Guide Note

Cancun is located on the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico and is a popular American vacation spot, as well as a well-known spring break destination. Cancun offers visitors and residents a wide array of dining options, from traditional Mexican to Italian and even standard American foods. Many of the fine-dining establishments are located in the resort hotels, but there are also street vendors and local restaurants that serve some well-rated foods as well.

Fast Facts

Country: Mexico

State: Quintana Roo

Mayor: Gregorio Sánchez Martínez

Language spoken: Mexican

Population: 572,973 (2005)

Currency: Mexican peso

Country code: 52

Area code: 998

Time zone: CST

Fine Dining

Laguna Grill, located right on the waterfront, is a steak and seafood restaurant that is rated highly by both Frommer's and Fodor's. Patrons enter Laguna through a garden of tropical plants and flowers and dine while "overlooking" the lagoon it sits near. Along with the "contemporary" menu, there is also an "impressive" wine list available. The desserts here are said to be as "creative" as the entree choices themselves. Reservations are strongly recommended.

Affordable Dining

For a bit of "authentic" Mexican food, try the Playa Lancheros Restaurant in Isla Mujeres. They won the Fodor's Choice award and are"one of Isla's best" dining experiences. Located right on the beach, seafood is of course a specialty, but others include "Yucatecan tikinchic" and basic tacos. Patrons are able to swim in the warm waters while waiting for their food to cook, as well as sit back and relax with a Mexican beer. Sunday's are always a special treat, with music and dancing available.

Mahalo Suggests

When planning your trip, please see the pages on a Cancun Vacation and Cancun Hotels.

Cancun Restaurants

The Mahalo Top 7

Official Tourism Site: Cancun Dining
Concierge.com: Cancun Restaurants & Dining Destinations
Frommer's: Cancun Restaurants
Fodor's: Cancún and Isla Mujeres Restaurants
TripAdvisor: Cancun Restaurant Review
Lonely Planet: Places to Eat in Cancun
Wcities: Cancún Dining Dearch

Cancun High-End Restaurants

At this time, only city maps are available for Cancun. If you know of maps that allow direct links for specific addresses in Cancun, please recommend a link!

Aioli French, Phone: 998/881-2200
- Frommer's Exceptional Rating
La Dolce Vita Italian, Phone: 998/885-0150
- Frommer's Exceptional Rating
Club Grill International, Phone: 998/881-0808
- Frommer's Exceptional Rating
Laguna Grill Fusion, Phone: 998/885-0267
- Frommer's Very Highly Recommended, Fodor's Choice

Cancun Moderate Restaurants

At this time, only city maps are available for Cancun. If you know of maps that allow direct links for specific addresses in Cancun, please recommend a link!

La Casa De Las Margaritas Mexican, Phone: 998/883-3222
- Frommer's Highly Recommended
Picus Cockteleria Seafood, Phone: 998/129-6011
- Fodor's Choice
Thai Lounge Thai, Phone: 998/883-1401
- Frommer's Highly Recommended

Cancun Affordable Restaurants

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Pizza Rolandi Italian, Phone: 998/884-4047
- Frommer's Recommended
Playa Lancheros Mexican, Phone: 998/877-0340
- Fodor's Choice
Roots International, Phone: 998/884-2437
- Frommer's Highly Recommended

Cancun Vegetarian Restaurants

At this time, only city maps are available for Cancun. If you know of maps that allow direct links for specific addresses in Cancun, please recommend a link!

100% Natural Vegetarian, Phone: 998/884-0102
- Frommer's Very Highly Recommended
Happy Cow's Vegetarian Guide: Vegetarian Restaurant Cancun