Mexico - Restaurants on the sand in Cancun

Looking for new experiences, we tried El Fish Fritanga (restaurant downstairs and not fast food stand on street) (12.5 km) and J. C. Capitans (19.5 km). Both were pleasant with good service and reasonably priced food. We did both a lunch and dinner at El Fish Fritanga and dinner only at J.C. Capitans.

We were very pleased with the food at El Fish Fratanga. Our dinner table had little light and so they brought us a couple of lanterns (oil or alcohol lit). They added to the mood and burned brightly even as the wind (breeze as they call it) blew away everything not tied down. It is worth going back and we plan on eating there again next year.

J. C. Capitans was a treat. We loved the settling and the service was excellent. My wife ordered the sea bass though and was very disappointed. It was over salted and slightly overcooked. But after a well prepared salad and a shared calamari appetizer, she was full enough and did not send it back. I tried reheating it the next day but it was not worth eating.

Now the other two of us enjoyed our meals. I had a whole fish and picked every bit of flesh from its bones - yum. Based on the good reviews of others, I'll write the bad sea bass off as a fluke and risk recommending the place.

are these restaurants still on the sand?

are there others that some would suggest?

Trip Advisors Cancun forum is the best place to get answers to questions of this sort. This forum, while excellent, does not see the amount of activity that you see at trip advisor.

Trip Advisors Cancun forum is the best place to get answers to questions of this sort. This forum, while excellent, does not see the amount of activity that you see at trip advisor.I'm not sold on the level of dining sophistication on tripadvisor, for instance Carlos n Charleys is in the top 10, no way should that place be a top 10 for food. For drinks/college party like atmosphere, yes, food? no.

I am not sure the 2 restaurants mentioned above are still there. There are plenty overlooking the water.

One of the most expensive, yet wonderful restaurants is Thai. It is located in La Isla mall. Great ambience with thatched cabanas over the water. However, when we were charged for refills of iced tea, it ruined the dinner! We spent like $40 in tea for goodness sake and they didn't even tell us. The food was amazing though.

One of the best restaurants in Cancun for a special occasion is El Conquistador, which is located in the lobby of The Royal Mayan. It is small and intimate, and while a bit pricey, the food is top notch. They do have an "early bird" menu for seating at 5:00 - 6:00 pm.

Don't go Captains Cove to eat. It used to be great, but now the food is good but way over priced. We used to go there every year the first night because it is down the hill from the Royal Mayan. However, next to CC there is Pancho & Willies which is a fun bar with live music some nights and karyoke other nights. It is named after the 2 alligators one can see and feed from the deck of CC.

I'm not sold on the level of dining sophistication on tripadvisor, for instance Carlos n Charleys is in the top 10, no way should that place be a top 10 for food. For drinks/college party like atmosphere, yes, food? no.

Where I would not use Trip Advisor for a top 10 list, it has proven helpful in getting comments on specific restaurants or in answering general questions such as yours about restaurants on the sand.

Where not on the sand, some of my favorites overlook the lagoon and include

Puerto Madero (Argentine-style steakhouse with great fish cooked over a wood fire) Romantic setting.

Limoncello (A must try restaurant)

La Dolce Vita (have not been in past 2 years)

Harry's (Good steak, great setting, but you have better at home. Still this was best steak I've had in Cancun.)

Mitachi Sea-side Grill-on the beach at the Hilton (have not been since Hilton was rebuilt- was right on ocean not lagoon)

La Habichuela Sunset-fine seafood

Mike