One of our favorite dinners in Holbox. (Probably my second favorite after TacoQueto.) It's pretty simple -- the menu is different everyday, with a few entree options that come with rice and fruit. We got a truly gigantic lobster tail, and a seabass filet. The seabass was great, but the lobster was incredible, and unlike anything we'd be able to access in New York. Also a nice date night-type setting, on top of the great food. read more

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Good spot for dinner in Holbox. Nice atmosphere and friendly to families and couples. The place is known for having no menu, but offering about four entree options, with guests arriving to enjoy whatever is on offer for the evening. The night we were there, the menu choices included white fish (like sea bass) with poblano chilies, a shrimp with chipotle butter, a mixed seafood dish and a steak entree. Nothing was truly spicy. Later, seeing the small open kitchen, we were surprised at all they produced there with one person cooking. When on Holbox, go for the seafood. (It's a fishing village. You can't go wrong.) The chef came to each table to take orders after his business partner greeted us and shared initial details about the set menu. We tried to buy time to ponder the menu, but the chef let us know we had to order immediately. We didn't want to offend the chef and miss a chance at dinner so we obliged, but maybe a little less pressure would have worked better with our vacation pace. Still a nice dinner experience on the island. read more

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Luis is the man! Go there and meet him. Everything is delicious and fresh. And make sure you order a mango margarita

Delicious & fresh! No menus, instead the chef (& owner?) himself comes to your table and describes 4 entree options based on whatever fresh ingredients they were able to procure that day. My husband chose the seafood mix (clams, mussels, shrimp, squid filet of a white fish) in a light broth, I chose dorado over a bed of creamy asparagus purée & celery....both were amazing! We also appreciate a good cocktail, and were very happy with the specials we ordered: a light refreshing (not sweet!) mango, lime, rum concoction was really nice, but our favorite was the mezcal, ginger one! The atmosphere is cozy and authentic, not touristy or kitschy. A must try on Holbox! (PS - we were so hungry, we forgot to take pics of our food, so I added my hastily snapped one of the cute interior) read more

El Chapulim - Cozy, & relaxing inside - Seafood Near Me - Holbox, ROO

We came on our first night in Holbox because we had seen the amazing reviews. We were immediately seated at an open table for 2 in the front, right around 8pm. Shortly after, we were told the four menu choices would be a white fish with a cream sauce, shrimp mixed with avocado, lobster tail with green beans and peanuts, and a filet mignon. We ordered the shrimp and lobster and were blown away by the proportions of the lobster and flavor combinations in both dishes. We wrapped up with cappuccinos and Mexican flan, which was extremely creamy. I would definitely recommend for anyone to come visit if they are in town! read more

El Chapulim - Lobster! - Seafood Near Me - Holbox, ROO

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This is a no menu restaurant. They change their menu every night. The price range is from 350-450 peso for an entree. We tried all 4 different entrees, they were all tasty. We loved the dragonfruit with shrimp and the mix seafood paella. All the seafood were cook perfectly, super tender. Their complimentary is the fruit salad and potatoes. read more

El Chapulim - Seafood Near Me - Holbox, ROO

Spectacular food and experience! Since there is no menu, you must trust that the food will always be fresh and authentic, and it truly doesn't disappoint. The beautiful, cosy and romantic ambiance of the restaurant is only heightened by the delicate flavors of the seafood, the spices, cocktails, and desserts that the chef makes daily. On average our dinner cost around $30/per person, which is a real treat considering all the details which go into this gorgeous restaurant and it's food. A highly recommended experience for anyone who visits Holbox! read more

Suggested by a couple of locals. Wife and I are big foodies. We were told Chef is local and will greet you at table and give you his options for the night. He did indeed greet us and we both ordered. Wine choices were very limited and average at best. I ordered a mixed seafood dish that came out cold. Wife had fish and sauce the Owner/Chef stated "would be best sauce she had ever tasted", far from it! Bland and no taste. We then ordered cheesecake as the same Chef said "will be best cheesecake you have ever had". Once again, very disappointing. Perhaps the chef has not left Mexico or Holbox. We had amazing meals all over Tolum and Holbox. This quite frankly was our most disappointing experience. Proceed with caution! read more

Very disappointing experience. Host started by telling us at the door that they were a very busy and popular restaurant so we'd have to wait for a table (OK--we know, that's why we're here.) The service was just so horribly pretentious that we paid for our cocktails and left without eating. Places like this may very well be what ruins Holbox, which is the least pretentious place ever! read more

Excellent food. Service was amazing, the place is so romantic and charming. I had the catch of the day, which was excellent. This place should not be missed. They also have excellent wines. Best restaurant in Holbox!! read more

Nice ambiance and good music but bland food, and terrible drinks. They did give you big portions, but overpriced.

Excellent service, outstanding meal. Of the 7 or 8 restaurants we tried on Holbox, El Chapolin was the best without question. We came back to Holbox 6 months later and specifically sought out El Chapolin. Again the meal was amazing. Chef comes to the table and gives the four choices for the evening. There were two sides, potatoes and a fruit salad with a vinaigrette dressing. A must visit. Keep in mind they don't take credit cards. read more

Great food wow - you must eat here. Be aware that unfortunately there is a restaurant/bar above that has live music often and the only reason I can't do a 5 star - as the chef gave us the options for the night he apologized for the music - he was not happy but such is this little place, as everyone is trying to do their business and appealing to a vast grouping of different clients from all over the world. Go to dinner early or check to see if the guys above are doing live music that night as it's not every night! BUT the food is crazy good - I live in Dallas and have experienced great food. This is 100% solid and we need to support his efforts ! read more

Best dinner we had in holbox. Food was incredible and fresh, super delicious and unique. After a couple of really disappointing meals on the island this place was a ray of light - seriously. We will definitely come again. And don't miss the desserts! Ours was amazing. read more

One of the best meals of my life; do not miss out on this place!!! We had all four entrees and all were exquisite, especially the grouper.

Not cheap but portions were generous, service was excellent and the fish was fresh and beautifully prepared. Some larger side dishes would have been nice. read more

I love this place. I was in Holbox earlier this year and we tried to eat at this place every night. We couldn't always get in as they are often full. But we have a couple of meals there. Every meal was amazing, especially what ever fish of the day is. Went back for another visit to Holbox last week and this was the first place I wanted to go. We had a big group so we tried everything that was on order for that day including the meat option. Everyone loved it. Again, everyone's favorite was the fish. Great food, good service. read more

Fresh seafood with a good atmosphere. The actual dishes were not that impressive and the seafood broth was bland. A review from April 2016 had the same menu I had in June 2017. Doesn't seem like a changing menu. read more

I truly feel bad giving any place on Holbox a negative review, but there are a few reasons for this one, there is so much potential for an amazing chef-centric restaurant on this island. Firstly, the whole "4 things on the menu, restaurant closes when the food runs out" thing made me think it would be pretentious but we were curious and wanted to try it, clearly didn't want to risk culinary FOMO! Server was nice and attentive, but upon us ordering two entrees of mixed seafood he felt the need to stress that it was expensive (500 pesos a plate) First came two small dishes of plain rice and carrots and a fruit salad, it was the blandest of preludes to what was coming next. The 500 peso seafood entrees contained some of the saddest looking mariscos I have ever seen, swimming in a tasteless watery broth, nothing like the amazing seafood found elsewhere on the island. Ever had the feeling you've been had? I hate to say it but - don't believe the hype. read more

We had a great meal here. I had the fish w cream sauce & boyfriend had the shrimp avocado dish. Everything was fresh. Chef coming out to take your order was a nice touch. read more