Mexico is my happy place. I’ve visited nearly 30 times. Love the beaches, the people, the culture, and the food. One of my favorite places to stay in Mexico is Isla Mujeres. This tiny island (five miles long and one-half mile wide) is just a short ferry ride from Cancun. If you’re visiting Riviera Maya, consider staying on Isla Mujeres or take a day trip.
I’ve curated a list of the best places to eat in Isla Mujeres, Mexico. This list is based on personal experience as well as recommendations from people who live in Isla Mujeres, Mexico as well as other Islaholics.
See my related Mexico posts.
- Guide to the best places to stay and things to do in Cancun and the Mayan Riviera
- How to get to Isla Mujeres, Mexico
- Best boutique hotel in Isla Mujeres, Mexico – Hotel Secreto
- Best street art in Isla Mujeres, Mexico
- Isla Mujeres – a sculpture garden you don’t want to miss
- Is Mexico safe? Travel safety tips and FAQs
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Where to eat in Isla Mujeres, Mexico
Full disclosure. I’ve never had a bad meal anywhere in Isla Mujeres. Even just stopping in for a quick bite and a cold beer or cocktail. Here is a list (alpha order) of some of the best restaurants in Isla Mujeres, Mexico. Always check the restaurant’s website to confirm the days and hours of operation.
Good to know: Many Isla Mujeres restaurants only accept cash so bring your pesos!
Aurora Cocina & Bar
One of the best places to eat in Isla Mujeres, Mexico is Aurora Cocina. This hidden gem is located behind the Isla Village Shopping area (Central Isla Mujeres). Aurora Cocina is an intimate outdoor setting where you feel like you’re eating dinner in someone’s home. Open for lunch and dinner, take a short walk up the hill for some scenic Caribbean views.
Where is Aurora Cocina in Isla Mujeres located? What are the hours for Aurora Concina? Are reservations needed for Aurora Cocina?
Island location: Central
Address: SM04 M91 LT03 1, Meteorologico, 77400 Isla Mujeres (Take the infinity path leading you to the restaurant at the back of the building.)
Cuisine: Caribbean and seafood
Reservations: We walked in and got a table on the patio right away without reservations. However, you can DM their Facebook page to ensure a spot.
Days/hours of operation: Monday through Saturday, 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. Closed on Sundays.
Caribbean Garden
We first stopped at Caribbean Garden in Central Isla Mujeres for happy hour. My favorite place for strawberry daiquiris (not too tart or sweet). And check out the vessel for this beautiful and tasty passion fruit martini my friend ordered. How cute!
Caribbean Garden was close to our Airbnb so we returned for drinks and appetizers. And it’s a very pretty outdoor setting amongst all the tropical plants and trees. Watch for iguanas!
Since you’re in the neighborhood, walk south of the Caribbean Garden for a drink at this swing bar. They claim beer so cold it’ll make your teeth hurt. The view here is stunning. Note that they are only open until 6 p.m. and they do not serve food.
Where is Caribbean Garden in Isla Mujeres located? What are the hours for the Caribbean Garden? Are reservations needed for Caribbean Garden?
Island location: Central
Address: MZA 091 SM 04 Lote 03-14, Av. Perimentral Ote., Meteorologico, Isla Mujeres, Mexico
Cuisine: Caribbean and Mexican – breakfast, lunch, dinner
Reservations: Not necessary.
Days/hours of operation: Monday through Sunday: 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Chef Sofia and Chef Luis – Personal Chefs (Sofia’s Kitchen Isla)
Looking for a personal chef who comes to you and creates an authentic and traditional three-course Mexican meal? Then you need to hire Chef Sofia and Chef Luis – a father and daughter duo. Chef Sofia, who was also our property manager host, was professionally trained in Mexico City. Her father is quite the character and very entertaining. While he cooks, he shares lots of insider tips and history about Isla Mujeres. You can book an island tour with him and learn everything you need to know from a local.
Chef Sofia will present you with several options to choose from for your starter and main meal. And she prepares a surprise dessert.
Starter options with Chef Sofia
Here is a list of Chef Sofia’s most popular starters/appetizers for your in-home personal chef experience in Isla Mujeres.
- Mexico City-style flautas/tacos dorados
- Fish ceviche
- Shrimp and fish ceviche
- Sopes
- Tinga tostadas
- Fish tacos
- Shrimp tacos Baja style
- Gabardine shrimps
- Ajillo Shrimps
- Tortilla soup
- Lima soup
- Caldo tlapeno
Main dishes options with Chef Sofia
For your main course, you can select from a number of delicious authentic Mexican dishes including:
- Chiles rellenos
- Veracruzana-style catch of the day
- Albondigas (meatballs)
- Fish with butter/citris sauce
- Fish with three chili sauce
- Tic in xic (Yucatan spices)
- Green, red, or mole enchiladas
- Filet mignon
- Chicken with mole
It was difficult to choose from all these authentic Mexican dinner options. But we narrowed it down and selected the Mexican-style flautas and the Veracruzana-style catch of the day (snapper).
Our surprise dessert was flan and we were served refreshing hibiscus water.
How do I book a personal chef experience in Isla Mujeres?
Highly recommend hiring Chef Sofia and Chef Luis to prepare you an authentic Mexican meal when visiting Isla Mujeres. You can find her on Instagram (sofiaskitchenisla).
Fuego de Mar
Fuego de Mar was our favorite restaurant meal during our last visit to Isa Mujeres. We all loved our meals. This Argentinean-owned restaurant features delicious fresh seafood grilled over an open wood fire. How fresh? We saw a fisherman bring in his fresh catches of the day.
You can choose to sit outside at a table or the bar or inside. It’s all open air so even when we were sitting inside it felt like al fresco. And love that you can see your food being prepared.
Where is Fuego de Mar in Isla Mujeres located? What are the hours of Fuego de Mar? Are reservations needed for Fuego de Mar?
Island location: Central
Address: Jesus Martinez Ross Y Calle 17, Ampliacion La Gloria, 77400 Isla Mujeres, Mexico
Cuisine: Seafood and steak
Reservations: Not necessary. We walked in and were seated immediately.
Days/hours of operation: Wednesday through Monday, 5:30 pm. to 10:30 p.m. Closed on Tuesdays.
Isla Brewing Company
The Isla Brewing Company was conveniently located near our Airbnb. Just a quick walk so we visited for happy hour a couple of times as well as lunch/appetizers. They serve their own craft beer with a Caribbean flair as well as other domestic beers and cocktails. They also serve flights of beers if you can’t decide. Isla Brewing Company is the only place that brews craft beers on the island.
All tables are outdoors in the spacious beer garden as well as bar seating. Make sure to stop by their gift shop for some cool merchandise.
Where is Isla Brewery in Isla Mujeres located? What are the hours for Isla Brewery? Are reservations needed for Isla Mujeres?
Island location: Central
Address: Jesus Martinez Ross 61, 77400 Isa Mujeres, Mexico
Cuisine: Mexican
Reservations: Not necessary
Days/hours of operation: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Closed on Sundays.
Javi’s Cantina Restaurant and Bar
Javi’s Cantina Restaurant and Bar is one of the best restaurants for dinner in Isla Mujeres. Loved the live music, exotic cocktails, delicious food, and gorgeous courtyard and murals.
You’ll find two different sections at Javi’s Cantina Restaurant & Bar. The front area is located in the bar area. The other section offers a courtyard sitting area. Both sections provide live music.
And I love the history of Javi’s Cantina Restaurant & Bar. This cantina is located in Javi’s grandmother’s family home. They originally started out catering and offering tapas. But then expanded into a full-service restaurant.
I recommend making a reservation at Javi’s Cantina Restaurant and Bar in Isla Mujeres, Mexico. We were a walk-in, but they were able to seat us in the front of the restaurant. Still great ambiance and we also had live music – a guitar soloist. Pictured above is the courtyard area of Javi’s Cantina.
Our pre-dinner cocktails (where we ordered seconds and maybe thirds) at Javi’s Cantina Restaurant and Bar were pretty amazing. My husband ordered a grilled pineapple margarita and I enjoyed a refreshing strawberry daiquiri by candlelight.
For dinner, I devoured the fabulous jumbo shrimp special and took a bite or two of my husband’s fresh catch of the day, snapper, in a mushroom cream sauce. They were both amazing. We will definitely eat at Javi’s Cantina Restaurant and Bar in Isla Mujeres again – one of the best restaurants on the island.
Where is Javi’s Cantina Restaurant and Bar in Isla Mujeres located? What are the hours? Are reservations needed?
Island location: North
Address: Av Juarez 12, Centro – Supmza. 001, 77400 Isla Mujeres, Mexico
Cuisine: Caribbean and seafood
Reservations: Highly recommend if you want courtyard sitting. We walked in and were able to sit in the bar dining area, but think we lucked out as seating is limited.
Days/hours of operation: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday through Tuesday. Closed on Wednesday.
The Joint Reggae Bar N Grill
While we did not eat at The Joint, it was a festive outdoor space for happy hour and live music. I’ve heard they have great pizza and the menu looked great. It’s located on the South end of Isla Mujeres. Another great place for pizza recommended by our friends is Sonny’s. Will have to try both next time!
Additionally, The Joint offers a sunset cruise with three hours of live music, drinks, and snacks.
Where is The Joint Reggae Bar N Grill in Isla Mujeres located? What are the hours for The Joint? Are reservations needed for The Joint?
Island location: South
Address: Av. Gustavo Rueda Medina, Punta Sur, Isla Mujeres
Cuisine: Caribbean and pizza
Reservations: Not necessary.
Days/hours of operation: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Saturday.
North Garden Café Restaurant and Bar
The North Garden in Isla Mujeres is one of the best places to eat in Isla Mujeres. This charming venue is open for breakfast, lunch, happy hour, and dinner. Beautiful setting under a palapa night or day, we enjoyed several meals here on our first visit to Isla Mujeres as it was within walking distance of our hotel (Hotel Secreto). It’s also conveniently located near the popular North Beach.
North Garden Café Restaurant and Bar is one of the best restaurants in Isla Mujeres, Mexico. It was within walking distance of our hotel (Hotel Secreto) and near North Beach. We enjoyed happy hour, breakfast, and dinner. Note that they currently serve breakfast and lunch.
I especially loved North Garden Cafe’s tableside flamed salmon entrée: citrus-flavored salmon cooked over coals and marinated with Grand Marnier on a bed of grilled grapefruit and vegetables. Grilled grapefruit is pretty amazing! And my husband enjoyed North Garden Café’s homemade pasta with seafood (fruiti de mar) with pesto cream sauce, roasted jumbo shrimp, fish of the day, and octopus sauteed with white wine.
Where is North Garden Cafe in Isla Mujeres located? What are the hours for North Garden Cafe? Are reservations needed for North Garden Cafe?
Island location: North
Address: Carlos Lazo No. 14, Centro – Supmza. 001, 77400, Isla Mujeres
Cuisine: Caribbean and seafood
Reservations: Not necessary.
Days/hours of operation: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday through Monday. Closed Tuesdays. When we visited, North Garden Café was open for dinner. Posted hours indicate they are now only open for breakfast and lunch.
Olivia
If you’re a fan of Mediterranean, then you must try Olivia’s located in downtown Isla Mujeres. This romantic and charming restaurant offers traditional Mediterranean food such as tapas, hummus, kababs, falafels, and delicious specialties like chicken in olives (pictured), and moussaka. Also loved their chocolate mousse.
Reservations are required for the two dinner sittings at 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Seating is set in a pretty courtyard and garden.
Where is Olivia in Isla Mujeres located? What are the hours for Olivia in Isla Mujeres? Are reservations needed for Olivia’s in Isla Mujeres?
Island location: North/downtown
Address: Matamoros, Centro – Supmza. 001, 77400, Isla Mujeres
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Reservations: Yes.
Days/hours of operation: 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. sittings. Monday through Saturday. Closed on Sunday.
La Patrona Restaurant and Bar
When we first arrived in Isla Mujeres, we didn’t have a golf cart so wanted to walk to a restaurant close to our Airbnb. It was a Sunday evening so the nearby Isla Brewery was closed. We came across La Patrona so gave this two-story restaurant with a rooftop palapa a try. The service, drinks, and food were awesome. Loved my shrimp tacos – so good!
Where is Patron in Isla Mujeres located? What are the hours for La Patrona? Are reservations needed for La Patrona?
Island location: Central
Address: Jesus Martinez Ross 618, Salinas, 77400, Isla Mujeres
Cuisine: Mexican and seafood
Reservations: No
Days/hours of operation: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily Monday through Sunday.
Polo’s Mango Café
The neighbors living next door to our Airbnb highly recommended Polo’s Mango Café for breakfast or lunch. As did a couple of my friends who love visiting Isla Mujeres.
Fell in love with the Mango Café’s colorful and eclectic vibe and the hearty and delicious breakfasts. Come hungry! I went for a savory breakfast and ordered their breakfast quesadillas. Next time I’m going sweet to enjoy their famous coconut French toast.
Walk off your meal by crossing the street and climb up the hill to visit the beautiful Chapel of Guadalupe and the scenic view behind the church.
Where is Polo’s Mango Cafe in Isla Mujeres located? What are the hours for Polo’s Mango Cafe? Are reservations needed for Polo’s Mango Cafe?
Island location: Central
Address: Av Payo Obispo S/N, MZA 101 LTE 1, Meteorologico, 77400 Isla Mujeres
Cuisine: Mexican, Caribbean
Reservations: No
Days/hours of operation: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily Monday through Sunday.
Rosa Sirena
We asked Chef Sofia for her favorite restaurant recommendations in Isla Mujeres. When she mentioned one we had not visited, we knew we had to check out Rosa Sirena. And so happy we did. I mean if a chef loves it, you know it’s going to be fabulous. And it was! My husband ordered the pork chop. And they came out with a set of knives to choose from. I chose the catch of the day. Both were amazing!
Make your reservation for the palapa-covered rooftop where you’ll be treated to live music, a beautiful sunset, fabulous food, and great service.
And maybe the charismatic owners/chefs will stop by your table and chat. The air-conditioned second floor is also available for reservations.
Save room for dessert because the multi-layer carrot cake is amazing!
Where is Rosa Sirena in Isla Mujeres located? What are the hours for Rosa Sirena? Are reservations needed for Rosa Sirena?
Island location: Central
Address: Corner of Calle Josefa Ortiz de Dominguez and Narciso Median in Colonia Meteorologico, Isla Mujeres
Cuisine: Mexican, seafood, steak, vegetarian
Reservations: Yes
Days/hours of operation: 5 to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Closed Monday.
More of the best Isla Mujeres restaurants recommended by locals
Other restaurants that we did not try, but were recommended by locals included:
- Doro’s Taqueria offers Mexican and a traditional bar and grill menu as well as breakfast.
- La Lomita’s menu features traditional Mexican.
- Loncheria Jairo offers BBQ and Mexican dishes.
- Limon serves seafood, steaks, and pasta.
- Mahache Fish & Grill’s menu includes seafood, steak, and burgers.
- Tiny Gecko offers breakfast, Mexican, seafood, chicken, and more.
- Tonicho’s dishes up Mexican, hamburgers, and pizza.
Buen provecho!
Pin it for later! Best places to eat in Isla Mujures, Mexico
I LOVE Mexican food. This whole post was making my mouth water!
Then you would love Isla Mujeres, Mexico. Lots of delicious and authentic Mexican food.
We have been to Mexico many times. But have not yet made it to Isla Mujeres. It looks like it is definitely worth a ferry ride for a day or longer. And we would certainly not go hungry! I would love the opportunity to get a personal chef experience.
We love Isla Mujeres! One of our favorite places in Mexico. And loved our personal chef experience with Chef Sofia and Chef Luis.
Wow everything looks so delicious !!! Making me hungry 🙂
Isla Mujeres, Mexico offers so many great places to eat. Delicious Mexican and Caribbean dishes!
everything looks so good- so fresh and local..and combos of food I would never think to make at home- best type of vacation~
This was the best kind of vacation with so many great places to eat in Isla Mujeres. Everything was fresh and local.
I wish the Mexican food here (in the Netherlands) was as good as there.. this made me HUNGRY!! :’)
Isla Mujeres has the best Mexican food! So good!
As a self proclaimed foodie, I love food stories. I particularly love the bird martini glass – adorable. I have been to Isla Mujeres, but I will know where to dine if I ever get the chance!
I hope you get the opportunity to visit Isla Mujeres! We love it there. So many great foodie spots…and we loved the bird glass also.
Caribbean Garden looks so cool. I love the decor!
We really enjoyed the Caribbean Gatden and the swing bar next door. So cool!
I visit Cancun and Isla Mujeres at least once a year. I’m going to try one of these places when I go next month!
Awesome! I love the Cancún and Isla Mujeres area. Hope you enjoy one of our favorite restaurants.
Oooh nice! This is a bit different to your normal posts with frozen lakes and waterfalls! All this food sounds so, sooo tasty.. you just warmed me up with your enthusiasm for Mexico!
Yes…post is a little different. Had to share my favorite restaurants we experienced in Isla Mujeres on our recent vacation.
I like the look of the Caribbean Garden, with the swings as seats in the garden. My kind of place!
Love all the swings at the bars and restaurants in Isla Mujeres. Lots of great food!
I like that fresh catch at Fuego de Mar. It looks delicious, just like the one from Aurora Cocina. But I think the father and daughter duo is a number one must-try when in Isla Mujeres.
Yes! We loved our in-home personal chef experience with Chef Sofia and Chef Luis! And Fuego de Mar was so good!
Isla Mujeres is a tempting place to eat Mexican food. And, the style of the architecture draws me into the experience as well.
Isla Mujeres offers lots of great dining experiences. Love the architecture here also.
I am going to Playa Mujeres at the end of May and will take the ferry to Isla. Thank you for this post. The last time I went to Isla I felt so overwhelmed and lost in the crowds. I am saving this so I can check out a few of the awesome restaurants/bars. I think Rosa Sirena and Fuego de Mar at the top of my list.
You’re welcome and my pleasure! The north end of the island does get crowded. Try the center and south end. And we loved Fuego de Mar and Rosa Sirena. So good!
Lots of food options in Isla Mujeres! And the views there are amazing.
Isla Mujeres is so awesome! Love the food and views!
I enjoyed reading this! It has been a while since I’ve been to Isla Mujeres. These places look wonderful to eat!
Awesome! So many great places to eat in Isla Mujeres, Mexico.