Chiringuito Seasalt in Tulum is an outdoor poolside grill that is one of the dining options at the Hilton Tulum Riviera Maya All-Inclusive Resort property in Mexico. “Whether it’s beef, chicken, or vegetable you prefer, our Mexican fusion grill offers a delightful selection of tapas, ideal for sharing” is how this restaurant is introduced at this official Internet web site. Despite that description, seafood is also offered.
Chiringuito Seasalt in Tulum. Restaurant Review.
I had checked in to the resort property — but my room was not ready yet, as I had checked in early. I was hungry after my arrival to the resort property; so eating was the best option to kill some time while waiting for my room to be ready. Seasalt was the only dining option that was available at that hour, as the Vela Sur buffet restaurant was closed to transition between breakfast and lunch.
After being seated immediately and given a menu with limited options, the server said that several items on the menu were not available. At the same time, a boisterous group of four people were seated nearby, laughing and shouting extremely loudly. A fifth person joined them and actually further increased the noise level.
During the course of the dining experience that morning prior to noon, the servers started pouring alcoholic beverages straight from the bottles into the mouths of the five people while at least two workers behind the bar laughed and cheered them on. One of them put her lips around the mouth of the bottle, which I thought was disgusting.
After several rounds, they only became rowdier as the wait for the first round of food continued.
When it finally arrived, the Taco de Camarón al Grill contained marinated and grilled shrimp with cole slaw and avocado. What were supposed to be soft taco shells were actually brittle and cracking — as if they were stale. The taste of this dish was decent at best.
The Camarón Zarandeado included Guajillo Chilli, mayonnaise, garlic, lemon, and red sauce. The shrimp tasted bland and did not have nearly enough spice.
A closer look shows that the shrimp rested on a bed of mixed green lettuce — which was beginning to turn brown — and halved yellow tomatoes.
The Ensalada de Betabel al Grill included grilled local beet root that was overly sweet. Arugula, spinach, goat cheese, red wine, and anise rounded out this mediocre dish.
Aguachile Negro de Camarón consisted of black shrimp; and was accompanied with roasted habañero, lime, and pickled onions. Sliced cucumber was included as well. The shrimp had a strange mushy texture and was not full of flavor, either.
A cup of thick fried crunchy chips that were toasted too much was served along with the Guacamole Seasalt, which is not shown in the photograph above. Pico de Gallo, Jícama, and Tlayudas was supposed to accompany the guacamole; but the jícama was nowhere to be found.
By the time the helado — in this case, chocolate ice cream — was served, it was already partially melted.
Also, Seasalt was where I was served Coca-Cola that contained high fructose syrup instead of only cane sugar to sweeten the drink.
Final Boarding Call
Based on my experience, I do not recommend dining at Chiringuito Seasalt; and I never returned — despite its location by one of the nine swimming pools of the resort property and the view of the Caribbean Sea. The quality of the food was fair to poor; items were not available from the already limited menu; and the service was almost nonexistent with long waits for each course to arrive.
I reiterate that I realize that a restaurant at an all-inclusive resort typically does not exactly offer the best food anyone has ever eaten in their lives; but I have been a guest at other all-inclusive resorts which had very pleasant and appetizing dining experiences. Seasalt does not fit that bill, unfortunately.
Chiringuito Seasalt
Hilton Tulum Riviera Maya All-Inclusive Resort
Carretera Cancun Tulum 307, Tulkal Chemuyil,
Tulum, Quintana Roo, 77774
Mexico
1-888-880-0844
Operating Hours
11:00 in the morning until 8:00 in the evening daily.
All photographs ©2024 by Brian Cohen.
