do you think they’d let me have this???” Frame worthy (and available to purchase in the boutique area). The order of events: 1. Margaritas were sublime. Pretty sure the tajin on the rim was homemade. I licked it all off. 2. We were surprised to receive an appetizer snack plate. Totally made my day. House made bread, cheeses, some mini empanadas, garlic-y butter, salsa - all with more nuances I could never articulate in words exactly what they were...but my mouth remembers. 3. Next, the xicamatl salad. I was deep into travel mode at the time and craving freshness. This did it. Plenty to share, the shredded carrot, jicama, and beet combo was relaxed and lovely. 4. Our mains: istak fish with white almond mole sauce, and ixoxoctic chicken enchiladas in green almond mole sauce. Both were flavorful and fun. The sauces were nothing that could ever be replicated at home. There were forks scraping up leftover sauce. 5. Dessert espresso the perfect finish. Apologies, I can’t figure out what the dessert was called. Corn based cake with ice cream in the middle and chocolate all over. Both waiters we dined with were beyond professional and accommodating. They were Bib Gourmand level as well, not just the food (maybe even beyond???). We gave the chef on the wave on our way out...even though I wanted to stay forever.
SUBTLE - Flavors, atmospere and service are all subtle yet exceptional. We enjoyed this meal of well cooked fish and chicken served in various mole sauces. A corn wrapped side of rice helped us enjoy every last bite of the sauce
This place deserves 10000 stars. Beautiful, colorful, staff is kind and the food is simply DELICIOUS. This is what I was expecting and much more from Mexican food: amazing flavours and spices. By far, the best restaurant I’ve been in Tulum. I strongly recommend
Dining at Cetli is a must do in Tulum! While it’s a little further away from the main area in Tulum, it’s well worth the trip. The warm ambiance filled with folk art and traditional decor is the perfect setting to enjoy one of the best meals. The mole is a must try! We also got the “Cetli” for dessert, which was incredible corn cake with melted chocolate on the side. We loved it so much, we came back for breakfast, which also didn’t disappoint. If you leave Tulum without trying Cetli, you’re missing out!
This is such a wonderful place to visit. The entire atmosphere, food and service make it so special. We loved our time there . The food was wonderful and service excellent. Can't wait to go back