Must-see restaurants in Yucatán Peninsula

  • Chamicos

    Riviera Maya

    Fresh-caught fish and seafood done up in simple preparations right on the beach. You may not have white linen and fine china, but you can't ask for a…

  • Codornejas Restaurante

    Yucatán State & the Maya Heartland

    Located 6km southeast of Oxkutzcab, and 21km northwest of Tekax, this is a great stopover lunch spot. It's definitely for carnivores and here's why: it…

  • Mercado Principal

    Campeche

    Campeche’s bustling Mercado Principal, across the street from the Baluarte de San Pedro, offers some good snacks – if you can handle the 'rustic hygiene.'

  • Restaurante Xel-Ha

    Chetumal

    In a palapa (thatched-roof) restaurant right by the lagoon, Xel-Ha serves some of the best fresh fish around. Head about 8km north of Chetumal to the…

  • Parador Gastrónomico de Cocteleros

    Campeche

    This is a great place to sample the area's bountiful seafood. Over a dozen thatched-roof restaurants all serve pretty much the same thing: shrimp…

  • Restaurante Zamna

    Izamal

    Traditional, tasty and home-cooked food (you can watch your tortillas being made), prepared in a huge open-sided thatched hut, which adds to the charm…

  • Mercado Municipal Lucas de Gálvez

    Mérida

    Mérida’s least-expensive eateries are here. Upstairs are tables and chairs and diverse menus offering main courses of beef, fish or chicken. Look for…

  • Milk Bar

    Progreso

    The 'cow in a rowboat' indicates you've arrived at this laid-back Texan-run spot. Despite the name, it doesn't specialize in milk-based drinks, but is…

  • La Chaya Maya

    Mérida

    Popular with locals and tourists alike, this restaurant's main outlet can be found in charming downtown premises that are always busy. Consider La Chaya…

  • Rosa Mexicano

    Isla Holbox

    Set on a spacious deck, Rosa Mexicano specializes in Mexican-inspired author cuisine, with innovative dishes such as pollo molito (chicken stuffed with…

  • Acqua e Farina da Mario

    Tulum

    A taste of real Italy on the streets of central Tulum. This cafe is cramped (luckily there are some alfresco tables outside) but somehow Mario makes it…

  • Taquería de la Union

    Mérida

    The sharp minds behind this superb taquería combine the flavors and variety found on taco carts all over town, but in a pristine, air-conditioned…

  • La Eufemia

    Tulum

    Odd for a casual beachside taco joint, there's valet parking at La Eufemia, where you can gorge on great cheap food (think 'In your face, pricey Zona…

  • Manjar Blanco

    Mérida

    This modernised colonial building with contemporary local art on the walls puts a gourmet twist on regional favorites and makes a good downtown lunch spot…

  • Picaditas y Kekas Made

    Costa Maya & Southern Caribbean Coast

    Veracruz-style picaditas (tortillas with a layer of salsa, cheese and topping) are tasty and cheap at this simple eatery near the bus station. For…

  • Cocteleria El Barco de Ana

    Yucatán State & the Maya Heartland

    In a tiny spot in an incongruous part of town, a few blocks from the plaza, this tiny and casual place fills up quickly, especially between 1pm and 3pm…

  • Antojitos la Chiapaneca

    Tulum

    A good, cheap option to get your taco fix. You'll often have to wait for a table at this popular spot, or simply belly up to the counter. In addition to…

  • Café La Fuente

    Ciudad del Carmen

    This classic, open-fronted waterfront cafe is a busy gathering place for families and friends. It’s an excellent spot to sample treats such as pibipollo …

  • Las Panchas

    Isla Holbox

    Ask just about anyone in town where to go for Holbox seafood and they'll probably point to Las Panchas, where you can get delicious Mexican and Caribbean…

  • Mercado

    Yucatán State & the Maya Heartland

    Ticul’s lively Mercado provides all the ingredients for picnics and snacks, and offers nice photo ops, too. It also has lots of those wonderful eateries…

  • Nectar

    Mérida

    Inventive and delicious takes on traditional Yucatecan cuisine, a setting that would win design awards and superfriendly staff make for a winning…

  • Wayan'e

    Mérida

    Popular for its castakan (crispy pork belly), Wayan'e (meaning 'here it is' in Maya) is one of Mérida's premier breakfast spots. Vegetarians will find…

  • Café La Parroquia

    Campeche

    This casual restaurant appeals to everyone with its wide-ranging menu and attentive, long-serving staff. Order everything from fried chicken (M$112) to…

  • El Huinic de la Ermita

    Yucatán State & the Maya Heartland

    Arguably the best eats in town, this dark place doubles as a karaoke bar at night for wannabe crooners. It overlooks a pretty plaza and has Yucatecan…

  • El Timón Restaurant & Bar

    Campeche State

    One of the town's smarter bar-restaurants, this large, modern spot is the place to munch on camarones (shrimp) on a deck jutting over the water. It also…

  • Patravali

    Cancún

    The beautifully lit Patravali restaurant is owned by Indian expats living in Cancún. With a central location, it serves authentic Indian cuisine along…

  • I Famosi

    Cancún

    Owned by an Italian expat and located in one of downtown Cancún’s nicer and older neighborhoods, this local restaurant specializes in authentic Italian…

  • Naino

    Valladolid

    Located on the outskirts of town, on the premises of the resort Zenti'k, this pleasant open-air restaurant is an option for breakfast, lunch or dinner…

  • Vi-Salud

    Chetumal

    Set in an atmospheric century-old historic house, this beloved breakfast spot slings excellent huevos motuleños (fried eggs and ham on crispy tortillas,…

  • Amaro

    Mérida

    An old-style spot can be romantic at night, especially when there are performing trova acts (after 8:30pm). It's in the courtyard of the house where…

  • Los de Pescado

    Cancún

    It’s easy to order at a place where you have just a handful of choices: ceviche (seafood marinated in lemon or lime juice, garlic and seasonings), tacos,…

  • Restaurante El Marino

    Ciudad del Carmen

    This large, open-air restaurant overlooks the water and affords terrific views of the Zacatal Bridge and local birdlife – there's even occasional faraway…

  • El Merkadito Seafood & Beach Club

    Puerto Morelos

    The Little Market is a beachfront restaurant near the town square that greets guests with vibrant ocean views in a relaxed open-air setting. Seafood…

  • La Choza

    Isla Cozumel

    An excellent and popular restaurant with a garden at the back, La Choza offers regional Mexican cuisine, with classics like chicken in mole poblano (a…

  • El Socio

    Laguna Bacalar

    A local fave for more than 20 years, this simple eatery does excellent carne asada (grilled beef) and chicken sopes (tortillas with a layer of beans,…

  • La Destilería

    Cancún

    This place gets the thumbs-up from locals and visitors alike. It’s all good, but the chicken dishes – with goat cheese sauce and mole poblano (a sauce of…

  • Silvia’s Restaurant

    Costa Maya & Southern Caribbean Coast

    About three blocks south of the plaza and a block in from the coast, Silvia’s serves mostly Yucatecan snacks, fish fillets and ceviche (seafood marinated…

  • Kotaro

    Cancún

    Tucked away on an alley off the trendy Avenida Náder, this tiny Japanese restaurant is beloved for its delicious noodles and baos (dumplings). Start with…

  • Bistro Cultural

    Mérida

    While the cuisine is French, the influence is Yucatecan, and locally grown, organic products are used where possible. The small menu varies but includes a…

  • Christian's Tacos

    Laguna Bacalar

    If Christian's were in Mexico City – the al pastor (spit-roasted marinated pork) capital – it would compete with the best of them. The popular, yet artery…