La Parrilla (Av. Yaxchilán 51, Sm 22, El Centro, Cancún) — With its flamboyant live mariachi music and energetic waiters, this place is a Cancún classic. The menu isn’t fancy, but it offers good, basic Mexican food. Two reliably tasty choices are the mixed grill (chicken, steak, shrimp) and the grilled Tampiqueña-style steak. Combining entertainment […]
La Madonna (La Isla Shopping Village, Bulevar Kukulcán Km 12.5, Cancun) – named after the famed Leonardo da Vinci painting, this classy wine-centric restaurant is meant for a dressier mature crowd who want to steer away from the Spring Break partying nearby. The bossa nova and lounge music set the tone for this restaurant. La […]
La Habichuela (Av. Margaritas 25, Sm 22, El Centro, Cancún) –– Elegant yet cozy, the much-loved “Green Bean” has an indoor dining room, as well as an outdoor area full of Mayan sculptures and local trees and flowers. Open since 1977, the spot is named after the famous crema de habichuela (a rich, cream-based vegetable […]
duMexique (Av. Bonampak 109, Sm 3, El Centro, Cancún) — Discreetly located on the bustling Avenida Bonampak, this hidden gem bears no resemblance to an ordinary restaurant. Chef Alain Grimond and his wife Sonya have converted their home into an intimate dinner-party setting to create a dining experience unlike any other. Doubling as a gallery, […]
Cenacolo (Kukulcán Plaza, Blvd. Kukulcán, Km 13, Zona Hotelera, Cancún) — Brick oven pizza and pasta, handmade in full view, have made this fine Italian restaurant a favorite. Appetizers include beef or octopus carpaccio that practically melt in your mouth and a light calamari. There are more than 15 pasta dishes to choose from, including […]
Hanaichi (Blvd Kukulcan, Km 9, Cancún) — It might look like a hole-in-the-wall, but this small Japanese restaurant has some of the best sushi in Cancún, and is frequented by Mexico’s best chefs. Across from bustling Plaza Caracol you’ll find skilled Japanese chefs preparing sashimi, nigiri, and every type of sushi roll imaginable. House specialties […]
Fantino (Ritz-Carlton Cancún, Blvd. Kukulcán, Km 13.5, Zona Hotelera, Cancún) — Reflecting Mexico’s rich Spanish heritage, this Mediterranean restaurant lives up to its reputation as one of the country’s finest. Grandeur hits a peak in this ballroom setting, with long-stemmed roses and hand-painted ceiling frescoes that subtly match the fine English china. Each guest, referred […]
Downtown (Av. Xpuhil, Sm 19, Mza 2, Lote 24, El Centro, Cancún) — This urban bistro brings a touch of New York into the heart of El Centro. Warehouse meets Zen in the informal yet sophisticated dining room, which has cement floors, exposed air ducts, dim light from dangling light bulbs, red velvet cushions, and […]
Club Grill, The (Ritz-Carlton Cancún, Blvd. Kukulcán, Km 13.5, Retorno del Rey 36, Zona Hotelera, Cancún) –– The Club Grill has re-created the upscale ambience of the swank 1960s with such details as a martini lounge, tuxedoed waiters, and live jazz complete with a double bass. A five-course tasting menu, paired with boutique Mexican wines, […]
Casa Rolani (In front of Royal Sands, Blvd. Kukulcán, Km 13.5, Zona Hotelera, Cancún) — The secret to this restaurant’s success is its creative handling of Swiss and Italian cuisine. Be sure to try the carpaccio de pulpo (thin slices of fresh octopus), the cheese fondue, or the mesquite-grilled rib eye. Appetizers are also tempting: […]