Ilios Restaurant: A Greek Dining experience

Ilios is a thematic Greek restaurant in Tulum, part of a long tradition of delicious Mediterranean cuisine, and unmatched hospitality that sets Greek establishments apart from any other kind of restaurants.

Every dinner offers a show of fire dancing that helps you connect with the dishes you're eating and the long history of Greek culture that birthed the recipe. You're faced with an aura of mysticism and wonder that amazes long-time explorers as much as first comers.

Be transported to the cradle of Western civilization with the fire show in Ilios and the traditional plate-breaking party. Ilios is an award-winning restaurant you must visit in Tulum. 

Dinner with a show | Fire dancing, & plate-breaking

In Ilios Tulum several shows take place after the guests have dinner. Around 10 pm, lights go dark and the only thing illuminating the whole venue are torches, wielded in the expert hands of the performers that bring to life a scene from myth: an aerial fire dance where a story develops and the struggles of heroes and villains of old get retold. 

After dinnertime, when the tables are set aside and the party starts all around Tulum, a different event takes place: the well-known breaking of plates. This tradition is ancient and occurs during festive occasions like weddings, festivals, and gatherings, where participants enthusiastically throw plates to the ground (in this case inside a chest) shattering them into pieces. This act is considered a harbinger of good luck, warding off evil spirits, and representing a fresh start. Today it is more symbolic than superstitious. 

In addition to the thrilling act of plate smashing, another important part of this tradition is dance. Greeks are known for their passion for music and dance, and these celebrations often include performances of traditional dances like the Sirtaki, which combines graceful and energetic movements with traditional Greek music. 

Guests often join in a circle dance, celebrating the joy and camaraderie of this tradition, and with every plate thrown, the custom is shouting "OPA!!". 

Dance is an integral part of the experience: The word “Opa” is an action word in dancing. It is equivalent to saying “Go!”, or “One!” to stay in synch with the beat. The word “opa” has that same purpose, said on the beat of the tempo of traditional Greek songs designed for team dancing.

A Mediterranean fine dining experience

Ilios Tulum takes you on a gastronomic journey of Greek and Mediterranean flavors. With Greek food having Turkish, African, and Eastern European influences, and adding Latin American dishes in the mix to honor local tradition, Ilios Tulum becomes capable of offering something for everybody.

Greek cuisine today uses the base of what has always been available to the Greek people: Olives, olive oil, grapes, bread, and wine were foundational elements revered at the table. The appreciation for freshness and simplicity in dish preparation laid the groundwork that remains fundamental today.

Shows in fine dining establishments are nothing new, but a journey back in time, partaking in a celebration reserved for weddings and the context for an ethnic cuisine that's so widely known and has such a powerful heritage as the Hellenic is such a treasure that it can't be understated: Ilios is a must for anyone that loves Greek food in Tulum.