Machete

Great local spot in Cozumel!! Quesadillas and margaritas hit…read morethe spot for sure!! Service was great and the local vibe was awesome!!

We've visited several times over the years and really enjoyed each experience. We like that many of…read morethe restaurant's patrons are local - it makes us feel less touristy and like we are getting the real local cuisine. My husband usually gets a whole fried fish, but none were available on our last visit so he tried the fish fajitas instead. They were fresh and delicious. I tried the chile relleno and it was one of the best I've had anywhere, which is saying a lot because I love a good chile relleno. The chips and pico de gallo were also fresh and hard to stop eating. And the margaritas are always great. The staff is friendly and efficient, and they have several folks that speak English when out limited Spanish isn't enough. We definitely think it's worth a stop and recommend giving it a try.

Inside

#YelpElite #Yelp #Mexican

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#YelpElite #Yelp #Mexican

Colores y Sabores

4.9(103 reviews)

0.3 km

This is a must go to restaurant if youre a foodie porting from one of the cruiselines in cozumel…read more The restaurant is small with limited seating and will always be packed with customers, so best of luck getting a seat. However, if you do, youre in for the best food made with love and flavor! This is a true hidden gem in the busy overstimulating overselling port of punta langosta

Joyful and friendly environment with outstanding food and drink. Regina has had her place her for 9…read moreyears, and she clearly knows what she's doing! After seeing the great reviews here, we schlepped a couple extra blocks (despite a bit of rain) to visit for lunch. Well worth it. We liked Colores y Sabores so much that we returned on another day. Equally fantastic. The Margaritas (I got Mango) are great. Don't ask for frozen mango margarita because, although they will do it, it lessens the flavor of the fresh mango. Tried it both ways, so I can say for sure, lol. The Beans are something you do not want to miss. Something special about them here. The guacamole and pico de Gallo and chips are the way you'd hope: fresh, crunchy, not greasy and just enough pop. Enchiladas are fantastic - and there are three options for how you can get it. The Mole is outstanding - a little smoky, tons of rich flavor. I rarely order fajitas - but I wanted to go simple one day. Perfect. Tender chicken, and caramelized onions and peppers. Try corn or flour tortillas -- or both, like I did. Another day, I tried the tortilla soup and loved it. Soothing, simple, with strips of chicken and crunchy tortilla. We also got the chicken tacos, which were great. 3, with beans and guacamole on corn tortillas. Our fave, though, was the Chile Relleno. Heavenly. Ground beef stuffed inside and this dish was as satisfying and delicious as anything we encountered on the trip. The Carrot Cake! Definitely recommend that, too. Just sweet enough, and homemade.

Kitchen front

Chile Relleno

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Enchiladas Mole

Los Tacotales

4.6(156 reviews)

0.2 km

There are 2 locations, the other is in Guadalajara. This place is small and away from the tourist…read morezone. So you'll appreciate the non-tourist prices and the authenticity of the food. The staff is very nice, they don't speak much English so be ready to pull out your Spanish. If you don't speak Spanish, then learn. I'll be coming back here next time I'm on the island.

True Mexican mom and pop place. Definitely authentic. We enjoyed the tacos Al pastor. It's straight…read moreforward with no frills, but good

Bar and restaurant areas

Al Pastor tacos

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Pancho's Backyard

4.2(141 reviews)

4.4 km

Delicious and interesting empanadas. Quick and friendly service in a clean atmosphere that felt…read morelike I was in a back yard in Argentina. Will definitely be back.

The one time I chose not to listen to the reviews...I should have trusted my gut instinct and left…read moreafter no one addressed me or offered me a water, minutes after being seated. I ordered the shrimp ceviche and mango margarita. While the ceviche was decent, the mango margarita was terrible. It felt like a waste of money. The taste was off and it was not strong at all. Next time I visit Cozumel, I'll be skipping this place!

Chocolate flan

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Hecho En Mexico

Restaurant la Candela

4.8(20 reviews)

0.6 km

The new favorite restaurant in Cozumel…read more After being horrified by how my old favorite from 20+ years ago has turned into a comically overpriced tourist trap, I asked some workmen out on the street where they would suggest for lunch. La Candela -- just a block or so down a side street -- was the answer. It was an absolutely excellent lunch (specialty dishes of seafood and of breaded stuffed chicken). The service was terrific, and the atmosphere, even on a warm day, was very pleasant, with a breeze through the open window and a grotto looking onto the street -- seaside Mexico at its finest. One diner's food arrived incredibly hot, and the waiter very entertainingly pretended to be about to blast it with a fire extinguisher (he did not -- the diner, a solo traveler reading a book, was very amused, and her food looked great). I'm not in Cozumel as often as I used to be, but if/when I am, this is where I'll be going (and I'll have to try the tacos, which I'm told are even better than the grilled chicken and fish entrees.... and also try the breakfast).

We asked a person for an authentic place to eat. Great…read moreservice. The food was fresh and amazing. Definitely our new spot when we visit.

Mole Chilaquiles

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Mole Enmoladas

Pancho's Backyard

4.3(71 reviews)

0.7 km

•$$$

Stopped by Pancho's Backyard while in Cozumel and it ended up being one of the best meals of the…read moretrip. The chicken mole enchiladas were outstanding -- the mole was a rich chocolate mole with the perfect amount of spice. You could really taste the depth of the sauce, not too sweet, not too spicy, just perfectly balanced and incredibly flavorful. We also tried the shrimp alioli, and that was just as impressive. The shrimp were cooked perfectly and the garlic alioli sauce was rich without being too heavy. Everything tasted fresh and made to order. The atmosphere is beautiful -- lush garden setting, relaxing, and it really feels like you're dining somewhere special rather than just another tourist spot. Service was attentive and friendly the whole time. If you're in Cozumel, this place is absolutely worth a visit. I would go back just for the mole alone.

We went for the New Year's Eve special menu and it was unbelievably disappointing. The vegetarian…read more"New Year's special" listed as Vegetable Cannelloni was not cannelloni at all--no pasta, nothing baked, nothing cooked. It was basically raw cucumber filled with half-cooked white onion and (maybe) spinach, smothered in a white cream sauce. I took one bite and couldn't eat another. Honestly one of the nastiest things I've ever been served at a restaurant. My boyfriend ordered the tortilla soup and it came out cold. The other "courses" were minimal: about three bites of pineapple icee, plus a few pear slices with candied nuts and goat cheese (that part was fine, but nowhere near enough to feel like a real meal). We had one drink, one bottle of water, and with tip the total was around $100. For that price, this was a complete waste of money. 0/10 recommend--very disappointing and we won't be back. Too bad- beautiful building and good service. The food was just gross.

Quesadilla

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Steak tacos

El Palomar

4.3(58 reviews)

0.8 km

This review is for dinner . We have been to Cozumel 7 times . Always enjoyed most of the local…read moreoptions. Visited El Palomar for dinner on this trip after a recommendation from some local friends. El Palomar is located a little north of the ferry dock on the main drag. Directly across from the Jaques Cousteau statue. The building is a charming renovated 100 year old building (very well done). We had drinks on the veranda overlooking the sea at sunset. Margarita was the best I have had in Cozumel and the view of the sunset from the veranda was great. We retired into the main restaurant for dinner . The food was on point. My wife had the grilled Mahi And I had the skirt steak. Both cooked just right and served with a side of salad,mixed veggies and potato. The service was professional and unhurried. Wine selection also very good. Price was very reasonable for this nice of a place. This was probably the best experience at a restaurant that we have had in Cozumel.

Good atmosphere and service for drinks. Did not try the food. We sat at the sidewalk with drinks to…read morewatch the Ironman

Sunset view at the bar

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Casa Mission

4.6(196 reviews)

1.1 km

This place is magical ! What a retreat ! Juan the manager has been there over 30 years as some of…read morethe waiters. From fresh guacamole made at your table to the I credible soups for appetizers, and the grilled lobster !! My favorite restaurant anywhere ! Added bonus they have mariachi s that play for a few bucks tip that have also been there for 30 years. They also have added several big tables in the garden and they take reservations, and wow the drinks are great ! I am very picky about my margaritas being from texas and they are wonderful here and strong ! If you're going to Cozumel this is a must !

After a Tequila Tour our guide recommended Casa Mission and made reservations for 12 on the drive…read moreto the restaurant. Beautiful garden scenery as you walk up to the entrance of the restaurant which we were told its an actual home. The food was good and the service was good especially with a large party of 12 to accommodate. The Coconut Shrimp were large and cooked well. Served with a coconut dipping sauce. Mexican Coke for the win!! On the day we were there a Mariachi band was playing and even taking request

Hall

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Courtyard to restaurant.

Cielito Lindo

4.5(95 reviews)

0.1 km

Terrific food, intimate vibes, just a couple of blocks off the main touristy beach road. It's not a…read morelarge restaurant, maybe 5-7 tables total, along with some outdoor seating if weather allows. That said, they weren't that busy when we arrived, and we were immediately seated. They have a couple of great regional Yucatan dishes here, like the Molcajete and the Cochinita. San Miguel de Cozumel is admittedly not the most beautiful or interesting Mexican city to do touristy stuff in, so it was a treat to find some great regional cuisine to try. I was with a group, so we ordered the Molcajete (basically, mixed grilled meats in a stew), ceviche, and cochinita (stewed pulled pork), along with tortillas. All of it was great. The sauces, from the salsa to the stew broths to the ceviche sauce, were all terrific. There was mention that they dishes were spicy, but in the end, none of the stuff was super-spicy. Furthermore, the spicy stuff was often a salsa served on the side, or a whole roasted pepper that wasn't integrated into the dish, so you could calibrate your spiciness to your taste. Bathrooms: Basic, but clean and functional.

We were here for dinner on a Christmas Eve, when we walked in at 6:45pm, not much guest. But later,…read morethe place is fully filled up. We get to sit outside on the street, with scooters cars even dump trucks drives pass our table. Interesting experience. Food is good, service is prompt, the bone marrow thing is interesting, first time i tried in this way, in a taco, also grilled. I had their fish, and others had their BBQ plate for two and two ordered holier pork shank. All good! Price is reasonable.

Cielito Mexican cuisine

Fajitas with beef, red and yellow peppers!

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Spicy Passionfruit Margaritas

Crazy King Burrito

4.9(97 reviews)

0.5 km

We LOVED our burritos and service was super friendly. This is strictly burritos but they are…read moreexcellent. The tortilla was super light and crisp. I had the chipotle beef burrito which had just enough heat for me. My husband had the chipotle chicken which has the perfect sear. His margarita was average though. The young waitress said they specialize in shrimp burritos so if we ever come back I'd try it.

Love this place. Family business. Great customer service. Burritos are the best. Down side is…read morecost. Will still get these burritos but my small was $10 and my wife's King Burrito was about $20. That's more expensive than in the states! Great burritos though. Just be aware of the price.