37 Best Restaurants in Cancún, Mexico

The individual huts with thatched roofs at this garden oasis provide an intimate setting to sample spicy Thai dishes like roasted duck in coconut red curry or the house favorite, a deep-fried fish fillet prepared with ginger, garlic, and a tamarind-chile sauce. The menu also features traditional Indian dishes such as chicken tikka masala, Kasundi shrimp with coconut sauce, and tandoori-style New Zealand lamb. Amp up the romance quotient by calling ahead to reserve one of the palapa casitas perched over the water on stilts. There are only 17 tables, so reservations are highly recommended. 

Begin the evening at The Club Grill with a special cocktail at the champagne bar before ordering from a continental menu that includes starters like beef tartar and mains like roasted duck with tequila and agave honey sauce; a multicourse tasting menu, paired with boutique Mexican wines, is available, too. For dessert, try one of the signature soufflés—chocolate, coconut cream, or Grand Marnier. Enjoy live jazz music nightly.

It might look like a hole-in-the-wall, but this small Japanese restaurant has some of Cancún's best sushi. Expect sashimi, nigiri, and every type of roll imaginable; house specialties include the Copán roll (deep-fried shrimp wrapped in cucumber) and the Cancún roll (stuffed with eel and scallops). There is a sushi bar on the ground floor and an intimate dining area with a few tables upstairs. Granted, you may not hear crashing waves, but you'll have an authentic Japanese experience for a fraction of what you might pay down the road. Note that the sushi menu is in Spanish and Japanese, but not English.

The grande dame of Cancún restaurants delivers on the promise of its name, with candlelit tables and discreet waiters who will make you feel as if you've been transported to Italy. The fare includes homemade pizzas and pastas such as Bolognese-style lasagna; veal scaloppine and calamari steak in shrimp and lobster sauce are other options. The wine list is excellent, and the dessert truffle is a must for chocolate lovers. Be patient when waiting for your order, though, as good food takes time to prepare.

Yucatecan cuisine reaches new and exotic heights at this Mayan-themed restaurant, with fabulous dishes prepared by chef Elviro Pol. The papadzules (tortillas stuffed with eggs and covered with pumpkin-seed sauce) are a delicious starter; for an entrée, try the poc chuc (tender pork loin in a sour orange sauce) or longaniza de Valladolid (traditional sausage from the city of Valladolid). The Yucatán Tour sampler platter will give you a little taste of everything. Finish off your meal with some maja blanco (white pudding), and xtabentún-infused Mayan coffee.

Arched bay windows, checkered marble floors, live jazz, and exquisite garden views create a stunning backdrop to your dining experience here. The menu changes every four months but always consists of fine French-Mediterranean cuisine served beneath silver domes by tuxedoed waiters. The 14 chestnut tables surround a sunken gazebo where orchids bloom. Doubling as a gallery, Le Basilic displays paintings by local artist Leon Alva, and classical ballet dancers perform nightly. As a keepsake, you’ll be presented with a box of French truffles and refined recipe cards recapping the bill of fare. Note that the dress code is resort elegant, reservations are recommended, and children are not allowed. Since this restaurant is rather intimate, expect quality service, meaning that you might feel uncomfortable being watched by the attentive waiters.

Although it has only six tables, Peter's has an impressive menu that gives international dishes a Mexican twist—think foie gras with apple and yam bean salad or smoked salmon with potato-chipotle mash. Portions are generous, flavors are outstanding, and prices aren’t too bad. For something lighter, try the Claudia salad, a mix of field greens with raspberry vinaigrette. The key lime pie with tequila sorbet provides a refreshing finish, but, for a local's secret, request the off-the-menu chocolate brownie and ice cream drizzled with habañero honey. Everyone seems to know each other here—Peter’s is popular with expats. You’ll feel welcome, too.

Modeled after the dock warehouses that have been converted into modern eateries in Argentina's Puerto Madero, this steak-and-seafood restaurant gets rave reviews from locals. The grilled octopus seasoned with paprika is exceptional, as are the thin tuna rolls filled with Alaskan crab meat and Maine lobster. The sushi menu lists swanky appetizers. If the restaurant is too loud inside, ask for a table outside on the patio overlooking the lagoon. Reservations are recommended on weekends.

This sophisticated Mediterranean restaurant enjoys an enviable location at the heart of the Zona Hotelera and with breathtaking views of the Nichupté Lagoon. Start with the Alaskan king crabs marinated in lime or the Omega mussels with white wine and Sicilian lemon; continue with wood-fired Mediterranean shrimp or a New Zealand rack of lamb. For dessert, the Valrhona chocolate soufflé is handmade specially for you at the moment you order it. 

The secret to this restaurant's success is its creative handling of Italian and Swiss cuisine, which explains why both carpaccio de pulpo (thin slices of fresh octopus) and lettuce taco with sautéed duck breast appear on the menu. Appetizers are tempting, too—there's puff bread from a wood-burning oven plus a salad and antipasto bar. For something with more local flavor, try the black ravioli stuffed with lobster or Casa Rolandi's specialty linguine alle vongole (linguini with clams, garlic, white wine sauce, and parsley). Entrées are served under silver domes. The restaurant also has an extensive wine list.

Start the day at this open-air restaurant with a signature omelet and a bebida inteligente ("intelligent drink") which combines fruit juice with ginseng. Sandwiches, soy burgers, and stuffed pitas are prepared with fresh-baked breads. Crave meat? Try the grilled chicken done fajita-style. Mexican and Italian specialties are also available. The neighboring 100% Integral shop sells whole-wheat breads and other goodies.

Start the day at this open-air restaurant with a signature omelet and a bebida inteligente ("intelligent drink"), which combines fruit juice with ginseng. Sandwiches, soy burgers, and stuffed pitas are prepared with fresh-baked breads. Crave meat? Try the grilled chicken done fajita-style. Mexican and Italian specialties are also available. The neighboring 100% Integral shop sells whole-wheat breads and other goodies.

Every detail here evokes the streets of Buenos Aires, right down to the cobblestone floors, the dramatic tango music, and the walls adorned with antique bandoneons (concertinas). Although the star offering is steak, the broad menu also features starters like smoked marlin and charcoal-grilled provolone cheese and mains that include pasta, fish, and chicken dishes. The sizzling rib eye is extremely tender (though health-conscious diners should request a leaner cut), and if you have room, order the brandy-soaked cake roll with caramel filling for dessert.   With 160 seats, this place can be a bit chaotic; reservations are recommended Thursday through Saturday.

This adorable downtown café with an outdoor garden is a local favorite for breakfast. It serves an extensive selection of coffees alongside yummy pancakes, crepes, bagels, waffles, and paninis. Sweet tooths will love the frappés and homemade desserts.

This Argentinean steak house is rustic yet elegant, with dark wooden tables and arched brick ceilings. Not surprisingly, steak is the most popular main. although the local fish and lamb skewers grilled over a brick fire are other good choices. The house cocktail, clericot, made from red wine, sparkling cider, and fresh fruit, is prepared at your table. For starters, try traditional empanadas. Be sure to leave room for alfajor, a crisp pastry layered with caramel and pecans. The tango music coupled with views of Coral Negro Market give this restaurant international flair (and help you forget you're inside a mall). With room for 350 people, the dining room tends to get rather loud at night. There's no outdoor seating.

Sink your toes into the sand at Cancún's only on-the-beach restaurant where impeccable service matches an incredible setting. The romantic setting caters to couples—silk curtains drape palapas, each centered with an illuminated table adorned with seashells—and many of the seafood dishes are created for two. For a delicious sampling, try the platter of shrimp, oysters, tuna tartare, king crab, and lobster tail. A variety of steaks and salads are also available. The mini dessert shooters are the perfect way to extend your dinner-with-a-view. Call ahead, since the restaurant is at the mercy of the weather. 

Brick-oven pizza and excellent pasta dishes, handmade in full view, have made this fine Italian restaurant a Cancún favorite. Best bets include the melt-in-your-mouth-tender beef or octopus carpaccio appetizers and such stellar pasta dishes as the "green hats"—little pieces of handmade pasta filled with ricotta cheese, butter, and fresh sage. Cenacolo also has a small wine cave with a romantic table for two (reserve this section in advance). Although it's inside a mall, the restaurant's main dining room is elegant, with stained-glass panels on the ceiling and live piano music.

The clientele is lively, and the seafood is fresh at this open-air eatery in the bustling Mercado Veintiocho. The kitchen serves crab (stuffed, steamed, or fried) and whole fried fish that's crispy outside and moist inside. If you've had a wild night, try the vuelva a la vida, or "return to life" (conch, oysters, shrimp, octopus, calamari, and fish with a hot tomato sauce). The ceviche and spicy shrimp soup are also good, though the quality can be inconsistent.

This aptly named eatery is a welcome respite from El Centro's busy streets. House specials include grilled seafood with rice, fish fillet with coconut cream, and smaller dishes like ceviche or aguachiles (spicy lime shrimp). Many of the dishes can be prepared with your choice of mango, tamarind, or guava salsa. A small wooden bridge leads into a palapa (thatched roof), which is colorfully decorated with turquoise chairs, mosaic flooring, seashell lamps, and a bamboo bar. Relax to the sounds of a cascading waterfall, skirted by palm trees and tropical plants. Note that menus are in Spanish, and the staff doesn't speak much English.

Expect fine dining and culinary excellence, with rich-in-flavor ingredients, at this Mediterranean restaurant; consider the tasting menu for the full Fantino experience. With synchronized precision, servers unveil each plate with beautiful, if not artistic, execution. The restaurant's interior combines beautiful frescos with floor-to-ceiling windows that create a romantic and impressive space. Adjacent to the main dining room, Petit Fantino is available for private dining. Reservations are recommended and suggested attire is resort elegant.

As soon as you walk down the dramatic staircase at this elegant restaurant, you know you're in for a memorable experience. The gamberi saltati (sautéed shrimp with spinach, artichoke, and Asiago cheese) appetizer is a standout here, as are entrées such as the fettuccine carbonara in truffle sauce or the risotto. Other memorable dishes include the sea bass baked in “papillote” and the veal chop with potato, broccoli, and wild mushrooms. The circular dining room has artistic lighting and views of the wine cellar and open-air kitchen. Saxophone music adds a dash of romance.

The main draw at one of Cancún's first restaurants is the setting—namely, in a replica of a 17th-century hacienda, complete with a courtyard fountain, flowering garden, and strolling mariachi band. The traditional menu includes tortilla soup, tasty chicken fajitas, and rib-eye steaks. This is a popular place for large groups, so it can get boisterous—especially once guests begin sampling some of the 110 types of tequila. There's live mariachi music from Tuesday to Saturday from 7 to 10:30 pm. Sunday brunch is served from 9 to 2.

Built to resemble a sprawling hacienda, this restaurant is warm and intimate, with comfortable high-backed chairs and Mexican paintings. Menu highlights include the goat-cheese-and-mango salad, Tampico chicken breast, New York steak with stuffed pepper, and annatto-seasoned grilled pork chops; a kids' menu is also available. Traditional dances from Mexico and the Caribbean are performed on various weeknights in the restaurant's patio section.  Enjoy the breakfast buffet from 8 to 2 on Sunday.

High-profile locals and visitors alike are drawn to this contemporary steak house’s Vegas–meets–Beverly Hills style. The spectacular menu features glazed duck, Maine lobster, and Kobe beef served with aged Vermont cheddar cheese. When you get past the glass meat cooler in the lobby, you’ll encounter the dimly lit interior dominated by white stone, with cedar beams adding a touch of warmth. (All that stone creates echoes; ask about patio seating.) The concept here is impressive—steaks are aged in-house for 21–28 days, then grilled and broiled to perfection. Save room for dessert. Waiters deliver a tower of cotton candy with the check. (Try not to faint when you see the total.)

One of the few vegan restaurants in Cancún is popular with locals thanks to its wide variety of juices, smoothies, and fruit bowls. Its menu also features excellent vegan versions of traditional Mexican breakfasts such as enchiladas, chilaquiles, and burritos. For lunch, you can enjoy a portobello burger or a No Meat Lover's pizza.

Don't be put off by the shopping mall location or shared entrance with the Macao casino, because this modern Japanese restaurant serves truly fresh sashimi and sushi with unique toppings such as miso foie grass, black truffles, or lemon caviar. The excellently trained servers guide you through the extensive menu and offer cocktail suggestions to complement the myriad of main courses and roll choices—from uramaki to futomaki. Make a reservation for the speakeasy, Shinkai, which is hidden behind the sushi bar and only open on Friday and Saturday nights.

This much-loved restaurant, "The Bean," has an elegant yet cozy indoor dining room plus an outdoor area full of Mayan sculptures and local flora. Although the menu includes chicken, pasta, and grilled kabobs, this is a good place to satisfy your seafood cravings with Caribbean lobster tail or giant shrimp prepared 10 different ways. Finish off your meal with xtabentún, a Mayan liqueur distilled with honey and anise. 

Soaring stained-glass windows, a fountain, artwork, and beautiful furniture from the central part of the country lend drama to this restaurant. The food is both traditional and creative, with dishes like grilled Tampiqueña-style beef or sea bass wrapped in maguey leaves. The chicken mole and cactus leaf with roasted grasshoppers from Oaxaca will appeal to adventurous eaters; for something less exotic, try the sampler of mini cochinita pibil–style tacos. Performances by a 10-piece Mariachi band add to the ambience.

With its flamboyant live mariachi music and energetic waiters, this place is a Cancún classic. The menu isn't fancy, but it offers good, basic Mexican food—including sizzling fajitas, thick burritos, and 30 different taco dishes. Two reliably tasty choices are the mixed grill (with chicken, beef, and shrimp) and the Tampiqueña-style steak. Combining entertainment and cuisine, waiters flame broil lobster, salmon, shrimp, and filet mignon directly at your table. There’s also a wide selection of tequilas to accompany your meal. In the hotel zone, visit its La Isla Shopping Mall location.

This cheery café and bakery has comfortable equipales (rustic Mexican chairs) to plop into as you sample terrific soups, salads, and fish dishes. The eggs Benedict and crepes keep the locals coming back in the morning and the turkey breast crepes make a perfect lunch. If you have a sweet tooth, a variety of delectable desserts is baked on-site. Somewhat difficult to find, this downtown gem is on bustling Avenida Cobá near Walmart.