Although there is many wonderful options to choose, in this list you will find our personal suggestions of restaurants we eat regularly. We hope that you come to enjoy the food they serve as much as we do!
To begin the day:
MANGATA
Breakfast, lunch, juices, smoothies & coffee.
CONTACT:
Facebook page
T: +52 (998) 871 0410
Price Range $$-$$$
A savory & sweet breakfast & lunch spot! Try the Mangata eggs Benedict!! the hollandaise sauce is off the charts!! They also have a huge menu of different fresh juices and smoothies! Every detail from the wood platter with the bread served on to the large sized cappuccino/coffee, decor made for a comfortable setting! Welcoming and attentive staff and mouthwatering food. They have a couple of vegan and vegetarian options.
LOCATION:
About 3 block south of Casa Palma on Ninos Heroes, next to John Gray’s Kitchen.
HOURS:
8:00 Am to 5:00 Pm / Closed Monday
EL NICHO
Breakfast, brunch & coffee.
CONTACT:
Facebook page
T: +52 (998) 998 253 2667
Price Range $$-$$$
Popular breakfast spot located in the heart of Puerto Morelos, El Nicho serves organic egg dishes, eggs Benedict, they also serve omelettes, waffles and chilaquiles (eggs and savory green or red sauce served over tortilla chips) and organic coffee from Chiapas, please try the coffee with chile, it’s delicious!. You can enjoy a delicious breakfast, brunch or lunch while looking at the park or at the back in their terrace. Vegetarians will find good options here.
LOCATION:
South side of the main square.
HOURS:
7:30 am to 2:00 pm / Closed Tuesdays
Located in front of the sea you will be able to enjoy the sea breeze while you enjoy delicious and healthy dishes made with love. Mexican breakfast and healthy Asian fusion lunch, Jazz brunch on Sundays, live music from 11:00 am. In Cafe Layla you will find a wide range of cuisines that guarantee that at least one of their dishes will charm you. The staff are lovely & the atmosphere is laid back and the owners Robin & Steve are great to chat with, they make you feel right at home & will give you suggestions for things to do in the area
LOCATION:
Two blocks south of the square on the ocean side road (Av. Rafael Melgar)
HOURS:
8:00 am to 4:00 pm / Closed Tuesdays
Enjoy a great meal along with a superb ocean view–Puerto has several to choose from. The town’s main square is right next to the pier, and restaurants like La Sirena and Punta Corcho have breezy second-store ocean views and lots of space for groups. Others, like Mar Bella and La Playita, are right on the beach.
Lunch / Seafood
This little place with the sandy floor and no-frills decor has amazing food, great service and good drinks. Ideal for tasting good fresh seafood, they have a wide menu with always fresh ingredients: guacamole, shrimp quesadillas, fish fillet, ceviches and coctails, shrimp, lobster, conch and some house specialities like Mayan style fish. El Pesquero have a good family environment, there are some games for kid’s in the back.
LOCATION:
Av Rafael Melgar, located 50 m to the Left of the Main Dock and lighthouse.
HOURS:
12:00 pm to 8:30 pm / Open daily
MAR BELLA
Raw bar & grill / Fish Market
CONTACT:
Facebook page
Website
T: +52 (998) 121 5085
Price Range $$$
This is the newest addition to the restaurant options. The concept is different, here you make the menu; you pick your seafood (shrimp, lobster, fish, etc) and then choose how they prepare it. The waiters are super friendly and helpful. The place is really nice decor and the location is great, you can’t go wrong with the beach footsteps away from your table. This is one of our favorite places.
LOCATION:
Av Rafael Melgar, located 50 m to the Left of the Main Dock and lighthouse.
HOURS:
12:00 pm to 9:00 pm / Closed Monday
This is a great option for those long sunny beach days, you can walk in straight from the beach and here you will find happy locals having lunch with their toes in the sand. You can choose from a fresh array of fish before they are prepared. Our preferred dishes are the fried fish, the ceviche mixto of fish, octopus, conch and shrimp, and fresh guacamole. All the flavors of the Caribbean. Service is ok.
LOCATION:
On the beach, across the street from the primary school on Av. Rafael Melgar, one Block from the main plaza.
HOURS:
12:00 pm to 8:00 pm / Open daily
Lunch / Dinner
PUNTA CORCHO
Contemporary Mexican seafood
CONTACT:
Facebook page
Website
T: +52 (998) 206 9105
Price Range $$-$$$
One of the best restaurants choices of this quaint little town. Contemporary Mexican food with a touch of traditional cuisine, seafood dominates the menu and where cooking with wood is the main protagonist. Our recommendations are the Fish fillet with corn (esquite style) or the octopus with huitlacoche gorditas, but you can also enjoy lobster pizza, seafood risotto, or one of several wood-fired dishes. The place is located in the second-floor and has an open air dining area, this is the ideal spot to see the beauty of the sea of Puerto Morelos while you enjoy some of their outstanding menu dishes and its mixology bar and mezcal which are perfect to combine with a good fish, by the way the name of Punta Corcho evokes the old name with which Puerto Morelos was known many years ago. Highly recommended.
LOCATION:
Rafael E. Melgar, Southeast corner of the square, in front of the boardwalk, on the second floor above gift shops.
HOURS:
1:00 pm to 11:00 pm / Open daily
Reservation recommended
A culinary delight, the Uruguay-inspired Al Chimichurri. Its quaint, casual atmosphere – coupled with the outstanding cuisine – makes it one of Puerto Morelos’ most popular restaurants. The star cuts are the rib-eyes, tender flank steaks and filet mignon in homemade beef gravy. But even though Al Chimichurri specializes in steaks, you’ll also find fried empanadas, salads, wood-fired pizza, chicken, and several fresh pasta dishes on the menu. Whatever you choose, you can’t go wrong! This restaurant has outdoor seating out in front or in the garden courtyard
LOCATION:
Just south of the Puerto Morelos town square on Rojo Gomez.
HOURS:
5:00 pm to 11:00 pm / Closed Monday
JOHN GRAY’S KITCHEN
Contemporary, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options
CONTACT:
Facebook page
T: +52 (998) 871 0665
Price Range $$-$$$
The restaurant is small and intimate. The food is amazing the the portions are large. Using only the freshest ingredients—from local fruits and vegetables to seafood right off the pier—the chefs work their magic in a comfortable, contemporary setting. The menu changes weekly, but the mouthwatering crab cakes, and pork loin in a Roquefort crust are usually available. The atmosphere is charming outside with a street view and waterfall to be heard in the background. More upscale and pricey; it’s a calm place where to spend a soiree in company with a delicious dinner, and a good choice for “foodies”. They also serve breakfast, but we haven’t tried it yet.
LOCATION:
Niños Heroes, About 3 block south of Casa Palma, on jungle side.
HOURS:
8:00 am to 10:00 pm / Closed Sunday
Reservation recommended during high season.
Delicious homemade pasta with the authentic Italian flavor. Nice restaurant for a quiet dinner, the space is lovely with outside seating area, the atmosphere is cozy and romantic. Fantastic freshly made pasta. This place offers two types of gluten free pasta that can be served with any of their sauces. Good wine selection, and Prices are very reasonable. The owner, Christina is a delight and the staff are warm and helpful.
LOCATION:
One block South of the square on the corner of Av. Javier R. Gomez and Av. Isla Mujeres, across from the Mayan Market.
HOURS:
5:00 pm to 10:30 pm / Closed Tuesday
LA SIRENA
Greek and Multi-Cuisine
CONTACT:
Facebook page
W: www.lasirenapm.com
T: +52 998 254 1314
Price Range $$-$$$
With indoor and outdoor seating overlooking the town square, this place it’s very much like an American bar-restaurant, their extensive menu offers a various array of Mediterranean, International and some Mexican cuisine while utilizing local ingredients. Vegan, vegetarian and gluten free friendly. So many choices on the menu but we like to go there for the Burgers, Mac & Cheese and the Falafel with Tzatziki. They have a lovely rooftop bar/restaurant featuring a view of the town square, ocean, and the lighthouse. There’s live bands weekly. If you go on the weekend, expect to dance.
LOCATION:
Av. Jose Maria Morelos, across from the square and on top of Casa Martin supermarket.
HOURS:
11:30 am to 1:00 am / Open daily
Delicious food in a low-key environment. Originally opened in Cancún, Naiz in Puerto Morelos serves up the same amazing tacos with a modern twist, plus an open-air bar featuring swing set chairs with really good cocktails and a great selection of beers with a “naiz” (nice) touch. Very friendly staff make you feel really welcome; ask for their recommendations! There is a wide array of meat, fish and vegetarian options.
LOCATION:
One block South of the square on Av. Javier R. Gomez.
HOURS:
5:00 pm to 12:00 am / Closed Wednesday
I WANNA PIZZA
Pizza, Vegetarian Friendly
CONTACT:
Facebook page
T: +52 (998) 281 3036
Price Range $-$$
Gourmet pizzas made right away with the best quality ingredients, we assure you the most delicious pizzas of Puerto Morelos, Fresh ingredients and creative combinations. Pizzas are freshly made – thin, crisp crust, they have so many options and such a variety! We suggest you try some of their unique creations too, like the pear caramelized walnut pizza with a hibiscus reduction or the Walfisch with blue cheese, chipotle and mandarin – My favorite!. They will do half and half pizza any way you like plus they deliver!
LOCATION:
About 1.5 blocks south of Casa Palma on Av. Javier Rojo Gómez.
HOURS:
4:00 to 11:00 pm / Closed Monday
THE BURGER UNDERGROUND
Burgers and Fries
CONTACT:
Facebook page
T: +52 (998) 353 8838
Price Range $-$$
If you are craving a burger, you can’t go wrong here. Burgers are fresh, made daily with 100% real ground beef. The meat is juicy and full of flavor, cooked just right, and the bun is lightly crispy and crumbly. Think you’ve eaten a huge burger? Well, think again! Hand cut fries, locally sourced vegetables and house made dipping sauces. They keep their food real and the atmosphere fun. Plus the owner Joe, and his staff, are friendly, fun and helpful too. When you try this place, take a moment to read the menu. They offer a lot of variety and options – even vegan ones.
They also deliver.
LOCATION:
Niños Heroes 28. Across from the famous Crocodiles and Tejones garden.
HOURS:
12:00 pm to 11:00 pm / Closed Tuesday
Off the beaten path
La Colonia (the neighborhood) is a totally different experience than the beach side of Puerto Morelos. Most of the local population lives on this side, you will see a more local living situation with humble homes and tasty and cheap food. It is the real Mexican experience! Below are examples of a few places we encourage you to try. These are places we personally recommend and feel that you will enjoy. The taxi ride is only $40 pesos!
If you want some authentic food, this is one of the places to go. Their dishes are delicious, Veracruz Stye flavors! Their cuisine is based on seafood, and is pretty popular between both locals and visitants, ingredients are fresh and of the best quality. We would recommend the Arroz a la Tumbada, a delicious seafood and rice soup, also the shrimp empanadas and the shrimp cocktail. Typical local restaurant with local people, the menu is in both english and Spanish, their service friendly and prices are fair. Don’t miss the opportunity for a great food experience!
LOCATION:
Av. Timón between Galeón y Velero in Villas I, just north of the “GoMart””store.
HOURS:
10 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. / Closed Monday
It’s a quaint little place, with a delicious menu of regional seafood from Nayarit, Las Koras is the perfect choice if you are searching for something simple and cheap, but delicious and filling. The food is very fresh and flavorful. Try their ceviche tostadas, the Tacos al gobernador and if you are up for some spice you should definitely get the Aguachile, a delicious mix of shrimp, cucumber, chile Serrano and lime. During the weekend you will find it a bit crowded as it’s one of the local’s favorite spots.
LOCATION:
Calle Chaca, West past Chulim 2 – Fruits and vegetable store.
HOURS:
10:00 am to 6:30 pm / Opens daily
Tiny place with the best carnitas – Succulent, slow cooked seasoned pork, shredded and stuffed into tacos. Originally from Michoacan, Mexicans take their Carnitas tacos seriously because it is so mouth wateringly delicious, here the tacos are delicious made with homemade tortillas, they give you a little stand with salsas and it comes with home made chicharrones for dipping, but careful the guacamole type salsa is pretty spicy!
They use all parts of the pork, you can get Maciza (lean meat from the shoulder), costilla (ribs) or if you feel adventurous try the surtida (mixed), cuero (skin), oreja (ear), hígado (liver) and lengua (tong).
LOCATION:
Federal Highway Federal Cancún-PLaya del Carmen (before Punta Arena) Col. Pescadores.
HOURS:
6:00 Am to 11.30 Pm / Opens daily
Dessert
Whatever your weak spot is in the world of desserts, you’ll probably find the ideal option to end your lunch with something sweet while you enjoy day at the beach, or seating at the park enjoying the breeze.
PANNA E CIOCCOLATO
Ice cream & Gelateria
Right on the square, this popular spot famous for their gelato has about two dozen flavors to choose from – standard flavors and some great unique ones, and other cool desserts. The staff is happy to give you samples so you can pick your flavors. This is a must treat while you are in Puerto Morelos. If you like coffee, order it at this place, it’s great here.
LOCATION:
Two locations, one on the north side of the square, on the corner in front of the taxi stand; and the other one north on Av. Rojo Gomez close to Cantina Habanero.
HOURS:
7:00 am to 11:00 pm / Open daily
MARQUESITAS
Rolled crispy crepe
Marquesitas (pronounced: mar-kay-cee-ta) is one of the most delicious creations to come from Yucatan. Typically sold by street vendors, marquesitas bring together two specific ingredients: grated Edam cheese and melted Nutella spread, tightly encased within the confines of a rolled, crispy crepe shell and topped with more hazelnut-chocolate goodness and cheese for good measure. you could order without the cheese, or even with jam or cajeta as the filling instead, but the best are chocolate and cheese.
LOCATION:
You will find the Marquesitas vendor, with a line up, at the central square of Puerto Morelos. This little cart is found daily from 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm
MERENGUES
Beachy Treats
“Merengue, merengue…dulces y merengues” is a phrase you will often hear when you are at the beach in Puerto Morelos; This announces the presence of the candy vendor, walking the beach with the trays on their heads, carrying their delicious sweets: The traditional ones made of coconut chunks in caramel (like coconut brittle), salty or spicy ones made of tamarind, and the sugary meringues with lime, amongst many other delicious treats. Don’t miss the chance to try a bit of everything. The best part is that the prices are really affordable, so you can order a variety and nibble on them all day long.
LOCATION:
Somewhere on the beach 🙂
Is your mouth watering yet? As you could see there are many options to eat; again this list is just our recommended places but feel free to try any other restaurants, and if you think there’s some we should add please let us know, we would love to hear your experience.
And if you are wondering if you would get sick, well, usually when individuals get sick in Mexico it is not from the water or ice but from something they ate – most likely cilantro. We suggest requesting at restaurants (mostly you only need to be concerned with street carts) “Sin Cilantro” (no cilantro) and you don’t have to worry about water or ice, establishments only serve purified water and ice.
Before you leave this page, please take a look of the little things responsible tourists do in Puerto Morelos while eating out in restaurants, help us maintain this little paradise.
Casa Palma, Puerto Morelos 
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