Cancun Restaurant Guide
Laura Schulthies
Laura Schulthies
Daniel Mode
Daniel ModeCancun is a famous resort town on the Caribbean Sea with stunning beaches, pristine turquoise waters, and exciting nightlife. Beyond being an electrifying destination to visit, you can find a wide range of wonderful bites to eat in Cancun as well. Even if you’re staying at one of Cancun’s all inclusive resorts, venturing out to sample local cuisine is a must. If you’re looking for a culinary adventure in Cancun, check out our guide to some of the best Cancun restaurant choices to visit this year.
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Where to Eat
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CENTRO
Centro or Downtown Cancun is where locals live and is your best stop for budget accommodations and local cuisine. Find a more charmingly authentic Mexico experience in Centro where you’ll find very diverse entertainment options. Visit Mayan Ruins or watch bullfighting in awe. The restaurant scene in Centro is a can’t miss experience.
HOTEL ZONE
The Hotel Zone (Zona Hotelera) is where most of the large all-inclusive and luxury chain hotels are located. This is a perfect place if you just want to relax and eat at oceanfront restaurants. The northern part of the Hotel Zone is called Punta Cancun and has a famously vibrant nightlife with plenty of clubs, late-night eats, and tourist bars.
Budget Restaurants
El Rinconcito de Puebla
El Rinconcito de Puebla in Centro is great if you want to fill up without emptying your wallet. This spot has a wide range of menu items and great service. You’ll find food ranging from traditional Mexican classics like chilaquiles to pasta and hamburgers. Don’t skip the tacos, nachos, or the 2 for 1 beer special!
Parque de las Palapas
A favorite place to grab delicious local treats is the Parque de las Palapas in Centro. At night the park is filled with food stands selling all types of local cuisine. Try some marquesitas (a local classic, like sweet cheese, stuffed waffle roll), elote, and tacos at this park. Don’t skip the large burritos or churros either!
Restaurante Margely
For a local, traditional spot, and friendly service visit Restaurante Margely in Centro. This restaurant has various traditional Mexican dishes, including a Desayuno Cancun (Cancún breakfast) and chile rellenos. The menu is extensive and meals here are simple, classic, and delicious! Don’t miss out on the ceviche, steak tacos, and empanadas.
Marakame Brunch Buffet
The popular Marakame Brunch Buffet is in a whimsical garden setting with a fun boho vibe in the Hotel Zone. Brunch is around $20 USD and includes a traditional Mexican breakfast, artisanal bread, Mimosas, orange juice, and coffee. A la carte items include Mexican and international fare. Try traditional brunch fares such as french toast and omelet or huevos rancheros and chilaquiles.
El Oasis Mariscos
El Oasis Marisco specializes in vibrant seafood dishes in a cozy atmosphere that gives guests an authentic taste of the island lifestyle right in Cancun Centro. Make sure to try one of their famous cocktails created by a certified mixologist. There are a variety of ceviches to choose from on the menu, but the empanadas are the star of the show. Try the lobster tacos or El Oasis Mariscos signature specials like the grilled octopus. Their menu offers some of the freshest local seafood.
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Midrange Restaurants
Restaurante Käajal
You’ll love Restaurante Kaajal, this scrumptious restaurant with a spectacular marina view in the Hotel Zone. Breakfast features an enormous buffet with plenty of options. You can have a relaxing meal on the terrace, enjoying the nice weather and stunning views. Brunch options are all amazing and the coconut shrimp is a must-try.
El Fish Fritanga
El Fish Fritanga is a local favorite in the middle of Cancún’s Hotel Zone next to a lagoon. Seafood is the star of the show here as you can eat delicious fried fish, octopus, and lobster. If you’re not a seafood fan, they also have steak and pasta. Live music only adds to the ambiance at this hidden gem.
NAVÍOS
Located on a beautiful dock overlooking Nichupte Lagoon, NAVIOS is the perfect place to dine on delicious cuisine as you take in the Caribbean sunset. This Mexican seafood fusion eatery offers dishes that feature the extraordinary flavors of regional ingredients to create an unforgettable gastronomic experience. Try the Fresh Tuna Tataki or the Green Ceviche for starters. Local favorites include Grilled Octopus, Navios Special Lobster, and Sea Conch Carpaccio. Make sure to leave for the decadent Flan and Lime Pie.
La Fonda Del Zancudo
This romantic Italian fusion restaurant, La Fonda del Zancudo, serves up delicious food in a beautiful garden setting in Centro. Guests can eat tasty pasta, fresh seafood, and mouthwatering empanadas. And don’t forget to wash your meal down with a refreshing cocktail! Between the ambiance, service, and fantastically fresh food you just can’t go wrong at La Fonda del Zancudo.
Irori
If you want something that is both familiar and unique, visit Irori in Centro. We loved that this place had high-quality sushi but with a Mexican twist. They offer many of the classic sushi rolls but also unique items such as their Caribbean Roll.
High-End Restaurants
Restaurante Careyes
Restaurante Careyes offers a memorable fine dining experience with stunning ocean views. The restaurant serves Mediterranean cuisine with a Mexican flare just north of Cancun’s Hotel Zone in the ultra-luxurious Nizuc Resort & Spa. This is the place for a romantic evening out with its sophisticated, upscale dining experiences made for date night. Try the grilled octopus, cooked to perfection and served with a delectable aioli. Restaurante Careyes also offers an impressive wine list featuring some of Mexico’s finest wines and wines from around the world.
Lorenzillo’s
If you’re a seafood lover, try Lorenzillo’s in the Hotel Zone. This fine-dining spot has an exclusive lobster farm taken care of by biologists. Their food is as fresh as it gets, and the seaside location offers spectacular views of the water. The lobster is succulent and an absolute must try at Lorenzillo’s!
Ilios Greek Estiatorio Cancun
Be transported from Cancun to Mykonos at this authentic Greek restaurant in the Hotel Zone. Enjoy the vibrant ambiance, stunning decor, and the open-air feel of Ilios Greek Estiatoria. Try the meze selection, which features classics like hummus, baba ganoush, and dolmathes. For your entree, the oven baked lamb shank is a crowd favorite, but you can also choose from a selection of fresh seafood. Try the baklava, and thank us later!
Casitas Cancun
You can dine in style at one of Casita’s private cabana dining rooms or on the terrace at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in the Hotel Zone. The menu suits all tastes, serving delicious seafood, steaks, and desserts expertly paired with their extensive wine list. Try the shrimp tacos, BBQ beef short rib, and for dessert key lime pie or tiramisu.
Porfirio’s
When we want to eat something a bit upscale in Cancun, we visit Porfirio’s in the Hotel Zone. We love how they transform classic Mexican flavors into more modern, haute cuisine. They have a superb selection of wines, tequila, and mezcal to pair with your meal. And the views!
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