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For something out of the ordinary and truly unique, try dining at Los Almendros, with tradition Yucatecan fare. Excellent Mexican cooking can also be found at El Mexicano, in a stunning reproduction of a 19th-century hacienda, and Perico’s, which has live Mariachi music. Casa Angelus offers up-scale Mexican dining, and nearby in the Plaza de Toros, a series of cantina restaurants provide hearty fare along with their powerful beverages. Other places to check out downtown include La Dolce Vita, Los Andadores, and the small streets leading off of Avenida Tulúm that have a variety of restaurants, as does Parque de las Palapas, and Mercado 28, also nearby. Fine dining at La Habichuela is one of downtown’s favorites, now in operation for 18 years.
Mexican cuisine in the Hotel Zone
Paloma Bonita, is a lively selection for authentic Mexican fare in a space filled with colorful handcrafted furniture and strolling musicians. In El Embarcadero, Mucho Gusto offers buffet and a la carte service with an exotic and traditional flair. La Casa de las Margaritas, in La Isla Shopping Village, is also popular.
Mexican chains: The Anderson Groups’ chain of restaurants is well-represented in Cancún, including Carlos ‘N Charlie’s, Señor Frogs and El Shrimp Bucket. Carlos ‘N Charlie’s is known as much for their on-going party as their hearty pre-and post-party dining.
Other types of dining in the Hotel Zone
American: Most of the big chains are represented in Cancún, including T.G.I. Friday’s, Hard Rock Café, Planet Hollywood, Pizza Hut, McDonald’s, Burger King, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Dominos’, Papa John’s, and Ruth’s Chris Steak House. Other ‘hot spots’ include the Outback Steak House, Pat O’Brien’s and the Rainforest Café.
International: For a culinary adventure, recommend Blue Bayou, the first Cajun restaurant in Mexico or Mango Tango, which offers a multi-ethnic selection and lagoon-side dining. For sushi, choose from Yamamoto downtown, Campay in the Hotel Zone, or Mikado; now offering a selection of Thai dishes.
Seafood: It doesn’t get any fresher than Cancun. Consider La Fishería, one of Cancún’s foremost seafood establishments, or Faro’s, which has one of the most extensive seafood menus.
Italian: La Dolce Vita is the reigning favorite in this category. For more casual Italian dining, Cancún visitors can try Casa Rolandi. Locanda Paolo and Mama Roma are additional Italian selections.
Fine Cuts: There are many fine options for those that appreciate a perfectly cooked steak, beginning with the Argentinean restaurants Cambalache in the hotel zone and Patagonia and Grillo’s downtown. American style steak houses include the Porterhouse Grill in the hotel zone’s Avalon Grand hotel while Rio offers up Brazilian ‘brochettes’.
Dinner cruises: Romantic and alluring, a sunset cruise with dinner aboard one of these floating restaurants can be unforgettable. The Columbus Lobster Dinner Cruise sets sail from the Royal Mayan Marina Dock daily. On the Pirate’s Night Adventure and the Caribbean Carnaval Night Cruise, diners sail to Isla Mujeres for a lavish buffet dinner. The Cancún Queen, the only paddlewheel boat on the lagoon, is another seaward dining option.
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