You have to taste a culture to understand it. This quote couldn’t be further from the truth in Cancun. Combining food experiences while traveling this city opens the door to new culinary landscapes. You will enjoy your journey more when accompanied by a full stomach.
This Mexican city is loaded with world-class restaurants. Customers will enjoy the finest dining service, delicious cuisine, and a great ambiance. Don’t fret about money; this town has budget-friendly establishments offering good food and mood. In addition to Mexican dishes, you will find international, Asian, European, and other cuisine. You can go on a food tour anytime during the morning, day, evening, or night. So, without further ado, let’s look at these best restaurants in Cancun.
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Best Restaurants in Downtown Cancun
Cancun has many of the best food, from local Papadzules to Tamales, Sopa de Lima, and tacos. You can find these and more in these restaurants in Downtown Cancun.
Lorenzillo’s Cancun
- Address: Blvd. Kukulcan Km 10.5, Punta Cancun, Zona Hotelera, 77500 Cancún, Q.R., Mexico; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 1 PM – 11 PM
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram
Did you know there are no Michelin Star Restaurants in Cancun? Nonetheless, according to its official website, the city has operated many Michelin-star-worthy establishments, like Lorenzillo’s, since 1683. Legends say a pirate named Lorencillo and his companion Agramont found an eatery on the coast of Villa Rica in Veracruz. However, they were not satisfied and angrily destroyed the property.
Since then, the name Lorenzillo has been associated with the best food in the Gulf. This restaurant serves the best lobster in town. Its tuna tostadas with avocado, soy sesame, and hot habanero pepper are also local favorites. In addition, you can order shrimp, meat, poultry, and seafood here.
Du Mexique
- Address: Av. Bonampak 109, esq. calle Pargo, Sm.3, Centro, Cancún, Mexico
- Opening Hours: 7 PM – 11 PM
- Social Media: Official Facebook
Next, we have another fantastic establishment in downtown Cancun: De Mexique. This cozy restaurant offers a nice ambiance for weddings, birthdays, and anniversaries. Chef Alain Grimond and his wife, Sonya, run this place. The couple creates new menus daily and prepares and serves them to diners.
This restaurant offers delicious French and Mayan dishes. Its menu seamlessly blends classic French cooking with Mexican fusion food. Furthermore, De Mexique’s cheese shoufflé is the most popular item on the menu. You should also try their duck confit and sopecito foie gras. Overall, you will love dining in this lovely establishment.
La Fonda del Zancudo
- Address: Av Uxmal Supermanzana 3 Manzana 02 Lote 33, 77500 Cancún, Q.R., Mexico; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 5 PM – 12 AM
- Social Media: Official Facebook, Official Instagram
Would you like to dine somewhere rusty in downtown Cancun? If so, you must visit the La Fonda del Zancudo. It is located at an abandoned house and features an outdoor garden. Unlike your posh establishments, this restaurant offers a relaxed ambiance with twinkling lights, rafter-strung lanterns, and green branches climbing the walls. It is perfect for enjoying a dinner for two.
La Fonda del Zancudo’s specialty is its home cooking. Its Mediterranean cuisine, including the delicious empanadas and ravioli stuffed with plantain and goat cheese, is finger-licking good. Other local favorites include Banana ravioli, Tuna Tartare, cactus fruit ice cream, and high-end cocktails. After your first visit, you will keep coming back for more.
Marakamé Cancun
- Address: Av. Xpujil Sur Supermanzana 19, 77505 Cancún, Q.R., Mexico; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 8 AM – 1 AM
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram
Marakame is not a new name; it has been dedicated for eighteen years to Mexican gastronomy. It has several branches in Cancun and Isla Mujeres. Marakame restaurant is conveniently located in Av. Xpujil Sur. It offers delicious Mexican dishes at affordable prices.
To enjoy a laid-back atmosphere, you must visit Marakame Nader Cafe. With its green surroundings, it resembles a giant treehouse. Diners can enjoy their lunch and dinner outdoors. Moreover, the inside is always lively, with music blasting off speakers and customers’ conversations. This cafe serves delicious food, coffee, and smoothie options.
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Best Restaurants In Cancun Hotel Zone
If you thought downtown had the best restaurants, wait until you explore the Cancun Hotel Zone. In addition to luxurious hotels, this place offers world-class dining services and is a great destination for exploring Mexican culinary delights.
Harry’s Grill
- Address: Km. 14.2, Kukulkan 1, Zona Hotelera, 77500 Cancún, Q.R., Mexico; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 1 PM – 1 AM
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram
We begin our list with the iconic Harry’s Grill. Also called Harry’s Prime Steakhouse & Raw Bar, this place offers panoramic views of the Nichupte Lagoon. It offers a fantastic ambiance for hosting private events like birthday celebrations and anniversaries. This restaurant also offers an exclusive children’s menu.
Harry’s offers the best USDA Prime, Kobe, and Black Onyx beef cuts. It also offers a large menu with diverse options, including steak and seafood. Moreover, this Cancun restaurant has a beautiful atmosphere surrounded by waterfalls and dancing fountains. Diners must follow a formal/casual dress code.
Rosa Negra
- Address: Blvd. Kukulcan Km 15, Zona Hotelera, 77500 Cancún, Q.R., Mexico; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 1 PM – 3 AM
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram
Enjoy the authentic Latin American flavor at Rosa Negra. It has several branches in Cancun, Polanco, Tulum, Cabo, and Miami. The Cancun establishment is conveniently located in the exclusive Hotel Zone. It offers breathtaking sunset views over the Nichupte Lagoon. In addition, its multi-level wooden decks and architectural design perfectly blend with the surroundings.
Speaking of the menu, this Latin American restaurant offers delicious tacos, tostadas, Peruvian ceviches, tiraditos, and more. Chefs create everything from Latin classics to custom dishes to cater to diners’ requirements. Likewise, the restaurant offers a lively atmosphere with live bongos and selections by the in-house DJ. It even hosts a spectacular fire show, making this a memorable dining experience.
Mextreme
- Address: Boulevard Kukulcan Km. 9.5 Plaza Zócalo, Zona Hotelera, 77500 Cancún, Q.R., Mexico; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 7:30 AM – 12 AM
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official X
You won’t find a better Mexican restaurant than Mextreme at Cancun Hotel Zone. It offers classic Mexican Plato, a combination of Mexican appetizers: tamales, rajas quesadillas, chicken tacos, and chorizo sopes. And let’s not forget the Mayan Salad, a fresh combination of cilantro, lettuce, jicama, radish, fried chaya, and toasted pepita.
Another must-try dish in Mextreme is Mexican Grill. It combines skirt steak, sausage, chicken breast, marinated pork jerky, quesadillas, roasted onion, Mexican sauce, charro beans, and nopales. If you enjoy seafood, try this establishment’s buttery shrimp with garlic mojo. Lastly, try the fresh Taco party served on a clay plate.
Puerto Madero
- Address: Blvd. Kukulcan Km. 14.1, Zona Hotelera, 77500 Cancún, Q.R., Mexico; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 1 PM – 1 AM
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram
Did you know Cancun Hotel Zone has an Argentinian restaurant? Inspired by Buenos Aires, Puerto Madero fuses its Argentine roots with a Mexican flavor. It offers delicious steak variations and freshest imported seafood. You must try the Soy Butter Tuna, a perfectly cooked tuna on a bed of mashed potatoes with soy and butter dressing.
Next, the Seafood Platter is the go-to dish among seafood lovers. It includes a generous portion of Alaskan crab leg, four oysters, four shrimp, four live clams, and two scallops. Finally, Puerto Madero offers visually appetizing Wagyu Chorizo Steak for steak lovers. The chef delicately makes this dish according to diners’ preference and serves it with red wine.
Tacos Rigo Zona Hotelera
- Address: Plaza Parian Enfrente DE Chedraui, Selecto, Blvd. Kukulcan Km 8.5, 77500 Cancún, Q.R., Mexico; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 12 PM – 1:30 AM
- Social Media: Official Facebook
Are you looking for a cheap restaurant in the Cancun Hotel Zone? Then, Tacos Rigos Zona Hotelera is your destination. They offer traditional tacos, burritos, and other Mexican dishes indoors and outdoors. You can also ask for a takeaway.
This establishment offers many tacos, including steak, chicken, fish, pastor, and carnitas. You will also find delicious nachos, tortas, and enchiladas. Savor your meal with a beer or house special cocktails. If you want something Mexican, go for the restaurant’s fresh aguas. Each item on the menu is cheap and delicious.
Los De Pescado
- Address: MZA Avenida Labná 90-17 LTE, Av. Labná 90, 77500 Cancún, Q.R., Mexico; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 11 AM – 9 PM
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram
Eat like locals at Los De Pescado in Cancun Hotel Zone. This place offers a small menu, but every dish is worth it. You can order Taco de Pescado and Taco de Camaron for $52 each. Likewise, Tostada de Ceviche costs $55, and Tostada de Atun $95.
The most expensive item on the menu is the Ceviche Grande, which costs $235. Other dishes include Taco Gober de Camaron, Taco Gober de Marlin, Ceviche Chico, Pescadilla Mixta, Pescadilla de Marlin, Burrito de Camaron, and Burrito de Pescado. You can order Aguas and Refrescos for $35 each and Cervezas for $38.
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Budget-Friendly Restaurants in Cancun
Money spent on food is never a waste. Still, it doesn’t hurt to save a penny or two during your food tour. Hence, we present some budget-friendly Cancun restaurants.
Tacun
- Address: Blvd. Kukulcan KM. 11.5, El Rey, Zona Hotelera, 77500 Cancún, Q.R., Mexico; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 7 AM – 10 PM
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram
Can you eat cheaply in Cancun? If you are wondering the same thing, then Tacun is your destination. This Mexican restaurant is located right across the street from Outback Steakhouse. It is a favorite among locals and tourists because of its delicious local dishes, such as tacos, tortilla chips, and carne asada. You can also expect hospitable employees and a relaxed ambiance.
The best part of this restaurant is its budget-friendly approach. You won’t find a cheaper deal like this anywhere else. Furthermore, you can easily spot this establishment in Hotel Zone. Just look for plastic chairs and check the white and red tablecloths.
TY-COZ Express
- Address: Km 8.5 MZA 48 LTE 1 Local 3 Plaza El Parian, Zona Hotelera, 77500 Cancún, Q.R., Mexico; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 6 AM – 10 PM
- Social Media: Official Facebook
Did you know you can find a sandwich for $1 in Hotel Zone? These sandwiches are not tiny either; they are fresh and piled high with cheese, meat, and vegetables. The garlic mayonnaise at the top only adds to its deliciousness. TY-COZ Express is usually crowded from early in the morning, so you might have to line up for your order.
In addition to sandwiches, this restaurant offers many breakfast items such as croissants, coffee, boiled eggs, hot chocolate, fruit juice, and tea. Many people love an economically priced baguette, Economica, on the menu. Furthermore, TY-COZ Express serves vegetarian and Italian sandwiches to vegetarian diners. You can also choose a sandwich on a croissant instead of a baguette.
The Surfin Burrito
- Address: Kukulkan Km. 9.5, Punta Cancun, Zona Hotelera, 77500 Cancún, Q.R., Mexico; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 24 hours
- Social Media: Official Facebook, Official Instagram
Our list of cheap eats in Cancun will be incomplete without mentioning The Surfin Burrito. As its name suggests, it serves the best burritos in Mexico. Chef-owner Cory McKay and his team carefully prepare these delicious tortilla-wrapped creations using the freshest ingredients. Its special dish is the Mahi Shrimp Burrito, stuffed with shrimp, marinated cubes of mahi-mahi, tomatoes, onions, green peppers, and corn.
Another vouching point of this place is it is open 24/7. You can drop by whenever you like for a quick bite. Furthermore, this restaurant serves various dishes like hamburgers, barbecue beef ribs, garlic chicken, and grilled chicken wings. You can also grab a beer or other drink from the bar.
Irori
- Address: Av Huayacán SM 313 Mz 52 1 -B, 77560 Cancún, Q.R., Mexico; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 1 PM – 9 PM
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Instagram
Lastly, we have a budget-friendly Japanese restaurant, Irori. It is open every day from 1 PM to 9 PM. This establishment offers an extensive menu of traditional Japanese dishes. You will find everything you desire, from delicious sushi to sashimi, Yakimesi, and Kushiagues. And the best part? They are cheaper and affordable.
Irori also offers a customized menu for children and a bar with various sake, beer, and national and international drinks. You can also order cold and hot beverages like Cappuccino, Americano, and Expresso. This place has been running for over fifteen years, and its hospitality is commendable.
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Cancun restaurants stand out for their fresh ingredients, Mexican hospitality, and vibrant atmosphere. After a day of activities, visitors can always enjoy a leisurely meal at these establishments. They will find everything in this city, from early breakfast to leisurely lunches and candlelit dinners. The only question is if they can eat all of them.
In addition to our recommended restaurants, you will find more options as you explore. Street vendors also sell food in markets and parks, such as Parque las Palapas. This is also a hot destination for tacos, quesadillas, churros, chili hot dogs, and more. Overall, you will find delicious Mexican food at affordable rates in this city.