The culinary landscape of New York’s South Shore has officially expanded with the grand opening of Hacienda Tulum, a sophisticated Mexican fine dining steakhouse situated directly on the Long Beach boardwalk at 180 Boardwalk. Brought to life by longtime friends and accomplished restaurateurs Nicolas Geeraerts and Tommy Mitsios—the visionary minds behind the popular Tulum Tacos & Tequila brand—this year-round destination introduces a novel gastronomic concept to the region: presenting the vibrant, rich flavors of Long Island through a distinctly Mexican culinary lens.
Occupying a premier waterfront location boasting panoramic ocean views and direct beach access, Hacienda Tulum represents a major milestone in the evolution of its founders’ hospitality portfolio. The establishment bridges the gap between traditional Mexican gastronomy and upscale American steakhouse culture, fusing deep-rooted culinary heritage with the seasonal bounty of the local coastal environment. As the restaurant officially welcomes its first wave of diners, it brings a fresh, ambitious energy to the Nassau County coastline, promising an immersive dining experience that transcends conventional interpretations of Mexican cuisine.
The Evolution of a Culinary Vision: From Fast-Casual Roots to Waterfront Luxury
The journey toward Hacienda Tulum’s debut has been years in the making, rooted in the steady expansion of the Tulum Tacos & Tequila brand across Long Island. Nicolas Geeraerts, a hospitality veteran with decades of industry experience, and Tommy Mitsios initially established their footprint by focusing on modern, approachable Mexican fare. Over time, the partners recognized a growing appetite among local diners for more complex, elevated dining experiences that honor the intricacies of authentic Mexican cooking.
Geeraerts’ own career trajectory underscores the dedication behind the new venture. Having begun his professional journey at his family’s restaurant in Belgium, Geeraerts later relocated to the United States, where he honed his craft working alongside prominent chefs and esteemed hospitality groups, including the Patina Group, Jean-Georges, Todd English, Delmonico’s Restaurant Group, and JF Restaurants. This extensive background in high-end operations provided the foundation for launching Tulum Tacos & Tequila, which successfully expanded across Long Island from Mineola to Baldwin before culminating in the ambitious Long Beach flagship project.
For Geeraerts, bringing Hacienda Tulum to fruition in Long Beach is deeply personal. Reflecting on the community’s enthusiastic reception and the unique energy of the seaside city, the restaurateur shared his profound excitement. "The Long Beach community is absolutely amazing," Geeraerts remarked. "It’s a whole different level than anywhere else. I get goosebumps just thinking about it. For us to be a part of it, I’m super excited."
An Executive Culinary Program Directed by Mastery
At the heart of Hacienda Tulum’s operational success is a meticulously crafted culinary program spearheaded by Culinary Director Eduardo Salgado. A graduate of the prestigious Culinary Institute of America and the renowned chef behind ’Emat in Mexico’s celebrated Valle de Guadalupe, Salgado brings world-class expertise and an authentic perspective to the Long Beach kitchen.
Salgado’s menu is designed to explore the vast breadth of Mexican culinary traditions, expertly marrying heritage-driven techniques with premium proteins and seasonal Long Island produce. The kitchen maintains rigorous sourcing standards, featuring locally procured seafood alongside world-class meats, including esteemed selections from Pat LaFrieda’s Prime 850 Club. This commitment to quality ensures that every dish honors both the terroir of Mexico and the maritime character of the New York coastline.
Rather than relying on familiar, Americanized tropes of Mexican food, Hacienda Tulum introduces guests to complex flavor profiles, traditional preparations, and innovative presentations. Among the standout signature offerings are the Pat LaFrieda sliced rib-eye tacos, which feature a rich Oaxaca cheese crust, vibrant pickled onions, and a deeply savory salsa macha. Another culinary highlight is the inclusion of chochoyotes—traditional masa-based dumplings—served here with a modern, aromatic pistachio, pumpkin seed, and cilantro pesto.
Furthermore, the restaurant’s dedicated raw bar highlights the coastal location by offering a rotating selection of pristine East and West Coast oysters, alongside intricate ceviches, refreshing aguachiles, and expertly composed seafood plates. These offerings are complemented by a robust variety of whole fish preparations and labor-intensive, deeply flavorful moles that showcase the patience and skill required of authentic Mexican cooking.
Artisanal Beverage Program Rooted in Agave Heritage
No upscale Mexican dining experience is complete without a beverage program tailored to match the complexity of the food, and Hacienda Tulum delivers with an extensive, thoughtfully curated bar menu. The restaurant features a sweeping collection of artisan tequilas and artisanal mezcales, hand-selected to highlight the diverse regions and production methods of Mexico.
Complementing the agave spirits is an eclectic wine list and a creative craft cocktail menu that incorporates fresh, tropical, and botanical ingredients. Signature libations include the Piloncillo Passionfruit Mezcalita, which balances smoky agave notes with bright, tart fruit, and the Prickly Pear Champagne Margarita, offering an effervescent twist on a classic favorite. These drinks are meticulously blended to enhance the savory and spicy flavor profiles found throughout Chef Salgado’s menu.
Architectural Design and Waterfront Ambiance
The physical space of Hacienda Tulum was conceptualized to create a seamless dialogue between its indoor refinement and the natural beauty of the Atlantic Ocean. Designed to evoke the rustic elegance of a traditional Mexican hacienda while embracing the relaxed, breezy character of a beachside boardwalk, the interior features hand-selected furnishings imported directly from Mexico. Warm earth tones, natural woods, and artisanal textiles establish an inviting, sophisticated atmosphere.
The venue offers versatile seating arrangements, with both indoor dining rooms and expansive outdoor patio spaces providing unobstructed views of the water. To accommodate private events, corporate gatherings, and celebratory functions, Hacienda Tulum features a dedicated private dining room and private patio space, supported by event coordination services.
Recognizing the logistical challenges of coastal dining and beachside parking, the property offers premium amenities for its guests. An attached parking garage is located directly beneath the restaurant, featuring private elevator access that transports visitors straight into the dining room. Additionally, professional valet parking services are available to ensure a frictionless, high-end guest experience from arrival to departure.
A Multifaceted Waterfront Destination for the Long Beach Community
Hacienda Tulum is not merely a single restaurant, but rather the anchor of a broader culinary ecosystem designed to activate the boardwalk property across multiple formats. Alongside the main fine dining steakhouse, the expansive Long Beach location incorporates complementary concepts tailored to different dining occasions.
For beachgoers and casual diners seeking a quick, high-quality bite without formal sit-down service, the boardwalk-facing Tulum Taco Stand offers an accessible alternative. Serving a streamlined menu of handheld favorites, the stand extends the brand’s reach to casual foot traffic along the shoreline. Additionally, the operators are preparing to unveil Cemelle, an intimate, 24-seat exclusive agave bar nestled within the Hacienda Tulum complex, designed to offer curated spirits tastings and an upscale, speakeasy-style atmosphere.
Broader Economic and Industry Implications
The opening of Hacienda Tulum arrives at a time of significant evolution for upscale dining in suburban and coastal New York markets. As high-end culinary concepts increasingly decentralize from Manhattan into vibrant regional hubs like Long Beach, destinations that successfully blend immersive cultural storytelling with premium product sourcing are setting new benchmarks for the hospitality industry.
By pairing world-class culinary talent from Mexico with iconic New York purveyors like Pat LaFrieda, Hacienda Tulum exemplifies a modern culinary ethos: global inspiration rooted in local community engagement. For Long Beach, the arrival of a sophisticated fine dining steakhouse and agave bar complex signals continued economic vitality and elevated destination appeal, drawing culinary tourists from across Long Island and the broader New York metropolitan area.
Reservations for Hacienda Tulum, located at 180 Boardwalk, Long Beach, New York, are currently open and can be secured via OpenTable. Additional details, operational updates, and menu previews can be accessed by visiting www.haciendatulum.com or by following official brand channels on Instagram at @hacienda.tulum, @tulumtacoli, and @tulumtacostand.
