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Restaurants Overview

Cancún attracts chefs -- as well as visitors -- from around the globe, so the area has choices to suit just about every palate (from Provençal cuisine to traditional Mexican and American diner fare). Both the Zona Hotelera and El Centro have plenty of great places to eat. Menus at the more upscale spots change on a regular basis, usually every three to six months, so expect to be pleasantly surprised.

Although there are some pitfalls -- restaurants that line Avenida Tulum are often noisy and crowded; gas fumes make it hard to enjoy alfresco meals; and Zona Hotelera chefs often cater to what they assume is a visitor preference for bland food -- one key to eating well is to find the local haunts, most of which are in El Centro. The restaurants in the Parque de las Palapas, just off Avenida Tulum, serve expertly prepared Mexican food. Farther into the city center, you can find fresh seafood and traditional fare at dozens of small, reasonably priced restaurants in the Mercado Veintiocho (Market 28).