Rich Niche, Great Eats In Puerto Morelos, Mexico!

Avenida Tulum & Rojo Gomez
On the main square across from the playground
Puerto Morelos, Mexico
Visit the website: El Nicho
998-201-0992
Reviewed by Amanda Trevelino

by Amanda Trevelino

 

The “festive season” is meant to be a time of good cheer, but  in late December chilly gray weather (and maybe exposure to Ebenezer Scrooge), left me craving a warm New Year lavish with sun, surf, golden sand, maybe even palm trees laden with coconut loot. And so, that’s how I found myself on a Mexican highway driving south from Cancun Airport to celebrate 2014 near the ancient Mayan ruins of Tulum.

 

El Nicho Exterior

el Nicho Exterior

 

Along the way, my family and I visited the lesser-known town of Puerto Morelos where a man on the street told us not to miss El Nicho. Good advice, because this tiny gem is tucked away like buried treasure; only the line of hungry patrons and a small placard mark the spot.

 

El Nicho Sandwich Board

el Nicho Sandwich Board

 

Owner/Manager Maureen was efficiently running the show during  our two visits, and we assume Owner/Chef Pablo was at the helm in the kitchen. The duo have created a vibrant, welcoming niche that obviously appeals to both locals and visitors with a small menu of healthy fare, not to mention a community board announcing drop-in yoga and other organic pursuits.

 

El Nicho Menu

el Nicho Menu

 

At breakfast, a tart limonata with chia seeds was refreshing. Even more so: the unusual sight of a farmer delivering an open tray of fresh eggs right through the main entrance is a testament to the local sourcing of their ingredients. We appreciated El Nicho’s application of Chaya, a regional “tree spinach” (actually a shrub) that has a texture more like collard greens and makes it’s best appearance sautéed as Vegan al Gusto on the breakfast menu. If you are vegan, Maureen Vean al Gusto substitutes sautéed greens for eggs. Or for a sweeter start, there’s nutty house-made granola served with Mayan honey and berries. An array of seasonal fruits (like papaya in Jaunary) is available any time. Cheese is plentiful, but so is avocado for substitution. The variety of salsas alone are worth a visit, and the vegetarian Charro beans, vegetarian refried black beans and asian coleslaw seem to be consistently reliable sides.

 

Breakfast at el Nicho

Breakfast at el Nicho, Maureen can substitute sautéed greens for eggs in Vegan al Gusto!

 

Possibly the most alluring item was the rich and spicy hot chocolate with a shot of espresso, but to explore that we’d have to plan a third visit. Instead, a street vendor with cold young coconuts caught our eye, and the sunny road to Tulum is, I believe, best traveled with a green coconut and a straw. Compass optional.

 

Casual Enjoyment of Hot Chocolate in Outdoor Seating at el Nichos

Casual Enjoyment of Hot Chocolate in Outdoor Seating at el Nichos

 

El Nicho, Avenida Tulum & Rojo Gomez | On the main square across from the playground, Puerto Morelos, Mexico, 998-201-0992, www.elnicho.com.mx

 

Amanda Trevelino has been a featured blogger and worked as contributing editor for The Atlantan, Modern Luxury Publishing; feature writer for Veranda; contributor to Southern Living, Atlanta Magazine Home, Atlanta Business Chronicle, Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles. She’s been a PR consultant, public relations director for Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts and public relations director for Atlanta Ballet. She studied at University of Georgia, and with eCornell. Amanda also has a teaching certification in yoga and has completed a raw foods immersion on an isolated Costa Rica camp.

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