15 Best Restaurants in Cozumel – Every Steph

Looking for the best restaurants in Cozumel, Mexico? Check out this guide with all kinds of options to refill after a sunny day at the beach. There’s something for everyone!

Cozumel is a wild and mostly untamed island off the coast of Playa del Carmen. Wild does not mean undiscovered, though, which will become obvious once you step into the port, visited by loads of cruise ships all year round.

This Post: 15 Best Restaurants in Cozumel – Every Steph

This combination of quiet but touristic has created a very interesting array of options in the food department, from quintessentially Cozumel food to Italian specialties and French patisseries. The range of choices is wide for such a small place!

Here is a list of the best Cozumel restaurants, bars, and cafes for you to try after a busy day of diving, swimming, biking or chilling at the beach. Let’s dive in!

Ko’oben Laab

A passionate blend of Italian cuisine and local ingredients, Ko’oben Laab is hands down the best Cozumel restaurant for fresh pasta, focaccias, and everything Italian. Their superbly crafted dishes will make your mouth water just by reading off the menu. Everything is made from scratch with super fresh ingredients.

The menu has plenty of veggie dishes. You will probably want to try it all, but remember to save some room for dessert, as they have plenty of options, each better than the next. Their breezy rooftop terrace adds to the charm, but the whole place is quite small, so better to book in advance. They also offer delivery.

Address: Avenida Coldwell between Morelos and Calle 5
Opening Hours: Everyday from 7:30 AM until 10 PM

Ix Kool

The word you will hear most often to refer to this restaurant is “authentic”. Indeed, Ix Kool is pure ancestral Mayan cuisine at its best, prepared by one of the top 10 chefs in Quintana Roo and served by amazing staff. Its open kitchen concept allows you to see the chef prepare your meal, passing on her Mayan heritage and wisdom into every dish she makes.

Don’t miss the fresh guacamole for starters, the lime soup, the cornbread, and their delicious cochinita pibil. This hidden gem is located in a shopping mall a 20-minute walk from downtown, and that’s part of the reason it has managed to maintain its utterly traditional style, making it one of the most authentic restaurants in Cozumel, MX.

Address: Av. Rafael E. Melgar 1, Shop 53, Royal Village Shopping Center
Opening Hours: Mon-Sat from 12 PM until 10 PM

Burritos Gorditos

Their name cutely translates as “fat burritos” and they are the best on the island. I mean, they specialize in burritos! This is a solid, cheap option for both breakfast and lunch, they have savory and sweet flavors (try the cinnamon and apple one!). The chicken and bacon taco is particularly popular, but they’re all incredible, including the veggie options.

Service is friendly, as usual (this is Mexico, people are nice!). Burritos Gorditos is a small shop with a couple of tables outside, great for a quick stopover or to grab something to go. Be careful with the portions: you’ll get full just off a small burrito, and when they say “large”, they really mean it!

Address: Av. 5 between Calles 2 & 4
Opening Hours: Mon-Sat from 8 AM until 5 PM

Casa Denis

Fresh ingredients, excellent drinks, super friendly service, and some of the best Mexican food in Cozumel: this is part of the combo that you get at Casa Denis. This was one of the first restaurants in Cozumel and it’s still managed by its original owners under the mantra “Mi casa es su casa” (My home is your home), so you will be treated like family. 

Located right off the main plaza, expect a warm welcome, great prices, and seafood prepared in the most traditional Cozumel fashion. Enjoy the evening on their outdoor patio while listening to live Mexican music and drinking the best Margarita on the island. The food is just as homey as the environment! Highlights include the prawns, broth, shrimp tacos, coconut ice cream, but seriously, everything is incredible here, go try it!

Address: Calle 1 #132 Centro
Opening Hours: Everyday from 8 AM until 10 PM

Buccanos at Night

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It’s time to finally wear that long dress or smart suit, and go for a fancy, romantic dinner by torches and candlelight. Buccanos, in Cozumel’s beachfront, is set on a terrace with views of the ocean and the mainland skyline across the water, and offers some of the finest Cozumel dining. Self-described as a “multi-ethnic, multi-sensory dining experience”, they offer a seasonal menu with fresh, premium-quality ingredients.

The ambiance here is world-class. Go there before dark and you’ll be rewarded with fantastic views of the sunset while you order your favorite entree. Buccanos is also one of the best seafood restaurants in Cozumel, with top-notch fresh dishes, and many other options for all palates. The elegance and gourmet food come with a price tag, though, so expect to pay more than usual. Great for a romantic dinner or special celebration.

Address: Playa San Juan Costera Norte km 4.5
Opening Hours: Wed-Sat 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM

El Coffee Cozumel

Coffee snobs, this one’s for you. I mean, I guess you saw that coming, given the name of the place, but really, El Coffee serves superb lattes, espressos, frappuccinos or whatever your favorite fix is, all made with organic beans from the Mexican highlands. Their iced-latte is exceptional to combat the heat!

Their breakfast is consistently highly praised and they have good lunch and dinner options too. They have an excellent and wide selection of cakes and pastries, so you’ll most likely want to go back! Great place for vegans in Cozumel too, since they have many different veggie options. A solid, all-around place to eat, right off the main street. 

Address: Calle 3, between Rafael E. Melgar and 5th Ave.
Opening Hours: Everyday from 8 AM to 11 PM

Guido’s

With top-quality homemade Italian food, following recipes inspired by the chef’s father, Guido’s is one of the top restaurants in Cozumel, with an incredible menu ranging from fresh-made pasta to wood-fired pizzas and mouth-watering lasagna. The cocktail listing is also excellent. Order a pitcher of sangria to go with your meal, it’s the house specialty.

The atmosphere is just as great as the food. The back patio is the place to be, a super relaxing environment with trees, plants, and cute romantic lights hanging above, it makes for a perfect slow food experience. Delicious food, lovely atmosphere, and great staff – definitely one of the best places to eat in Cozumel, Mexico.

Address: Ave. Rafael E. Melgar #23
Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday from 2:00 PM to 11:00 PM, Sunday from 3:00 PM to 11:00 PM

Sucrè Salè

Sucrè Salè is a family-owned French restaurant/café just off the main square, with an ambiance and menu that will make you feel like you’re in a little café in Paris for a bit. Oh la la! The family vibe can be felt in the relaxed and homey atmosphere. 

Everything here screams France: their menu features crepes (both sweet and savory), fruit and chocolate tarts, galettes, quiche, and great sandwiches made with the typical French baguette. The eggs benedict are a big favorite for breakfast. Good coffee too! There’s outdoor sitting, but indoors is quite nice too and it has a slight French Patisserie feeling to it.

Address: Ave. Rafael E. Melgar #23
Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday from 8 AM to 10 PM, Sundays from 8 AM to 1 PM

Cerveceria Punta Sur

The first and only microbrewery in Cozumel, Cervecería Punta Sur is relatively new (it opened in 2017), and a bit off the beaten path, which offers a refreshing and welcome break from the tourist crowds. Not only do they offer a very good selection of craft beer, they also have fresh and delicious food on the menu, including some of the best pizza in Cozumel — not kidding. 

Chill on the beer garden at the back and enjoy the wood-fired pizzas, tasty guacamoles, or great empanadas. They also serve lionfish, which is the only fish you’ll find on the menu, because they want to preserve the local fauna. Lionfish is an invasive species and the ones served here are individually and sustainably caught by local fishermen. There are many great veggie options too. A true gem, this place!

Address: 10a avenue #220, between Adolfo Rosado Salas st. and 3rd st.
Opening Hours: Everyday from 11 AM to 11 PM

Diego’s

Let’s get some tacos!! Diego’s tacos is a must-stop on your way to or from the airport, since it’s right across the street. If you’re just arriving, what a great introduction this is to some of the most authentic Mexican food.

Diego’s serves hands down some of the best tacos in Cozumel, especially the fish tacos – you’ll be hard-pressed to find better fish tacos! Maybe make it a challenge, you’ll see! The tacos are served with amazing salsas, ranging from mild to very spicy.

The setting is simple: covered outdoor sitting with plastic chairs and tables. Prices are local, so this is one of the great cheap eats in Cozumel. It doesn’t get more Mexican than this!

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Address: Ave 65 and Blvd Antonio Gonzalez Fernandez
Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday from 9:30 AM to 4 PM. Closed on Sundays.

Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville

Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville is part of the USA-based retail hospitality chain named after the singer-songwriter’s famous song, and one of the best-known Cozumel beach bars. Set under a thatched roof right at the edge of the turquoise Caribbean water, here it’s all about sun, fun, and a lighthearted type of living. 

They have an extensive cocktail menu, but the star for sure is —you guessed it— the Margarita. Expect Jell-O shots and colorful drinks all around you! Not the best food in Cozumel, but the American-style cheeseburger is very good and so is the guacamole; the rest of the main menu is a bit overpriced for what it offers. It’s all about the vibe here, so if you want excellent service and laughs by the water, you’ll like it!

Address: Chancanaab Highway Km 4.5, Mexico Pier
Opening Hours: Mondays to Saturdays 9 AM to 6 PM. Closed on Sundays

Kondesa Restaurant

Foodies, you’ll love this one! Kondesa is among Cozumel’s best restaurants if you’re looking for a more refined gastronomic experience, featuring an open dining space with an impressive jungle setting and romantic atmosphere. Using locally sourced products and veggies from the town market, Kondesa specializes in traditional Mexican cuisine with modern twists. 

The menu features a lot of meat and fish, and it’s not very extensive, but it makes up for it in quality. Try the lobster, the hamburger, or the catch of the day. This is some of the best fine dining in Cozumel, with impeccable food, drinks, and ambiance at more than reasonable prices.

Address: 5av between 5 st. and 7 st., Cozumel downtown
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, from 5 PM to 11 PM

Lobster House

The Lobster House in Cozumel started as a family business back in the 70s and it has since become a well-known restaurant on the island loved by locals and tourists alike. The lovely setting tries to keep the island’s atmosphere, with an open dining space under a thatched roof.

They strive to provide the highest-quality and freshest seafood possible, and they deliver, serving some of the best seafood in Cozumel. The king here is, of course, the lobster, but the seafood in general is very good, and so is the great ambiance and service from their staff. They make a mean key lime pie for dessert too!

Address: Carretera Costera Norte Km 4.5, across the street from the Westin Hotel
Opening Hours: Everyday, from 5:30 PM to 10:30 PM

Three Amigos

If you are looking for restaurants in Cozumel near the cruise port to stop on your way in or out of the island, this is as close as it gets. Set right on the pier, Three Amigos is as friendly as the name implies.

With super welcoming staff and a bit of a party vibe (or more than a bit), they serve traditional Mexican food, such as tacos, guacamole, quesadillas and burritos, but also some American fast food, like cheeseburgers and chicken wings. The cocktails are the stars, though! (party, remember?). It’s a great place to take in some good vibes with mean sea views, and leave with a smile on your face. 

La Candela

Eating at La Candela is almost like eating at a local family’s home: relaxed, super friendly, with very traditional Mexican food, and simple, delicious dishes. If you’re looking for luxury, this is not your place. If you’re looking for authenticity, then you’ll love it. This is one of the places where locals eat, the portions are big and the prices are low.

There are daily specials that include soup, entree with a choice of sides, and a drink. Worth mentioning are their chilaquiles and their Cuban sandwich! They’re open only for breakfast and lunch (or a super early dinner), the seating area is open-sided, and there’s a terrace at the back with a thatched roof. This is one of the best Mexican restaurants in Cozumel if you’re looking for comfort food as your abuelita would cook it!

Address: 5 Av. Norte, corner with Calle 4
Opening Hours: Mon-Sat from 8:30 AM until 5 PM

Tons of options, uh? It never ceases to amaze me how much variety there is in Cozumel, Mexico, for restaurants, cafes, and bars, considering it’s such a small island! So I’m sure you’ll find something delicious for every moment of every day you spend there. 

This Cozumel restaurant guide is by no means exhaustive, but I hope it gives you an idea of where to find the best food in Cozumel. Mexico is waiting for you!