Last Updated
There are hundreds of restaurants to choose from in Cancun, but if you’re looking for something special, you can dine at one of these five award-winning restaurants while visiting the popular vacation destination. Each offers something unique, whether it is a different atmosphere, a special dish, or maybe some sort of entertainment provided for guests. Whatever it may be, these restaurants will leave you with lasting memories of your vacation in Cancun.
Careyes
Careyes is a Mexican French fusion restaurant that combines the flavors of Mexico with the elegance of France to create unique dishes exploding with flavor. The stars of the show here are lavishly presented steaks and seafood, but everything on the menu gets rave reviews. Careyes has received multiple awards, including a Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence and the 2019 Traveler’s Choice Award, and it is a 2018 World Luxury Restaurant Award Winner. The restaurant is located in the Cancun Hotel Zone and is open every day from 12 – 4 pm for lunch and 6 –10 for dinner.
Nicoletta Modern Italian Kitchen
While you may be looking for Mexican food when visiting Cancun, you can’t pass up the opportunity to try some great Italian food at the Nicoletta Modern Italian Kitchen, and you’ll find that they do incorporate Mexican ingredients as well. Nicoletta has been named the #1 restaurant by Trip Advisor at least once and recently won the Global Architecture & Design Award for its luxurious interior that you won’t forget. On the menu, you’ll find classics like 25 Layer Lasagna and Lobster Risotto alongside creative dishes like Truffled Chicken Steak and Alfredo Flambee. The restaurant is located in the Cancun Hotel Zone and is open from 1 pm – 1 am every day of the week.
The White Box Mediterranean Gastrobar
The White Box is a more laid-back yet elevated tasting menu restaurant with Mediterranean-inspired Mexican dishes that are predominately seafood, but with something to offer for everyone. The plates are beautifully presented and the location is perfect for those staying in the Hotel Zone, as the restaurant is located in the Hotel Grand Oasis on the main tourist street in Cancun. The White Box has received the Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence award almost every year since 2015. It is open for dinner every day from 6:30 pm – 10:30 pm.
Kai
Kai prides itself on offering great Japanese food with Mexican spirit and it has a lot to offer, including sushi, ramen, seafood, steak, and even burgers with an Asian twist. The restaurant is known for its vibrant, unique flavors and fresh ingredients and the atmosphere is pure elegance but with a laid-back vibe. Kai has won the 2021 Trip Advisor Best of the Best Traveler’s Choice Award and, more recently, the OpenTable 2022 Diner’s Choice Award. The restaurant is located in the main tourist area and is open every day from 1 pm – 12 am.
Harry’s Grill
Harry’s Grill is a go-to for visitors to Cancun that are looking for a fine dining experience. They are known for their steak and raw bar and offer some of the best cuts of meat you can get in the world. On the menu, you will find caviar, oysters, octopus, Kobe, wagyu, and black onyx, but you’ll also have options like filet tacos, lobster tacos, king crab ravioli, and Caribbean lobster tail risotto. Recently Harry’s won the prestigious International Star Diamond Award from the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences, along with a number of other awards. The restaurant is located in the Cancun Hotel Zone and is open from 1 pm – 2 am.
You only have so much time on vacation, and you can only dine at so many places. For this reason, you have every right to treat yourself to something spectacular. While these are not the only great restaurants in Cancun, they will definitely leave a lasting impression.
Cancun gets millions of visitors every year and keeps growing more and more popular. People visit for the beautiful beaches, the luxurious all-inclusive resorts, and more and more often for the food scene. These restaurants are a great way to explore that food scene and see what Cancun has to offer.
Plan Your Next Cancun Vacation:
Traveler Alert: Don’t Forget Travel Insurance For Your Next Trip!
Choose From Thousands of Cancun and Riviera Maya Hotels, Resorts and Hostels with Free Cancellation On Most Properties
↓ Join the community ↓
The Cancun Sun Community FB group has all the latest travel news, conversations and tourism Q&A’s for the Mexican Caribbean
Subscribe to our Latest Posts
Enter your email address to subscribe to The Cancun Sun’s latest breaking news affecting travelers, straight to your inbox.