10 Best Local Restaurants in Cancun

Parque de las Palapas is the perfect place to rub shoulders with locals as you scoff down authentic Mexican fare. This lively open-air food court houses a slew of hawkers, each offering a unique take on the country’s celebrated cuisine. From tacos to tamales and torta ahogada (salsa-drowned sandwich), you’ll find it all here – and at rock-bottom prices.

Most vendors start serving early, and local families enjoy kid-friendly activities throughout the day. At night, Parque de las Palapas comes alive as live musicians take the stage and Mariachi bands meander around the crowd. Grab some tequila to wash down your quesadillas and watch the action unfold. 

Restaurante Marakame is a Cancun landmark that lures hungry locals in search of a good value meal. The mid-range restaurant features a charming terrace where patrons enjoy succulent grilled meats. Of course, you’ll also find all your usual Mexican favourites on the menu – tacos, burritos, and more. If you’re feeling famished first thing in the morning, order the hearty breakfast buffet.

While Restaurante Marakame does fantastic Mexican food, it’s equally popular among the locals for its well-priced international fare. The pizzas, steaks, and desserts are divine – plus much, much cheaper than those touristy restaurants in the Zona Hotelera.

Restaurante La Habichuela is a Cancun institution and is the spot to go for an upmarket Mexican feast. The long-standing favourite has been serving Mexican and Caribbean classics for 4 decades, earning a legendary reputation among the local crowd. Seafood is the core focus here – give their signature dish, cocobichula (lobster and shrimp curry served in a coconut), a try.

If it’s not too hot, opt to dine in the tree-lined patio, where fairy lights and wrought-iron chairs set an elegant scene. Although pricier than most of the other great local restaurants in Cancun, its refined regional cuisine is well worth the splurge.

Restaurante Margely Mariscos serves some of the city’s best-value seafood plus a multitude of other mouthwatering Mexican treats. Located in the buzzing Mercado 28, this widely popular casual restaurant is a hit with local shoppers and vendors.

If you don’t fancy sinking your teeth into seafood, the conchinita pibil (slow-roasted pork) and sopa de lima (lime soup) are divine. Portions tend to be on the larger side, so come hungry to get the bang for your buck. Either way, speedy service means you won’t wait long to get your fix.

La Parrilla has been serving authentic Mexican cuisine to its loyal local clientele since 1975. Every day, the sizeable salon-style dining hall packs out with hungry patrons, who come to enjoy the selection of tasty traditional Mexican dishes. Don’t miss their tacos al pastor, a refreshing blend of pineapple, pork, and salsa served in a handmade tortilla.

The venue adopts a festive vibe at night, with mariachi bands taking the stage from 8 pm onwards. Delicious frozen margaritas made from one of 50 types of tequila ensure the celebrations continue well into the night.

El Rinconcito de Puebla means the “people’s corner,” and this local Cancun restaurant lives up to its name. Superb smoothies, tasty tacos, and a marvellous menu del dia (lunch special) lure ravenous locals and the odd traveller to this unpretentious haunt. What’s more, the prices are entirely reasonable given the quality of the cuisine.

Although all the dishes here are outstanding, the enchiladas are our pick of the bunch. Plus, most staff speak English, so you won’t have to learn charades when it comes time to order. Look for the bright-blue building just past Parque de las Palapas.

Taqueria Coapenitos is a hip Centro haunt specializing in tasty tacos – some say they’re the best in town. The casual mid-range eatery serves multiple mouthwatering tortilla-filled creations, each sold separately so you can sample a wide selection in one sitting. The pineapple pork tacos are among the most recommended.

It’s a small, sociable locale, where the crew makes an effort to converse with the clientele. Locals pack the place out on weekends, dining ever-so-slowly as they chat over frozen margaritas and ice-cold beer. Head there early to secure a seat.

Nebrina Gin & Cocina gives you 2 of life’s great pleasures in a single spot: hard liquor and delicious food. This buzzing open-air gastropub packs out with locals most nights, who come to sip top-shelf spirits and devour quality Mexican cuisine with close friends. For something a little daring, give the taratara de atun (tuna tartare on avocado) a try.

Most of the mixology here revolves around gin, making it a must for anyone fond of the famous juniper berry-infused spirit. Some take it straight, but Nebrina’s signature margaritas are hard to beat. The venue is a fair hike from Centro but well worth the modest taxi fare.  

La Buena Barra is your best bet for upscale Mexican cuisine with a stunning waterfront view. Straddling the shores of Nichupte, this west-facing restaurant does a roaring trade each evening as the sun sets over the lagoon. An elegant ambience and refined yet authentic Mexican cuisine seal the deal – try the bone marrow with Mexican caviar or soft-shell crab tacos. 

Although more touristic than most of the other great local restaurants in Cancun (it’s smack-dab in the middle of the Zona Hotelera), local diners do eat alongside visitors. Order one of their creative cocktails to sip on as you listen to saxophone tunes or smooth beats by a live DJ.

El Huerto del Edén is a nutritious and delicious offering in downtown Cancun that health-conscious locals adore. A Garden of Eden-inspired patio and soothing tunes add to the ambience, while locally sourced ingredients and healthy Mexican recipes define the food.

If you’ve grown tired of Mexican cuisine during your time in Cancun, you’ll find stacks of low-carb Western favourites like Hawaiian poke bowls and wraps for variety. There’s also a respectable vegetarian menu and a filling (but not fattening) breakfast to kickstart the day. The service is exceptional, too – they’ll even write a personalised message on your plate.