COZUMEL 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 or at least used to fit the 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! Note that all directions are given from Caribe Sunset so see the map!

• La Choza:: This is the New La Choza and still has 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. Favorites include Chicken in Black Sauce and now the Fish Ceviche. The orange colored chili Salsa is an island original. Nacho is our favorite waiter! Easy walk, stagger home. (On 10^th Ave. just before Salas)$-$$


• 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 overpriced bottles of liquor here!), and then enjoy great food and potent margs in the romantic 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. $$-$$$
• Pancho's Backyard website and coupons


• Guido’s: You will pass it on the way home from Pancho’s on Melgar. Small menu of pasta and seafood. Pizza and lasagna are the best! Do order the bread thing! Get a seat by the window in front for the view and the AC. We used to love the gorgeous and romantic back courtyard but, sadly, it is no more. The space has been enlarged and the lovely old trees cut down. It has a nice "Chow Hall" feel now! Open 7 days a week. $$-$$$
• Guidos


• Jeanie’s: They have rebuilt the beach and added a huge 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. This is one of our spots to snorkel and watch the sunset. On Melgar near the stop light, next to Margaritaville. $$


• Casa Mission: Take a cab both ways to this old hacienda east of downtown. Very good everything and strolling musicians to go with a usually 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). $$-$$$
• Casa Mission


• 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 OK if a bit salty,and the margs were just so-so.$$-$$$
• Casa Denis


• Casablanca: Next to Casa Dennis, but closer to the square. We used to rave about this place, then paned it and now like it again. Like so much on Cozumel there is always change. On our latest visit the service was great and water (always seems to be an issue) showed up right away! The Chicken and Mayan dishes were very good. Get the Free Margarita card before you sit down.$-$$


• Las Tortugas: Straight inland on 17^th past the yellow church about 6 blocks to 30th. Go right about 2 blocks. I We 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! $$
• Las Tortugas


• El Foco: Cheap, late night greasy spoon located ˝ block from the square on 5 Sur. When nothing else is open and you have had many Margs, this is the place to recover. 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, more touristy atmosphere. Huge filet mignon was great at $17. Glory was not impressed with the quality of the veggie menu. $$
• La Mission


• Chi: Chinese place right on Melgar over the Pizza place on Calle 3. Very OK 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. On our last 2 trips here the food has been poorly prepared and the margaritas tasted like sea water. So we are taking this off our list of good places to eat...until it gets better! $-$$


• Los Chilangos: This is great for lunch! Like eating in a typical Cozumeleño 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. $


• El Morro: Get directions to this old favorite...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. 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 $80 peso burger was very good too. Open late. $$


• Museo de Cozumel: Really good breakfast spot. Ocean front on Melgar. Check it out and tour the Museum for dessert. $$


• Sushi‘n Go: Great little sushi bar right in the neighborhood. Limited menu, but all good. Spicy Tuna roll very spicy. $5. Located ˝ block from Margaritaville on Calle 11.


• Mission Grill on 30^th: Owned by the fine folks who own Casa Mission, this is another place loved by locals. Fish dinner for $80 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. $
• Parrilla Mission


• La Cocay: This a “special event” kind of place with higher prices and ambience to match. One of those "Special Occasion" kind of spots. On 8^th north between 15^th and 25^th. $$$
• La Cocay


• Otates: Even though this very local eatery has been discovered by the Gringo Crowd, it is still very good and one of our faves. Our last trip it was packed, but still the service was prompt, the food was excellent and cheap. Stick with the meaty tacos or burritos and you will be fine. Pazole is reportedly very good too. Nothing very veggie here except a veggie burrito. On Ave 15 between Calle 3 and 5. $


• Prima: The old Prima has moved to the old Wynston location at the top of El Cantil on Melgar. Great 2x1 Happy Hour on the new outside patio. Fried Calimari was voted best on the island by us! Divers breakfast from 7-9am is only 35 pesos. Plan Local breakfast is only 45 pesos, but you have to ask for it.$-$$$


• 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: Pizza 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 though; $9 for a bottle of water and $8 for a small margarita are not so good! Near the water on Calle 3. $$$


• Tony Rome’s: Another island fave 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 ˝ block south of the square. $$
• Tony Rome's


• 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! ˝ block south of the square on 5 Sur. $$$$
• French Quarter


• Kinta: This is a new classy little place with good food and high prices. Very cute courtyard out back. They cooked up our barracuda to perfection! Our most recent visit the snapper was a bit mushy. North of the square on 5^th. $$$


• R J Thai Noodle House: This is the first Thai restaurant on Cozumel. It has fast become one of our faves with surprisingly good food and a great location. You can mix and match noodles and create dozens of unique dishes! The smaller bowl is plenty of food too! On 11^thacross from the new park. $$-$$$


• Il Giardino: This is a new little neighborhood eatery located very close to Caribe Sunset, Casa Amor and Casa Kay. The owner used to work for a cruise line and is full of stories. The menu changes daily as do prices. Sample items include Jamaican Chicken, Shrimps, Pasta dishes and Ribs with home made BBQ sauce. Sunday is Lasagna Day. Open Tuesday through Sunday, 11 am to 6 pm. On Ave 15 between 17 and 19. $-$$


• Midori Sushi: We have seen this eatery for years and always wanted to give it a try...we wish we had done so sooner. It was some of the best sushi we have ever had. Very Fresh and unique. The Banana Roll they made for Glory was a big hit. The fresh Tuna Sashimi was incredible! Fully air conditioned with city views. On Salas just before the Mercado. $-$$


• El Puerto: This is a new restaurant/bar at Abrigo, the northern marina. While the sunset view is great, the food prices are high and the drinks are even higher priced. This area has long needed a good restaurant so it's a shame that this is not it. The cheese nachos were good though so check it out. $$-$$$


• Chilangos On 30^th: This is a very good, very local hang, only open for dinner. You look at all the food in the window and point at what you want inside your "huarache" or shoe. Lots of veggie selections. They now have a full bar. On 30^th going north, before you get to the Pemex. $