Cozumel is a picture-perfect island off the coast of Playa del Carmen, renowned for its pristine beaches of white sands and turquoise waters, rich marine life (aka a snorkeler’s and diver’s dream!) and delicious cuisine. It’s in Mexico, after all!
Cozumel has become super popular in the past few years, and with the increase of tourism, the culinary offer has also grown immensely. Yum!
And while that may seem like good news, having so many options can also make it harder to choose! So where do you eat in this slice of paradise?
From authentic Mexican fare to international specialties, delicious cocktails (margaritas, anyone?), fresh seafood and scrumptious desserts, this island has it all. In this article, you’ll find a compilation of the best cafes & restaurants in Cozumel. You can’t go wrong with any of these!
COZ Coffee Roasting Company Cozumel
COZ Coffee Roasting Company is the place to be for coffee lovers. You won’t find a cup of brew to start your day that’s as good or original anywhere else, and they’re particularly famous for their Peanut Butter Coffee (that you absolutely have to try!)
They open early (6.30 AM!) so it’s an ideal breakfast spot for early risers. Delicious avo toasts, sandwiches, cakes, and cinnamon rolls are served with freshly brewed coffee. Alternatively, you could go for a smoothie bowl, fruit salad, or omelet.
The service is brilliant and they also strongly commit to the environment, only using eco-friendly and biodegradable containers for take-away orders.
Address: 5a Av. Nte. 50.
Opening Hours: Daily from 6.30 AM to 9 PM.
Ko’oben Laab
A passionate blend of Italian cuisine and local ingredients, Ko’oben Laab is hands down the best 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, San Miguel de Cozumel.
Opening Hours: Every day from 7:30 AM until 10 PM.
Pancho’s Backyard
Pancho’s Backyard is your go-to eatery for authentic Mexican cuisine and margaritas. The setting is beautiful, featuring indoor and outdoor areas overlooking the port, and lovely decor.
There’s a bar where you can get your craft cocktails and drinks, and the menu features a great variety of traditional dishes as well as modern takes on Mexican flavors and American classics.
It’s one of the highest-rated restaurants on the island, perfect for lunch and dinner. It’s open for breakfast too, serving great coffee, pastries, acai bowls, and pancakes or waffles.
Address: Av. Rafael E. Melgar 27 Calle 8 Nte.
Opening Hours: Daily from 7 AM to 10.30 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: Monday to Saturday from 12 PM to 10 PM.
Crazy King Burrito
If you’re in the mood for burritos, you won’t find a better place than Crazy King Burrito, rated with 5 stars by over a thousand happy customers.
You’ll find a variety of burritos on the menu, including seafood, meat, and vegetarian options. The fillings are rich and flavorful, raved about by both tourists and locals.
The staff is efficient and friendly, and the restaurant features outdoor and indoor seating areas where you can enjoy your meal with a beer or soft drinks.
Address: Calle 4 Norte 5.
Opening Hours: Daily from 11 AM to 7 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 on the island, 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, San Miguel de Cozumel.
Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday from 8 AM to 9 PM.
Buccanos at Night
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 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.
Address: Playa San Juan Costera Norte km 4.5, San Miguel de Cozumel.
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 6 PM to 10.30 PM.
Casa Mission
Casa Mission is one of the most traditional restaurants on the island, set in a beautiful estate that showcases its colonial past. It specializes in seafood and Mexican cuisine, and they’re so confident in the quality of their plates that they’ve come up with the policy ”if you don’t like it, you don’t pay”.
The restaurant has indoor and outdoor seating areas, and it serves all meals, from breakfast to dinner. It can also be booked to host private events or celebrate special occasions.
Address: 55 Avenida between Avenida Juarez and Calle 1 Sur.
Opening Hours: Daily from 8 AM to 9.45 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 serve some of the best lunch and dinner in Cozumel. 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: Daily 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 on the island.
Address: Ave. Rafael E. Melgar #23, San Miguel de Cozumel , Quintana Roo
Opening Hours: Sunday to Wednesday from 2 PM to 10 PM, and Thursday to Saturday from 2 PM to 11 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 an outdoor seating area, 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 1.30 PM.
Cerveceria Punta Sur Brewery
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, but they also have fresh and delicious food on the menu. Chill in 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, and the best restaurant in Cozumel to hang out with friends and gulp down some local beer.
Address: 10a avenue #220, between Adolfo Rosado Salas st. and 3rd st.
Opening Hours: Daily from 12 PM to 11 PM.
La Cocay
La Cocay is a highly-rated restaurant that specializes in Mediterranean cuisine, with an interesting menu that blends flavors and culinary delights from both Europe and Mexico.
Expect to find fresh seafood, spectacular pasta dishes, a great variety of pizzas, red meats, and scrumptious salads, all of which you can pair with fine wines.
The service is astounding, according to previous customers, and so are the desserts. It’s only open for dinner time.
Address: Calle 8 Nte. Entre 10 y 15 Ave.
Opening Hours: Daily from 4 PM to 11 PM.
Diego’s Tacos
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 cuisine.
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!
Address: Ave 65 and Blvd Antonio Gonzalez Fernandez, San Miguel de Cozumel
Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday from 10 AM to 4 PM. Closed on Sundays.
El Palomar
El Palomar is where you’ll find some of the best seafood in Cozumel. Specialized in local cuisine and located right by the beach, on the west side of the island, it offers the perfect combination to enjoy your tacos and a shot of mezcal with stunning views (even better if you’re there for sunset!)
Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available, and they serve everything from healthy breakfasts to pizza, Mexican lunch and dinners, cocktails, and fancy coffee drinks. Extensive wine and dessert lists are also at your disposal, in case you feel like trating yourself. You’re on vacation after all!
Address: Av. Rafael E. Melgar, Calle 10 Nte, San Miguel de Cozumel.
Opening Hours: Daily from 11 AM to 10 PM.
Kondesa Restaurant
Foodies, you’ll love this one! Kondesa is among Cozumel 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., CSan Miguel de Cozumel.
Opening Hours: Daily from 5 PM to 11 PM.
Taqueria El Pique
There’s no shortage of taco restaurants in any Mexican destination, including Cozumel, and you definitely won’t regret trying the national dish at Taqueria El Pique.
This spot serves authentic tacos with the most traditional fillings (think tacos Al Pastor, Campechanos, Chorizo) as well as fajitas, frijoles, and cheese fondues. Their prices are very competitive, staff is friendly and the service is fast. It’s not the best food in Cozumel for vegetarians, though, as most of the dishes and fillings include meat.
Beer and horchata are the most popular drinks at Taqueria El Pique, although they also offer soft drinks and water.
Address: Pedro Joaquín Coldwell, 10 de Abril.
Opening Hours: Daily from 6 PM to 1 AM.
Tons of options, uh? It never ceases to amaze me how much variety there is in Cozumel 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 restaurant guide is by no means exhaustive, but I hope it gives you an idea of where to eat in Cozumel. Mexico is waiting for you!
Robert Martin
Monday 6th of June 2022
An interesting list, which as a long time visitor and resident I find interesting. Many I see do not belong on a list of Cozumel list and many I see are missing. For example, no way I would include Margaritaville or Casa Denis on a best of Cozumel list. I did like seeing El Coffee, which is often missed.
Steph
Tuesday 7th of June 2022
Hi Robert, thanks for your comment! Which restaurants do you think should be on the list instead? Margaritaville is not my favorite either, way too touristy for my liking, but I know hat like it or not, it's a favorite for many American visitors so that's why I added it to the list!