Top Cozumel Restaurants
It’s time for the semi-regular listing of The Cozumel Sun’s best restaurants and cocina’s on Cozumel. We’ll break it down for you. You can find most of these places by doing a Google search for their web site or their Facebook page. Some have been previously reviewed by The Cozumel Sun.
BEST FINE DINING
1. (tie) Buccanos (north hotel zone on Melgar) – Chef/owner Ines Falkenberg creates interesting food, with the best ingredients at a wonderful ocean front setting. What else do you need?
1. (tie) Guidos (Melgar entre Calle 6 y Calle 8) – One of Cozumel’s favorites for many years, chef/owner Yvonne Villiger never rests on her laurels, and Guidos never disappoints.
3. Ilé – A relative newcomer to the evening dining scene, the renovated second floor space on Melgar between Calle 2 and Calle 4 gets high marks for innovation and execution.
Honorable Mentions: the renovated Pepe’s and the venerable La Cocay
BEST MID-LEVEL DINING
1. Del Sur (Av 5 y Calle 3) – best empanadas in town, outstanding grilled meats and a good selection of wine by the glass
2. La Perlita (Calle 10 entre Av 70 y 65 bis) – great seafood preparations, including the fresh coconut-battered lion fish
3. El Moro (Av 75 bis entre Calle 2 y Calle 4) – welcome home (it’s how you’re treated when you arrive) and fresh seafood
BEST LUNCH ON COZUMEL
1. La Cucina Italiana (Calle 6 y Av 15) – quality preparation, great selection of items that change daily, reasonable wine prices, killer tirimisu
2. La Tienda Guidos (Av 15 y Calle 10) – great new addition to Cozumel with daily comidas, sandwiches, deli counter, imported wines and foods in a relaxing setting
3. No name Indonesian/Malaysian place at the Mercado – the first place on the south side of the Mercado on the Av 20 side. Exotic flavors for seafood lovers
BEST TACOS, BURRITOS & SNACKS – DAY
1. Camaron Dorado (B. Juarez y Av 100) – nobody beats this place for seafood tacos, tortas and tostados
2. Burritos Gorditas (AR Salas y Av 65) – Eusebio puts together fat, fresh burritos and tortas with pork, beef, chicken and sometimes barbacoa.
3. Popeye (Calle 2 entre Av 30 y Av 25) – pick up some of the island’s best ceviche for the beach.
BEST TACOS, BURRITOS & SNACKS – NIGHT
1. Mr. Taco (B. Juarez y Av 55) – never a disappointment here, great tacos al pastor and terrific sauces
2. Cesar’s Pizza (987-876-1102) – nice toppings, good, crisp crust, prompt delivery, great prices
3. Casa de Hamburguesa (Av 5 entre Salas y Calle 3) – only at night from Wednesday through Saturday. good beef and combos
4. El Foco (Av 5 entre AR Salas y Calle 3) – good meat tacos and great frijoles charros
BEST BREAKFAST ON COZUMEL
1. El Coffee Cozumel (Calle 3 near Melgar) – great coffee and the best chilaquiles in town
2. Buccanos – the coffee, the view and more creative takes on the easiest meal for a restaurant to do poorly
3. La Tienda Guidos – fresh takes on different eggs dishes. Chef Ileana makes huevos motuleños that are so good I even eat the peas
4. Taqueria Molina (Mercado) – fantastic hangover-killing tacos and gorditas with massive and fresh aguas frescas
BEST MARGARITA ON COZUMEL – DAY AND NIGHT
Night: Blue Angel Resort (Melgar south of town) – I love the recipe here (a bit of orange juice) and you can’t beat the view
Day: Playa Palancar (all the way south) – you should only drink one, unless you have the time and a place for a nap
