Cancun restaurants run the gamut from traditional and casual family-run Mexican operations to ultra-luxurious fine dining of a world-class level. Of course, seafood is king here, but you won’t have any problem finding ‘land-based’ entrees either. Nearly all the resorts along “the Golden Zone” on the northern beaches offer at least a couple different dining options, and the larger hotels have weekly Mexican Fiesta and/or theme nights that offer a great value for food and entertainment. There are plenty of options here for any taste, including Italian and French. You’re likely to find more selection in the category of ‘traditional Mexican’ dining in the city, and those on a budget will find simpler but excellent food at good prices here. Even if you’re not on a budget, the traditional Mexican restaurants offer great dining and a glimpse into ‘real Mexico’.

 

From continental dining, to fresh seafood and shellfish, to traditional Mayan cuisine, Cancun offers a truly dazzling assortment of dining options. There are over 200 restaurants; settings range from fast-food, to casual bistros, to dinner cruises, to elegant theme restaurants. A fun way to start your evening is to "hotel hop," taking in several excellent happy hours, a variety of live music, and some incredibly beautiful settings.

 

Yucatan cooking has gained a reputation as one of the finest in all of Mexico with a combination of Mayan and European ingredients, a tasty byproduct of the Spanish Conquest. Dishes include the famous cochinita pibil (suckling pig baked in banana leaves with a rich annatto sauce) papadzules (tortillas stuffed with boiled eggs in a pumpkin seed sauce) and panuchos, (tortillas with fried black beans, chicken and pickled onions).

 

For those wanting a little adventure, try one of the popular sunset cocktail or dinner cruises. Dinner cruises are like being on a floating restaurant - a wonderful way to see the sunset over the bay and the lights of Cancun. The dinner cruises often serve lobster or steak dinners, drinks, and include entertainment. The Captain Hook Galleon is an especially entertaining show. This incredible historic experience focuses on pirates, with sword fights, exciting music and a romantic atmosphere, all aboard an authentic Spanish galleon.