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Eating
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The cuisine of Cozumel is a combination of the best of the Carribean, Mexico, and traditional Maya. The Tex-Mex cuisine of the central highlands and northern Mexico (including Texas) is available here, largely because of popular demand from travelers. After all, this is Mexico, and travelers expect to find what they believe is typical Mexican food in Mexico.
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But Cozumel is an island in the Carribean, too, and as such features a rich variety of seafoods and tropical delicacies. Cozumel is also peopled by the Maya, who have a cuisine of their own that is different from the rest of Mexico, with dishes that have stood the test of a very long time. You’ve come here for an adventure, so try some of these local specialties:
Try these different
flavored drinks!
One of the best places on the island to get drinks like these (as well as frozen popsicles made with these juices) is Michoacan, located on the corner of Benito Juarez and 20th. They also have fresh ice creams.
Mexican BeerTake advantage of the many wonderful beers while you are in Mexico. Mexican beers have gained international fame in the last few years. Pre-Columbian cultures produced a clear, abertoned liquid known as "tesguino", made from corn rather than barley and hops. The alcohol count was about the same. When Cortez and his conquistadors arrived, they adapted it to European standards. By 1542, there were breweries in Mexico City. The secret of Mexican beer is a combination of high quality malt and exceptional natural water sources. It's the fermentation and aging that give it it's great flavor.
Some of the most popular beers are Superior, Tecate, XX (Dos Equis), Modelo, Sol, and Corona, just to name a few. Many prefer a shot of lime in the beer as well. Some Mexican people like to add a little chili powder!.
As they say in Mexico, "Salud!"
Fresh fish on
Cozumel is not to be missed! Although we offer in-house cook service, most of our guests want to take advantage of the restaurants offering a wide variety of delicious dishes. We’ve listed some of the most popular and famous. Be sure to let us know if you discover another one that is worth mentioning and recommending to our guests. Send us your best photos and we'll post them on our website from time to time.
Restaurants Pepe’s Grill Definitely one of the most popular restaurants, known for its good food, good atmosphere, and good service. They have Caribbean seafood and succulent steaks, the best salad bar in town, and good Mexican food. There are mariachis and occasional piano playing. The upstairs dining room had the romantic view of the ocean and city below.
Las Palmeras Located on the plaza right in front of the pier. The food is good, prices moderate, and the people watching is excellent.
Entertainment at Las Palmeras on this day
Capi Navigante The is one of the nicest seafood restaurants. Our favorite dish is the grouper in almond sauce. Located off the beaten path, they have faithful clientele since they’ve been offering guests fresh fish dishes for many years.
La Mission In the traditional "Hacienda" style, the owners have opened up their beautiful home and grounds to make a great restaurant. The kitchen is outdoors among the landscaped grounds. The dining area is the wrap-around U-shaped patio surrounding the main house. There are private dining areas within the garden as well. In the back of the property are the owner´s own pets, including two African lions, and a monkey in a cage. They are often heard roaring during the evening.
The food is the same delicious cuisine as always, offering great
seafood, Mexican food, and steak dinners.
It is located just off of Benito Juarez on the corner of 55 Sur.
La Mission downtown is of the same owners, located right downtown. It is a uniquely designed setting with a small "moat" and bridge. It is located on 3rd just a few steps from the beachfront road.
Restaurante del Museo Located on the top floor of the museum, you will find this a charming place to watch the comings and goings on the waterfront. It has a good breakfast and nice atmosphere.
La Choza On the corner of Avenida 10 and Rosado Salas is this open-air restaurant that prepares real home-cooked Mexican food. The restaurant is thatch-roofed.
Girasol A darling little coffee shop located on 3rd between 5th and 10th. They serve Mexican-style breakfast as well as the traditional breakfasts, and lunches.
Guido's
(formerlyPizza Rolandi) One of Cozumel’s long-standing favorite Italian restaurants, they
also offer delicious wood-oven-baked pizza. The garden dining room is
excellent, and creates a romantic atmosphere. This is one of many
people's favorite
outdoor dining.
Luighi’s Pizza Located on the corner of 20th and Calle 2. If you wish, call them during the evening and they will deliver. The phone number is 872-2219.
Ernesto’s Fajita
Factory Located in the midst of the dive area, there is a party-type atmosphere and good Mexican-style fajitas (which are really an American invention). Good food, good music, lots of fun.
Manati Located a few blocks from the square on a quiet corner is this charming little restaurant. Manati's menu changes daily and is always excellent. It's one place not to miss for a really fine meal finished by a scrumptuous dessert.
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La Cabaña del
Pescador Across from Hotel Playa Azul, the lobster place since 1983 is a small family-owned restaurant in a cozy charming tropical garden atmosphere complete with a pond, geese, and duck. The only main dish served here is lobster. You’ll buy the tail by weight, the rest is on the house.
San Francisco Beach On the beach. Fresh seafood, exotic tropical drinks, snorkel gear rentals, and beach activities.
La Laguna Located in the National Park, you can have a casual lunch here of seafood and authentic Mexican food.
Carlos ‘n’ Charlie’s One of the most famous party spots, they also have good food. This bar is known for its crazy theme as well as its delicious Mexican dishes and seafood. The music is great — mostly 70s,80's-type and current rock ‘n roll.
Costa Brava Special daily menu, featuring seafood, native, and Mexican dishes. Inexpensive lobster, too.
La Veranda We were very happy when they opened this wonderfully elegant restaurant. They serve imported meats, seafood dishes, and great drinks. They have dining inside or outside in the lush garden.
El Foco Great simple Mexican tacos. The favorite dish is charcoal-broiled rib tacos, frijoles charros, and various combination plates. Hand made tortillas, rock ‘n roll music, and a casual atmosphere.
El Presidente Excellent buffet spread for breakfast. They also have good Mexican food, seafood, and sandwiches. Right on the ocean.
El Moro Newly relocated in the heart of the town, it’s one of the long-timers’ favorites. Homemade Mexican food and seafood. It's off the beaten path on 75th Ave., north of Benito Juarez.
The Stadium A good idea if you crave American food and American atmosphere. They have satellite TV and always cover the big games you can’t stand to miss.
Los Chilangos Definitely one of our favorite places to eat. They have large cornmeal tortillas that you can watch the lady press on order. They have a buffet of taco fillings for you to choose from. They also have lemonade and a hibiscus tea, Mexican common drink. It’s in a clean little shack. It is located on 30th between 3rd and 5th.
Jeanie’s Waffle House Viva Mexico This is Cozumel's best dance bar/restaurant, located on the beachfront downtown overlooking the water. It is an outdoor-style palapa with rock-and-roll music. They have a good lunch menu, offering tacos, fajitas, hamburgers, and snacks. The late-night crowd comes here. Things really start hopping after midnight.
Rock and Java
Caribbean Cafe This is one of the finest natural foods dining in Cozumel. They are located on the beachfront road, just south of the Naval Base. The menu has a wonderful selection of healthy homemade meals, delicious pastries, and the widest selection of coffee flavors. They specialize in birthday and wedding cakes. Call in advance 872-4992. The owner is very involved with the Humane Society. She is more than happy to tell you more about it.
Miss Dollar The best “bang for your buck”. You’ll get a natural fruit shake, hot homemade soup, and a main dish including beans and rice or spaghetti. A good place for those on a budget.
Coco’s The plaza breakfast place offers hot coffee, and American breakfasts all morning. They also have a used paperback book collection for good prices.
Plaza Leza On the south side of the main plaza with outdoor tables and a very nice garden-like patio in the back. They have charcoal grill for the steak, fish, and chicken specialties.
Casa Denis This is one of Cozumel’s finest traditions of over 30 years. As soon as you enter, you’ll feel at home. The pictures lining the walls in the foyer are mostly family photographs proudly showing the history of Denis Angulo, the namesake, and his family, as well as famous patrons who have dined here including Jackie Onassis. It’s a family run business on the square with garden dining area in their back yard under a lush, ancient mamey tree decked out with home made decorations. The tables seat about 20–25 people so the atmosphere is always cozy. The sidewalk tables are popular for people watching.
Tony Rome’s Tony is back at his original location. Tony is always tending to his clients, making sure eveyone has fun. He is a great singer and always gets things started in a happy way on stage. It's a nice bar for after dinner as well, with great service and a wonderful atmostphere. Tony is very knowledgable about Cozumel, especially since he's an active member in the Rotary Club. He'll be a friend to you in Cozumel, stop by and visit with him while you enjoy your dinner.
El Guacamayo Across from the Hotel Playa Azul, next to La Cabana del Pescador Lobster House which are both owned and run by the same family.
Pancho’s Backyard Ave. Melgar and Calle 8 North behind Cinco Soles in the interior garden area. It feels like a colonial mansion with its graceful architecture and lush tropical feel. The stores surrounding the gardens are excellent with all kinds of interesting things to buy.
 At Pancho's Backyard Bar |
 At Pancho's Backyard Dining Room |
El Mercado Located on the west outside the fresh foods market, there are many little family run sidewalk cafes with home style cooking for those willing to take an out of the way place. You don’t usually see tourists here, it’s mostly locals.
Roxie and Marty enjoy tacos!
Los Moros Del Morrito Located on 35th ave. between 3rd and Morelos streets. This is a place that most locals treat their friends to. They have excellent seafood dishes, delicious Mexican food and great prices to boot. There is occasional live music. They are closed on Tuesdays.
Sonora Grill On the corner of 15th and Benito Juarez, there is a natural rock cliff with a nice old fashioned Mexican restaurant. Good food. Nice atmosphere.
Comercial Caribe This is similar to the old fashioned soda fountain and has great espresso and natural milk shakes. No foods really. There is a grocery store in the back and a perfumery on the side. Fair selection of American magazines here, too.
The Coffee Bean All day long, this is one of the local people's favorite "hot spot". The atmosphere is so nice. The decor is elegent, the music is excellent, and the desserts make your mouth water. The coffee selection varies from different parts of Mexico. The air conditioning is worthy of mentioning, it's always a welcome break from the heat.
Pizzeria Nino's This restaurant is located in an open court yard overlooking 10th St. The pizzas are great and the price is very reasonable. It's a fun place to take kids and the evenings are cool outside.
Playa Bonita This is a beautiful restaurant right on the beach located on the east coast of the island. Great margaritas and a wonderful menu including fried fresh whole fish. There are many water activities on the beach.
Chen Rio Located on the other side of the island, where the shore line takes a curve creating this little bay area, is this little restaurant. The view itself will leave you breathless. Many families habitually come here to gather with friends and family, especially on Sundays.
Coconut's Bar and
Grill The restaurant/bar is located on the highest point along the coast of the other side of the island. They view of the Caribbean is beatiful and refreshing. On full moon nights,they have a full moon party with live music. Don't miss this one.
Prima's One of the best Italian food restaurants there is. The whole
restaurant is upstairs overlooking the plaza area. It is open-air
though covered. Great spot!
Winston's One of the best Mediteranean, elegant food restaurants there is. The whole restaurant is on top of El Cantil luxury condo building. They say it's the first five star restaurant in Cozumel. Great spot!
La Cocay Their new location near the downtown area offers a large air conditioned area, as well as an excellent outdoor area. Located near the corner of 10th and 10th, and recognizable by the wooden facade, this is one of Cozumel's best place to eat! The chef is knowledgable about many different foods and offers daily specials as well and all the wonderful items on thier daily menu. It's a favorite of many locals.
Chain Restaurants For those of you who occasionally miss the tastiness of American fast foods, we have some of your favorites.
Across the street from Kentucky Fried Chicken, is American pizza, at Pizza Hut. The menu is pizza, spaghetti, and sandwiches. Tastes just like the real thing, cheese-crust pizza options and all.
This favorite spot is located across the street from the passenger ferry's pier, making it a convenient "hot spot". It's just a few steps on the other side of the street yet people tend to stay there to eat, drink and be merry. You'll often see girls dancing on the bar. There is another one now located on the beachfront road as well. It is between 3rd and 5th Street.
Located on the square next to the northern water fountain. They offer the same hamburgers and delicious ice creams. They are the only ones in town that have ice cream cakes!
Located on the second story on the beachfront road, this American fast-food restauant offers the same menu as all the golden arches do.
Others . . .
Surprise Yourself There are hundred of other little family owned businesses that serve good home-cooked meals. I couldn’t name all of them. Bear in mind that some sanitation practices aren’t as closely watched as we are used to. Try to get the food when it’s freshly prepared. Stay away from un-refrigerated foods and mayonnaise. Use caution with salads and food you buy from street venders. We don’t recommend this practise actually. There are too many tempting risks sold by the street vendors and small taco shops, it’s not worth losing a day’s vacation if you get sick.
