Food and Drink, Cancun
Cancún’s range of restaurants and bars is so wonderfully varied that you will be spoilt for choice on what cuisine to opt for. The food served here is one of many reasons why this location is so special. Foodies will love the beach hut burritos, tangy tacos, flavoursome fajitas and freshly-caught seafood, as well as the abundance of tequila bars to call in at.
Calypso’s
Calypso’s transports visitors away from typical chain restaurants to a gorgeous, no-frills eatery, serving simple and honest food. Here, you are greeted with authentic Mexican flavours and welcoming hospitality as soon as you sit down to order.
You can choose anything from chips and salsa to fajitas with steak or chicken; simply pick what you fancy. Alternatively, if you’re looking for perfectly seasoned and spiced seafood, perhaps the grilled lobster or fish tacos are more up your street? Don’t forget the range of tasty cocktails, including the traditional margarita, which you can enjoy in the evening or with your meal.
This is a fantastic restaurant for lunch or dinner after spending a day in the Mexican sunshine. Calypso’s will certainly have you coming back for a refreshing cold beer, thanks to the tremendous service provided here and the friendly owner, who is always ready to greet you with a smile.
Cambalache
Cambalache is a sophisticated and welcoming steakhouse serving excellent Argentinian cuisine for you to try on your holiday to Cancún. Choose from prime cuts of high-quality beef, including the top sirloin centre cut or the tenderloin steak, cooked on a charcoal grill.
As well as steak, the extensive menu offers a variety of sumptuous meat, seafood, and pasta dishes. Appetisers include spinach rolls containing succulent ham and olives, or you could sink your teeth into the yellowfin tuna with soy and citrus sauce. For the main course, you can move on to the delicious fettuccine bolognese or Neapolitan chicken, both served with a flavoursome tomato sauce. Alternatively, choose a dish cooked on the wood-fired grill for a typical Argentinian flavour, such as the suckling pig, short ribs or lamb.
After you’ve chosen, be sure to watch the chefs prepare your meal in their open kitchen, so you can see exactly how the magic happens. Visitors can dine amongst the dark wooden decor, enjoying fine wine and the modern feel of this lively restaurant.
Crab House
At Crab House Cancún, you can taste sumptuous seafood and steak while enjoying the gorgeous ocean views that are found along this breathtaking coastline. Whether you want to try a new fish dish or a house speciality, this restaurant really has it all.
Guests can easily make reservations for the Crab House, which is ideal for special occasions, romantic meals and even simple dinners out with the family. This well-located restaurant boasts an excellent design and a pristine interior, showing that it is a cut above the rest, as you wine and dine into the evening.
Start with the Crab House aguachile, served with shrimp, crab and avocado, or opt for the octopus chips before ordering the black lobster tail, served with chilli and a sauvine sauce. There is plenty more on the menu to make your mouth water, from rock shrimp with sriracha mayonnaise to the teriyaki tuna fillet.
El Granero Grill and Drinks
El Granero Grill and Drinks is a great place to kick back and relax in a friendly atmosphere while enjoying a range of tasty food. For many visitors, this bar and grill stands out from other eateries in the Hotel Zone due to the exceptional waiting staff, lively music and generous portions sizes.
Turn up at lunch or dinner for a tasty burger or a light snack that hits the spot. You can try some typical Mexican dishes or stick to your tried and tested favourites, which are always cooked to perfection. Plus, there is a range of options for breakfast available.
Taste everything from the authentic burritos to the sirloin steak and array of spicy wings; all to be enjoyed with a cold beer or a shot of tequila. El Granero is also open well into the evening, so you can choose from the variety of cocktails on offer and party the night away.
Fred’s House
Fred’s House is a great place for special occasions, where you can taste the impressive range of seafood dishes while admiring the gorgeous views of Nichupté Lagoon. The service is impeccable here; friendly local staff will attend to your every need and you can even drop little ones off at the restaurant’s supervised play area, while you enjoy your meal.
There is a whole range of seafood-based dishes for you to choose from, such as the Alaskan king crab, chocolate clam, or the Kumamoto oysters that you can find on the raw bar menu. The chefs prepare lobster in many different ways, too, so you can try this delicious shellfish cooked with paprika butter, wood-grilled, or in Thermidor style.
The setting of Fred’s House is certainly memorable, featuring tropical plants and a dark wood interior. Coupled with a laid-back atmosphere inspired by its waterfront location, and excellent food, this restaurant truly feels like an island getaway.
Harry’s Prime Steakhouse and Raw Bar
Harry’s Prime Steakhouse and Raw Bar is certainly a cut above the rest, offering elegance, rigorous attention to detail, and the finest cuts of meat from Nebraska farms. This is an ideal place to have a romantic meal or celebrate an occasion in a relaxed environment, presenting a great atmosphere with a wide range of dishes to choose from.
On the menu, you’ll find marbled Japanese Wagyu and dry-aged steaks, providing a succulent taste for diners to relish. From the moment you walk in the door to when you finish your desserts, you will receive star treatment from the staff, which will have you coming back again and again.
Start by sampling the golden rock shrimps, before choosing your main course. Pick between the wild salmon, Caribbean lobster tail risotto or the prime beef hamburger and enjoy the intense flavours as you look out over Nichupté Lagoon and take in the spectacular views.
Peter’s Restaurante
Peter’s Restaurante is one of the most welcoming eateries in Cancún, with visitors coming back again and again for the friendly and personal service that’s offered here. You can expect a hospitable atmosphere with well-presented food that includes Mexican classics alongside flavoursome international dishes.
Diners will sit down in casual surroundings, away from the hustle and bustle of Cancún’s Hotel Zone. You won’t be disappointed by the food on the carefully crafted menu, with starters ranging from sea bass fillet served with tomato, black olives and a vinaigrette, to sautéed foie gras with an apple and jicama salad.
You will then be met with a selection of sumptuous seafood and meats to choose from for your main course, which are cooked to perfection every time. Try the tortilla azul with shrimp and cream sauce, or even the three chilli pork tenderloin with mashed potato, for delicious meals with a Mexican twist.
Puerto Madero
At Puerto Madero, you can expect high-end fine dining with a gorgeous view across Nichupté Lagoon. This restaurant is perfect for enjoying a romantic dinner while taking in the views of the glistening waters, but whatever the occasion, you can expect delicious food that’s well-prepared and flawlessly presented.
Choose from the variety of international wines while you peruse the menu, then order flavoursome seafood or a tender steak cooked to perfection. This restaurant celebrates Argentinian cuisine, but offers something to suit everyone’s tastes and preferences: you can order king crab, salmon or lobster, whereas the kids can order a juicy burger.
If you want something extra special, be sure to ask what the catch of the day is. The attentive staff will often show you the different cuts of fresh fish they have available, so you can find something that’s perfect for you. Puerto Madero truly is one of Cancún’s top culinary highlights.
Señor Frog’s
By day, Señor Frog’s is a fantastic restaurant offering food that the whole family will enjoy, while at night, it hosts foam parties and serves up delicious cocktails. The friendly staff will certainly make your experience here fun-filled; when dining in, you’ll often catch some entertainment or even leave with a balloon animal from this kooky eatery.
There’s plenty on the menu to whet your appetite, so start with the super fresh guacamole, chips and salsa or quesadillas, before choosing your main meal. Not only are the prices affordable, but you will have plenty of dishes to choose from. Why not try the Philly cheesesteak sandwich or the chicken penne pasta with broccoli, garlic and parsley?
You’ll find lots of traditional Mexican dishes to sink your teeth into as well, like fajitas with an array of different fillings, chimichanga, and mole enchiladas made with a delicious family recipe. If you’re visiting Señor Frog’s in the evening, don’t forget to order a round of drinks and get on the dancefloor at this quirky restaurant and bar.
The Surfin Burrito
Neighbouring the 360 Surf School, which provides private surfing lessons, the Surfin Burrito serves a great range of tasty burritos. As soon as you arrive, you’ll see why this is no ordinary surf shack, as you admire the trendy wooden features and colourful beach signs. This alluring restaurant attracts a young crowd who keep coming back for the delicious Mexican food.
Simply decide exactly what you do and don’t want in your burrito and the staff will customise it to your exact preferences. You can then perch on one of the stools, order a margarita and enjoy the chilled-out vibe, while the talented chefs whip up your burrito.
This little gem is an easy place to swing by if you’re on the way to the beach, offering both great quality food and fruity cocktails. Plus, the prices are more affordable than the Hotel Zone’s slightly costlier eateries, so it’s a must-visit when in Cancún.