- La Choza:
This is the New La Choza and still has great food but at not so good prices anymore. They specialize in an orange margarita that we don’t like, so ask for a regular lime one and watch out. They will cook your catch at a great price too. Favorites include Chicken in Black Sauce and now the Fish Ceviche. The orange colored chili salsa is an island original. Ask for Nacho, our favorite waiter...he has the luck of a "Dancing Dog"!
Easy walk, stagger home. (On 10th Ave. just before Salas) $-$$
- New Especias:
This was one of our favorite restaurants and with the all new menu and new owners it still is! Everything has an Italian flair and it was all good. The steak in pepper corn sauce was some of the best we have had and the lasagna was far better than Guidos! The complimentary glass of wine was a nice touch too.
On 3rd between 5th and 10th.
$$-$$$
- Emperor of Fettucine: This is one of our all time favorite spots for that "Special Dinner". The food is exquisite, the staff is over the top attentive, and the wine list is huge with prices all over the map. Make a reservation as it is very popular with the Mexican National crowd too. After dinner check out the very romantic pool side palapa bar to complete the event. Located at the El Presidente Hotel south of town. Dress is surprisingly casual, but bring lots of pesos just in case you want to order another dinner or two to go. $$$-$$$$
- Pancho’s Backyard:
Inside Los Cinco Soles store at the North end of Ave. Melgar on the
water. Go before 9 pm and browse the pricey stuff at the shop (don’t
buy overpriced bottles of liquor here!), and then enjoy great food and potent margs in the romantic courtyard. Try the mole and fish served on the grills. Offers agood vegetarian selection on the menu (try the Chiles Rellenos with Plantains and Walnuts!). Take a cab up and then enjoy the walk home through town.
$$-$$$
- Pancho's Backyard website and coupons
- Jeanie’s:
They have rebuilt the beach and added a huge palapa so you can enjoy the view and just spend the day, or dine on the street and watch the tourists wander past. Food is always good. This is one of our spots to snorkel and watch the sunset. On our last trip we had the best breakfast ever on the island! On Melgar near the stop light, next to Margaritaville. $$
- Casa Mission:
We made it back this year and were a bit disappointed. The food and atmosphere were not as fun as we remembered. But the gardens are lovely so check it out. Take a cab both ways to this old hacienda east of downtown off Juarez. Its sister restaurants, La Mission and Mission Grill, are in town (see below). $$-$$$$
-
Casa Mission
- Casa Denis:
One half-block inland off the south side of the square. Great people
watching, and we think Castro ate here (if the photos on the wall are any proof)! Food is OK if a bit salty,and the margs were just so-so. Still popular with the tourist crowd.. $$-$$$
- Casa Denis
- Casablanca:
Next to Casa Dennis, but closer to the square. We used to rave about
this place, then paned it and now are so so on it again. Like so much on Cozumel there is always change. On our latest visit the service was very slow and when the food showed up it was only warm! One of the few places on the island you can find authentic Mayan dishes and they are usually pretty good. Get the Free Margarita card before you sit down. $-$$
- Mosiacoz:
Is a great little restaurant and people watching place on the square. We especially liked the pizzas. Our last trip we sent the way undercooked pasta back. We took advantage of the 3x2 pizza special and were told if we took the leftovers with us then we would be charged full price. Avoid this joint until they figure things out! We like the location, but it can get busy in the evenings. Cheap beers during the day make it popular then too. Just across from Casablanca. $-$$
- Paprika:
We had heard a lot of good buzz on this place and decided to check it out. We found things not so bueno. We ordered the house salad for the vegetarian in the group and it showed up covered in chicken. We sent that back and they scrapped off the chicken and brought the salad back for round two. The Veggie Wrap seemed a bit on the dry side and rightly so as it had been rolled in a parchment paper "skin" that had glued itself to the tortilla. HINT: do not eat parchment paper. The fish tacos were good, but the ones at El Camaron Dorado were better and at half the price. Our take is that this is a very pricey restaurant and we will probably not be trying it again. Just north of the Park Royal Hotel on Melgar. $$$$
- El Camaron Dorado:
This is one of those long time Cozumel spots that we have just never tried, but wish we had. The shrimp and fish tacos are yummy and super cheap...all things we like. No liquor and only open from 7am till 4pm, so not a dinner spot, but a great place to hit on the way to or from the East Side. Not much English spoken but the menu's are in English. This is right on the Transvaal so grab an outside table and watch the traffic go by. $
- Chi: Chinese
place right on Melgar over the Pizza place on Calle 3. Very OK for a change of pace. Sushi as well as all the regular Chinese stuff. Great
views too! $$-$$$
- Plaza Leza: On the square so excellent people watching. On our last 2 trips here the food has been poorly prepared and the margaritas tasted like sea water. So we are taking this off our list of good places to eat...until it gets better! $-$$
- El Mullecito:
Was a surprising New Find on this last trip. Located just south of Margaritaville and right on the water, we were not impressed by it modern Florida dive bar look. Seemed like a burger and snack place. We asked the waiter what was the best thing on the menu and the shrimps wrapped in bacon and stuffed with cheese were his top pick...ours too! The tuna filet cooked to perfection and wrapped in chrispy Oaxaca cheese was equally fantastic. After 9 pm a DJ cranked up the tunes and the place gets loud. Check it out quick before the prices go up. $$
- Los Chilangos:
This is great for lunch! Like eating in a typical Cozumeleño home. Limited
menu changes daily and you sit family style. Always a veggie choice and only $4-$5 for plenty of food...you can also request half orders.
Go east on 15th one block and turn left on 10th
for a half block. They have a sign now, so it’s easier to find. $
- El Morro:
Get directions to this old favorite...inland behind the Pemex station.
Streets are dusty and this is in a little neighborhood, but don’t be fooled cause it looks like a pit, as the food is great. On our last visit we had nothing but rave about the food and the service. Pat says it was the best fish and shrimp cooked in a pouch that he had ever eaten. $-$$
- Rock N’Java:
On Melgar north of Hotel Barracuda. Glory loves this place as it is air conditioned, very veggie friendly and you have a great view of the ocean. Avoid the ground chicken burger. It was the worst we had ever tasted. Recent 20% price increase effects everything. Free Wi-fi. Open late. $$-$$$
- Mission Grill:
This is another place loved by locals. While everything is usually very good here, on our last visit we were sadly disapointed by how small and sparse the portions were. The normally plate filling grouper was tiny and the only side dish was a smattering of mixed veggies. Gone are the potatoes and rice. Excellent veggie Rellenos and wonderful veggie fajitas. Now located inside the compound housing Casa Mission. The new palapa is much cooler than the old location and the menu still has the same low prices. Margaritas are still killer! $-$$
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Parrilla Mission
- La Cocay: Higher end restaurant with higher prices and ambience to match. One of those "Special Occasion" kinds of spots. On 8th north between 15th
and 25th. $$$
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La Cocay
- Otates: Even though this very local eatery has been discovered by the Gringo Crowd, it is still very good and one of our faves. Our last trip it was packed, but still the service was prompt, the food was excellent and cheap. Stick with the meaty tacos or burritos and you will be fine. Pazole is reportedly very good too. Nothing very veggie here except a veggie burrito. On Ave 15 between Calle 3 and 5. $
- Zapata Grill:
(Also known as Al Pie del Carbon) Now this is a grill! Open flame cooking over real logs! Grilled veggies on skewers and the meats are great. The grilled fish is THE BEST and at a great price! Our last trip we had the best arracherra we have ever had...fully an inch think and grilled to perfection. Glory had the best grilled salad ever our last visit! Calle 6 North on the corner with Ave. 5 North. The small dining room is air conditioned, but the people watching outside can be pretty good. They now have another location next Midori Sushi on 3rd. $$-$$$>
- Sorrisi: Pizza and Pasta in a now lovely space. On our last visit the food was pretty disappointing. Pricey tuna was way overcooked and bland. They had to use Mexican mushrooms in the risotto and the pizza oven was not turning out a good product. Prices have really gone up too; $9 for a bottle of water and $8 for a small margarita are not so good! On the up side, they now just bring you a glass of water with out an issue. Near the water on Calle 3. $$$
- Le Chef: This is the old Olive with the same good food and location, and of course, chef. This was one of the best meals we had on our latest trip. Check out the shrimp and pasta dish or anything with lobster. On 5 Sur at Calle 5. $-$$$
- Pizza Rolandi: New Italian joint located right on the water. Both food and view are great! The 1/2 price Sangria Happy Hour from 5-7 is a find, the funky bread is free with a meal and the service is fantastic. Lots of locals too. Pizza was good...avoid the risotto. Next to Margaritaville on Melgar. $$-$$$
- Empanadas Del Sur: Excels in empanadas....little turnovers stuffed with all sorts of goodies. We made a meal for 3 with a couple of platters full and only spent 160 pesos. We hear they also have great steaks but did not check those out. Just around the corner from Especias on 5 Sur. $-$$$
- Kinta:
This is a classy little place with good food and OK prices. Very cute courtyard out back and it is the place to be. They cooked up our barracuda to perfection and the fish of the day was excellent!
Veggie Renellos were huge with Glory and fish filled enchiladas were "da bomb!". North of the square on 5th. $$-$$$
- R J Thai Noodle House:
Another wonderful restaurant that has fallen way down on the quality of its food. On our last visit we asked for spicy and got bland. The predominate flavor seemed to be soy sauce...not good in Thai food. If you do check it out, the smaller bowl is usually plenty of food. They are now open downstairs at the Mega and this location is better for take-out than dine-in, since there are only a few small tables. $$-$$$
- La Cuisine:
This is a healthy food kind of place that Glory loves. Great salads, wraps and smoothies. They can even set you up with a healthy detox plan for your vacation. On our last trip the chicken kabob was over cooked and bland. Stick with the veggie options because Glory was happy! Located just at the corner of 5 Sur and Calle 11, under Ego gym. $$-$$$
- Midori Sushi: We have seen this eatery for years and always wanted to give it a try...we wish we had done so sooner. It was some of the best sushi we have ever had. Very Fresh and unique. The Banana Roll they made for Glory was a big hit. The fresh Tuna Sashimi was incredible! Our last visit we found the pieces were more rice than fish, but just ask them to leave off some of the rice. The veggie Tempura platter was a deal. Be surprised by the fortune cookies! Fully air conditioned across from Sorrisi on 3rd. No dogs allowed! $-$$
- Chilangos On 30:th: This is a very good, very local hang, only open for dinner. You look at all the food in the window and point at what you want inside your "huarache" or shoe. Lots of veggie selections. They now have a full bar. On 30th going north, before you get to the Pemex. $
- Kondesa: We had high hopes for this new restaurant which is related to Kinta. Kondesa serves more traditional Mexican fare: burritos, enchiladas, fajitas, achiote chicken...even nachos and tamales. While the prices were good and the servings generous, we found the food on the bland side. But that's just us. Check it out and let us know what you think. On Ave 5 Sur, north of the cemetary. $$
- Guido’s:
You will pass it on the way home from Pancho’s on Melgar. Now large menu of very overpriced pasta and seafood. Pizza is good but was 159 pesos for plain, small pizza. Do order the bread thing! Get a seat by the window in front for the view and the AC. We love the gorgeous and romantic back courtyard, but it has become a place to see and be seen for island locals. Open 7 days a week. One of the most expensive pasta restaurants on Cozumel. $$$-$$$$
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Guidos
- New Restaurants We Want to Check Out:
Lobsteria ... on 5 Sur.
Hint: We save a
bundle by bringing To go cups
full of margs everywhere! No problems. Also order glasses
of water, as this is pure water from big bottles. Some restaurants will give you a free little marg or a beer with dinner but you
have to ask before hand.
More Hints: Some restaurants now refuse to serve you a free glass of pure drinking water. They want to charge you for a bottle! Solution: Bring your own bottle!
Beware:
Some restaurants in town are charging a tax on your meal.
All taxes are already included in the cost of food in
Mexico. If you are charged tax, complain. If they refuse to take it
off of your bill your simplest recourse is to not leave a tip. Please
let us know if this happens to you.
We have avoided giving
exact addresses just because the fun of finding a place comes in finding
something else along the way! Please enjoy your journey
!
Disclaimer: This is Mexico so all
prices, locations, cuisine and even restaurants are subject to change at any second! Here today and gone tomorrow.
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