RESTAURANT PICKS

Okay, Sra. Glory is very vegetarian and Sr. Pat is a carnivore. We both like margaritas and good deals, and all these pretty much fit that bill. Try a few, but check out some new ones and let us know what you find. Tell the folks that you are staying at Caribe Sunset and that we recommended them, and sometimes they will give you a price break!

• La Choza: Great food at really good prices. They specialize in an orange margarita that we don’t like, so ask for a regular lime one and watch out. They will cook your catch at a great price too. Nacho is our favorite waiter! Easy walk, stagger home. (R. Salas at 10^th Ave.)$-$$
• http://www.lachozarestaurant.com/

• Especias: This is one of our favorite restaurants. You can feast on the appetizers alone but everything is wonderful. Lots of veggie friendly fare (empanadas are to die for!). Adrian is a wonderful host, and if you hit it off will be happy to take you on an island tour. For the quality and the amount of food, the prices are a steal! Closed Sundays. On 3^rd between 5^th and 10^th. $-$$
• Pancho’s Backyard: Inside Los Cinco Soles store at the North end of Ave. Melgar on the water. Go before 9 pm and browse the pricey stuff at the shop (don’t buy bottles of liquor here!), and then enjoy great food and potent margs in the courtyard. Try the mole and fish served on the grills. Offers good vegetarian section on menu (try the Chiles Rellenos with Plantains and Walnuts!). Take a cab up and then enjoy the walk home through town. $$-$$$
• http://www.loscincosoles.com/panchosbackyard/coupons.htm

• Pancho’s Backyard at Puerto Maya: This is the cruise ship pier to the south so you are in the middle of tourist world, but the view on the water is great and the menu is the same. Live Mexican music. Smaller shop offering some of the same stuff as Cinco Sol’s up north. Only open till about 5pm. $$
• Guido’s: You will pass it on the way home from Pancho’s on Melgar. Small, daily menu of pasta and seafood, but very romantic. Get a seat by the window in front for the view and the AC, or check out the gorgeous courtyard in the back and dine under the stars and trees. Closed Sunday. Amex and cash only. $$$
• Jeanie’s: They have rebuilt the beach and added a great palapa so you can enjoy the view and just spend the day, or dine on the street and watch the tourists wander past. Food is always good. On Melgar near the stop light, next to Margaritaville. $$
• Prima’s: Ok Italian with an attitude. Get a table by the railing and enjoy the view. Cheap Margs! Good wine selection and authentic Cuban cigars downstairs. $$-$$$
• Casa Mission: Take a cab both ways. Old hacienda east of downtown. Very good everything and free strolling musicians to go with a usually very fun evening. Ask to see the zoo! Glory loves the lions! (You will be glad you took a cab). Its sister, La Mission, is in town (see below). $$-$$$
• http://www.missioncoz.com/

• Casa Denis: One half-block inland off the south side of the square. Great people watching, and we think Castro ate here (if the photos on the wall are any proof)! Food is fine and the margs were much improved.$$-$$$
• http://www.casadenis.com/index.htm

• Casablanca: Next to Casa Dennis, but closer to the square. We used to rave about this place and have only been disappointed on our last 2 visits. Service was brusque and Pat never likes to be told they don’t serve water by the glass. Chicken and Mayan dishes were still good though. Get the Free Margarita card before you sit down.$-$$
• Las Tortugas: Straight inland on 17^th past the yellow church about 6 blocks to the next divided street, 30th. Go right about 2 blocks and it’s on the main drag. I used to like the low prices but they have recently gone up! More good margs. The veggie menu is limited, but their cheese rellenos were good. Tip: Ask to see the menu that the locals get! $$
• http://www.casadenis.com/index_tortugas.htm

• Jardin de Super Light: This used to be the “Day’s Inn” and is now the Villas Caribe. Lovely location by the swimming pool and great, cheap food make this a hit. Daily specials include a veggie choice, soup and drink for $4. Dine till 7pm and spend the day by the pool. On 11^th between 20 and 25. $
• El Foco: Cheap, late night greasy spoon place located ½ block from the square on 5 Sur. When nothing else is open and you have had many Margs, this is the place. We heard they are open until 5 am some nights! $
• La Mission: Just off Melgar a block south of the square. Same owners as Casa Mission but a livelier atmosphere. Huge filet mignon that was great at $17. Glory was not impressed with the quality of the veggie menu. $$
• Los Chilangos: This is great for lunch! Like eating in a typical Cozumeleno home. Limited menu changes daily and you sit family style. Always a veggie choice and only $4-$5 for plenty of food; you can also request half orders. Go east on 15^th one block and turn left on 10^th for a half block. They have a sign now, so it’s easier to find. $
• Chi: Chinese place right on Melgar over the Pizza place on Calle 3. Very good for a change of pace. Sushi as well as all the regular Chinese stuff. Great views too! $$-$$$
• Plaza Leza: On the square so excellent people watching. Lot’s of happy hour deals all the time and some of the best tortilla soup Pat has found on the island. Very attentive service. Try the giant margarita! $-$$
• El Morro: Get directions as this old favorite is inland behind the Pemex station. Streets are dusty and this is in a little neighborhood but don’t be fooled cause it looks like a pit, as the food is great and the prices are some of the best. Mayan pork thing and chicken with ham and peas were very good. Mole was a bit salty. Our last visit prices seemed to have gone up. $-$$
• Rock N’Java: On Melgar next to Cozumel Living. Glory loves this place as it is air conditioned, very veggie friendly and you have a great view of the ocean. Huge $60 peso burger too. Open late. $$
• Sabores: On 5^th between 3 & 5 south of the square. Great lunch find in a local casa. Walk through the kitchen and into a really neat backyard or dine inside. Great presentation. Drinks included. Menu changes daily. $
• Museo de Cozumel: Really good breakfast spot. Ocean front on Melgar. Check it out and tour the Museum for dessert. $$
• http://www.cozumelparks.com/eng/parks-museum.asp

• Sushi ‘n Go: Great little sushi bar right in the neighborhood. Limited menu, but we have liked it all. Spicy Tuna roll very spicy $5. Located ½ block from Margaritaville on Calle 11.
• Mission Grill: Owned by the fine folks who own Casa Mission, this is another place loved by locals. Fish dinner for $70 pesos and Tortilla Soup for $30 pesos that could be a meal by itself. Excellent veggie Rellenos. Located north on 30^th just past San Francisco grocery and Covi’s liquor store on the west side of the street. $
• http://www.missioncoz.com/

• La Cocay: Newly reopened to very good reviews. This a “special event” kind of place with higher prices and ambience to match. Our latest guests enjoyed it very much. On 8^th north between 15^th and 25^th. $$$
• Wynston’s: This is the latest in 5 star dining on Cozumel. Great big view and prices to match! Located at the top of El Cantil on Melgar. $$$$$
• Zapata Grill: (Also known as Al Pie del Carbon) Now this is a grill! Open flame cooking over real logs! Grilled veggies on skewers and the meats are great. The grilled fish is THE BEST and at a great price! Calle 6 North on the corner with Ave. 5. The small dining room is air conditioned. $$
• Sorrisi: Gelato and Pasta in a now lovely space. The food and service are great. Pat says this is the best pizza on the island! Prices have really gone up there though; $9 for a bottle of water and $8 for a small margarita are not so good! Near the water on Calle 3. $$$
• Albinos: We were not overwhelmed by this island institution. We got the crab and it tasted like it had been frozen for a while. Next time we will go with more fresh fare. Very cute place and easy to find near the north of 20^th. $$
• Tony Rome’s: Another island fav that some people love. Tony is always there and is Mr. Personality. Pat loved the ribs! Otherwise not so veggie friendly unless you like pasta. On 5 Sur ½ block south of the square. $$
• http://www.tonyrome.com/

• Manati’s: Great lunch here. Although we have not eaten dinner in a while it has a good rep. Some nights they have a burnin’ down the house band. On the corner of Calle 10 and Ave 8 North near La Cocay. $$
• French Quarter: The food is good and very expensive. Some people swear by this place. Cajun stuff, fish and ribs. The Cadillac margarita is very good! ½ block south of the square on 5 Sur. $$$$
• http://www.frenchquartercozumel.com/

Hint: We save a bundle by bringing To go cups full of margs everywhere! No problems. Also order glasses of water, as this is pure water from big bottles. Some restaurants will give you a free little marg or a beer with dinner but you have to ask before hand.

More Hints: some restaurants now refuse to serve you a free glass of pure drinking water. They want to over charge you for a bottle! Solution: Bring your own!

Beware: Some restaurants in town are charging a tax on your meal. All taxes are already included in the cost of food in Mexico. If you are charged tax, complain. If they refuse to take it off of your bill your simplest recourse is to not leave a tip. Please let us know if this happens to you.

We have avoided giving exact addresses just because the fun of finding a place comes in finding something else along the way! Please enjoy your journey!

This is Mexico so all prices and locations are subject to change at any second!