Local and indigenous Mexican ingredients will be the focus when chef René Redzepi and former sous chef Rosio Sánchez collaborate on a Noma Mexico pop-up, running April 12–May 28 at La Zebra hotel. The seaside setting—where the Caribbean meets the jungle canopy beside La Zebra—will enhance the project’s authenticity.
The all-suite boutique hotel, part of the Colibrí Boutique Hotels group, sits on the beach in Tulum, Mexico. The pop-up is organized by Copenhagen-based Noma, which previously staged successful temporary restaurants in Tokyo and Sydney. Noma’s international team of chefs is preparing for their Caribbean residency by sourcing local flavors and inspirations across the Yucatán Peninsula and beyond.
La Zebra already offers several curated dining experiences, including Chef’s Table by Eleazar Bonilla and a pop-up bar created by New York City’s Mulberry Project. For the Noma Mexico residency, expect menus that highlight regional produce, traditional techniques, and collaborations with local producers to showcase the diversity and depth of Mexican culinary traditions.
By centering native ingredients and neighborhood knowledge, the Noma team aims to create meals that reflect the landscape and culture of the region. Guests can anticipate dishes that emphasize seasonal freshness and the distinct flavors of the Yucatán—everything from coastal seafood to jungle-grown herbs and roots—presented through Noma’s inventive lens.
Both the setting and the sourcing are integral to the experience: the beachside location provides immediate access to coastal ingredients and a strong sense of place, while partnerships with local farmers, fishermen, and foragers bring traditional elements into the kitchen. This approach supports the community and ensures that the menus remain rooted in authentic regional practices.
The pop-up also offers an opportunity for cultural exchange, allowing Noma’s chefs to learn from Mexican culinary traditions while introducing visitors to a fresh interpretation of those flavors. Diners should expect a carefully considered tasting menu, likely changing as the team integrates new discoveries from their research around the peninsula.
Reservations for the Noma Mexico residency are expected to be in high demand. For visitors to Tulum, the collaboration provides a rare chance to experience an internationally acclaimed restaurant’s work in a unique tropical setting, combining fine dining techniques with the vibrant, locally sourced essence of Mexican cuisine.