3 Best Restaurants in Palenque, Chiapas and Tabasco

The location of this two-level restaurant, just next door to the Hotel Xibalba, has made it a favorite with tourists, but locals frequent the place, too. The plates are big, and the food is varied and delicious. The freshness of the seafood is a big part of what makes dishes like the chilpachole de mariscos (a slightly spicy tomato-based seafood soup) delicious. The filete de pescado (a shrimp-stuffed fillet of fish baked in a banana leaf) is another delicious option.

This thatch-roof restaurant in the La Cañada neighborhood on the south side of town is one of the prettiest in Palenque. Grab a table amid the fragrant gardens, and listen to musicians play softly (evenings) as you choose one of the regional dishes like pollo en mole chiapaneco (chicken in a local version of the dried-chili classic) and a soup of chipilín (a local herb). Skip the dry shrimp and go for the whole fried fish. Maya, the downtown restaurant, is owned by the same people, but has a different vibe.

The coffee is good at this sunny corner café, but it's also a great place to stop in for a meal. (Just be prepared for leisurely service.) The menu includes a wide variety of Mexican dishes, including the delicious sopa de ajo (garlic soup). The pechuga de pollo en chipotle al gratin (chicken breast with chipotle and topped with cheese) is also tasty, but if you're looking for a simpler dish, you can also order more American fare—including burgers and fries.