Where to Eat in Cancun
From someone who has been going there for over 20 years
Cancun has a special place in my heart. My family has been going almost yearly for the past 20 years. What makes this vacation destination different from others, is that it truly feels like a home away from home. Because we’ve been going for so long, and to the same hotel, we’ve gotten to know the staff hotel really well and we have all our favorite spots locked in.
Going on vacation here, is very different from going to a city like Paris or Madrid. This is a beach vacation. For us, this means our schedule looks pretty much the same every day. We get breakfast, chill by the beach, get lunch, chill by the pool, then get ready for drinks and dinner. Then we do it all over again the next day. It’s a perfect family vacation as you can really bond with your people. One of our favorite things to do is play games while getting a pre-dinner drink. This trip we really loved playing Mille Bornes. And of course the food is a always a highlight.
Here are my favorite places to eat in Cancun.
Breakfast at The Kempinski
Like I mentioned, my family has been going to the same hotel for all these years. Until 2022, this was the Ritz-Carlton, which was then taken over by The Kempinski. Luckily for the guests, most of the staff and menu has remained the same. The staff here are some of the most kind-hearted people you will meet. And the breakfast has to be one of the top 3 hotel breakfasts I’ve had. There is a daily brunch buffet with freshly made tortillas, meats, and all sorts of Mexican delicacies. There are fresh green juices and wellness shots. And you can also get a la carte items made fresh to order. There are no bad bites here.
Puerto Madero
Puerto Madero is the closest restaurant to The Kempinski (we walk there whenever we go) and also one of my favorites. It’s an Argentinian steakhouse with an incredible patio with a view of the Nichupté lagoon. Highly recommend coming here for sunset to take full advantage of the view. Highlights are the proveleta cheese (a thick slab of cheese that has been grilled and is served with tortillas to make the best quesadillas table side), the caesar salad (prepared tableside), any of the beef cuts, the papas souffle (puffed potatoes that rival the best french fry) and for dessert - crepes suzette (also made table side).
Taboo
Taboo is a Mediterranean restaurant and a night club experience all in one. If your dinner reservation is on the earlier side, you won’t get the full experience which includes a live saxophone player. The thing that makes Taboo different from other similar restaurants in the area is that the food is actually incredible. Every single thing we ordered was delicious. But the table favorite was the tomahawk which was flambéed table side. This is a great spot whether you’re on a date night, with family, or even on a bachelor or bachelorette party.
Porfirio’s
Porfirio’s specializes in upscale Mexican food with both traditional and modern flavors. Porfirio’s also has a fun night life vibe to it, not as crazy as Taboo, but more so than any typical restaurant in the U.S. There are sparklers, live music, and celebrations happening at every other table. Some of my favorite bites here are the Mexican beef stew and literally all the meats. Mexico just knows how to do beef right. For dessert, the churros are a must.
Honorable mention
The Yucatan Ceviche (octopus, shrimp, and fish marinated in fresh lime juice, onion, cilantro, and tomato) from the Kempinski beach side restaurant is something I look forward to every year. It’s simply perfection. And a new find this year were the lunch fajitas which come with beans, guacamole, cream, and tomatoes. SO GOOD.
There you have it! My favorite places to eat in Cancun.
Until next time,
M