Seafood restaurants in Mexico
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A
Joe Jack’s Fish Shack
Seafood aficionados flock to this joint for fish and chips, garlic shrimp, whole red snapper and great slabs of mahi mahi. Large groups are graciously accommodated on the pleasant rooftop terrace. The service is jovial and quick, and the music classic rock.
reviewed
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B
La Lona Verde
This humble and friendly establishment does some very tasty seafood dishes. Start off with fried shrimp quesadillas or mixiote de mariscos (a flavorful shellfish broth), then have a fish fillet al ajillo (laced with a garlic and chili sauce). Being an Oaxacan-run establishment, they also make tlayudas, those great big crispy tortillas with a variety of toppings.
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Tequila's Sunrise
If you can handle the Eagles barrage (you're almost guaranteed to hear Hotel California at least twice while you're here), pop into the restaurant that claims to be the original restaurant that was in Hotel California. Whether you buy it not, it's a fun place, and every inch of just about everything in the place is covered in permanent marker, business cards and dollar bills.
The menu features everything from surf-and-turf platters to garlic shrimp, salads and good ol' Mexican food. If you'd rather taste premium tequilas, try the tequila bar.
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C
Restaurante Pórtico del Peregrino
There are several pleasant, traditional-style dining rooms (some with air-con) surrounding a small courtyard in this upscale eatery. Yucatecan dishes such as pollo pibil (chicken flavored with achiote sauce and wrapped in banana leaves) are its forte, but you’ll find many international dishes and a broad range of seafood and steaks as well. Mole poblano, a chocolate and chili sauce, is a house specialty, as is artery-clogging queso relleno (Dutch cheese stuffed with spiced ground beef).
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D
La Habichuela
An elegant restaurant with a lovely courtyard dining area, just off Parque Las Palapas. The specialty is shrimp and lobster in curry sauce served inside a coconut with tropical fruit, but almost anything on the menu is delicious. The seafood ceviche and tapa al ajillo (potatoes in garlic) are mouthwatering. The gorgeous aquarium in the lobby makes for a very attractive wait (reservations are advised). Finish with lime sorbet splashed with xtabentún, a Yucatecan anise-flavored liqueur.
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Parador Gastrónomico de Cockteleros
Parador Gastrónomico de Cockteleros, on the north end of the malecón, 2.5km from the Plaza Principal, is the place to partake of the bountiful seafood netted daily from the Gulf. About 20 thatched-roof restaurants all serve pretty much the same thing: shellfish cocktails and fried fish. Ask to see the day's catch and make your selection; a medium-sized fish goes for about around $50. Most places give you free starters such as fried shrimp or crab legs.
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Mariscos el Social
The chef, known as 'El Socio' started serving his sensational ceviche and delicious shrimp and octopus cocktails, from his stainless steel cart on Glendale and Delicias, 20 years ago. He still works that corner, but he has a sit down café down the block that is equally great. Each week El Socio and his crew serve 350 kilos of shrimp and octopus. So, you know it's fresh. Order a shrimp and octopus plate if you're not into the soupy cocktails.
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Beto’s
At Beto’s you’ll get the best seafood in town by a long way (the fresh trout is superb), as well as ice-cold beer served with salt on the rim. The friendly owner-chef couple will fuss over you until you’re stuffed and then bring you a beso de ángel (coffee liqueur and condensed milk on ice, dusted with cinnamon) with the check.
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E
Restaurant Río Nizuc
About as close to sea level as a restaurant can be, this breezy hole in the wall, er, wharf is at the end of a short, nameless road at the edge of a mangrove-flanked channel. Octopus, conch and fish are served in various ways - fried with garlic or ceviche (raw)- and the beer is cheap. Get there early; it closes when the fish is gone.
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F
Boca del Río
This large, old-fashioned dining hall has its fish delivered daily from the coast. Take a seat at the long stainless-steel counter and enjoy shrimp, oyster or octopus cocktails (from M$50, or eat all three in one serve, campechano -style), served with a lemon squeezer, a bottle of habanero salsa and a package of Saltines.
reviewed
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G
El Manglar
One of several seafood restaurants on Playa La Ropa, El Manglar (the mangrove) is unique for its jungle setting in a protected reserve that's home to crocodiles, iguanas, birds and turtles. The menu features a blackened 27-spice tuna, mahi mahi and filet mignon. Out back, there's also an RV park with showers and bath (around $200 per day).
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H
Giggling Dolphin
Excellent, reasonably priced fish dishes include mouth-watering items like chile relleno de queso y camarón (green chili stuffed with cheese and shrimp) and other takes on traditional Mexican seafood dishes. With tablecloths, Mexican music and big wooden chairs, it can be romantic or casual, depending on your mood.
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Spaggia
Overlooking Playa Camarones, this cosmopolitan beach restaurant knows how to make an impression. Even in the heat of the afternoon the feeling is breezy and contemporary. Dine on rack of lamb, seafood pozole, tuna sashimi, baked oysters, or pan-fried duck - but be sure to wait at least 20 minutes before taking a dip.
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J
Blu
A rare oyster bar among this energetic stretch of restaurants on Río Lerma between Río Tiber and Río Guadalquivir. There are just a handful of tables, plus the adjacent bar, which is bathed with dated ’60s blue neon light. Dishes include an oyster starter, salmon grill, grilled meats and salads.
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K
Lampuga
Fresh seafood is the focus of this French bistro–style restaurant, where a blackboard over the bar announces the daily specials. Tuna tostadas make great starters, as does the Greek-style octopus; for a main course, have the catch of the day grilled over coals. It may be hard to find a table at lunchtime.
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L
O Mole Mío
With wrought-iron furniture, Mayan fertility figures adorning the walls and colorful lanterns for light, the décor is as creative as the food. Even standards like enchiladas and tamales are presented with a whole new twist. The seafood is outstanding. Lobster (around US$30) is the priciest thing on the menu.
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Don Elias
A mix of tasty food, good service and lovely decor (fancy in the front and a fun log-cabin look in back) makes this place popular. The menu is heavy on steak and seafood, but you can eat lighter with the enchiladas rojas (enchiladas in red sauce) or salads. A guitar trio plays from 2:30pm to 4:30pm.
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Restaurant Leyvis y Vicente
This restaurant on Playa del Panteón offers fish and seafood for M$50 to M$200, plus cheaper fare such as entomatadas (a variation of enchiladas) and eggs. It stays open until 10pm or 11pm, and the setting is very pretty after dark. Be careful about the freshness of the seafood in the low season.
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Puerto Viejo
A good-time crowd of expats gather here for drinks at sunset. Many of them will return the next day for super-fresh seafood sent straight from the port. The well-priced comida corrida (set-price menu; M$48) regularly features selections like mole and tuna ceviche.
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N
La Terraza de la Trucha
Irresistibly nestled at the north entrance of the national park, you’ll find a cozy table with shady cascade views and order the trout, of course. Get it grilled, crusted in macadamias or a la tampiqueña (with guacamole and beans). It comes with fresh chips and a searing salsa.
reviewed
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Las Fuentes
Las Fuentes serves excellent Mexican dishes (the chicken with mole sauce is exceptional) and seafood specialties in a shady patio among colorful bougainvilleas and three refreshing fountains. Shrimp plates exceed the average prices, topping out around around US$20.
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O
Steve's Hideaway/El Escondite
A local favorite since 1968, this hole-in-the-wall sits on stilts over the lagoon with great views over the water. Esteban serves drinks, steaks and fresh catches like red snapper and fish quesadillas. It's located down a dirt road on the southeast side of the lagoon.
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Los Adobes
For some seriously good alta cocina (haute cuisine) try this upscale but casual restaurant. Dishes include mole poblano (a chili sauce flavored with chocolate and spices), Cornish game hen in 'Jamaica sauce' and several mouth-watering seafood dishes.
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La Coronela
Part of Hotel California, La Coronela serves big breakfasts, including French toast, eggs Benedict with smoked marlin, and homemade muffins, cinnamon rolls and banana bread. For lunch and dinner, choose anything from gorgonzola pizza to tapas to gourmet seafood.
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Pedro y Lola
Named after beloved Mexican singers Pedro Infante and Lola Beltrán, this very popular sidewalk restaurant-bar serves toned-down Mexican favorites and seafood dishes like garlic octopus and fish papillote (wrapped in parchment and steamed in white wine).
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