WHERE TO EAT IN CANCUN 'Good food Restaurants' . In Cancun the dining possibilities are endless, there are more than 400 restaurants, and among them you can find the most varied plates. We have lived in Cancun for seven years and have tried almost every restaurant listed as 'Good food Restaurants' and we personally recommend the following as really great places to eat:

In the Hotel Zone 

Blue Bayou:  Blue Bayou was the first Cajun cuisine restaurant in Mexico, and still the only restaurant in Cancun offering a one-of-a-kind dining experience. The crawfish is flown in daily from Louisiana. Live jazz band playing daily. The five-level, hanging garden and running water interior, makes the Blue Bayou so unique and attractive. Hyatt Cancun Caribbean / Tel 83 00 44 ext 54.

Bogart's: Dine in the elegance of a true  'Casa Blanca' setting. International cuisine and a 1940's style atmosphere created by superb piano playing and the attentive service of the fez bearing waiters. Said by many to be the best restaurant  in Cancun, Bogart's is located in the Krystal Hotel in front of the Convention center./ Tel 83 11 33.

Ruth's Chris: Undoubtedly the best 'steak house' in Cancun. Any fillet in the house can be cut with a fork and they only use US prime beef. The restaurant's top quality management and chefs promise a dining experience that is memorable. And if you don't like meat just try the Blackened Tuna or Barbeque Shrimp. Kukulcan Plaza Shopping Mall / Tel: 85 33 01 

Captain's Cove: Voted Best Restaurant in Cancun several years running, Captain's Cove is a typically  Caribbean waterfront dining experience. The plates are generously proportioned choice seafood, Mexican and international favorites . The decks and board walk extends out over the Nichupté Lagoon. You can enjoy an evening's dining while watching the sunset and there isn't a bad seat in the house. We must mention that they serve a superb breakfast buffet at very reasonable prices. Royal Yacht Club Marina / Tel 85 00 16 

El Mexicano: This classic Mexican restaurant is impressive as a showcase for in itself. It's reproduction of a 19th century hacienda evokes the country's glory years. There is an  all-you-can-eat lunch buffet with a selection of home cooked Mexican dishes. The beef, always excellent, is charcoal grilled. Centro Commercial Costa Blanca / Tel 83 22 20 

Chocko's & Tere: This seafood restaurant has more than 30 years attending to the tourists that visit Cancun for business or leisure. An amusing atmosphere will enliven your evening so you can spend a great time. The main dish of the house is Relleno Tere, (a fish fillet au gratin, stuffed with crab). Its friendly service will be at your disposal to make you feel at home

Downtown Cancun

Checándole ("Checking It"): This is a locals favorite. They  serve a wide variety of Mexican specialities and offer a set 3 course lunch daily for just $30 pesos. (This is where the local business people eat daily). We recommend you give it a try. It is located on Xpuhil street. The easiest way to get there is to take a bus in the Hotel Zone and get off Down Town Cancun. From there take a taxi, it will cost you $10 pesos. No reservations needed.

La Parrilla ("The Grill"): Live Mariachi music in a traditional patio style Mexican  restaurant with a statue of San Jorge overlooking the festivities, more touristy than Checándole but with a very nice setting and very good food at reasonable prices. Costs around $250 pesos for 2.  It is located on Yaxchilan street. To get there just go Down Town Cancun and hop on a taxi. It will also cost you $10 pesos. Ask the taxi driver how much he is going to charge you before you get on the taxi ! No reservations needed.

El Cejas ("Eyebrows"): Another local favorite this restaurant is not fancy, so do not expect any luxury !. This restaurant is in Market 28 and the specialty is seafood. Lunch only. Costs around $200 pesos for 2. If you want to go there, go early (around 1:30 P.M.) as it can get quite crowded. To get there, same as Checándole and La Parrilla, take a taxi from the entrance of the Hotel Zone also $10 pesos. No reservations needed.

La Habichuela ("The Stringbean"): This restaurant is set in a Mayan Temple surroundings. The cuisine is International with a touch of tropical flavor. Dining in this enchanting garden makes for an unforgettable experience along with this restaurant's top class cuisine. Pricey for Mexican standards, around about $600 pesos for 2 but well worth the visit. Tel 84-32-58.

Pericos (Parrots): Also on Yaxchilan street, this Mexican restaurant is very famous and has been around for more than 25 years! The food is quite good (a bit pricey at about $400 pesos for 2), but the atmosphere is incredible and if what you want is a night out on the town and lots of laughs, hustle and bustle then this is the place to go. Be prepared however to stand in line to wait for a table as it is the busiest restaurant in the center. No reservations

La Placita (The Little Plaza): For a quieter evening of dining in Mexican tradition visit La Placita restaurant also on Yaxchilan Street where they serve everything from roasted goat, and... hold on to your chair ! Bull testicles (Yummy !). But  not to worry, they also serve delicious chicken and meat dishes. No reservations are needed.