What and where to eat in Cancún

Exquisite Regional Cuisine, Super Fresh Seafood, One Sweet Foodie Destination

Cancún spoils visitors with a seemingly endless feast of delectable Yucatecan dishes, sophisticated gourmet fare, and addictive tacos. Seafood, of course, is king and it's a thing of beauty when grilled to perfection over a wood-burning stove.

John Hecht
15 June 2023

Welcome to one of Mexico's most exciting culinary scenes. Drawing on Maya, Mexican Caribbean, European and American influences, Cancún boasts a one-of-a-kind gastronomic melting pot. For cheap eats, seek out the downtown market stalls and atmospheric taco shops, while in the hotel zone, you'll find some of the city's finest, albeit priciest, restaurants.

For Yucatecan Cuisine

Eat your way through Cancún while delighting in superb regional fare.

La Habichuela

La Habichuela is known for its cocobichuela, a curry-based shrimp and lobster dish, but go instead for the noteworthy Yucatecan dishes such as the cochinita pibil (slow-cooked pork), and don’t skip the flaming Mayan coffee.

Address: Calle Margaritas 25, Centro

El Pocito

Service in Mexico may be slower than what you've come to expect, so do your best to be patient with the staff.

The menu at this under-the-radar eatery reads like a greatest-hits list of iconic Yucatecan dishes. After digging into classics such as papadzules (egg-filled enchiladas) and sopa de lima (lime soup), you may become a regular.

Address: Calle 31 Norte, Lote 23, S.M 63, Centro

For International Cuisine

Cancún overflows with restaurants dishing up excellent surf and turf creations.

Peter's Restaurante

Casual, softly lit Peter’s has become a Cancún institution thanks to its bouillabaisse, prime Angus ribeye, signature key lime pie, and personalized service making it one of downtown’s most memorable dining experiences.

Address: Avenida Bonampak 71-72, Centro

Harry's Steakhouse & Raw Bar

Harry’s specializes in prime meat cuts, east coast oysters, and stone crab claws prepared at its raw bar. Grab a waterfront table on the rear deck and take in a sunset view over margaritas made with habanero syrup.

Address: Blvd Kukulcán Km 14.2, Hotel Zone

La Fonda del Zancudo

Dine under the stars in a romantic patio decked out with fairy lights and intentionally rustic furnishings. Like El Tigre y El Toro, its sister restaurant around the corner, La Fonda excels in brick oven pizzas.

Address: Avenida Uxmal 23, Centro

Thai & Elefanta

If you grow tired of the seafood and taco routine, Thai and its adjacent Indian restaurant Elefanta offer tastes of South Asia amid picturesque waterfront settings. Inexpensive they’re not, but the dishes and thatched-hut dining areas do not disappoint.

Address: Blvd Kukulcán Km 12.5, La Isla Shopping Village, Hotel Zone

Star-worthy eateries

Trust us, these acclaimed fine-dining experiences are worth the splurge.

Benazuza

Implementing molecular gastronomy, Benazuza’s 15-course tasting menu is an innovative, Mexican-inspired flavor explosion. The artful presentations almost look too pretty to eat, almost that is.

Address: Grand Oasis Cancún, Blvd Kukulcán Km 16.5, Hotel Zone

Le Chique

In nearby Puerto Morelos, chef Jonatan Gómez Luna designs tasting menus so extraordinary that Le Chique was named one of Latin America’s 50 best restaurants. The changing menu features up to 20 courses and often focuses on reimagined Mexican fare. Adults only.

Address: Azul Beach Resort, Km 27.5, Puerto Morelos

Restaurante Ni

If you’ve never tried high-quality Peruvian ceviche prepared with citrus-based tiger’s milk, you’re in for a treat. The privileged ocean view isn’t too shabby either at this posh resort on the southern tip of the hotel zone.

Address: Blvd Kukulcán Km 21, Nizuc Resort, Hotel Zone

Best Seafood

If you like lobster and fresh-caught fried fish, you’ve come to the right place.

Lorenzillo's

This waterfront restaurant with lovely wooden decor offers more than 20 different ways to prepare your lobster, including a version with a Yucatán-style achiote rub. Sure, it’s touristy but after 40 years in the biz, it still ranks among Cancún’s top seafood establishments.

Address: Blvd Kukulcán Km 10.5, Hotel Zone

El Galeón del Caribe

Locals love this unassuming seafood palapa and for good reason: tasty fried fish tacos are done dirt-cheap and the homestyle main dishes get the wood-burning stove treatment.

Address: Blvd Kukulcán Km 19.4, Hotel Zone

Kiosco Verde

Across from the Puerto Juárez ferry terminal, this corner store kiosk-turned-seafood eatery whips up succulent whole hogfish and fine citrus-cooked shrimp; make it your fueling stop on the way back from Isla Mujeres or Isla Blanca.

Address: Avenida López Portillo S.M. 85, Puerto Juárez

Va q' Va

For local flavor, you simply can’t beat the atmosphere at this open-air seafood restaurant in a seldom-visited working-class neighborhood. The live music alone makes it well worth the visit.

Address: Calle 107 M.Z. 38, Centro

Best for Vegans

Cancún is seeing a boom in vegan and vegetarian restaurants and cafes.

Sirena Morena

With an extensive vegan and vegetarian menu featuring meatless tacos, sweet potato soup, and veggie burgers, this open-air downtown cafe gets rave reviews as a breakfast and lunch spot.

Address: Avenida Carlos Náder 66, Centro

The Pink Coconut

Come for the falafel wrap, vegan pizza, and hearty sopes (vegan-style corn snacks), and stay for the non-dairy smoothies while soaking up the scenery of the Nichupté Lagoon.

Address: Blvd Kukulcán Km 16.5, Aquafun Marina, Hotel Zone

BaoVegan

One of the most affordable vegan options in town and with its hearty Mexican breakfasts, meatless burritos, and baked goods, this humble downtown cafe is budget traveler bliss.

Address: Avenida Sunyaxchen 30, Centro

Food Tours

Eat like a local on tours led by English-speaking guides.

Cancun Food Tours

Paying the Bill

Always check your bill carefully and beware of unscrupulous establishments that attempt to tack on items you did not consume. Leave a 15-20% tip for good service provided a gratuity has not already been added to the tab.

For taco crawls and market visits, let the experts show you Cancún’s best culinary secrets. Aside from the mouth-watering street eats, a food tour provides fascinating background on the city’s historical sights.

Best one-stop shop

Browse for crafts and produce, then devour a savory torta.

El Paisano del 23

The Paisano does one thing and does it exceptionally well. His famous torta (sandwich) is a simple creation of roasted pork leg, mayo, salsa verde, and greens on a roll, making for a tasty snack after a stroll through the market.

Address: Jabín 9, Mercado 23, Centro

Best budget choices

Munchies, anyone? Cancún’s ubiquitous taco and burrito shops got your back.

The Surfin' Burrito

Come with a big appetite if you plan on woofing down the fat California-style burritos stuffed with your choice of steak, shrimp, chicken, or vegetarian fixings. The supersized cocktails are no joke either at this hotel zone favorite.

Address: Blvd Kukulcán Km 9.5, Hotel Zone

Taquería Coapeñitos

Downtown’s go-to spot to get your taco fix. Wrap your fingers around the spit-cooked tacos al pastor (marinated pork) and get a side of chicharrón de queso (a fried cheese roll) for good measure. It’s pure artery-clogging joy.

Address: Avenida Náder 25, Centro

Los Aquachiles

Start with a tuna tostada, a mouth-watering treat topped with cubed avocado and crispy leek. Everything on the menu goes down oh-so-nice with a refreshing beer-and-Clamato cocktail.

Address: Avenida Nichupté, M.Z. 4, Centro

Must-try local fare

This list just scratches the surface of the Yucatán’s vast and varied culinary offerings.

Sopa de Lima

Yucatecan comfort food at its best, this soupy bowl of goodness is prepared with shredded turkey or chicken, aromatic lime juice, and fried tortilla strips, among other ingredients.

Panuchos

Fried tortillas topped with refried beans, pulled pork or shredded chicken, pickled red onion, and optional cabbage or lettuce. Add some fiery habanero salsa for extra zip.

Cochinita Pibil

Oven-roasted or pit-cooked pork that’s usually marinated in citrus juices and rubbed with achiote and other spices. This iconic dish is prepared in tacos, sandwiches, or as a main meal.

Marquesitas

Crepe-like dessert rolls filled with caramel, chocolate, cheese, and other goodies. Look for the street vendors selling them in downtown’s Parque de las Palapas.

About the author

John HechtCalifornia native John Hecht has long called Mexico his home away from home. Over two decades, his travels as a guidebook author have taken him to Cancún and the splendid Yucatán region more times than he can remember, and he is happy to report his amor for Mexico is still running strong.