| Dining Overview | Top  |
As you might expect in a town full of upscale resorts, all kinds of international foods are available—haute cuisine as well as Chicago-style pizza and ribs. And wherever there are tourists, expect the usual U.S. franchises. Although restaurants are good in Cancun, few if any could fairly be described as gourmet.
A late dinner is often the high point of the day (usually starting around 9-10 pm). Be sure to taste some Yucatecan specialties such as pollo pibil or cochinita pibil—outstanding dishes of chicken or suckling pig in a rich achiote (annatto seed) sauce, wrapped in banana leaves and baked in a clay oven. Vegetarians will enjoy papadzules, tacos stuffed with boiled eggs and covered in pumpkin-seed mole. Fresh seafood, such as shrimp, fish and especially Caribbean lobster, is always an outstanding choice. Seviche—fish marinated in lime juice—is a local specialty.
The neighborhood around the convention center has the greatest concentration of restaurants on the island. Youth-oriented cafes and well-known chains are found in the many malls along Boulevard Kukulcan, especially at Forum by the Sea. Some hotels have exceptional specialty restaurants and often vie with other resorts to lure their guests away. Those who want to dine "where the locals go" find many choices in Ciudad Cancun or on the beach under thatched palapas. This is where you'll often find the best dining deals.
Expect to pay within these general guidelines, based on dinner for one, not including tax, tip or drinks: $ = less than US$9; $$ = US$9-$18; $$$ = US$19-$44; $$$$ = more than US$44.
| Local & Regional | Top |
This beachside restaurant has one of the most memorable settings on the island. From a giant thatched
palapa, open to the sea breezes, you can watch the sunbathers and the waves while dining on seafood (the seviche is a favorite), as well as international and Mexican cuisine. Daily for lunch and dinner (till midnight). $$. Most major credit cards. Blvd. Kukulcan Km. 7.5 (in the InterContinental Presidente Hotel), Cancun. Phone 848-8700.
Have dinner in a hacienda-style restaurant with regional Mexican cuisine. Every night from 7, you can enjoy one of several types of Mexican entertainment, from mariachi bands and marimba music to Jarocho-style dancing and a Huapango duet. The house specialty is the margarita shrimp, but everything on the menu is good. Try the signature margaritas. Daily for dinner only. Reservations required for dinner. Most major credit cards. Blvd. Kukulcan Km. 12, Loc. E-17 (in La Isla Shopping Village), Cancun. Phone 883-3222. http://www.lacasadelasmargaritas.com.
This is one of the most romantic spots in town, with patio dining by candlelight under the stars. The food is a Caribbean-Mexican mix with savory soups and main dishes such as lobster and shrimp spiced with a light curry sauce. The signature dish, the
coco-bichuela, features chunks of lobster stuffed in a hollowed-out coconut. Daily for lunch and dinner (till midnight). Reservations recommended for dinner. $$-$$$. Most major credit cards. Ave. Margaritas 25, Ciudad Cancun, Cancun. Phone 884-3158. http://www.lahabichuela.com.
Mexican cuisine with a strong Yucatan flavor. Specialties include
poc chuk and suckling pig with guacamole. Daily for lunch and dinner. $-$$$. Most major credit cards. Margaritas 29 (next to City Hall), Ciudad Cancun, Cancun. Phone 892-3056.
Feast on well-prepared fresh seafood and steaks (Angus beef imported from the U.S.) grilled to perfection at this perennial favorite overlooking the lagoon and Royal Yacht Club. Daily 2-11 pm. $$$. Visa and MasterCard only. Blvd. Kukulcan Km. 17.5, Cancun. Phone 885-0016.
Famous for its sassy waiters and frat-party atmosphere, Carlos'n Charlies has a bar that overlooks a lagoon. The baby back ribs are a specialty. Daily for lunch and dinner (till 2 am). Reservations recommended for dinner. $$-$$$. Most major credit cards. Blvd. Kukulcan Km. 5.5, Forum by the Sea, Cancun. Phone 883-4468. http://www.carlosandcharlies.com.
Highly rated with excellent Japanese (including sushi) and Thai dishes, some prepared at your table with dramatic flair. Daily for dinner only. Reservations recommended. $$$$. Most major credit cards. Blvd. Kukulcan Km. 14 (in the Marriott CasaMagna Resort), Cancun. Phone 881-2000.
Nice for lunch—but delightful for dinner by candlelight on a terrace overlooking the Caribbean with music in the background. The menu features Japanese specialties. Daily for lunch and dinner. $$$$. Most major credit cards. Blvd. Kukulcan Km. 17 (in the Hilton Cancun Resort), Cancun. Phone 881-8000.
Gourmet Chinese food is served up in a casually elegant setting. Menu standouts include ostrich, duck and venison—hard to find in Mexico. Specialty dishes are prepared tableside on a volcanic stone grill, making it a dining experience. Most major credit cards. Blvd. Kukulcan Km. 14.6, Cancun. Phone 884-4651. http://hongkong.com.mx.
Southern France comes to Cancun at this decidedly Gallic restaurant, which showcases cuisine from Provence with innovative flourishes. In addition to fresh fish, meats such as duck, lamb and beef are set off by time-tested classical sauces, and the extensive wine list adds just the right touch. The mouthwatering, chocolate desserts are decadent but worth the calories. Daily for lunch and dinner. $$$-$$$$. Most major credit cards. Blvd. Kukulcan Km. 14 (at the Hotel Le Meridien), Cancun. Phone 881-2260.
One of Cancun's finer restaurants and, not surprisingly, one of Cancun's oldest and most successful. The cuisine is reminiscent of what you'd find in the Italian Lake District but with a Mexican touch. Daily for lunch and dinner. Reservations recommended. $$$. Most major credit cards. Blvd. Kukulcan Km. 8.5 (in Plaza Caracol mall), Cancun. Phone 883-2557. http://www.rolandi.com.
One of the most popular Italian restaurants in the area—its casual elegance and sophisticated menu are bound to please. A specialty is the green
tagliolini with lobster medallions. Meat dishes and traditional pastas are also served. Live jazz is performed every night except Sunday. Daily for lunch and dinner. $$-$$$. Most major credit cards. Blvd. Kukulcan Km. 15.6 (across from the Marriott CasaMagna Resort), Cancun. Phone 885-0161. http://www.cancunitalianrestaurant.com.
This polished bistro sports red decor with street-side as well as inside dining. The Italian-Swiss menu features such items as crab-cake appetizers, salmon
tagliolini with basil sauce and flambeed strawberry dessert. The wine list is commendable with a well-stocked cellar, and the bar specializes in more than 100 different martinis. Daily for lunch and dinner. $$$$. Most major credit cards. Blvd. Kukulcan Km. 11 (in the La Isla Shopping Village), Cancun. Phone 883-2222.
Owned and operated by the same people who own the upscale Casa Rolandi, this unpretentious eatery serves a wide range of reasonably priced oven-baked pizzas, salads and dependable pasta dishes in a lively atmosphere. Daily for lunch and dinner (until midnight). $$-$$$. Most major credit cards. Coba 12, Ciudad Cancun, Cancun. Phone 884-4047. http://www.rolandi.com.
Mexican haute cuisine in a restaurant with the look and feel of an old Mexican tequila distillery. A sure bet is the house favorite, chicken
maximiliano (baked chicken with poblano pepper and delicious corn mushrooms). Serves more than 100 brands of tequila. Daily for lunch and dinner (till midnight). $$$. Most major credit cards. Blvd. Kukulcan Km. 12.6, Cancun. Phone 885-1087.
The best of Mexico's regional cuisines, served in a comfortable ambience and seasoned with musical serenades. This restaurant gets a lot of good press—and justifiably so. Daily for dinner. Reservations recommended. $$$$. Most major credit cards. Blvd. Kukulcan Km. 8.8 (adjacent to the Dreams Cancun Hotel), Cancun. Phone 848-7000.
This upscale restaurant serves modern Mexican cuisine prepared by celebrity chef Martha Ortiz from Mexico City. The ambience is tropical chic, and at night it's one of the more romantic spots in town. Top dishes include
horchata with peanuts and cinnamon, and grilled duck tacos. For dessert, try the velvet
cajeta with miniature corn cookie and sprinkles. Reservations recommended. $$$$. Most major credit cards. Blvd. Kukulcan Km. 12.5 (in the AQUA Cancun hotel), Cancun. Phone 998-881-7600. http://www.feel-aqua.com.
A semi-vegetarian chain that serves mostly healthful foods—yogurt, fruits, salads, pastas, chicken and fish—plus juicy hamburgers and enchiladas. Nice for a change of pace. Wine and beer are available. Daily 24 hours. $. Visa and MasterCard only. Blvd. Kukulcan Km. 5 (across the street from Senor Frog's), Cancun. Phone 883-3636. http://www.100natural.com.mx.
Dine on Continental and French haute cuisine at one of the Yucatan's most luxurious resorts. Daily except Monday for dinner only. Reservations recommended. $$$$. Most major credit cards. Blvd. Kukulcan Km. 9.5 (in the Fiesta Americana Grand Coral Beach Resort), Cancun.
Considered the isle's most stylish, elegant restaurant, The Club Grill has a sophisticated menu to match. Customers can dance to live piano music beginning around 8 pm. Daily except Monday for dinner only. Reservations recommended. $$$$. Most major credit cards. Blvd. Kukulcan Km. 13.5 (in the Ritz-Carlton Hotel), Cancun. Phone 881-0808.
One of Cancun's leading restaurants, this place serves stone crabs and imported Alaska king crab as well as seafood specials, pasta and even crocodile fillets. Panoramic view of the lagoon. Daily for lunch and dinner. Reservations recommended at night. $$$$. Most major credit cards. Blvd. Kukulcan Km. 14.8, Cancun. Phone 193-0350. http://www.crabhousecancun.com.
Specializes in well-prepared fresh lobster, stone crabs, red snapper and Creole-style shrimp dishes that are served on attractive Mexican pottery. Daily for lunch and dinner. $$. Most major credit cards. Calle Tulipanes 28, Ciudad Cancun, Cancun. Phone 884-2673.
This seafood restaurant has the same owner as the notable La Dolce Vita—and the same reputation for excellent food and service. Daily for lunch and dinner. Reservations recommended for dinner. $$$. Most major credit cards. Blvd. Kukulcan Km. 8.5 (in Plaza Caracol mall), Cancun. Phone 883-1395.
Located on the lagoon side and built on stilts above the water, this restaurant has more tropical ambience than most others in the area. Caribbean lobster is the specialty of the house. Daily for lunch and dinner (till midnight). $$-$$$$. Most major credit cards. Blvd. Kukulcan Km. 10.5, Cancun. Phone 883-1254. http://www.lorenzillos.com.mx.
| Steak Houses | Top |
Argentine-style steak prepared in the gaucho manner, with charcoal grills on the tables. Daily for lunch and dinner. $$$$. Most major credit cards. Blvd. Kukulcan Km. 9.5 (in Forum by the Sea mall), Cancun. Phone 883-0897. http://www.grupocambalache.com.
Located on the lagoon side across from the Ritz-Carlton, this high-end steak house has an elegant dining room and a swanky lounge area. The kitchen serves USDA-certified Black Angus beef, fresh lobster and amazing grilled shrimp. Good place for a fancy night on the town. $$$$-$$$$$. Most major credit cards. Blvd. Kukulcan Km. 14.2, Cancun. Phone 840-6550. http://harrys.com.mx.
Enormous steaks grilled to your specifications. If you are really hungry for a great steak, this is the place to go. Daily for dinner. $$$$. Most major credit cards. Blvd. Kukulcan Km. 10.5 (in the Hotel Grand Avalon), Cancun. Phone 848-9300.
| Other Options | Top |
Offering fresh and stylish food in a beautiful setting, Aioli specializes in French and Mediterranean cuisine. You can't go wrong with the rack of lamb prepared Moroccan-style or with any of the grilled fish dishes. Daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Reservations recommended for dinner. $$$-$$$$. Most major credit cards. Blvd. Kukulcan Km. 14 (in Le Meridien Hotel), Cancun. Phone 881-2200.
A well-respected restaurant featuring Cajun and Creole cooking. The jazz is never too loud or the blackened redfish too spicy. The gumbo and jambalaya are always good. Daily for dinner (bar open till midnight). Reservations recommended. $$$$. Most major credit cards. Blvd. Kukulcan Km. 10.5 (in the Hyatt Cancun Caribe Hotel), Cancun. Phone 848-7800, ext. 7220. http://cancun.caribe.hyatt.com.
