There is an impressive list of Mexican restaurants for all budgets, I consider Mexican cuisine one of the best, from the tacos, quesadillas to specialties gourmet dishes, I understand how difficult can be for a visitors to find a good restaurant, even though there are so many in Cancun.
So, where are the best authentic Mexican restaurants in Cancun? I`ve created a list of great Mexican restaurants in Cancun where you can have the flavor of a typical dish and some might be just a few minutes away from your hotel.
- Hacienda Sisal
- El mortero Restaurant
- La Destileria
- Porfirios
- Mextreme
- Cocono
- La Parrilla
- La Habichuela
- La Playita
- El Cejas
- Atotonilco
- Vegan Planet
- 100% Natural
- La organica
Mexican Specialties Restaurants in Cancun Hotel Zone
Hacienda Sisal
This is one of the travelers favorite restaurants. Just to see the architecture of a real Hacienda makes it an attraction to visitors. They offer authentic Mexican recipes with fresh ingredients. There is seafood caught locally, and the steaks are top quality. You will taste some of the most famous dishes of the country with the original version of the chef of some classic recipes with a contemporary touch. You will love the Mole, Sopa de Lima, empanadas,
Menu
Open Everyday from 2:00 Pm to
Sunday: Brunch from 8 am – 2 p. Dinner from 5 pm – 11 pm
Phone: 01 998 848 8220
Location: Blvd. Kukulcán, km 13.5, between Plaza Kukulcan and The Royal Sands & Spa, Zona Hotelera, Cancún, Quintana Roo, México
Map:
Offer: Lunch & Dinner
Atmosphere: Casual
Price Table: $$$
El Mortero Restaurant
El Mortero is a splendid testimony of the Mexican culture. Its construction is considered a jewel of 17th-century architecture, built as a replica of the main house of the original hacienda. where come to life all the tradition of the colonial era
The delicious food, the fantastic atmosphere, and the charming attention make a pleasant experience. There is also a Mariachi music live, an excellent environment to share with friends and family. Their menu has an extensive variety of dishes from all over the Republic that will delight your palate.
There is an extensive buffet on Sunday of excellent quality, assortment and attention is first class. The atmosphere is very Mexican. Don`t miss it, it is worth the experience.
Menu
Open: Everyday from 12:00 Pm to 10:00 pm
Sundays open for Brunch from 9:00. To 14:00
Phone: 998 848 9800
Location: Km. 9.5 Boulevard Kukulcan, Hotel Zone, Cancun Quintana Roo 77500, Mexico
Map:
Offer: Lunch & Dinner
Atmosphere: Casual
Price Table: $$$
La Destileria
La Destileria restaurant offers the traditional Mexican cuisine, good drinks including the “Traditional Margarita” and an incredible view over the lagoon. A typical Mexican place, you can appreciate an old tequila factory and taste the different types of tequila. There are more than 150 brands of tequila that you may not find somewhere else, and of course, you can buy in their stores the one you like the most.
There’s a tour of tequila you can take inside the restaurant in the afternoon to try some tequila samples and appetizers. There are some delicious starters like quesadillas with mushrooms, sopes, and others before the big meal. If you don’t know about the variety of Mexican food, you will see it here! If you go for dinner, you can see the sunset and mariachis from 8 to 9 each night. It is kids friendly, there is a playroom available for them.
Excellent cuisine, typical and international, with some dishes made in front of your eyes. Highly recommended, next to the lagoon, ideal outdoors and unbeatable attention.
Location in Hotel Zone: Blvd. Kukulcan, La Isla, Zona Hotelera, 77500 Cancún, Q.R.
Map
Open from 1 pm – 12 am
Phone: 01 998 885 1086
Offer: Lunch & Dinner
Atmosphere: Casual
Price Table: $$$
Porfirios
This restaurant is for Mexican food lovers. The details on every meal
You can find dishes taken from every corner of Mexico. The atmosphere, decoration and the música make this restaurant one of the best in Cancun. It is located in a beautiful spot right on the lagoon Nichupte. If you want to try a really excellent Mexican meal, this is the place to go.
Menu
Open Everyday from 1 pm – 1 am
Phone: 998 840 6040
Location in Hotel Zone: Blvd. Kukulcan Km 14.2, No.1, Zona Hotelera, Cancún, Q. Roo., C.P.77500
Map
Offer: Lunch & Dinner
Atmosphere: Fine dining
Price Table: $$$$
Mextreme
This is a fun place to go for lunch or dinner, the food expresses the roots of the Mexican flavor tradition. There is a combination of typical Mexican appetizers like tacos, tamales, quesadillas, panuchos,
Menu
Open: Every day from
Phone: 998 883 0404
Location: Zona Hotelera Km 9 right in front of the Convention Center, Cancún 77500 México
Map
Offer: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Atmosphere: Casual
Price Table: $$$
Mexican Specialties in Downtown Cancun
Cocono
Another amazing Restaurant, contemporary Mexican food, starting from the traditional and integrating processes, techniques and current presentations. They use different cooking methods that combine great local ingredients creating an authentic personality in each of their dishes. They have a variety of dishes, starting with salads, soups or the traditional Mexican appetizers, Like Ranchero Empapelado, shrimp a la Talla, and my favorite Pescadillas Kukulcan. Cochinita Pibil (pork) Grill meat and much more. Their menu is very extended including also seafood, and vegetarian dishes.
This restaurant also assigned a few days of the week to prepare a particular dish, like on Thursday is the traditional Pozole, Fridays are special meat (quadra) Tequila days Saturday and Sunday.
Menu
Open: Everyday from 1 pm – 11:00 pm
Sunday from 1 pm – 8 pm
Phone: 998 884 1854
Location: Av. Yaxchilan SM17 Mz. 2 Lote 7-1. Cancún, Quintana Roo
Map
Offer: Lunch & Dinner
Atmosphere: Casual
Price Table: $$$$
La Parrilla
Located on Yaxchilan, one of the main avenues in Cancun, La Parrilla is the best choice when looking for a traditional Mexican restaurant. Founded 40 years ago, it is about as old as the foundation of Cancun itself and is still famous for its vast menu of typical dishes from all over the country, such as tacos, cheese chicharrón, roasted meats, and
Menu
Open Everyday from 12:00 Pm to
Phone: 998 882 1771
Location Downtown: Ave. Yaxchilan, # 51, Cancun Quintana Roo 77560, Mexico
Map
Offer: Lunch & Dinner and to go.
Atmosphere: Casual
Price Table: $$
La Habichuela
I first visited this restaurant in 1994 and the time passed, it still keeps that familiar atmosphere, with the best cuisine I love the Yucatecan traditional dishes served here. When visiting Cancun is a must to go to La Habichuela. It has a unique style It does not matter what day of the year you go, Habichuela Sunset offers a variety of Yucatan food and sophisticated seafood dishes mixed with Caribbean Mexican cuisine; also, steaks and international food with a variety of desserts and wine, ready to be tasted!
Menu
Open Everyday from 12 am to
Phone: +52 (998) 884 31 58
Location in Downtown: Calle Margaritas # 25, Cancun Quintana Roo 77509, Mexico
Map
Offer: Lunch & Dinner
Atmosphere: Casual
Price Table: $$$
La Playita
Enjoy the delights of seafood in the town center of Cancun. Although it is not a typical tourist place with a view of the beach, you can see the bullring and the hustle and bustle of everyday Cancun from the terrace. Taste traditional dishes with a contemporary twist: shrimp nachos, tortilla with garlic stuffed with octopus,
Open Everyday from 11:00 am to
Phone: +52 998 898 4015
Location Downtown: Ave. Bonampak S/N, Manzana 10, SM 4, Cancun Quintana Roo 77500, Mexico
Map
Offer: Lunch & Dinner and late dinner
Atmosphere: Casual
Price Table: $$
El Cejas
Also located in Market 28, this is a restaurant always full of locals and tourists. Colorful decorative papers are hanging from the ceiling and a marimba brightening the environment. Service is quick and warm. El Cejas has a varied menu, so what should you try? Shrimp ceviche, lobster, fish fillet, empanadas, fry fish and the delightful gratin oysters, but what you shouldn’t miss is the shrimp cocktail with beer, you’ll love it. It`s a folkloric place to visit.
Menu
Open: Everyday from 10:00 am to 7:00pm
Phone: +52 998 884 0401
Location in Downtown: SMZA 28, 28 Cancun Quintana Roo 77509, Mexico
Map
Offer: Lunch & Dinner
Atmosphere: Casual
Price Table: $$
Atotonilco
Atotonilco is one of the restaurants in Market 28 that stands out for gathering what in Mexico is called the ‘3 B’: Bueno (good), Bonito (beautiful) and Barato (reasonable price). Take typical Mexican food while enjoying the sound of the marimba – a Mexican instrument from the old times – played by two or three men. Have a Deviled steak, flank steak fajitas, stuffed calamari with shrimp, chilaquiles with mole and octopus in yellow sauce, and the traditional Tikin Xik, a fish wrapped in a banana leaf. Delicious food, comfortable place, and excellent service.
Open: Everyday from 11 am to 11 pm
Phone:
Location in Downtown: Ave. Xel-Ha # 107, Cancun Quintana Roo 77509, Mexico
Map
Offer: Lunch.
Atmosphere: Casual
Price Table: $$
Vegetarian Restaurants in Cancun
If you are vegetarian like me and what you are looking for a restaurant that offers real Vegetarian or vegan Mexican food, then there are a couple of good options for you. However, in Cancun, there are excellent restaurants that offer vegetarian dishes as well, so you know.
Vegan Planet
There are a lot of gluten-free options as well, their products are of good quality and offer a variety of dishes. The juices and drinks are fantastic. The golden milk is the favorite.
The food is right even if you are not vegetarian or vegan you will try something different. Also, they have a store where you can purchase superfoods, like maca, goji berries, dates, Macha, Curcuma, cookies, vegan cheese, gluten-free bread and variety of bakes.
Menu
Open every
Map Location:
Phone: +52 998-251-7531
Offer: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Atmosphere: Casual
Specialty: vegan organic and superfood
Price Table: $$
100% Natural
It is a natural Mexican food restaurant, an excellent place to enjoy food made with fresh and natural ingredients, such as juices, fruit salads to typical Mexican dishes with their particular stamp, there is something for all tastes and at all times.
There is also the therapyJuice bar where, you can find all kinds of healthy and refreshing juices, enjoy sweet bread and freshly baked cookies to accompany with a coffee. The desserts are delicious too.
The atmosphere is friendly and familiar, has a playground for children, and the garden is ideal for breakfast, surrounded by trees and fruit carts as decoration. It is a favorite place for locals, mostly on Sundays. Being a chain of restaurants, there are two branches in Cancun, in downtown and the hotel zone.
Menu
Specialty: Vegetarian and Mexican food
Map
Open: from 7am – 11pm
Offer: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Atmosphere: Casual
Price Table: $$
La Organica
La Organica is located in downtown Cancun, it is an enjoyable place since the atmosphere transmits your calmness. They have two spaces one with air conditioning and another in a created garden with details and local decoration.
The attention is very, and they would offer you options if you are hesitant. The dishes they offer are tasty and are prepared with the right quality ingredients. The bakery is delicious and the coffee pot exquisite. The breakfast is super! Fruit juices are excellent, a great choice to enjoy a healthy meal.
Menu
Open: 7 am – 8 pm
Location: Av Yaxchilán Mz 2, Coral Rivera, 17, 77500 Cancún, Q.R.
Map
Phone: 01 998 883 9920
Offer: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Atmosphere: Casual
Price Table: $$
Tips when looking for a restaurant in Cancun and have a good dine!
There are too many options on Restaurants in Cancun, and you are not sure which one is going to offer what you are after and you do not want to end up having a sad meal because of indecision. Well here are couples of tips to avoid that and to have a good experience.
- Do a little research for a restaurant before you go, using your Social Media, Yelp, Instagram, blogs and forums and read magazines on the planes they usually have great recommendations.
- Ask locals or people you meet on your trip or friends that had been in the area before.
- When looking for a super fancy restaurant, do not ask the bell boy at your hotel and remember the concierge might give you a good recommendation but….look for another option and compare.
- I would go for reviews on TripAdvisor and couples of other apps and compare and do not put much attention if there is a couple of bad reviews, just go for it and follow your instincts.
- Verify if credit cards are accepted; usually, restaurants in Cancun take all major credit cards.
- Make the reservation in advance do not waste precious vacation time waiting long times to be seated, especially in high season, take precautions and make reservations. There is an app that you can use to reserve online. https://www.opentable.com.mx/ or any of the great applications are up there now.
- Do not eat what you do at home, look for local specialties and try something different. What’s the point of being away if you’re eating food you could get at home?
- Avoid restaurants near or on the busy tourist attractions.
- Avoid empty restaurants, that is not a good sign.
- When ordering if you are not fun of spicy food, make sure to ask the waiter how hot it is.
- Don`t forget to leave a tip which is customary in Cancun:
10% if the service was ok.
15% if the service was good
20% if the service was excellent. - Price table excluding drinks per person:
$ = Less than USD$10
$$ = USD$10 – USD$15
$$$ = USD$15 – USD$30
$$$$ = More than USD30
Related Questions
Where are the best Tacos restaurants in Cancun? For visitors looking for the best tacos in Cancun, you’ll find great spots all over downtown, and within the hotel zone, there is a massive list from family-owned taquerias to great restaurants and a few trucks with delicious flavors.
Los Aguachiles, Los Tarascos, El Ñero, Los de Pescado, Las Pescadillas, Taco Rigos and more…