Cancun Restaurant Guide
La Destilería
Cuisine: Mexican
Hours: 1pm – Midnight Daily
Location: Bulevar Kukulkán Km 12.65, across from Kukulcán Plaza, Cancún Island
Phone: 998/885-1086, 998/885-1087
Website: www.ladestileria.com
Prices: Main courses $15-$47. Tequila tour $8.50
Credit Cards: AE, MC, V
About:
To experience Mexico's favorite export on an enticing terrace overlooking the lagoon, this is your place
(keep an eye out for Tequila, the lagoon crocodile who often comes to visit). La Destilería is more than a
tequila-inspired restaurant; it's a minimuseum honoring the "spirit" of Mexico. It serves over 150 brands
of tequila, including some treasures that never find their way across the country's northern border. A
tequila tour is offered daily at 4:30pm, and patrons can always order tequila "samplers" at their tables.
No surprise, the margaritas are also among the island's best. When you decide to order food with your
tequila, you'll find a creative Mexican menu, with everything from quesadillas with zucchini flower,
cheese, and poblano pepper to arrachera beef fajitas served in a hot pot with roasted nopales (cactus),
Mexican sausage, and avocado.
Lorenzillo's
Cuisine: Seafood
Hours: 1pm – 12:30am
Location: Bulevar Kukulkán Km 10.5, Cancún Island
Phone: 998/883-1254
Website: www.lorenzillos.com.mx
Prices: Main courses $22-$49
Credit Cards: AE, MC, V
About:
This longtime Cancún favorite hasn't changed much over the years. Lobster remains the star, and part of
the appeal is selecting your dinner out of the giant lobster tank set in the lagoon (Lorenzillo's sits right
on the lagoon under a giant palapa roof). A dock leads down to the main dining area, and when that's
packed, a wharf-side bar handles the overflow. You'll find a large captain's wheel at the entrance to this
nautical-themed restaurant. To start, I recommend El Botin, which consists of two soft- shell crabs
breaded and fried to perfection. Good bets for the entree include lobster (which comes prepared in any
of 20 different ways), shrimp stuffed with cheese and wrapped in bacon, the Pescador (Caribbean
grouper prepared to taste), and steak and seafood combinations. Desserts include the tempting crepes
Suzette, prepared tableside. Lorenzillo's is as popular with families as it is with couples looking for
lagoon-side romance. It's connected by a walkway to Limoncello, the waterfront Italian restaurant next
door.
Cancun Restaurant Guide
La Habichuela
Cuisine: Caribbean
Hours:
Location: Margaritas # 25 | Parque de las Palapas, Cancun 77500, Mexico
Phone: (52)9988843158
Website: www.lahabichuela.com
Prices: Main courses $18-$37
Credit Cards: AE, MC, V
About:
La Habichuela has been legend in Cancun since 1977, when Armando Pezzotti opened the restaurant in
what was once his home. Today, La Habichuela is celebrated worldwide. Our romantic sculpture garden,
filled with aromatic plants and native trees, creates the magical illusion of Mayan ruins under starlight.
Year after year, we greet old friends again and again. We use only the best ingredients, just as in our
own home, and we prepare and serve our dishes with the same love and warmth. Among our many
honors, we are proud to have obtained the National Best Restaurant Award, and to be part of the
DiRoNA organization since 2001 (the Distinguished Restaurants of North America) and the AFAQ/IQNet
(Association Française pour l'Assurance de la Qualité) ISO 9002:1994 International Quality Certification.
Recently La Habichuela was awarded with the Five Diamonds Award from the American Academy of
Hospitality Sciences; this is the most desired recognition in the hospitality industry which is only given to
those that maintain high quality standards. Less than 1% of the hospitality industry establishments have
obtained this award.
Casa Rolandi
Cuisine: Swiss, Italian
Hours: Daily 1-11:30pm
Location: Bulevar Kukulkán Km 8.5, in Plaza Caracol, Cancún Island
Phone: 998/883-2557
Website: www.rolandi.com
Prices: Main courses $17-$38
Credit Cards: AE, MC, V
About:
Like its sister location on Isla Mujeres, Casa Rolandi blends sophisticated Swiss-Italian cuisine with fresh
Caribbean fish and Mexican produce. Famous personalities, from international actors to Mexican
presidents, have dined here. The casually elegant restaurant offers white linen tables with roses and
candles at night, yet welcomes informal dress. Among the sophisticated selections are homemade
ravioli stuffed with wild mushrooms over a creamy Alba truffle sauce; tagliolini with sautéed shrimp and
ginger doused with sparkling wine; fresh fish (usually snapper or sea bass) baked in salt and
accompanied by fresh vegetables and seasoned mashed potatoes; and grilled 18-ounce rib-eye served
sizzling. Finish with the sublime tiramisu served with chocolate and rum cream. Service is personalized
and friendly, and a cigar and wine bar has been added upstairs.
Cancun Restaurant Guide
Laguna Grill
Cuisine: Fusion
Hours: Daily 4pm-midnight
Location: Bulevar Kukulcán Km 16.5, Cancún Island
Phone: 998/885-0267
Website: www.lagunagrill.com.mx
Prices: Main courses $11-$37
Credit Cards: AE, MC, V
About:
Laguna Grill offers diners a contemporary culinary experience in a picturesque setting overlooking the
lagoon. A tropical garden welcomes you at the entrance, while a small creek traverses the palapacovered dining room set with tables made from the trunks of tropical trees. As magical as the decor is,
the real star here is the kitchen, with its selection of Pacific Rim cuisine fused with regional flavors.
Starters include martini gyoza (steamed dumplings), filled with shrimp and vegetables, or tuna tartare
with soy and ginger. Fish and seafood dominate the menu, in preparations that combine Asian and
Mexican flavors such as ginger, cilantro, garlic, and hoisin sauce. Grilled shrimp are marinated in rum,
mint, and lime; surf-and-turf fusion dishes may include grilled lobster, beef, and shrimp skewers. For
beef-lovers, the rib-eye served with mashed potatoes and black olives is excellent. For dessert, I
recommend the crème brûlée served with a touch of Bailey's. If you're an early diner, request a table on
the outside deck for a spectacular sunset view. An impressive selection of wines is available.
Puerto Madero
Cuisine: Argentine, Steaks, Seafood
Hours: Daily 1pm-1am
Location: Marina Barracuda, Bulevar Kukulkán Km 14, Cancún Island
Phone: 998/885-2829, 998/885-2830
Website: www.puertomaderocancun.com
Prices: Main courses $18-$59
Credit Cards: AE, MC, V
About:
As a tribute to the famed Puerto Madero of Buenos Aires, this trendy restaurant has quickly earned a
reputation for its outstanding steaks and buzzing atmosphere. Overlooking the Nichupté Lagoon, the
decor re-creates a 20th-century dock warehouse similar to what you'd find in the real Puerto Madero,
with dark woods, exposed brick, and visible pipes. This steakhouse offers an extensive selection of
prime-quality beef cuts, pastas, grilled fish, and shellfish, meticulously prepared with Argentine gusto. In
addition to the classic carpaccio, the tuna tartar and halibut steak are favorites, but the real standouts
here are the tender grilled steaks (particularly the rib-eye), served in ample portions. Enjoy a cocktail or
glass of wine from the extensive selection, while viewing the sunset from the lagoon-side deck. Service
is excellent.
Cancun Restaurant Guide
Cambalache
Cuisine: Argentinean, Latin
Hours: Daily 1pm-1am
Location: Blvd Kukulcan, km 9 (Forum By the Sea Mall) Cancun 77500
Phone: 998-883-0902
Website: www.cambalacherestaurantes.com
Prices: Main courses $20-$50
Credit Cards: AE, MC, V
About:
If you want a list of reasons why diners choose Cambalanche, then the top three would be steaks,
steaks, and steaks. The chefs here bring all their experience to bear in transforming fine Argentinean
beef into tender delicacies that can be cut with a fork. If you need more reasons to show up, then try
the restaurant's famous short ribs or expertly prepared seafood and chicken dishes. For dessert, order
crêpes with caramelized milk or a freshly baked pastry.
La Dolce Vita Italian Seafood Restaurant
Cuisine: Italian
Hours: Daily 1pm-1am
Location: Blvd. Kukulcan KM 14.6 Cancun Zona Hotelera, Quintana Roo Mexico 77500
Phone: 998-885-0161
Website: www.cancunitalianrestaurant.com
Prices: Main courses $20-$40
Credit Cards: AE, MC, V
About:
This grande dame of Cancún restaurants delivers on the promise of its name (which means "the sweet
life" in Italian). Whether you dine indoors or on the terrace overlooking the lagoon, the candle lighted
tables adorned with fine linen and china and discreet waiters will make you feel as if you've been
transported to Italy. The Italian fare includes homemade pizzas and pastas such as bolognese-style
lasagna, veal ravioli, and calamari steak in shrimp and lobster sauce. The wine list is excellent. Be patient
when waiting for your order, though-good food takes time to prepare.