Mexico is a paradise for foodies! On the Caribbean island of Cozumel, there are many excellent restaurants that prepare delicious and above all authentic Mexican food. It is not without reason that I have been coming here again and again for ten years.
It' s no secret that Cozumel is my favourite place! About once a year I return to the island to explore the underwater world. The diving around Cozumel is first class – and all this activity in the water also makes one hungry too. Over the last few years, I have been on the island for more than four months combined and have tried a variety of restaurants. And here is this list of top restaurants on Cozumel! In this article, I show you the culinary side of the island.
Top Restaurants in Cozumel: My Favourites
La Clásica: My favourite restaurant on Cozumel
Calle 5 between Calle 4 Norte and Calle 6 Norte
I discovered this small and excellent restaurant during my last trip to Cozumel. The menu is well thought out and although there are not many choices on it, they are all delicious and taste like being prepared by angels. Not only the food is great, but also the cocktails. My favourite at La Clásica is a cocktail called Oaxaqueño. Prepared with mezcal and hibiscus, it tastes a bit like mulled wine and Christmas. The service here is just right, too, because the staff always tries hard to read every wish from the eyes. Not without reason, La Clásica is one of my top restaurants on Cozumel.
Kinta: Delicious gourmet food
Calle 5 between Calle 2 Norte and Calle 4 Norte
Another highlight for foodies is the restaurant Kinta. Stylishly furnished and aimed at a more upscale target group. The restaurant is closed during the day and only opens in the evening. Cruise passengers simply have to come back to Cozumel to dine at Kinta. Be sure to reserve a table in the courtyard a few days in advance! My favourites on the menu are the flatbread with octopus and the fresh tuna steak, which is available on request.
La Perlita: Lionfish with mango salsa
Calle 10 Norte between Calle 65 to Avenida Norte and Avenida 70 Norte
Another top restaurant on Cozumel is La Perlita. Only a few tourists come here because it is not in the tourist area of the island. One more reason to come here. Either enjoy a nice walk or just take a taxi from downtown for about 40 pesos.
La Perlita is famous for its fish dishes. Again and again there are also lion fish on the daily menu. My recommendation: Lionfish in coconut breading with mango salsa – simply delicious!
El Pezcozon: Fish tacos
Corner 40 Avenida Norte with Calle 10 Norte
At El Pezcozon, foodies get their money's worth! The menu is packed with different fish tacos, ceviches and many fish variations. There are hardly any international tourists here either, as El Pezcozon is located just outside the centre of San Miguel.
K'ooben Laab: Italian cuisine
Avenida Licenciado Pedro Joaquin Coldwell between Calle José María Morelos and Calle 5 Sur
Those who have had enough of Mexican food, for the time being, will find top-notch Italian cuisine on the roof terrace at K'ooben Laab. Homemade bread as a starter and homemade pasta with various sauces make stomachs rumble! The chef always takes the time to chat with his guests and likes to tell about his restaurant and its history. By the way, the desserts are also really delicious!
La Candela: Best Fajitas restaurant
Avenida 5 and Calle 6 Norte
This restaurant is famous for its shrimp fajitas! La Candela is a classic on Cozumel and I love coming here again and again. For me, the guacamole and mojitos of La Candela are among the best on Cozumel.
El Chino Marinero: Fish tacos to dream of
Av Lic Benito Juárez between Avenida 20 and 25 or Avenida 20, Calle 1 Sur
When it comes to fish tacos, there is no way around El Chino Marinero on Cozumel. This little place is for me one of the best taco shops in Mexico!
Palmeras: Tip for Ceviche
Parque Benito Juarez – Main square
Even though Palmeras is VERY touristic, you will find excellent ceviches here. I also once ate a fish here – but I did not like it.
Machete: Cosy, good and great cocktails
Avenida 5, Calle Dr Alfonso Rosado Salas
Although a little touristy, but here at the Machete you can get good tacos and also plates with different taco combinations to share. The cocktails here are huge and really good! Even though the tables are on the sidewalk, Machete is always a great choice, especially with friends.
Los Otates: Tacos, Tacos, Tacos
Avenida 15, between Calle 3 sur and Calle Dr Alfonso Rosado Salas
At Los Otates you can get a lot of different varieties of delicious tacos and quesadillas. This restaurant is somewhat hyped and is no longer an insider tip. Honestly, the tacos there are good, but not the best tacos on Cozumel.
La Choza: Colourful hustle and bustle and delicious soups
Avenida 10 between Calle 3 sur and Calle Dr Adolfo Rosado Salas
La Choza is quite crowded around lunchtime – and rightly so. Here you can not only get really good soups, but also tacos, quesadillas, fajitas and everything your heart desires. The menu is colourful and here everybody finds a meal he or she likes. La Choza is not without reason one of the best Mexican restaurants on Cozumel!
Burritos Gorditos: Yum!
Avenida 5, between Calle 2 and Calle 4
At Burritos Gorditos there are a lot of delicious burritos – there is also something for vegetarians. And if you feel like having a burrito in the morning, you'll love the breakfast burritos! For years Burritos Gorditos has been one of the top restaurants on Cozumel on Tripadvisor.
Where to enjoy breakfast on Cozumel: Top restaurants on the island
On Cozumel there is no big variety of restaurants or cafés offering breakfast. I always visit my two favourites several times during my stay on the island. Again and again, I give other cafés a try and I am always very much disappointed. So I stick to my two favourite places for breakfast on Cozumel:
El Amigo Abelardo: Authentic Mexican
Calle 6 Norte between Avenida Rafael E. Melgar and Avenida 5
At El Amigo Abelardo they serve typical Mexican breakfasts. The restaurant may seem very unimpressive, but this is exactly where you can get the best traditional breakfast on the whole island. Sometimes you can also get fresh juice.
Maple Bakehouse: For your sweet tooth
Calle 6 Norte between Avenida Rafael E. Melgar and Avenida 5
If you are looking for French toast, omelette and a selection of smoothies, Maple Bakehouse is the place to be. Those with a sweet tooth get their money's worth here! The Maple Bakehouse offers fresh pastries every day – and most of them are sweet. By far my favourite is the Nutella bun!
Sweet street food on Cozumel
Churros
Parque Benito Juarez directly in front of the BBVA Bank
Churros are fried, sweet dough sticks. They are usually still rolled in sugar or filled with Nutella or Dulce de Leche.
Marquesitas
At the northern end in Parque Quintana Roo
Marquesitas are the Mexican answer to crepes. These crepes are especially good with Nutella and the parmesan-like Queso de Bola.
Can't get enough of Mexico? Here's some more:
Don’t dive in Cozumel
Diving with Bull Sharks in Playa del Carmen
MUSA Underwater Museum Isla Mujeres
Xcaret Park – a Day at the Riviera Maya
La Paz Day Trip: Whale Sharks & Street Art
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