Christmas Eve Dinner: ARCA Tulum

Christmas Eve in Tulum has a way of feeling both festive and effortlessly unhurried, and this year we chose to celebrate it somewhere that already held a special place in our memories: Arca. We first dined here last December and left completely smitten—not just by the food, but by the atmosphere, the fire-driven cooking, and the way the meal unfolded like a story. When it came time to plan our Christmas Eve dinner again, returning to Arca felt less like a decision and more like a tradition in the making.

This time, the table was bigger and livelier, filled with family and a wide range of tastes and preferences. One of the things we appreciate most about Arca is how naturally it accommodates everyone without feeling like a compromise. The menu is thoughtful and expansive, making it easy to create a meal that felt special for every person at the table—whether vegan, pescatarian, or fully carnivorous. It’s the kind of place where plant-based dishes receive as much care and creativity as the meat and seafood, and where sharing plates encourages conversation, curiosity, and connection.

Christmas Eve dinner here felt warm, communal, and deeply celebratory, perfectly aligned with the spirit of the holiday. In the glow of candlelight and open fire, we ordered a mix of dishes designed to be shared, tasted, and talked about—each one reflecting Arca’s commitment to bold flavors and seasonal ingredients. Below, we’re sharing exactly what we ordered, how it suited our mixed-diet table, and why Arca continues to be one of our favorite places to celebrate in Tulum.

COCKTAIL MENU

Arca’s cocktail program is every bit as thoughtful and transportive as the food—rooted in place, playful in execution, and deeply satisfying. Each drink feels intentional, balancing bold tropical flavors with a refined hand. The Soursop Margarita was a standout: silky and aromatic, with Don Patrón Cristalino providing a clean backbone while soursop and sour orange brought gentle acidity, rounded out by Huana and Nami sake for a subtly layered finish. The Sal-Lima Spritz leaned bright and herbal, with The Lost Explorer Salmiana paired beautifully with Italicus and a delicate herbal infusion, finished with bubbles that kept it light and refreshing. Then there’s the Arca Colada, a smoky, modern riff on a classic—Atávica tepache distillate, coconut, and smoked pineapple come together with aquafaba and lime for a creamy yet vibrant sip. Together, these cocktails showcase Arca’s ability to elevate local ingredients into memorable, well-balanced drinks worth lingering over.

Dzikilpak

Enjoying the Dzikilpak at Arca felt like tasting something both ancient and utterly fresh. The smoked pumpkin seeds were deeply nutty and rich, ground to a creamy base that carried layers of warmth and earthiness. Bright chive oil added a gentle herbal lift, while the xoconostle brought a welcome pop of tart acidity that cut through the richness. Heirloom coriander tied everything together with a fragrant, citrusy note. Scooped up with the crispy heirloom corn tostada, each bite delivered contrast—smooth and crunchy, smoky and bright. It’s a dish that celebrates regional ingredients and technique, simple in appearance yet complex in flavor, and one we kept coming back to long after the plate was cleared.

Bluefin Tuna Crudo

The Bluefin Tuna Crudo was striking in both flavor and presentation. Silky slices of tuna were brightened by a hibiscus and fermented plum aguachile that delivered a delicate balance of tart and floral notes. A hint of morita chili added gentle smoke and heat, while dulce seaweed brought a subtle ocean salinity. Finished with fragrant purple basil, the dish felt light yet complex—each element enhancing the tuna without overpowering it, making every bite refined, vibrant, and deeply satisfying.

Smoked Trout Tostada

The Smoked Trout Tostada was a masterclass in texture and balance. Crispy trout skin formed the perfect base, topped with delicately smoked trout and bursts of briny roe. The green allspice leaf emulsion added an aromatic, savory depth, while pickled gooseberries brought a bright, tangy contrast that kept each bite lively. Finished with a dollop of smoked cream, the tostada felt rich yet restrained—layered, elegant, and deeply satisfying from the first crisp bite to the last.

Whole Squash

The Whole Squash is a beautiful expression of Arca’s zero-waste philosophy and deep respect for local ingredients. Roasted local squash anchors the dish with natural sweetness and caramelized depth, while tender squash flowers add a delicate, almost silky contrast. Grilled squash leaves bring an earthy, slightly smoky note that grounds the plate, and crispy squash seeds add welcome crunch and nuttiness. Each component highlights a different texture and flavor of the same ingredient, creating a dish that feels thoughtful, seasonal, and complete. It’s simple in concept yet incredibly satisfying, showcasing how restraint and technique can transform humble produce into something truly memorable.

Crab Esquites

The Crab Esquites was rich, comforting, and beautifully layered. Sweet heirloom corn provided a familiar base, elevated by tender crab meat folded throughout. The coconut crab bisque added a luxurious, lightly briny depth, while charred heirloom tomato brought a touch of smokiness and acidity to balance the richness. Finished with fresh chives, the dish felt indulgent yet refined—a thoughtful, coastal take on a classic that lingered long after the last bite.

Vegan Esquites

The Vegan Esquites was simple, vibrant, and deeply satisfying. Sweet heirloom corn took center stage, its natural sweetness enhanced by the smoky depth of charred heirloom tomato. Fresh chives added a clean, herbal finish that kept the dish light and balanced. Without relying on richness, this plant-based version delivered bold flavor and comfort, proving that thoughtful ingredients and technique are all that’s needed to make a classic feel both elevated and complete.

Mexican Wagyu Tlayuda

The Mexican Wagyu Tlayuda was bold, indulgent, and deeply satisfying. Grilled wagyu flank steak brought rich, beefy flavor and a perfect char, while oxtail carnitas added luxurious, slow-cooked depth. The smoked yuca purée offered a silky, earthy counterpoint that anchored the dish, and the huitlacoche mole tied everything together with layers of umami, smoke, and subtle sweetness. Each bite felt expansive and celebratory, balancing intensity with finesse. It’s a dish that showcases Arca’s mastery of technique and flavor, honoring tradition while pushing it forward in a way that feels both refined and unforgettable.

Roasted Banana Tamal

We ordered all three of the desserts on menu but the family favorite was the vegan option, the Roasted Banana Tamal was a beautifully layered dessert, comforting yet unexpected. Warm, caramelized banana brought natural sweetness to the tamal, while the chamomile and Tabasco chocolate ice cream added floral notes with a subtle, intriguing heat. A pecan crumble introduced texture and nuttiness, balancing the softness of the dish. Finished with a chamomile kombucha reduction, the dessert felt aromatic and complex—sweet, spiced, and gently herbal—an inventive, memorable way to close the meal.

Our Christmas Eve dinner at Arca felt like far more than a meal—it was an experience rooted in place, intention, and generosity. From vibrant plant-based dishes to impeccably executed seafood and deeply satisfying meat courses, every plate reflected a thoughtful balance of tradition, technique, and creativity. What stood out most was how seamlessly Arca accommodated our entire table, offering vegan, pescatarian, and carnivorous options that felt equally considered and special, never like an afterthought.

The cocktail program set the tone early, showcasing local spirits and inventive flavor pairings that invited us to slow down and savor the evening. As the courses unfolded, each dish told a story—of local ingredients, heritage corn, seasonal produce, and a deep respect for the land and its bounty. Even the desserts carried that same sense of care, offering endings that were comforting, surprising, and beautifully restrained.

Returning to Arca after loving it so much last December felt like coming back to a place that understands how to make moments memorable. Sharing this meal with family on Christmas Eve made it all the more meaningful, reinforcing why Arca remains one of Tulum’s most special dining destinations. It’s a restaurant that invites connection—between people, flavors, and traditions—and leaves you not just full, but genuinely grateful for the experience. If there’s a place to linger, celebrate, and reflect over an unforgettable meal, Arca continues to be it.