Hey all,

Some friends and I are heading out to Cancun tomorrow and were wondering if you had any recomendations for good, fresh food places. Any cuisine, as long as the quality is high -- I really don't want to get sick! Fresh, v. high quality seafood recs are also much appreciated!

Thanks in advance,
744

The Palm Restaurant from NYC is quite good--pricy, but very reliable, good service and can be counted on time and again. I have food in Cancun to be quite hit or mess, but the Palm has been consistently good with a fine staff.

la destileria -- The Distillery -- in the Zona Hotelera, aproximately across the street from the Ritz Carlton. Run by a big Mexican restaurant group. More ambitious than most Cancun restaurants in their desire to be authentic.

Just east of the Intercontinental, behind the (very nice) bus station (at the very top of the driveway/parking area), is an upscale mexican restaurant overlooking the beach. They feature seafood. Grouper in banana leaves was excellent. Even non-seafood items were excellent too.

We were in Cancun in January -- family of 5, one week. no one got sick, no one was particularly careful in terms of not ordering certain types of food. The biggest disappointment was that most places were shopping-center-based "theme" restaurants. Reminded us of Orlando with Margaritas. We ate better in Playa del Carmen.

La Destileria on the lagoon side of the Zona Hotelera was quite good. But in general you will do yourself a big favor by leaving the touristy Zona Hotelera and heading into "downtown" Cancun. Food in el centro (downtown) tends to be much more authentic and reasonably priced than the chain after tourist-oriented chain to be found on the hotel strip.

For authentic Yucatecan food in el centro, try Labna. A little hard to find as it's hidden on a side plaza 1 block off the main street, Av. Tulum. But well worth the effort - very tasty authentic Mayan style cooking in a charming, relaxed setting.

La Habichuela has received praise for years. It's downtown as well.

In general, don't go to Cancun for the quality of the dining. That said, two weeks ago I had one of my best Cancun meals ever at Labna (see Herb687's post), which is a sister restaurant, and right next to, La Habichuela (see work2fly's post). Taxi drivers know how to get there.

Both of these restaurants are half a block away from a park that is open well into the evening. There are food stands in the park that I haven't tried, but they look terrific.

Another great option is to buy an achiote chicken from the old lady who sells them in one of the downtown marketplaces. (I don't know how to describe her location other than she's across the street from a San Francisco supermarket, very close to the tortilla factory). She cooks these wonderful chickens using a very traditional Mexican spice -- achiote -- in an open air, wood buring oven, and sells them for about US$5 each with tortillas and hot peppers. The locals eat them on the spot (there's a single table with about three chairs); others of us bring them back to our hotel.

Lorenzillo's for the best lobster we have ever had. On the water, on the lagoon side. Any bus will stop there for you.

It is every bit as expensive as eating in the U.S. at a high-end place, but the service and food was great. They also make a very unique Ceasar salad that I would also recommend.

All in all, we found Cancun is a rip-off for food -- caters 1000% to the Yankee Dollar, w/ prices to match, everywhere but the heart of downtown!

Another enthusiastic thumbs up for Labna. The Yucatecan food is amazing. We couldn't tell if it was authentic but it sure tasted like it! Price is right, ambience and service is fantastic, and downtown Cancun is pleasant and authentic in a way that the Zona Hotelera is not. I had a more memorable meal at Labna than I did at the Ritz Cancun's Club Grill, if that's possible.

We also enjoyed La Destileria. The tequila flight/tasting was eye-opening and convinced me that it's not just there to get drunk quickly (with nasty hangovers to boot)

I was just doing my expenses and happened upon a card for Labna. Here is their info:

Labn� Restaurante
Margaritas 29
Canc�n Centro
Tel. 892-3056

You were doing your expenses? Implies a business trip to CUN?!?!?

Are y'all hiring? I do good work!!!!!

Although I've gotten to go to some pretty cool places for business, the CUN trip was not a business trip. But I did do some work while there, and did expense some phone calls and business center charges, and I happened to have the Labna card mixed in with my receipts!

The March 05 issue of "Bon Appetit" magazine carries news about two new restaurants..."MB," a fusion of French, Latin, and Asian flavors run by Michelle Bernstein (who has a restaurant called "Azul" in Miami); and Patricia Quintana's restaurant, "Siete", described by Bon Appetit as "Minimalist Mexican," whatever that means, but it sounds good.

Mrs. Galt and I are definitely gonna check out Siete...Patricia Quitana, along with Diana Kennedy, can be called the "Julia Child" of Mexico. They were the first to introduce Mexican cuisine to American palates as something besides beef enchiladas, chips, and frijoles refritos (all of which I love, but it's like thinking that Deep Dish Pizza is all Italian food has to offer)

IMHO, Mexico has some of the best food in the world...pre-Columbian ingredients like Turkey, squash, Chocolate, vanilla, and the nightshades (tomatoes, potatoes, chiles); rice and spices from Spain's posessions in the Pacific; fruits, meats, and nuts from "old Europe"


Both are at the hotel "Fiesta Americana Grand Aqua" Boulevard Kukulcan 12.5, Cancun, 800-343-7821; www.fiestaamericana.com

I will make a full report in two months...

If you like Italian, I can recommend two restaurants. One is La Dolce Vita, on the lagoon side across from the Marriott Casa Magna (great view at sunset). Here is a link to their web page. http://www.cancunitalianrestaurant.com/

The second is Casa Rolandi, in the Plaza Caracol (excellent crepe suzettes). In six trips to Cancun, I've always dined at each of these at least twice during a week's vacation. Here is the link to their web page:
http://www.rolandi.com/crc_about.htm

The restaurant, MB, in the Grand Aqua, would definitely be your best bet. I have not been there, but I definitely know Michelle Bernstein's cuisine and she is fantastic. She established Azul as one of the best restaurants in Miami before leaving to Cancun. (She was the chef, not owner, of Azul).
I was in Cancun about 3 years ago and wanted to have authentic Mexican cuisine... no such thing in Cancun (at least back then). The concierge sent us to some ridiculous dinner show!
My opinion, go for MB, and PLEASE let me know how it is!

-Eli

...god i hate Cancun, cannot at all understand why anyone would want to go there...worst vacation destination of my life.