Costera Cocina Tulum - Chicago
Mexican restaurant · West Town
850 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607
Highlights
Tulum-inspired spot with vibrant flavors, creative cocktails, and lively atmosphere
Tulum-inspired spot with vibrant flavors, creative cocktails, and lively atmosphere
"If the pounding bass-heavy music bleeding onto the Fulton Market sidewalk indicates anything, it’s that Costera likes to party. The liberal use of straw, palm trees, and basket lights leans into its Tulum theme, while the dim lighting and loud DJ sets prove that it’s taken Clubstaurant 101. You’re not really here for the food—it ranges from just fine tacos to tableside flamebéed al pastor that fizzles out into a jammy disappointment. Stick to the drinks and those tacos or a quesadilla (they’re the least offensive). And if you’re here past 11pm on the weekends, it gets even livelier as bottle service starts and airplane-shaped trays full of shots and sparklers fly around." - adrian kane, john ringor, veda kilaru, nick allen
"This Fulton Market restaurant might lean a bit too much into theatrics for some, but if you’re looking to pair your mariscos with a nightclub atmosphere, Costera Cocina Tulum might just be the ticket. This spot highlights the Gulf Coast’s culinary traditions — flavors often overshadowed by other regional Mexican cuisines in the city, especially when it comes to mariscos. Dive into the hamachi tiradito, a dish where the fish is treated like a Peruvian ceviche, delicately sliced and soaked in a lively habanero-watermelon broth that adds brightness and depth. The use of fruit, often found in ceviches and aguachiles from the Yucatán peninsula, brings a nice balance of sweetness, acidity, and the spiciness of the region’s most popular chile: habanero. Next, try the well-executed lobster taco featuring creamed corn, onion, cilantro, and crispy onion for crunch. For a quieter experience, we recommend visiting during lunch hours." - Brenda Storch
"The owners of The Hampton Social and Nisos bring a taste of Yucatan tourist hotspot Tulum to Fulton Market with a playfully decorated restaurant serving up club vibes along with pancakes topped with berries and passionfruit butter and breakfast burritos stuffed with chorizo, scrambled eggs and salsa verde. Turn any beer into a michelada or wake up with El Secreto, a blend of tequila, cold brew and housemade coffee liqueur. Make a reservation through OpenTable." - Samantha Nelson, Eater Staff
"What To Expect: Costera likes to party: you can tell by the pounding bass bleeding onto the Fulton Market sidewalk and the liberal use of straw, palm trees, and basket lights inside. After 11pm on the weekends, this Tulum-themed clubstaurant gets even livelier when airplane-shaped trays full of shots and sparklers fly around. What’s Up With The Food: Al pastor is flambéed tableside and then fizzles into a jammy disappointment. You could do considerably worse at some other places on this guide, but stick to the just-fine tacos, a quesadilla, or one of the pastas. Verdict: The real draws here are the tasty fruit-forward cocktails and flame-topped margaritas." - veda kilaru, adrian kane
"Currently Open The Nisos team has been busy, because besides Nisos 2.0, they’re in the process of opening Costera Cocina. But instead of channeling the Mediterranean, Costera plans to channel Tulum and coastal Mexico. Expect dishes like ceviche, tacos and tostadas, whole-roasted fish, and probably a giant hanging basket light or two." - veda kilaru
