Palma Central: A Must Try Foodie Spot in Tulum

Tulum, Mexico has a thriving food scene with everything from no-frills taco joints to vegan, raw, organic, local, *insert more marketing trigger words here* cafes. Some spots are hits, some are overpriced misses. But there is one that you won’t find on food blogs that you NEED to check out: Palma Central, a permanent food truck park that serves up some seriously tasty eats.  

Palma Central is tucked away off the main drag of downtown Tulum, making it a true hidden gem. It has 15 (give or take) food trucks serving up all types of eats from across the world. Each vendor sells a different type of food, and you can get anything from pizza to crepes. Thirsty? You’re in luck! A connecting restaurant has waiters perusing the picnic tables taking drink orders.

The trucks are nicely centered around a courtyard, and you can catch live music on the weekends as well as local artisans selling jewelry and textiles. Dinner, shopping, and a show? What’s not to love! Plus, it’s family friendly with an unpretentious local feel.

We tried out 3 spots at Palma Central. Here’s what we tried and what we thought!

Buena Vida Burger

If you’re looking for a burger in Tulum, this is the spot for you. Buena Vida Burger is right near the entrance of Palma Central, and these burgers are something special– ultra-juicy, nicely charred, plenty of flavor. The burgers aren’t loaded high with fancy bells and whistles. They are just classic, delicious, burgers that your taste buds will  go gaga for.

Argentinean Style Empanadas

If freshly made empanadas tickle your fancy, then you need to check out the Argentinean style empanada food truck. There are options for meat and veggie lovers alike, and each batch is made to order. The dough is perfectly crispy with just the right amount of softness. And the fillings are tender and loaded with herbs and spices. You can score 3 for 120mxn ($6usd), and I’d recommend giving them a try. (The carne was my favorite… just saying.)

Thai Spot

Tucked in the back of Palma Central you’ll find a food truck serving up various Thai dishes. The people were lovely and the décor was cute. But alas, our pad Thai fell short. Traditional pad Thai has fish sauce, oyster sauce,  brown sugar, and tamarind, but this one was missing one of said ingredients. Although I admitedly can’t pinpoint what it was. The dish was heavy on the lime while light on that lovely smoky sweet flavor Pad Thai should have. I was rooting for this one to be good, but it didn’t quite cut it. (For some authentic Thai eats I tried in Thailand, check out THIS post!)

Final Thoughts on Palma Central

Some spots in Tulum feel showy with a forced Bohemian-chic #doitforthegram aesthetic. Palma Central is relaxed and laid back with an organic splash hippie vibes. Plus, all the food spots are locally owned, so you know your money is staying in Tulum.  

From burgers to empanadas, Palma Central has something for everybody, and this hidden gem certainly should be on the top of your “must try” food list when visiting Tulum.