Where to eat in Cancún

Restaurants, cafés and street food in Cancún, Mexico that locals actually go to — plus the local names for the chains you already know.

El Fish Fritanga — Seafood, Downtown / Kabah (1). Order the Ceviche mixto + tacos de pescado. Where Cancunenses actually eat fish — plastic chairs, cold beer, perfect ceviche.
Los de Pescado — Fish tacos, Downtown (1). Order the Taco de pescado capeado. Baja-style battered fish tacos, a local lunch ritual.
La Habichuela — Yucatecan-Caribbean, Downtown / Parque Las Palapas (3). Order the Cocobichuela. Garden-courtyard classic since 1977; the cocobichuela is the signature.
El Cejas — Seafood / cantina, Mercado 28 (2). Order the Camarones al mojo de ajo. Mariachi-loud market seafood — the anti-resort experience.
Parque de las Palapas food stalls — Street food / antojitos, Downtown (1). Order the Marquesita de queso de bola. Evening antojitos in the town square — marquesitas, elotes, salbutes.
El Pocito — Yucatecan, Downtown (1). Order the Cochinita pibil. Home-style cochinita and relleno negro away from the hotel zone.
La Parrilla — Mexican grill, Downtown (2). Order the Molcajete mixto. Since 1975 — mariachis, molcajetes, and flaming coffee.
Marakame Café — Café / brunch, Downtown / Huayacán (2). Order the Chilaquiles + jugo verde. Jungle-garden café where local families do weekend breakfast.
Tacos Rigo — Tacos, Downtown (multiple) (1). Order the Tacos de bistec. The hometown taco chain locals grew up on.