Good Restaurants in Cancun, Mexico

DINING OUT OF THE HOTEL? Cancun hotels are renowned for great food and plenty of it. The hardest part is choosing which restaurants to go to - there are so many good ones. Just in case you decide to venture out and would like to try some great Cancun restaurants, here are some that make the top of the list, as far as we are concerned… Enjoy!

Cambalache (American / Steak House)
Blvd Kukulcán, Km 9.5 Forum-by-the-Sea, Cancún
Ph: 98-830-897
If you want a list of reasons why diners choose Cambalanche, then the top three would be steaks, steaks, and more steaks. The chefs here bring all their experience into transforming fine Argentinean beef into tender delicacies that can be smoothly cut with a fork. If you need more reasons to show up, then try the restaurant’s famous short ribs or very well prepared seafood and chicken dishes. For dessert, try the crêpes with caramelised milk or a freshly baked pastry.

Crab House (Seafood)
Blvd Kukulcán, Km 14.6, Cancún
Ph: 98-850-730
Known for refinement and class, the Crab House attracts some of the most affluent visitors in Cancún. The menu includes crocodile fajitas, fish fillets, shrimp and shellfish entrées, and a variety of crab dishes created by the discerning imagination of some of the city’s finest chefs. Try not to each too much on the main course and you will be able to enjoy the very tasty chocolate cake and vanilla flan dessert.

El Cejas (Mixed Menu)
Mercado Veintiocho, Av. Sunyaxchén, Sm 26, Cancún
Ph: 98 887-1080
Located in the heart of the bustling, lively Mercado Veintiocho, this is a neighborhood restaurant with an international reputation. The seafood is the freshest there is and it's cheaper than in the Hotel Zone. If you have had a wild night, try the vuelva la vida, or "return to life" (a mixture of seafood with a hot tomato sauce). Equally wonderful is the ceviche and hot, spicy shrimp soup.

El Pescador
Av. Tulipanes 28, Cancún
Ph: 98 884-2673
This is a restaurant aimed toward tourists, and the long lines attest to its popularity. With its lively atmosphere and open-air patio, this is a good place to watch all the action pass by. Popular dishes on the menu include red snapper broiled with garlic, charcoal-broiled lobster, Creole-style shrimp, and stone crabs. Unfortunately reservations are not accepted.

La Fisheria (Seafood)
Plaza Caracol Shopping Center, 2nd floor, Cancún
Ph: 98-831-395
This excellent seafood restaurant offers menu items which include steamed mussels, grouper in lobster sauce, shark fingers, sword fish with garlic butter, and ceviche, a dish of marinated fish bites in a tomato, onion, and cilantro sauce. Be sure to ask about the catch of the day to see what new dish the chefs have prepared.

La Parrilla (Mexican)
Ave Yaxchilán 51, Cancún
98-845-398
When tourists and locals go in search of a festive Mexican meal, they usually end up at La Parrilla. This restaurant has a large salon and terrace, festive colors, and fountains, and those wanting a little variety can order a margarita mixed from over 50 different tequila brands. One menu favourite is tacos al pastor, which is made with pineapple, pork, and salsa. Plenty of seafood choices and steak are also available.

Mikado (Japanese)
Blvd Kukulcán, Km 14.5 Marriott Casa Magna, Cancún
98-812-000
Here you can watch skilled chefs work their magic, and at this Japanese restaurant, the food is quite climactic. Some of the main courses include (shrimp and vegetable tempura), tender rib eyes, and banana or cheese kushiages (deep-fried creations on a skewer). Mikado also serves fresh sushi and lobster at usual prices.

Yamamoto (Mixed Menu)
Calle Uxmal 31, Cancún
Ph: 98-873-366
While patrons can order Asian staples like fried rice and stir-fried chicken or beef at Yamamoto, the real draw is the sushi. With so many seafood restaurants in the city, it’s surprising that there are not more sushi bars in town, but even if there were, this one would still be a crowd pleaser. The ice creams here are also very nice.