As a tasty byproduct of the Spanish Conquest, Yucatan Peninsula cooking combines European style and Mayan flavor. Favored dishes range from suckling pig baked in banana leaves to tortillas with fried black beans, spiced chicken and pickled onions. Yet with more than 1,200 restaurants in the tourism stronghold of Cancun, both the Hotel Zone and downtown have extensive menus stretching way beyond Mexican fare. Here are some elegant, some romantic, most casual, and they all have good food!

Lorito Joe´s

Excellent Seafood restaurant and located right on the water. Enjoy lobster, crab, shrimp, and all your favorite seafood cooked just right! You can also see crocodiles come right up to the wall for their dinner!

Casa Rolandi

Casa Rolandi has been one of the most successful restaurants in the history of Cancun, it mixes all that's expected from a good restaurant, starting from superb food, outstanding service and a Mediterranean atmosphere both cool and serene.

Lorenzillio's

Lorenzillo's-the Live Lobster House is located next to the Plantation House Restaurant and almost across the way from the Hyatt Hotel. The Lobster House is situated on a lagoon under a palapa roof. A long dock leads the way to the main dining area. Lorenzillo's, as you can obviously see is a seafood first restaurant, with a flair for lobster. The showcase at Lorenzillo's is choosing your dinner from the large lobster tank located near the hostess stand. It is worth a peek, even if lobster is not on your mind. The staff at Lorenzillo's is friendly and accommodating. The waiters are always checking to see if you need a refill, or they are making sure your food is to your liking.

Aioli

The quality and originality of the cuisine and excellence of service make this a top choice for fine-dining in Cancún. Aioli offers exquisite French and Mediterranean gourmet specialties in a warm and cozy country French setting. Though it serves perhaps the best breakfast buffet in Cancún, most diners from outside the hotel come here in the evening, when low lighting and superb service promise a romantic experience.