Thelife- Cancún is the top-visited city in all of
Mexico and has some of the best food I've ever tasted. - Here's where to find the best food, from fresh lobster to slow-roasted pork and late-night tacos.
Cancún is the top-visited city in all of Mexico. The crystal-blue water, developed Hotel Zone, and party vibe has made it popular for decades.
But it's the food that keeps me coming back from my home base in Mexico City. Despite my initial expectations of the city as merely a launchpad for stereotypical rowdy spring-break vacationers, I've come to discover that Cancún and the surrounding area are so much more than that. It's here that I've enjoyed some of the best food I've ever tasted.
Through my visits, locals living in and around Cancún taught me about the history of Indigenous foods in the region and showed me small cafés and eateries off the beaten path. I now crave the fresh-caught lobster served at some of the popular pillars in Cancún, like Lorenzillo's, or the late-night tacos that rival those I enjoy at home.
I often find myself planning regular trips to Cancún simply to eat, and if you go to any of the restaurants listed below, chances are you will too. Here are my top picks for everything from toes-in-the-sand seafood to fine-dining and plenty of casual spots in between.
Lorenzillo's
Eating by yourself can be a lonely affair, but that wasn't the case when I took myself on a solo date to Lorenzillo's in the Hotel Zone. The fine-dining establishment has been open for more than 35 years and has perfected its lobster dish.
As I sat at a table overlooking crocodiles meandering through the Nichupté Lagoon at sunset, I started off with cold tuna tostadas on a bed of goat-cheese mousse, which by itself would have been a complete meal. Then, I chowed down on "La Barca," a pasta with lobster, salmon, and shrimp. I completed the meal with a sinful brownie sundae, and it all came together for a very worthy indulgence.
El Galeón del Caribe
The folks at El Galeón de Caribe know what they're good at and stick to it. The menu is small, but in my opinion, anything you order is going to be great.
The heaping plates of small fried-fish tacos are El Galeón's specialty, which are best slathered with fresh-squeezed lime and salsa. I think the mixed ceviche-and-garlic shrimp is a nice complement, as well. The tasty meal and water views are reason enough to visit, but the affordable prices, which are tricky to find at other establishments in the Hotel Zone, make El Galeón a must.
TabooTaboo is not just a restaurant, it's an Instagram-worthy experience. The bohemian-style furniture and large wicker lanterns provide an ideal backdrop for a hip dinner on the water. Taboo is part of the RosaNegra group, which includes a collection of trendy restaurants and beach clubs throughout Mexico.
This location in the Hotel Zone doesn't disappoint with its cocktails (try the "Alchemist," a mix of mezcal, cucumber, ginger, and mango), steaks, and Mediterranean dishes. The restaurant usually has a DJ playing live music, so if you're looking for a quiet, romantic dinner, I suggest going earlier in the evening.
El PocitoEl Pocito is one of my favorite varieties of Mexican food is Yucatecan, which is influenced by Mayan ingredients and techniques. A visit to the Yucatán Peninsula, where Cancún is located, isn't complete without trying some of the region's staples, such as cochinita pibil, slow-roasted shredded pork that's typically marinated with oranges and a bright-red achiote paste.
Although I live part-time in Mexico City, I won't usually eat cochinita pibil anywhere else outside of the southern tip of the country, where they do it best. El Pocito nails the dish, serving it in a tortilla or on top of a panucho (a thick corn masa base slathered in beans and topped with the pulled pork). Both options are finished with a smattering of signature pickled purple onions. Make sure to also try the sopa de lima, another traditional Yucatecan dish. The food is worth the 20-minute drive to the city center from the Hotel Zone.
La Habichuela
La Habichuela has been cooking top-notch mariscos (seafood) since 1977. Located in the interior part of Cancún, about a 15-minute drive from most hotels, the fine-dining restaurant has a quaint patio that made for a picturesque scene at a recent family dinner.
We tried the lobster bisque, the mixed ceviche punctuated with bites of tangy octopus, seafood fettucini, a grilled seafood plate, a black grouper, and a chocolate cake. We left full and feliz, or, happy.
Mu. Burgerhouse
If you need a break from seafood, Mu. Burgerhouse, located a short drive from the Hotel Zone, has fantastic gourmet burgers and comfort food. When I am in town, Mu. Burgerhouse is always first on my list.
Here's my regular order: sip on one of the fantastic cocktails or fresh lemonades, followed by the mac-and-cheese appetizer, which comes in a cast-iron skillet with a healthy dose of bacon bits and green chives sprinkled on top. Then, get serious. Usually, I order "la Aguacatona," served with a heap of avocado, or a bacon-packed "Me Haces Sentir en el Cielo" (you make me feel like I'm in heaven), which, indeed, does feel celestial.
Los Aguachiles Cancún
Los Aguachiles Cancún might be the crown jewel of Mexican seafood. The dish is similar to ceviche in that the raw seafood is cooked with acidic lime juice, but in my opinion, the mix of cucumber and shrimp bathed in an assortment of chiles makes for a fresher and even more enjoyable meal.
The options at this restaurant, located outside of the Hotel Zone near the center of Cancún, are extensive with options like the customary green salsa, black salsa, and even one soused with mustard and habanero. I think it pairs perfectly with the passion-fruit mojito or a cold beer.
Hiroya Ramen House
I know slurping on soup might not sound appealing after a hot day at the beach, but Hiroya Ramen House will change your mind. Plus, on a weeklong vacation, it's good to have another option if you tire of ceviche and tacos.
I always start with an order of eight tasty dumplings followed by the curry udon or the shrimp wonton shio ramen. While the small place looks like a bit of a hole in the wall compared to the expansive Hotel Zone restaurants just a minute's walk away, the food has me returning again and again.
La Cabañita
In Mexico, a night out isn't complete until you've eaten tacos. My favorite place for late-night tacos is La Cabañita, which is located about a 15-minute drive from the Hotel Zone, and typically opens in the evening around 7 p.m. and serves food until the wee hours of the morning.
While La Cabañita won't be winning any awards for food presentation, the pork chop tacos with cheese (chuleta con queso) will hit the spot after an evening out on the town.
Restaurante Kukulcan
About 20 minutes north of the Hotel Zone, Restaurante Kukulcan is a nice place to relax with your feet in the sand, a cold drink, and a tasty seafood meal.
The seaside, cash-only restaurant covers all the bases for typical Mexican seafood at an affordable price, with ceviche, seafood cocktails, fish, octopus, and shrimp. I enjoy visiting with friends and sharing a large fish ceviche and a "camarones al ajillo," shrimp in a garlic-and-chile sauce.
Thai Cancún
At Thai Cancún, you can enjoy a romantic dinner from a small, private bungalow on the Nichupté Lagoon, right in the middle of the Hotel Zone. The upscale restaurant has both Thai and Indian food on the menu. I suggest you and your plus-one order a dish from each cuisine and share.
If you order the food "muy picante" (very spicy), pair it with a fresh-fruit mojito, such as lychee or watermelon. Make a reservation ahead of time if you're hoping to snag one of the bungalows situated right above the lagoon.
Harry's Grill
This steakhouse in the Hotel Zone always gives me modern-day Gatsby mansion vibes. Mosaic flooring, marble counters, and floor-to-ceiling wine racks make the space feel luxurious. Harry's Grill plays that up with offerings like beets covered in 24-karat gold.
But instead of spending money on a flashy plate, I recommend putting your money toward a nice cut of Kobe or Black Onyx steak. If you absolutely must order something glittering, try the 24-karat Tomahawk.