Must try: Authentic Mayan Cooking Class in Cozumel! Why: We had an incredible time learning more about ancient Mayan dishes, ingredients, and culture. Juan and the entire team made the experience interactive and fun. We got to laugh and learn while making various dishes like Sikil Pak, Corn Tortillas, and Panuchos. The cooks also made additional dishes for us to try and one of our favorites was Lima Sopa. We washed it all down with refreshments like Chaya Water. We absolutely loved our experience! read more

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Cozumel recommendation: Last week we were in Cozumel for my husband's birthday and he chose Ix-Kool for his birthday dinner. Being in the Royal Shopping Center by the cruise ship pier made me skeptical but how wrong I was. We are regular eaters of Mayan food here and in Valladolid, and this is some of the best we've had! We started with sikil p'aak made table side and served with fresh made tortillas. This was SO GOOD! I then had the pibil mushroom panuchos, so flavorful and meaty! Hubby got the pipian pork, which he thoroughly enjoyed. Their cocktails were great too-especially the pineapple margarita Service was fantastic. The space itself has a modern vibe but the chef is definitely sticking to traditional flavors. They apparently also have cooking classes. We definitely recommend a meal here if you are in the area! read more

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Probably one of the most interesting and culinarily unique dining experiences I've ever had. The staff was so incredibly warm and friendly... and so enthusiastic about Mayan cuisine. Everything we ordered was good, but the dishes that stood out were the "pork in black stuffing" and the "papadzules." The pork was a unique stew broth made up of 21 charred ingredients native to the region. It was just so pleasant and really gives you that cozy feeling. The Papdzules were also just so different, but also familiar in that it reminded me of enchiladas... but didn't taste like them. I can highly recommend this place. If you eat at one place in Cozumel, make it Ix Kool!! The one thing, please note that the address on Yelp (as of now) is not correct. They're inside the royal village shopping center. read more

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Took a break from our 22 yearly visit for the past 2 yrs because of COVID. So many new restaurants to try. Ix Kool hidden away in a strip mall, South of Cozumel, hopefully will be recognized, because it's a hidden gem! Specializing in Mayan cuisine, small menu though but fantastic dishes, so good, we went 2 times. The service was excellent, the restaurant decor was trendy modern, open kitchen, very clean. If it is a concern, they follow temperature checks along with requiring hand sanitizing before checking in. Both times cocktails are fantastic. Food ordered: table-side made Guacamole, Fried Octopus with Garlic Tostada, Lime Soup, Conchinita Pibil Tacos, Conchinita Pibil Panuchos, Pipian Pork and Beans with Pork. The complimentary Trio of Salsas and Chips were fantastic. All came out hot, fresh with nice presentation and tasting delicious. Nice extra: they have Mall parking in the back. An added bonus addition for all those from out of MX, you can make reservations on Opentable for them and it is honored. Atmosphere: open modern fresh, clean. Service: excellent. Food: excellent. read more

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Wow is all I have to say. I travel to Tulum, Playa, and Cozumel quite often, and finding great food is at the top of my list. I am part owner of three big restaurants in Los Angeles, so I know a few things about good food. Over the years, in all of Cozumel, I have found three restaurants that make me want to go back every time I'm there. Let me say that Ix Kool is definitely one of them. And not just the food, but the experience of how everything is made fresh in front of you with an explanation of everything makes this visit an experience to remember. Our waiter, Juan, was hands down as good as they come--professional in every way and went above and beyond to provide an awesome experience. I can truly say that this was the most authentic, true Mayan food experience I have ever had. To top it off, everything from the tortilla to the salsa was made from scratch right in front of you. If you are in Cozumel, I promise you this needs to be a must on your list. Just a tad outside the busy part of town, but nothing of a drive for the kind of experience and food you will get. read more

It's way past due time to send some love to Manuel and his team behind this amazing restaurant. I apologize to the group because we visited back in August 2021, and I'm barely getting to this now. That's how memorable the restaurant is. We had the pleasure of staying across the street, so it wasn't difficult to find the location within the shopping center. This is some amazing Mexican and Mayan food - there aren't many more words to say than that. The menu is admittedly brief but offers awesome food. We went to the restaurant twice. Manuel was so cool and welcoming to us, and even threw on a few extra treats to say thanks for coming. Some must-try items: beans with pork, ceviche, and the cochinita pibil. read more

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Amazing service and incredible Food! Authentic Mayan food so fresh and tasty with lots of flavors. We absolutely love our experience and it was far away our best dimer during our stay in this beautiful island Do not hesitate to try the tostada maya, the limon soup, the Chaya and cheese Pattie's, the silky Paak and the Cochinitas Pibil Panuchos. The cocktails are delicious with or without alcohol. They have also cooking classes Do not miss this place ..!! A GEM read more

Had a great meal here as we were craving some authentic Mayan cuisine. Our server, Alejandro, was spot on with his recommendations. We ordered the guacamole to start, and it was a huge serving and freshly made, coming with 3 additional dipping sauces and tortilla chips. We then had the pipian pork, which was a nice stewed pork that has a tasty sauce, coming with handmade tortillas. The tortillas were excellent, and very flavorful with a great texture you normally don't find. We then had the tacos and panuchos of pibil pork. I never had a panuchos before, but it is a black bean filled tortilla that is fried, giving it a crunchy taste that really hits the mark. Finally, we finished with the cornbread with coconut ice cream, that was very nice. Overall, an excellent meal and value here in Cozumel for Mayan cuisine. read more

We stumbled upon this place while visiting some shops. Extremely clean, staff all wore masks and gloves and wiped down everything including the top of our Coke cans. The food was SO GOOD. The molcajeteada was prepared table-side with fire-roasted veggies and was better than any salsa I've had back in America. I had the Cochinita pibil tacos and he had panuchos. Both were delicious and left us satisfied. We would happily have paid more than we did, but the prices were as good as the food. In the front of the Restaurant they had a nice selection of some artisan-crafted souvenirs that were less "cheesy" than some of the gift shops, including some local chocolate, mole mix, woven items, and small carved animals. read more

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Restaurant was clean and taking health/safety protocols seriously. Our server was friendly and took time to explain each dish. You could tell that he was very proud of his culture and more proud to share it with us. We started with table side guacamole which we absolutely loved. We then shared the Pipian Pork (no knife required, super tender pork in a very flavorful broth/stew) served with home made tortillas and the Cochinatas Pibil Panuchos (crunchy tortillas stuffed with beans and topped with pork, pickled onions, and avocado). We finished with their Cornbread dessert which is served with coconut ice cream. If you are in Cozumel, I highly recommend you come here for a meal. If you're on a cruise ship, it's a 5 minute walk. You won't be disappointed. read more

Ix Kool - Cochintas Pibil Panuchos - Specialty Food Near Me - San Miguel de Cozumel, ROO

Aug 14, 2021, In an empty almost abandon outdoor mall this doesn't look like it would be any good. The service is 5 star, the food is 5 star this is a gem of the island. The place itself is beautiful the minimalist decor, with clean bathrooms upstairs. Cochinita Pibil is the best I ever had, sorry Rick Bayles. Sikilp aak was like nothing I had experienced. delish check out the beautiful gardens and natural springs at the mall -- turtles and other wildlife. read more

Absolutely phenomenal food, the most welcoming staff (thank you Juan and Alex!), I echo the other reviews, what an incredibly hidden gem. The Sikil P'aak, Cochinita Pibil Panuchos, ceviche, all great. The salsas have distinct flavors and some have a spice kick if you want it! Beautiful restaurant tucked away off the street. Great drinks too (love the Mayan Pineapple Margarita). I rarely post reviews but this place deserves to be tried. Outstanding. read more

Ix Kool - Cochinita Pibil Panuchos - Specialty Food Near Me - San Miguel de Cozumel, ROO

Ix Kool is a small place near the Royal Caribbean terminal. The menu has lots of great choices prepared in traditional local ways. We tried several delicious dishes suggested by our server and we were not disappointed. Drinks include standard items plus some unique choices. Staff are friendly and very helpful with the menu. Hope we can go back and try some of the other dishes. read more

We really enjoyed the Mayan cooking class! The video they showed with the preparation was interesting and well-done, Paco did a great job explaining the ingredients and leading us through various preparations, and the food was delicious (every single item!). It was fun preparing several of the dishes together. We also learned a bit about Mayan history and culture. We'll be back for dinner some day. The restaurant itself is nicely decorated, and we want to try more of the dishes! read more

Fantastic hidden gem. We sat outside and so enjoyed this authentic Mayan food! Must try the octopus tostadas.

The food was excellent and the staff was all very friendly and helpful. My favorite was the panucho de pollo.. I will be craving that! Looking forward to returning. read more

Awesome restaurant! I feel like all the Mexico food I had before ( from Houston ) are fake ones! What is more, these dishes make me thinking about Maya ppl , how did they make food and what was their tastes ? read more

Nothing horrible with the food, it was mid to average at best. But, there were way too many people and not enough workers. They got our order messed up so many times and some of the time the food didn't even come. It was infuriating especially because we were actually hungry. Don't come here. I dont understand the 5 star average. read more

THIS RESTAURANT DESERVES 3 MICHELIN STARS!!!!! The quality of food is incredible. The authenticity and the quality of service compare to no other. Juan was our waiter today and he made my husband and I's time here very very memorable! If you are ever in Cozumel you need to come to Ix Kool located at the Royal Village Plaza next to the Hard Rock Cafe! Thank you Juan for a memorable night and Ix Kool for the amazing food!! COMIDA RICA!! QUE VIVA MEXICO! read more

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Located within the Royal Villa shopping mall so was a little hard to find but totally worth the search. Food was outstanding and service was friendly and attentive. Had the guacamole and Chaya with cheese -both delicious. Washed it down with an IxKool Haa and my spouse had a pineapple margarita -both very tasty. We shared an entree of the chochinta public tacos which were so flavorful. Ended meal with the cornbread and coconut ice cream. I need this recipe! We will be back upon our next trip to Cozumel! read more

Best food in Cozumel HANDS DOWN! Everything was so fresh and the experience was incredible. It's a must!

Great food and cool guides. Learned a lot about Mayan food. Clean and well decorated venue.

This place is hands down the best Mexican food that we had while staying in Cozumel. The octopus tostado was beyond incredible! I will go to this restaurant every time that we are back in Cozumel! The service was phenomenal, and their Covid measures stood out above all other establishments. read more

We went here based on reviews. Every part of our experience was great. I recommend the margaritas Sikil aak and conchita Pibil. Juan was great at making our dinner special. read more

They take serious precautions to make you feel safe during covid. Thats just a bonus because the food is absolutely amazing. Their HOSEMADE tortillas are to die for. They make the guacamole right in front of you. Everything is delicious and everything is fresh 10/10 recommend. read more