The Best Places to Eat in Cozumel, Mexico

If you’re staying in Cozumel, chances are likely that you’re staying at a resort that at least has a handful of restaurants on-site. However, if you’re staying at a boutique property or in a homestay, you might not have such easy dining options. Additionally, sometimes you just want to get out and explore the local cuisine.

So, where are the best spots to go, to eat off-resort in Cozumel, Mexico? Check out these favorites.

Ix Kool is a well-regarded local restaurant is both one of the favorited fine-dining restaurants on the island, as well as one of the only places to try truly authentic Mayan cuisine.

Featured in an array of travel publications and winning a multitude of accolades, you’ll want to make your reservations in advance if you hope to snag a table here. Expect traditional recipes such as sikilp’aak’, a Mayan appetizer that’s specific to the region, made with roasted tomatoes, garlic and pumpkin seeds, or the ancestral Yucatan beans with pork.

Photo courtesy of https://ix-kool.com/en/

If fine dining isn’t really your thing, you might want to make tracks for Diego’s Tacos.

The casual, open-air eatery isn’t much to look at it (you’re pretty much just sitting at a few tables beneath an awning) but visitors rave about the tacos. Plus, the eatery is close to the airport, so it’s sa nice spot to stop either as soon as you arrive, if you’re starving and craving something authentic and Mexican, or if you’re looking to grab a convenient bite on your way home. Don’t miss the shrimp tacos, a crowd favorite.

Photo courtesy of https://diegos-taco.negocio.site/

Bajau Steakhouse and Seafood Grill is just a short block away from downtown and the ferry dock.

You’ll find all your favorite steakhouse classics, but also a few unexpected items on the menu, as well as a few internationally inspired dishes. Entrée options include seafood, tacos, burgers, salads and soups, steak and other grilled items.

Photo courtesy of https://www.facebook.com/bajaucozumel

Another super-casual option, Restaurant El Moro is called a hidden gem, more for expats and those few travelers who have stumbled upon it, rather than the tourist hordes.

The small menu includes some seafood, grilled eats, Mexican classics and beers and margaritas to wash it all down.

Looking for a restaurant with a view? You’ve found it at Novena Ola which sits on the rooftop of the Cozumel Museum.

The high-end menu focuses on coastal flavors and seafood, and the restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and a happy hour. For lunch and dinner, expect a nice selection of seafood, salads, pasta and tacos. For breakfast, expect breakfast classics like frittatas and omelets, but all with a Mexican-inspired twist.

Photo courtesy of https://novenaola.com/gallery/

Need More?

Need more ideas for where to go and what to do while in Cozumel? Get everything you need to plan your perfect trip, with the Discovery Map Cozumel, Mexico guide. You’ll find more restaurant recommendations, as well as lots of tips for what to do while on the island, what hotel to book and more.