Went to Costera Cocina Tulum in Chicago for Valentine’s Day and the night was honestly a mix of great food and unnecessary frustration. We booked in advance, but the Fulton Market area was packed and I couldn’t find parking for about 20 minutes, so I called the restaurant to ask if they could extend our reservation. The person on the phone told me they were fully booked and that I’d have to wait unless someone canceled. That already felt stressful, but then we walked in and there were empty tables, and the front desk seated us pretty much right away. So the person on the phone and the host stand clearly aren’t synced, which is annoying when you’re doing your best to be on time. The space itself is beautiful and totally Instagram-worthy, but it’s VERY loud to the point where you can barely hear the person you’re with. We started with drinks, the Mayan Mirage and an old fashioned style drink, and both were pretty average and forgettable. For appetizers we ordered the Peruvian ceviche and the guac. I understand ceviche is seafood, but the smell was so strong I couldn’t eat it and had to send it back, and to their credit the server removed it from the bill with no drama, so kudos for that. The guac was good, but not amazing for the price. The mains were the best part of the whole night: we got the short ribs, the creamy langosta spaghetti, and chimichurri potatoes. For a Mexican place I expected the “Mexican” items to be the highlight, but the pasta was actually incredible and we ate the entire thing, and the short ribs were flavorful, soft, and easily the standout too. Those dishes were so much better than the drinks and appetizers. For dessert we tried the churros two ways with churro cake, cream cheese stuffed churros, dulce de leche ice cream, and chocolate sauce, and it was good. Final note, the tables are very low, you’re seated really close to other tables, and there’s smoke coming up from the floor which looks cool but we hated it. Overall the place looks great and the mains were strong, but between the parking chaos, the reservation confusion, the noise level, and some underwhelming items, it’s a one-time visit for us.
Costera Cocina Tulum
Excerpts
Went to Costera Cocina Tulum in Chicago for Valentine’s Day and the night was honestly a mix of great food and unnecessary frustration. We booked in advance, but the Fulton Market area was packed and I couldn’t find parking for about 20 minutes, so I called the restaurant to ask if they could extend our reservation. The person on the phone told me they were fully booked and that I’d have to wait unless someone canceled. That already felt stressful, but then we walked in and there were empty tables, and the front desk seated us pretty much right away. So the person on the phone and the host stand clearly aren’t synced, which is annoying when you’re doing your best to be on time. The space itself is beautiful and totally Instagram-worthy, but it’s VERY loud to the point where you can barely hear the person you’re with. We started with drinks, the Mayan Mirage and an old fashioned style drink, and both were pretty average and forgettable. For appetizers we ordered the Peruvian ceviche and the guac. I understand ceviche is seafood, but the smell was so strong I couldn’t eat it and had to send it back, and to their credit the server removed it from the bill with no drama, so kudos for that. The guac was good, but not amazing for the price. The mains were the best part of the whole night: we got the short ribs, the creamy langosta spaghetti, and chimichurri potatoes. For a Mexican place I expected the “Mexican” items to be the highlight, but the pasta was actually incredible and we ate the entire thing, and the short ribs were flavorful, soft, and easily the standout too. Those dishes were so much better than the drinks and appetizers. For dessert we tried the churros two ways with churro cake, cream cheese stuffed churros, dulce de leche ice cream, and chocolate sauce, and it was good. Final note, the tables are very low, you’re seated really close to other tables, and there’s smoke coming up from the floor which looks cool but we hated it. Overall the place looks great and the mains were strong, but between the parking chaos, the reservation confusion, the noise level, and some underwhelming items, it’s a one-time visit for us.
Beautiful and clean ambiance. Our server, Valentin was very attentive, sweet, explained everything, and always checked in on us. First time coming here and of course... "You should be here"... For CRW 2026! Everything tasted so delicious, and it was a good amount of food. Recommend! Chicago Restaurant Week Menu 2026 4 Courses $60 1st Course 🥑 Guacamole 2nd Course 🐟 Peruvian Ceviche 🦪 Mussels 3rd Course 🍝 Spaghetti Con Langosta 🐟 Salmon a la Veracruzana 4th Course 🍮 Coconut Flan 🥭 Mango Sorbet
Beautiful and clean ambiance. Our server, Valentin was very attentive, sweet, explained everything, and always checked in on us. First time coming here and of course... "You should be here"... For CRW 2026! Everything tasted so delicious, and it was a good amount of food. Recommend! Chicago Restaurant Week Menu 2026 4 Courses $60 1st Course 🥑 Guacamole 2nd Course 🐟 Peruvian Ceviche 🦪 Mussels 3rd Course 🍝 Spaghetti Con Langosta 🐟 Salmon a la Veracruzana 4th Course 🍮 Coconut Flan 🥭 Mango Sorbet
🌮 Great Mexican Spot in West Loop! Such a great addition to the neighborhood. The decor and overall vibe make it feel like you’re on vacation — laid-back, colorful, and full of energy. We tried the empanadas, mahi mahi tacos, and tuna tartare — everything came out quickly and tasted super fresh. The flavors were bright and balanced, and you can tell they use quality ingredients. Service was excellent — our server was friendly and attentive without being overbearing. And you have to save room for dessert — the churros were honestly some of the best I’ve ever had. Crispy, warm, and perfectly sweet. Overall, this is an awesome spot for casual dining, drinks, and good vibes. Definitely adding it to the regular rotation.