100% Natural

Ave Sunyaxchen 63, Cancún, 77500 998-884-0102

Description: DOWNTOWN. Vegetarian visitors to Cancún don't have to settle for just rice and beans, especially if they select 100% Natural as their dining destination. This trendy restaurant serves fresh fruit, yogurt and granola, salads, and a variety of soups. Although burgers are available, the focus is definitely more toward the health-conscious. For dessert, patrons can cool off with some sugar-free ice cream.
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Checándole

Xpuhil Ave No. 6, Mercado 28, Cancún, 998-884-7147

Description: ZONA HOTELERA. Mexican style home cooking, and fast! What it lacks in atmosphere, Checándole more than makes up for in food quality and affordable prices. A great place to fill up on tacos, tampiqueña, enchiladas, guisados and beans.
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Club Grill

Retorno del Rey 36, Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Cancún, 77500 998-881-0808

Description: ZONA HOTELERA. Elegance and refinement are distinct qualities of Club Grill, which offers a Continental menu that mixes world favorites with a little local flavor. The tasteful décor features wood trimmings and an anteroom furnished with comfortable couches where customers can relax with a cocktail and Cuban cigar before dinner. Entrées like grilled lamb and peppered scallops are top menu choices, and those looking for a touch of Mexican cuisine will not be disappointed by the bean and lentil soup spiced by habañero chili.
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El Cejas

Mercado 28, Cancún, 77500 998-887-1080

Description: DOWNTOWN. When you're in Cancún, it's easy to get caught up in the festive atmosphere and maybe overdo it a little. If you find yourself in this scenario, then pull it together and head to El Cejas for lunch and their renowned cocktail, Vuelva La Vida (Return to Life). After you rejoin the world of the living, settle in for some of the best and freshest seafood in the city. Favorites include ceviche, a piquant seafood cocktail, shrimp soup, and, of course, the grilled fish selections.
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El Shrimp Bucket

Blvd Kukulcan, km 5, Cancún, 77500 998-883-1722

Description: ZONA HOTELERA. You may not have to use your imagination to guess the specialty of the Shrimp Bucket, but the restaurant's chefs waste no creativity in coming up with ways to serve you this fruit of the sea. The spectacular view of the lagoon only makes seafood lovers' mouths water for the shrimp, fish fillets, lobster, octopus and oysters Rockefeller covered with melted cheese. The three-chili shrimp is another favorite that keeps patrons returning for more.
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Hacienda Sisal

Blvd Kukulcán, km 13.5, Cancun, 998-848-8220

Description: ZONA HOTELERA. Not all Mexican food is about tacos and burritos. At Hacienda Sisal, like at most of the area's Mexican restaurants, you can get lobster and shrimp enchiladas or chicken fajitas, but you could opt for something a tad more unusual, like sautéed mushrooms with guajillo chiles and tequila, or filet mignon with a kicky three-chile sauce, or tamarind shrimp. After your meal, head next door for a lively evening of dancing and live music. Alternatively, choose the dinner-show combo, which includes a buffet meal and a fun folk music and dance production.
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La Destilería

Blvd Kukulcán, km 12.6, Kukulcán Plaza, Cancún, 77500 998-885-1087

Description: ZONA HOTELERA. When people think of Mexico, they may picture sunny beaches, haciendas, and sombreros, but the owners of La Destilería have some other images to highlight-excellent Mexican cuisine and tequila. Start with a dish like spiced corn soup or stuffed pastries that feature chicken, cream cheese, and mushrooms. After you've had your fill, head to the bar and ask for a margarita created with one of the more than a hundred tequilas on hand. If you're not interested in at least sampling some of the country's finest concoctions, at least visit the tequila museum located inside the restaurant.
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La Habichuela

Margaritas 25, Cancún, 77500 998-884-3158

Description: DOWNTOWN. For over 20 years, La Habichuela has given patrons one of the best seafood dining experiences in Cancún. The restaurant's soft lights and music set a romantic mood, but even lovers consumed with each other will have a hard time pulling their attention away from dishes like shrimp in a ginger and mushroom sauce. A couple of other favorites include lobster in a curry sauce and Crema La Habichuela (string bean soup). Ask to sit in the garden area for a particularly romantic setting.
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La Parrilla

Ave Yaxchilán 51, Cancún, 77500 998-287-8119

Description: DOWNTOWN. When visitors and locals go in search of a festive Mexican meal, they usually end up at La Parrilla. The restaurant features a large salon and terrace, festive colors, and fountains, and those wanting a little variety can order a margarita mixed from one of 50 different tequila brands. One menu favorite is tacos al pastor, which is made with pineapple, pork and salsa, and other Mexican staples are served with handmade tortillas. Plenty of seafood choices and steak are also available. Live mariachi music begins at 8:00pm.
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Labná

Margaritas 29, Cancún, 998-892-3056

Description: DOWNTOWN. The specialized cuisine of the Yucatan is Labná's forte. If you've never had this colorful cuisine before you're in for a treat. The menu is divided into two sections, Yucatecan dishes and Mexican haute cuisine ­ be adventurous! Start off with lime soup (similar to the more familiar tortilla soup but livelier) or papdzules (corn tortillas stiffed with boiled eggs and smothered with pumpkinseed sauce). Move on to pibil (pork with achiote, baked in banana leaves) or Maculam fish (baked in foil with hoja santa). If you visit for lunch, you can sample several different flavors from the buffet.
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Laguna Grill

Blvd Kukulcán, km 15.6, Cancún, 77500 998-885-0267

Description: ZONA HOTELERA. Careful tile work, aquariums, and tropical hardwoods highlight the interior of this open air lagoon-side restaurant, known for its innovative fusion cuisine. The menu changes frequently but global influences are always in evidence in dishes such as Thai duck satay, asparagus salad over tomato and goat cheese tart, shrimp egg rolls and spicy fish tacos. And those are just the appetizers! A wide variety of seafood is always on the menu, along with grilled steaks and a few pastas. The bar is trendy and perfect for pre- or post-dinner drinks.
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Los Bisquets de Obregón

Ave Nader 9, Centro Comercial Forum by the Sea, Cancún, 77500 998-887-6876

Description: DOWNTOWN. Los Bisquets de Obregón opens its doors just as the sun comes up to give diners a breakfast selection with a regional flare. Try eggs sunny-side up and tomato sauce on tortillas (called huevos rancheros) or add any number of toppings to your tortillas-you are in Mexico, after all. Located in an ideal downtown location, this café also offers a luncheon counter for a quick bite and a comfy décor for a nice relaxing cup of café con leche.
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Paloma Bonita

Blvd Kukulcán, km 9, Dreams Cancun Resort & Spa, Cancún, 998-848-7000

Description: ZONA HOTELERA. If you're ready to experience a variety of Mexican dishes, then make sure you dine at Paloma Bonita. Divided into sections corresponding to different states of Mexico (Jalisco, Michoacán and Oaxaca), diners can come here several nights a week and never get the same taste twice. The poblano chilies stuffed with lobster and mushrooms are a good choice any time, and dishes made with various mole sauces (usually prepared with sweet or spicy ingredients) really emphasize authenticity.
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Perico's

Ave Yaxchilán 61, Cancún, 998-884-3152

Description: DOWNTOWN. Diners can literally "saddle up" to the bar at Perico's because the bar stools, well, have saddles on them. This lively atmosphere is perfect for group lunches or just groups in general. Waiters dress as Mexican zapatas (revolutionaries), and diners are routinely treated to entertaining performances by magicians and mariachi bands. The food is the typical Mexican fare, and the mole sauce (usually made with flavorful ingredients such as cinnamon, cloves and garlic and served with turkey or chicken) purports to be some of the best in Cancún.
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Rainforest Café

Blvd Kukulkan, km 9, Forum by the Sea, Cancún, 77500 998-881-8130

Description: ZONA HOTELERA. Rainforest Café ensures that each diner gets a meal just to their liking by offering Mexican, Caribbean, and Asian dishes. Patrons can go from standards like pizza and cheese sticks to Caribe chicken, Brazilian fish entrées, and the Brit favorite, fish and chips. The extensive salad menu also gets raves. Another attraction that brings diners here is the realistic rainforest that serves as the backdrop. Waterfalls, luxuriant vegetation, and even a few animals (don't worry, they're just animatronics) surround diners to make the restaurant truly unique.
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Tacolote

Av Cobá 19, Cancún, 998-887-3045

Description: DOWNTOWN. Since El Tacolote is located on the mainland, it's a bit less expensive than similar eateries in the Hotel Zone. But it certainly doesn't rank lower in any other respect! They serve traditional Mexican food, perfectly seasoned and fresh, with house-made salsa and totopos. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu, really, but try the parrillada or alambre tacos.
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