Tulum
Assuming you can get in (it accepts walk-ins and online reservations made one month in advance), this sweet 'n' simple nouvelle-cuisine restaurant down on…
Must-see restaurants in Quintana Roo
Cancún
Dazzling contemporary elegance and impeccable service characterize Tempo, but it’s the nine-course tasting menu of elaborate gourmet Basque cuisine with a…
Cancún
Up to 30 courses of surprising molecular cuisine. The dining experience at contemporary restaurant Benazuza incorporates traditional Mexican-inspired…
Laguna Bacalar
The slooow-food experience here pushes your patience to the limit, but grill-master Rodrigo Estrada makes it well worth the wait. Exquisite dishes such as…
Isla Mujeres
More like a restaurant than a cantina, but Javi's does have happy hour and live music. The menu consists of seafood, choice beef cuts, chicken and various…
Tulum
It began as a street stall and became such a hit that it's now a taco place with a proper roof overhead. Most folks go here for the cochinita (pulled pork…
Playa del Carmen
With a French-Basque-inspired menu created by Michelin-starred-chef Martin Berastegui, this is unquestionably one of Playa's finest restaurants. Diners…
Isla Holbox
Very tasty French pastries and morning breakfast selections make this a welcome spot if you're craving something other than Mexican morning food. Coffee…
Isla Cozumel
Putting a gourmet twist on Mexican classics, this chic bistro is one of the best restaurants on the island. The Midnight Pork Ribs are a tried-and-true…
Cancún
Peter’s Restaurante has a homey charm and some of the best cooking in the city. Dutch chef Peter Houben has blended European, Mexican and international…
Chetumal
Yucatecan snacks such as panuchos (fried tortillas topped with beans, chicken and pickled onion) and salbutes (puffed deep-fried tortillas filled with…
Akumal
A popular breakfast spot, this appealing cafe slings a wide variety of gringo comfort food ranging from breakfast burritos to eggs Benedict. The lunch and…
Playa del Carmen
'Okay, but first, coffee' is the motto here, and they sure do coffee well. They do everything well, actually: from tasty fruit-and-yogurt bowls to green…
Isla Holbox
El Chapulím has no menu and the kitchen closes when the food runs out – usually before 9pm – so come here aware of the quirks involved. Food is excellent,…
Playa del Carmen
The 'Monkey's Cave,' known for its fresh and natural ingredients, has seating in a jungly palapa setting or a verdant garden out back. Service is friendly…
Mahahual
Nohoch Kay, aka the Big Fish, definitely lives up to its name. Don't miss this beachfront Mexican-owned restaurant, where they prepare succulent whole…
Puerto Morelos
You definitely can't go wrong with the fresh pasta and wood-fired pizza here, but this Uruguayan grill is best known for its steaks. The star cuts are a…
Playa del Carmen
Good, healthy breakfasts (some vegan!) and a range of yummy baked goods are what keeps this French-run bakery-cafe busy. Savory croissants with smoked…
Isla Holbox
Mandarina restaurant boasts the best location for dining with an ocean view, filled with warm lighting and rustic wood furnishings right on the Holbox…
Cancún
Offering a lovely view of the lagoon that complements the seafood, the long menu here includes many shrimp and fish-fillet dishes. Stone crab is the…
Isla Mujeres
Overlooking the quieter north side of the restaurant strip, Lola does popular Mexican fusion with dishes like coconut shrimp, plus several vegan, gluten…
Puerto Morelos
One block west and two blocks north of the plaza, this ‘kitchen’ turns out some truly fabulous food. The chef's specialty, though not listed on the…
Laguna Bacalar
A sign outside reads, 'Eat, drink and swim' – and that about sums it up. Fish and seafood dishes are tasty, albeit on the smallish side, but the mezcal…
Chetumal
Overlooking the azure waters of Laguna Milagros, about 15km west of Chetumal, this open-air seafood restaurant draws deserving praise for its fried whole…
Cancún
For authentic Yucatecan home-cooking, locals often recommend this fan-cooled palapa restaurant and it's easy to take an instant liking to the place. The…
Mahahual
About 30km north of Mahahual, this off-grid inn and restaurant makes notably fresh seafood dishes such as mixed ceviche and fish fillet in raspberry…
Chetumal
Choose from more than a dozen Yucatecan-style guisados (home-style dishes) prepared as tacos and tortas (sandwiches) at this fan-cooled breakfast joint…
Cancún
Stunning, renowned Harry’s serves house-aged steaks, plus superfresh fish and a famous cotton-candy treat. The architecture’s impressive too, with outdoor…
Puerto Morelos
OK, so it's not right on the beach, but the sand floor, palapa roof, fan-cooled dining area and fresh fish sure make you feel like you're there. Start…
Cancún
One of Cancún’s most beautiful restaurants, Fred’s House features warm contemporary style and tropical gardens by Nichupté Lagoon. At this seafood eatery,…
Isla Holbox
This quaint cafe is so tiny you just might miss it if you’re strolling too fast by the main square. La Tortilleria specializes in Spanish-style omelettes …
Cancún
Softly illuminated by strings of lights, lanterns and moonlight, this alluring little restaurant sits within an enchanting walled patio on downtown Cancún…
Playa del Carmen
Putting a gourmet twist on tacos, tostadas and Mexican regional dishes, Axiote's diverse menu features creative treats like fish tacos with a sausage…
Isla Cozumel
Known for its Chicago-style deep-dish pizza and friendly neighborhood expat bar, 'Ohana (meaning family in Hawaiian) definitely feels like home. The owner…
Cancún
In a gated residential community about 500m south of the Puerto Juárez ferry terminal, this hidden oceanfront restaurant wins over locals with dishes like…
Isla Holbox
With just a few tables set under a palapa roof, this cool and contemporary joint features tacos piled high with a flavorful mix of ingredients and…
Isla Mujeres
This delightful Israeli-run restaurant makes everything from scratch, from Moroccan-style fish served on a bed of couscous to chicken shawarmas wrapped in…
Isla Cozumel
Drawing on recipes handed down from her father, Guido, chef Yvonne Villiger has created a menu ranging from wood-fired pizzas and homemade pastas to…
Isla Mujeres
The ‘Little Hill’ serves good, cheap Mexican food in a small, colorful setting. Seafood and chicken dishes predominate. Try the fantastic bean and avocado…
Cancún
Definitely one of the best seafood spots in the Zona Hotelera, the palapa-covered Mocambo sits right on Playa Caracol and serves up excellent seafood…
