One other point worth mentioning – at weekends, food stalls sell local pork specialties.

Lechon (pulled pork) is sold every Sunday in a stall opposite La Conchita, and the locals queue up for it. Get there before 10:30am or they’re likely to have sold out…

And you can find the most representative Yucatan dish ‘Cochinita Pibil’ being sold from stalls on the main street on Saturdays and Sundays. It’s slow-cooked pulled pork in a marinade of achiote, bitter orange and garlic. They’ll give you chopped red onion in lime, to garnish your tacos (there’s a tortilla shop also on the main street) and a habanero to nibble on – not for the faint hearted!

The Top Ten Places to Eat in El Cuyo

The eateries noted here are the most consistent highly rated places on google or TripAdvisor, with recent reviews. They range from budget snack joints to gourmet restaurants. Each has more than 100 reviews (related to the food served) and scores higher than 4.5.

Note, the published opening times are the standard times, but may vary in low season.

• El Chile Gordo By reservation only. This is not a normal restaurant! Take a gastronomical tour of Mexico with El Chile Gordo’s taster menu. It’s pricey, but gets great comments. Received 2022 Travelers’ Choice on TripAdvisor. For more reviews, see google. Note: It gets booked up fast so reserve well in advance (WhatsApp +52 999 16 997 14).
• Naia Cafe Open daily from 8am-3pm. Naia gets fab reviews and serves beautiful breakfasts, a selection of snacks and drinks, home-baked cakes/cookies and has healthy and vegan options. Also received 2022 Travelers’ Choice on TripAdvisor. For more reviews see google.
• Zapote serves exceptionally well thought out food cooked in a wood oven (fuelled with zapote wood). Get there early or you’ll have to wait for a table – but the wait is worth it. They’re right in front of Naia cafe and are usually open Wednesday to Sunday 6-10pm. See reviews on google
• Mimisiku Gourmet food, cooked on an open fire, presented beautifully within a natural and rustic setting. Using locally sourced and wild ingredients… the fish is caught by the chef! Best to reserve +52 998 349 3225. See reviews on google
• Casa Mangle serving Mexican dishes from San Luis Potisi region in a relaxed setting, overlooked by beautiful murals. Great value and the birria is yum! Check opening times on their instagram account @casamagle_el cuyo. See reviews on google
• Casa Palma Opens 6-10pm (Closed Mondays and Tuesdays). The house specialties are pizzas cooked in a wood oven, plus homemade pasta, Argentinian empanadas and yummy artisanal ice cream. All served in a beautifully decorated and relaxed beach setting with campfire and sunset terrace for added atmosphere. See reviews on google.
• La Limonaia Opens 4-10pm (Closed Sundays). Family run and serving great pizza. They’re one street back from the Veraniega, in the same block as Naia cafe. See reviews on google.
• Piccolo Italia in El Hotelito Open daily (except Thursdays) from 8am-11am for breakfasts, serving coffee and cake all day, but the evening meals are their party piece – serving great pasta & bruschetta – from 6pm. See reviews on google.
• Anahata Open daily from 7.30am-1pm (closed Mondays). Situated half way along the Veraniega and selling a good variety of breakfasts and coffees, plus pink lattes and other instagrammable dishes – all served with a smile (and maybe a song if Gustavio is on form!) See reviews on google.
• Loncheria Amigo Willys Open daily 5-11pm. It’s on the left hand side as you enter town from the lagoon. Serves great panuchos, sopes and tortas and is fantastic value. This is where the locals eat! See reviews on google

The following places are high scoring but fall under the number of reviews (athough all have over 50). 

• Navios Open from 9am-5pm. This newly opened and already popular restaurant is tucked one street back from the main square. See reviews on google
• Doña Marta Pescaderia No standard opening times but but mid-day or early afternoon is the best time to catch Doña Marta. She sells great fresh fish to take away or you can eat on her terrace. She lives on the lagoon road, past El Chile Gordo – keep going all the way to the end of the street. See reviews on google.
• El Bucanero Super tasty hamburgers, cute relaxed environment and amazingly good value. Open Thursday to Sunday from 6-10pm. Featured in Yucatan Tourism Board #365flavours, for their Lobster and Octopus hamburgers. See reviews on google

Restaurants in El Cuyo

El Chile Gordo, Casa Palma, La Limonaia, Piccolo Italia, Zapote, Mimisiku and Casa Mangle all mentioned in the Top Ten above, plus… 

• Aroma @Casa CieloThe beautiful restaurant terrace of this boutique hotel overlooks the beach and has a gourmet fusion menu plus pizza and basics. Open every day, from breakfast through till dinner (dependent on guest occupancy). This is also the best place to enjoy a margarita and enjoy the sunset views from their rooftop terrace.
• Luma Open daily from 8-10am and 6-9pm. The restaurant is within the hotel ‘LunArena’ at the very eastern end of El Cuyo. It serves international food with an Italian influence.
• Casa Mate cozy hotel restaurant with a basic but quality menu.
• Casa Cuyo Hotel & Restaurant Open 8am-2pm & 4-9pm (Closed Tuesdays). Serving breakfasts plus dinners of gnocchi, hamburgers and vegan burgers. 
• La Barcaccia Open for breakfast and then reopening for evening meals – serving pasta and steaks. 
• Can Cocal Hotel Restaurant open daily for breakfast and evening meals. Serving a selection of Mediterranean and tapas dishes.
• Señor Burger a variety of burgers, open Thursday to Monday 6-11pm.
• Cuyo Burger burger van open Friday to Monday 6-11pm. Great potato wedges and a whole assortment of different burgers!
• Off the Vine new wine bar, also serving meals.

Seafood Restaurants In El Cuyo

Doña Marta Pescaderia and Navios as mentioned in the top ten, plus…

• La Negrita Open daily from 8am-6pm daily. Seafood and local specialitiies – clean friendly service and great value. See reviews on google.
• Restaurant El Camaron Tucked away in the heart of town. El Camaron sells great fresh seafood dishes and is open practically all day and night. The ceviche and fried fish are their forte. See reviews on google.
• El Tiburon Open daily 12-1pm and 5-6pm (but will stay open longer if there are customers). They have no set menu but serve what’s freshly caught. The ceviche is highly recommended – and everything is great value!
• Valerios Open from 11am-7pm (closed Tuesdays). Valerios is on the main street and specialises in fish and seafood. They also have bar Tolok on the roof – usually open weekends
• La Conchita Open daily from 8am-6pm. La Conchita is the most established seafood restaurant in El Cuyo. It’s just off the main square.
• Restaurant Miramar Open from 8am-5pm (closed Tuesdays). Serves a more varied menu, and specialises in shrimps and fish. Portions are huge. 
• Amigo El Pato Blue house at the entrance to town where they sell fish to take away and cook yourself, or you can ask them to fry it for you. Opening times depend on when the fishermen come home!

Cafés In El Cuyo

Naia Cafe, Anahata and Casa Mangle in the top ten! Plus…

• Cafe Ajal Serving bagels and good coffee.
• La Chata Selling coffees, smoothies and desserts. Just off the main square in the town centre. Open 11am – 4pm and 6pm – 11pm. (Closed Mondays).

SEE ALSO Casa Cielo, Can Cocal, La Barcaccia, Lunarena and Piccola Italia in RESTAURANTS

Budget Food Options In El Cuyo

Loncheria Willys & El Bucanero as already mentioned in the top ten! Plus…

• La Playita Located just in front of the jetty, almost on the beach. Serving ceviches, aguachiles, paletas and micheladas. Open 11am-6pm daily.
• La Terracita Open from 6pm – 11pm, weekends only. Serves a snack menu and beer and cocktails.
• Pizzeria Ruiz Open daily from 5-11pm, serving pizzas and tacos to eat in or takeaway. In lobster season, they do a specialty lobster pizza! Go for the very thin and crispy base… 
• El Amigo Omar just off the main square. It’s open during the day and is simple and very economical.
• Casa Satz round the corner from the entrance to town. Quick and tasty local food. Opening times vary.
• Loncherie La Lupita Open daily from 5-11pm. Just off the main square on the main street into town, serving panuchos, sopas and other traditional Yucateca comida.

AND for other budget options, don’t forget the weekend street stalls for a great value traditional Yucatan breakfast!