Splurges & Occasions

Among the best the island has to offer for treats and special occasions

Check the Local Cuisine glossary page or use the search box for definitions of unfamiliar terms.

Locate restaurants on a map on the Restaurants page.

We think these restaurants are worth a minor splurge at least once during a stay

Check hours - many places have reduced schedules during the pandemic

Lunch Choices

El Palomar

$$

A: Av. Rafael E. Melgar at Calle 10 Nte

P: 120 27 92

In a lovely villa on the waterfront, this is a beautiful place to enjoy great food and drinks. Pleasant and relaxing. Daily lunch specials along with a well-thought-out regular menu.

A: Av. Rafael E. Melgar #27 at the corner of Calle 8 Nte

P: 842 21 41

Attractive setting in the Los Cinco Soles store on the waterfront at the north end of downtown, they offer some tasty and unusual dishes. You might think a restaurant inside a souvenir/gift shop would be a tourist trap, mediocre at best. It's not - this is an elegant place with great food popular with locals. We particularly like their chiles rellenos stuffed with plaintains and walnuts. Different lunch and supper menus, somewhat unusual for Cozumel. 

Supper Choices

A: Playa San Juan Costera Norte Km 4.5

P: 872 01 00

Beautiful torch-lit beachside setting with delicious, creative food and drinks. Open only Friday and Saturday nights. Closes in low season.

A: 5a Av. Sur at the corner of Calle 3 Sur 

P: 101 71 08 

Wonderful Argentinean-style empanadas (using wheat flour crusts instead of corn masa) with tasty and unusual fillings - try the "Del Sur" (cheese, plum and bacon)! They also have Argentinean steaks and yerba mate and sometimes feature tango dancers in their spacious vaulted dining room. Lovely place with great staff.

El Palomar

$$

A: Av. Rafael E. Melgar at Calle 10 Nte

P: 120 27 92

In a lovely villa on the waterfront, this is a beautiful place to enjoy great food and drinks. Pleasant and relaxing. My favorite place to go for drinks in the evening.

A: 5a Av. Sur #456 between Calle 5 and 7 Sur

P: 869 10 86

Pleasant outdoor courtyard perfect for celebrations. Traditional Mexican basis with modern updates. My wife and son prefer Kondesa to Kinta. Reservations recommended.

A: Calle 8 Nte #208 between Av. 10 & 15 Nte

P: 872 55 33

Lovely indoor setting and mediterranean fusion dishes. Wood-burning pizza oven - we come here for the duck pizza. Closed Sundays.

A: Av. Rafael E. Melgar #27 at the corner of Calle 8 Nte

P: 842 21 41

Attractive setting in the Los Cinco Soles store on the waterfront at the north end of downtown, they offer some tasty and unusual dishes. You might think a restaurant inside a souvenir/gift shop would be a tourist trap, mediocre at best. It's not - this is an elegant place with great food popular with locals. We particularly like their chiles rellenos stuffed with plaintains and walnuts. Different lunch and supper menus, somewhat unusual for Cozumel. 

A: Av. Rafael E. Melgar at the corner of Calle 11 Sur

P: 872 10 97

Gorgeous setting overlooking the water. Wood-fired pizza, pasta, Italian meats and seafood.