What a great experience! A group of friends and I attended costera for brunch and I definitely enjoyed myself. We had an incredibly early reservation so being served wasn't an issue as it was empty. The staff ensured we were well taken care of and tended to. There was even the smoke machine going to create a Mexico like vibe; it was cute. I indulged in the masa empanada and a spicy watermelon margarita for starters. I was not a fan of the drink as it tastes like spiciness. The kind that just sits in your throat and does not have flavor. I presume the watermelon balls were supposed to help but it didn't come together for me. The empanadas were tasty - crunchy and favorable but I did see how they put a ton of lettuce around and underneath the food to make up for the fact there were two. For my main dish I got the enchiladas and that was a hitter. I felt the flavor profiles pull together and push through. I would get that dish again. My only ask is that rice could've been added to it. I gave this review four stars rather than five due to the pricing. While I understand I'm supposed to be wowed, I just can't justify the price points for certain items. For example, two empanadas costed $18. My entree itself was $21. For three more dollars, I got a full meal. Appetizers should not be more than an entree or large plate item. The costera guac is $25. That's absurd. So while I enjoyed myself, I would not return. It's not worth it. read more

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The service was absolutely lovely she was attentive without being annoying and the ambiance is so nice we were on vacation and so anytime to be outside is better than where we're from. As for FOOD the Spanish rice was mid, my tacos were good but nothing to rave about them I wouldn't do that by any means. My man got the carne asada plate and he asked for medium and pink was nowhere to be found. We made our server aware and she took care of it right away no problem and it was much better medium but not life changing! I'd give this place a 3.5/3.75 if I could but it's not remotely weak enough to give a 3 so I'll stick with a 4. I wouldn't come back but I'm not upset I came! read more

Costera Cocina Tulum - Chicago - BARBACOA, rice, CARNE ASADA* - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I had been wanting to try this place for a while and finally made it in on National Oyster Day. We came in early for the HH menu too. Oysters were on special that day. The restaurant is beautiful and smelled like Palo Santo which reminded me of vacation. The decor was bright and clean - altho I think it turns clubby at night. I'm too old for that so I was glad we came in early. We started with 6 and 12 oysters which were just ok. Some didn't have much brine, not sure why - could be careless placement, and the oysters were all still attached and there was sand or shell in a few of them. For a dollar each (special that day) it was fine but if I paid full price, I wouldn't have been happy. Then we tried the barbacoa sope and a couple of the salmon tostadas. The barbacoa was good (the best thing we had there) but there was a decent sized piece of bone which could have broken a tooth but thankfully I felt it right away. The salmon was good but the tostada it was served on was green and had a weird aftertaste. We also had the chicken and asada tacos, which were just ok. The salsa verde that came with the chicken was really good tho. We also had a spicy margarita which tasted like it was made with mix, but I could be mistaken, so we didn't have any more. I'm not sure if the quality was the way it was bc of the special menus or not but the regular menu can be pricey so I don't think we'd risk it and try coming here again. The service was hit or miss. When I got there I let them know I had a reservation and that I was there for oysters. They seated us in the main part of the restaurant but when I asked for the HH menu they told me that was only outside or in the bar area. IMO if that's the policy, then ask before you seat your customers. Anyway, I said that was fine so they moved us to the bar and said the seated bar section was only for reservations, which I had but didn't want to press. The seating at the bar was fine but seats were wood so it isn't super comfortable after a while. I'm assuming they've had issues with clientele bc when you make a reservation they send you information about their dress code, when you walk in there is a note about automatic 18% gratuity and they take your credit card up front. Kinda weird for vibes and sad for the business but not a huge deal. All in all, I think the experience was not great but could still be worth checking out - just manage your expectations. read more

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Stumbled upon this place close to our hotel. The weather was perfect so we opted to sit on the patio. The service was great. Our waitress was attentive and super helpful. The tuna tartare was so fresh and the charred avocado was perfect. I really enjoyed the veggie chips that were fried to perfection and dusted with salt. Highly recommend! read more

Costera Cocina Tulum - Chicago - Tuna tartar, SHORT RIB CHILAQUILES, SHRIMP AGUACHILE* - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Cool vibe. I came here just for drinks after having dinner elsewhere but the music and vibe pulled us in off the street for a nightcap. If you're looking for a girls night or club Telum vibe, try this place. The prices were kinda high for dinner and drinks but I guess average for the area. The bar area took some time to get drinks, but the server was nice. I'd come back to try the food. read more

Great flavor - the pancakes were delicious!!! Cute vibe and ambiance inside. Definitely gave tulum vibes. Waiter was very attentive and tended to our needs. Pricing was typical what you see in that area. read more

Costera Cocina Tulum - Chicago - HUEVOS RANCHEROS - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The prix fixe menu during Restaurant Week was a good way to experience their range of menu items. Each course was nicely crafted, showcasing bold, Mexican flavors. Unfortunately, some flavors were a little too bold: salty and sour on blast and overbearing. For example, the arugula completely covered in sour lemon/lime. The burrito was super salty to the point where I needed a lot of water to balance it out. Regardless, the atmosphere is warm and inviting, with a relaxed lounge area good for brunch. I think Costera Cocina Tulum is a decent choice, but there are a few others in Fulton Market I'd try before making my way back. - AD read more

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Dinner at Costera Cocina was a true delight. We started with the tuna tartare--fresh and perfectly balanced--but the real star was the guacamole "with a twist," topped with shrimp, salsa macha, and cheese. That smoky, nutty salsa macha is unforgettable! The grilled octopus was tender with a perfect char, and the torta de Milanesa with side salad was hearty and satisfying. Dessert, churros two ways, was the ideal sweet ending--crispy, warm, and indulgent. Service was attentive and friendly, rounding out an exceptional experience. Costera Cocina delivers thoughtfully executed dishes with bold, layered flavors--I'll definitely be back, starting with that guacamole! read more

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This spot has a good happy hour! Lots of bites and drinks to choose from and each item was delectable. It took a little bit to get seated even with a reservation due to them getting a last minute 20 top inside - we were sitting on the patio however. The atmosphere inside is just gorgeous, you really feel like you've stepped into a classy beach destination! From the HH menu we ordered an array of items. 2 orders of steak tacos, 3 orders of the barbacoa sope, 2 salmon tostadas, chips and guac, assorted margs and a couple drinks of the main menu. The standout for me was the salmon tostadas, it was topped with fresh salmon, pistachio, and other sprinkles of flavors that I found absolutely delicious. The mix of flavors all went so well together. The salsa that came with the tacos was fresh and tangy and brought brightness to the tacos. The barbacoa sope was also packed with flavor and the pickles veg gave it a nice bite. I mentioned we were celebrating my friend's belated birthday and our server surprised her with a birthday treat which I thought was very thoughtful. All in all their normal menu prices are on the higher end so I'd definitely come back but for their happy hour again in the future. read more

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Went here to celebrate my cousin's birthday. I would definitely return for happy hour. The drinks are good and the food is okay. I'm not a big fan of spicy, not even a little bit. Everything had a kick to it, which was overpowering for me. It took away from me being able to enjoy my food. The ambiance was night, and we had the BEST server. He knew the menu and was very attentive, helpful, and knowledgeable. I got the esquites and asada tacos. The esquites were good, and the appetizer portion was nice. My main course was the asada tacos, which are different because they come with potatoes on top. It was different and I enjoyed the blend of flavors. The drinks are good, but a bit pricey. However, they do offer happy hour . All in all it was a nice experience. read more

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Costera Cocina is an intimate and sophisticated restaurant that's perfect for a romantic evening. Started with the masa empanadas and octopus. The Mahi Mahi empanadas were fresh and slightly spicy, but very good. The octopus had a bright acidic flavor and was complimented with a nice sauce and vegetables. Then ordered the pollo tacos and vegan chorizo tacos. The pollo was great and the vegan chorizo tasted authentic, but it wasn't my favorite. Decided to try the passionfruit mango cheesecake which was delicious. Very light and large enough for two. Overall, a great place for a quiet, romantic dinner. read more

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The food was decent overall. I think it's far overpriced for what it is, but that's just typical West Loop. This restaurant has really nice decorations within it and is a nice vibe. The service was decent. It was quite slow and I found myself having to chase down our waiter multiple times just to get service. The churros were probably my favorite part given that it comes with two stuffed churros as well as a churro cake. read more

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We came in for happy hour to grab some drinks and it was worth it. We just snagged a seat at the bar. Our bartender was very nice and friendly. Even though he was busy, he never rushed us when ordering or answering questions. I had the expresso martini and paloma. Both were very strong and delicious. Their flight of cocktails called "La Casita" is served in tall shot glasses, but it is a great way to taste whether you would like a specific drink or not. The salmon tostada was decent.  The decor is insanely cute and makes you feel like you're escaping Chicago! read more

Costera Cocina Tulum - Chicago - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Dinner was incredible! I went on a Monday and it was very chill and not busy at all. The music was good and the decor made me feel like I was really in Tulum so great job there. Their house margarita was solid and paired perfectly with the chips and salsa to start the night. The chicken tacos were a great appetizer to share and the short rib plate was 11/10, so soft, juicy, and full of flavor. It came with cauliflower mashed potatoes that honestly tasted like real potatoes. Their dessert menu looked super promising but I was so full and couldn't commit to the churros two ways. Definitely coming back for those next time. My waitress Judy was amazing, full of energy and had great menu recommendations. read more

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This place is so cute. Great happy hour specials in the west loop. A beautiful space really. I found the food to be good, service good, and it was a great after work experience! read more

I came for dinner with two girlfriends on a Saturday night and walked into what felt like a nightclub complete with girls carrying liquor bottles with sparklers and loud music. It's definitely a fun spot with good drinks but the food was pretty subpar. We shared some chips and salsa, vegan chile relleno, fish tacos, and vegan chorizo tacos, all of which were just okay for us. Would come back for drinks or happy hour but not sure about another sit-down dinner. read more

Costera Cocina Tulum - Chicago - FISH CARNITAS - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Great service. Dined here for lunch outside. The restaurant is gorgeous. I had the short rib quesadillas, these weren't what I expected but tasted ok and we also had the langosta/ lobster tacos. Also had the French fries which are terrific. They have a lime like seasoning on them that I loved. I had a La Casita Margarita which was ok. No complaints. Would dine here again. read more

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We came to celebrate a friends bday. The food and ambiance was wonderful! I felt our service was good initially but then it slipped. I know it was busy but drinks were missed and not really checking in. However we did like the food and would definitely come back in the future. Could be one of those nights! read more

Costera Cocina Tulum - Chicago - VEGAN CHORIZO TACO - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Solid happy hour at Costera. Steak nachos were great but the guacamole tasted artificial. Margs were solid, just wish they salted the rims. Gorgeous restaurant, kind staff. read more

Costera Cocina Tulum - Chicago - Steak nachos - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I came here to celebrate my birthday with friends. I wanted to like this place so bad but overall I'm not sold. Perfect place for IG footage. Dim lights, plants, smoke fog floors, and loud music. Esthetically you can make it work for you. We were crammed in a small table with four people almost touching the other crammed tables by us. The drinks could have been stronger for the price. We did enjoy most of our food but overall it was overpriced and not worth the hype. Prime location with great opportunities for pictures but parking can be a headache read more

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Great experience! We had an early dinner on the patio so did not get to experience the "club vibes" but I did walk inside and the place is beautifully decorated and reminded me of my experience in a similar restaurant located in Tulum for a friends bachelorette party. Our server was great with lots of helpful suggestions. We got the guacamole on happy hour and it was very flavorful with bottomless chips. We also ordered the short rib quesadillas. This is a point of strong opinion, as we all would have called this an empanada. However, strong debate would point out that it's not an empanada because it is not closed. Anywho...it tastes awesome so just get it. I opted to get the street corn pasta and added shrimp per my server's suggestion. It was really good and such a different concept. My husband got the burger and he really loved it as well. The dessert menu looked amazing but I was unfortunately too full to try any this visit. I would definitely return to Costera Cocina Tulum! read more

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Very cool, trendy spot in the Fulton Market section of West Loop! I have been here numerous times for brunch/lunch and dinner and it doesnt disappoint! Bar and wait staff are always nice and the ambiance puts you in the mindset of a joint actually in Tulum if you've been before. Cool little monkeys hanging from the ceiling and the overall tropical look of the place sets it all off. There is a very nice sized outdoor patio to chill on during these warmer month of course. Food here is really good as I have had the following: Brunch Pina Colada French Toast (Out f'n standing!) Short Rib Chilaquiles ((Amazing) Mollete (yummy) Lunch/Dinner Lobster Roll (Good) Costera Burger (Very good) Cavatelli with Sweet Corn (Chef's Kiss) Drinks here are decent as well as the Paloma, Shadows in the Jungle (old fashioned), El Secreto (tequila espresso martini) and Sandia Fuego are some really good ones to throw down. If you have't been, its a dope place to check out! read more

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This is such a cute place! Lovely decor. Service was a little slow at the beginning as we were waiting over 10min to get greeted by our server. However, once they did come they were great. Super nice and attentive. For drinks I wanted the Day Party at Bagatelle which was not available frozen. Our server still was able to make the drink for me on the rocks and let me tell you... ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS. Probably my favorite cocktail EVER and I am not exaggerating. We got the tuna tartare to start. It was pretty good. Not the best I have ever had, but solid. For entrees we got the fish tacos and the shrimp tacos. Both were good but nothing earth shattering. Solid choices but a bit pricey. Overall, I would definitely go back to try other dishes and for the best cocktail ever! read more

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I really enjoyed this restaurant though. I'll be honest was pretty great. It really does. Remind me of Tulum and the service was spectacular. The food was good in my opinion, but it could use a bit more seasoning. The ambience is really great, perfect date night spot. read more

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Top tier experience. The aesthetic and vibes inside are super cool and the food was an immersive experience, too. It was elevated, fresh, and tasteful. Highly recommend. read more

Costera Cocina Tulum - Chicago - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Went for restaurant week and it was great! I did think the drinks were too sweet but overall the food had good flavor and a variety! It's definitely a place where you want to go for an experience read more

Came here earlier this month on a Sunday for Restaurant Week brunch with my best friends and we had a great time! The decor, the vibe, and the service was great. I started with a watermelon margarita which I will say was very weak but my next drink (mango mimosa) was much better. For food I ordered the guacamole, breakfast burrito, and pomegranate sorbet. All were fantastic! My gfs were curious about the spice of the mole and our waitress was nice enough to bring us a sample of the sauce to try before we placed our orders. To end our brunch we ordered shots and they came on a tiny airplane with lights and a whole entrance. It was fun! I took a star off because it was a bit pricey. Automatic gratuity, restaurant surcharge, and fee to split the check. I will be back but this time I'd love to check it out in the evening. read more

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Food: my friends and I tried the set menu for lunch and it is such a good deal! Since we were a group of 3 we got to try each of the entrees and appetizers. Dessert was probably my favorite part! Service: servers were very friendly! Ambiance: super cute vibe that transports you to tulum. I would say it's nice casual and in the summer really makes you feel like you are somewhere else ! read more

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I won't lie, I really enjoyed this place. It is the perfect mix of a restaurant and a club. I love Tulum theme, drinks are very clever and on theme but I do enjoy eating and feel like I'm partying at the same time lol. The service was fast, friendly and they were patient with me not knowing what I want to order. I did enjoy the drinks I ordered, I didn't get a chance to order food but I remember not being too excited about the menu so I'm going to try the food next visit. read more

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Popped in for my mom's birthday. Decor is cute, feels like you're dining in the tropics, definitely tulum vibes. Service was just ok. Our waiter talked a lot but really wasn't informative on the menu. There's no indication of happy hour, but over heard him tell the table next to us, all ladies, the happy hour deals. Cool but we would like to know too. Which we did ask and he said happy hour is only available at the bar but I mentioned he let the table full of ladies do it why can't we? They made an exception if we ordered happy hour cocktails but failed to tell us it would be an up charge if we asked for top shelf liquor. Would of been nice to know and we would of stayed with well liquor. The up charge was about $4-$6 additional of top shelf. So $9 happy hour cocktail plus $4+, do the math, it's not really a deal. The drinks were just ok, the traditional lime marg was not the greatest, you could tell the lime juice was old as it was very bitter. Food just ok. Al pastor is sweet and understated, presentation is cool with the fire. Pork shank was under seasoned also, not much flavor, kind of cinnamony. Corn pasta was better than the pastor and shank. Complimentary mango sorbet for the birthday gal, that was tasty. For the price, I don't think this place was worth it. read more

Costera Cocina Tulum - Chicago - QUESO FUNDIDO and CRISPY TACOS - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Costera Cocina Tulum brings a little piece of Tulum to Chicago. The interior is beautiful and well thought out, creating a laid-back yet vibrant atmosphere. Service is warm and attentive without being overbearing. The tacos and guacamole are absolutely delicious, bursting with fresh flavors. Their signature cocktails - mostly tequila-based - are a highlight and worth coming back for. Perfect spot for dinner and drinks with friends. read more

Costera Cocina Tulum - Chicago - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We came to try out their happy hour menu and I thought the food was pretty good but the portions were quite small, but still reasonable for the happy hour prices. Besides the guacamole and chips, everything off the happy hour menu was a bit hard to share between people without making a mess. We also tried the fish tacos off of their regular menu and my particular piece of fish happened to be way over salted. The restaurant itself is beautiful and they clearly put a lot of thought into the design. It's perfect for a fun, romantic date night. read more

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This place is solely good for vibes, do not come here expecting outstanding food. We started with the guacamole which was a very small portion for $15, not to mention the flavor was lacking. Because the guacamole was so mediocre I chose not to order anything but my friend ordered the chicken tacos which was absolutely overrated and over priced. The tacos were so small and dry for $24 it was actually laughable. All the waiting staff were very friendly and attentive I will give them that but this is definitely not a must visit in Chicago. read more

Vibes are amazing. It really does feel like you are in a restaurant in tulum! The staff here is some of the best. Our hostess was so sweet and our waiter was amazing and brought everything out quickly! To drink I had the cocktail with mezcal, and this was sooo good! Had a little kick and very refreshing! I feel like this place is more for vibes as the food was lacking. Guacamole was fine. Could have used more lime. I got the shrimp tacos and they were very average. Nothing was seasoned. It was supposed to be passion fruit shrimp, didn't taste that. I would recommend coming here for drinks and maybe some apps! read more

Costera Cocina Tulum - Chicago - Playa de Pi-a PINE APPLE PAPAYA MARGARITA - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This place books up early for evenings on Saturdays, I would plan a reservation at least couple days in advance if you're going so you can sit inside where the vibey atmosphere is! The mini trompo al pastor is a table presentation, they bring out a pineapple with meat & flames around it, and then take it to the back to chop it, then they bring that mixture out with mini tortillas, salsa verde, pico de gallo, and sour cream! It was so delicious! My boyfriend and I shared this one dish and it filled us both up, I think I had about 3 mini tacos and he had 4, to put in perspective how many it can feed, if you're in a bigger group it would be a great appetizer as everyone could get 1-2 tacos each depending on the size! I had 2 drinks and they make them strong, I was able to get a buzz, but they weren't overly powerful with the taste of the alcohol! I got a margarita that had mezcal in it I can't remember the name but if you're a mezcal lover definitely ask about which one is the orangeish yellow margarita with mezcal is was so smooth and Smokey tasting, loved it! This is the perfect date night or night out with the girls type of place. Our reservation was for 9 on Saturday and when we got there they already had a dj playing some music. It was more of a chill house type of music read more

You first get greeted by a rent a cop(security) asking if we had reservations(not sure if that was a good or bad sign) Lots of tables outside opened. We did have reservations. Walked in to be greeted by hostess again to be asked if we have reservations. I noticed our party right away and just walked in. Ambiance has a cool vibe. Tables are too close to my comfort making it hard for most to walk through. A bit too dark i kept using my phone to see menu. Could've used another candle on table. Waiter took our drink orders right away. Waiter was nice but seemed a bit annoyed. Food was mediocre. Drinks to me seemed sweet and not strong. Although i did enjoy the old fashioned. I would be back just to have another old fashioned at the bar. read more

TLDR the manager CASEY IS A FIRST CLASS ASSHOLE! Wow! Don't go here. We attempted to do a big birthday celebration for my wife, we live nearby. With a large party (10+) our server was slow and inattentive, after 2 hrs we were asked to leave as the limit was "2hrs 15 min" according to the host. No desert, just the bill & a rude you need to leave. After we spoke to the manager CASEY and reminded him we had come in a week ago and personally spoke to him about the bday dinner reservation he still insisted we leave because another party was waiting. CASEY IS A FIRST CLASS ASSHOLE and Costera is not the place to celebrate something special. Ruined a special birthday for us. My husband still plans to file a public complaint as he threatened to call the police on us. read more

My friends and I visited Costera Cocina Tulum for a Boozy brunch on St. Patty's day and it was so much fun! We all wanted to avoid the crowd and hence decided to stay in West Loop rather than River North on St. Patty's. I was the first one to arrive and while I was waiting to get seated at our table, I decided to order a Spicy Margarita at the bar. A big shout out to Will, the bartender, who not only served up a fantastic cocktail but also offered it at a discounted price ($3) to celebrate the spirit of the holiday--what a great way to start the day! :D We ordered a lot of food - Guac and chips, avocado toast, quesadillas, Rib and chicken tacos. They don't have a lot of vegetarian/ vegan options for their brunch menu, but they do have good options on their dinner menu. Everything tasted really good! We ordered a lot of cocktails too - Spicy Margaritas with watermelon (Sandia Fuego), Paloma, Adios Amor, La Casita! Everything was SOO good. I am definitely going back for drinks. Overall, amazing ambiance. I've been to Tulum before and it definitely captures its vibes and aesthetics. With delicious food, outstanding drinks, and a welcoming atmosphere, it's definitely worth a visit. My only hope is that they expand their vegan options on the brunch menu in the future. read more

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Amazing. I've heard mix reviews about this place but I don't go off of others opinions per say. So this review is going to be my honest! Non scouts honor but I like to give honesty. So I came for a friends bday and it was amazing . Ambiance is top tier, servers are top tier, but food some I could skip but not all. I had the salmon which was my favorite but it wasn't bad. I think the rice was too sweet for my pallet and would've preferred plain white rice. So as you all know my IG is @dmanthosesteatacos so I had the tacos!! The steak tacos were amazing! Perfect bit of flavor and the seasoning was on point. The hamachi crudo is ok, I think it was overwhelmed by the fruit but it wasn't bad. Honestly, I've had better but I'm sure if you want something refreshing you'd enjoy it :) I most definitely favored the red snapper over the salmon dish! The chicken was amazing, so juicy ,and tender! All I can say is that the pics don't do it justice, just come and experience yourself! read more

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I returned to Costera Concina Tulum for dinner with my sisters. The food was not worth the visit in my option. The restaurant is always very busy. The ambiance is very intimate, a bit loud, and dimly lit. The drinks were tasty but the food was one dimensional. My sisters and I shared guacamole and mahi mahi empanadas for our appetizer. The guacamole was very delicious with the perfect balance of salt, heat, acidity, and aromatics (garlic, onion, and spices). The mahi mahi empanadas had good flavor I enjoyed them a lot, more than the entrees. For our entires we shared the Salmon, Elote Pasta, and Carne Asada. The Salmon was a bit dry and lacking seasoning. I didn't enjoy it that much. The carne asada was better to me in terms of flavor, temperature, and seasoning. The Elote Pasta was disappointing. The flavor was extremely one dimensional. I've had plenty of Elote and this pasta was like Kraft mac and cheese. It had none of the spice or flavors of Elote to me. No heat, no pungent cheese flavor, lil lime juice, etc. If you are looking for upscale Mexican food, I would pass on going here. The atmosphere and ambiance is cute. I'd visit for drinks but not for a meal. read more

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