CANCUN RESTAURANTS

Cancun Travel Deals

CANCUN MEXICO

Carlos 'n Charlie's :The Cancun Hotel Strip or "Zona Hotelera Cancun"  is a vast swath of mainly Tex Mex-style places catering to the just-flew-in crowd. Prices are higher and quality is generally lower than what you'll find in Ciudad Cancún. A number of places cater to a young crowd, with conga lines where waiters cheer and pour watery tequila down dancers' throats as they weave by. So you'll either want to head for or away from Señor Frog's and Carlos 'n Charlie's for that kind of dining experience.

Lobster House :Try Carrillo's Plato Cozumel if you're looking for something a bit special. This somewhat formal restaurant has air-conditioning indoors and is fan-cooled outdoors, and entertainment is provided by mariachis. Follow the good smells leading to the blue building and you'll be in the right place.

House Checándole If you can only eat at one restaurant in Cancún, then you should eat here. It's a bit away from the city center, but well worth the extra effort. Dressed up with a palapa roof, Checándole specializes in chilango (Mexico City) cuisine. The menu del día (fixed three-course meal) is around $45 , great value. If it's offering pollo en mole poblano (chicken smothered in a handmade chocolate and chili sauce), you should definitely go for it.

Crab House Offers a lovely view of the lagoon that complements the seafood. The long menu includes many shrimp and fillet-of-fish dishes. Crab and lobster are priced by the

El Rincón Yucateco A reasonably priced Yucatecan place that's across from Hotel Cotty, serving a nice variety of favorites along with very weak 'American'-style coffee. Sopa de lima ('lime soup'; chicken soup with lime) is light.

El Tapatío Touristy but good - a popular choice for hostel-goers, who suck down the mammoth fruit and veggie juices, shakes and smoothies at any time of day.

Irori Enjoy the show as the chef slices and dices the night away at this Japanese-run restaurant serving sushi and many other Japanese favorites in an intimate and nicely decorated setting. There's even a kids' menu if you've got sushi-scoffing rugrats in tow.

La Barbacoa de la Tulum If you love tacos, head to this cheap cantina in the Plaza de Toros.

La Dolce Vita One of Cancún's fanciest Italian restaurants, it offers white wicker chairs and soft, romantic lighting, plus great lagoon views and attentive staff. Try the chicken with sun-dried tomatoes and finish with crêpes Suzette (for two). With a bottle of red, white or rosé this could be the start or the finish of a wonderful day.

La Habichuela An elegant restaurant with a lovely courtyard dining area, just off Parque Las Palapas. The specialty is shrimp and lobster in curry sauce served inside a coconut with tropical fruit.

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