What’s the best food in Cancún? Try the 10 must-eat dishes

When you think of food in Cancún, your mind likely goes to tacos. While this beloved street food has been one of Mexico’s greatest gifts to the culinary world, there are many more must-eat dishes you’ll want to explore.

The cuisine of the Yucatán Peninsula is both infused with Mayan traditions and influenced by foreign flavors. From slow-roasted pork the Mayans once cooked in underground pits to Dutch cheese stuffed with a hearty meat filling, find your new favorite Mexican dish with this guide to the best food in Cancún.

1. Cochinita pibil

Want to know what food is Cancún known for? Look no further than cochinita pibil, a dish passed down from the Mayans. The traditional preparation of this pork dish consists of slow-roasting the meat in an underground pit. Its distinct flavors come from marinating it in achiote paste, a rub of annatto seeds and spices, and orange juice before being cooked in banana leaves.

How to eat the best cochinita pibil in Cancún?

Cochinita pibil is a famous food for on the go. Try it at a local food market in Cancún, with tortillas, black beans, and a generous topping of pickled onions.

2. Tikin xic

You can’t come to Cancún without trying fresh seafood. Packed with Mayan flavors, tikin xic, translating to “dry fin,” is a must-eat dish usually prepared with red snapper. Light, fresh, and flavorful, it’s marinated in achiote paste and cooked in banana leaves with tomatoes and bell peppers — the perfect dish to end a beach trip in Cancún.

How to eat the best tikin xic in Cancún?

You can find tikin xic at beachside eateries. It’s best prepared with a side of plantain to give a sweet contrast to the deep flavors of the achiote paste.

3. Cascatán

Tacos are the most universally loved street foods, and the most challenging question you’ll be faced with in Cancún is what kind of tacos to order. While all delicious, cascatán tacos are one of the most popular foods to try in the region. Thinly sliced pork belly is fried, creating a crispiness on the outside and succulence on the inside, before being topped with cheese. It’s indulgence at its finest.

How to eat the best cascatán tacos in Cancún?

Eat them topped with red onion and habanero pepper. Grab some from a local market, street vendor, or one of the many food trucks in the Hotel Zone.

4. Chilaquiles

Think nachos, but more delicate, handmade, and packed with a punch. A staple of Mexican cuisine, chilaquiles are lightly fried corn tortillas cut into quarters and topped with green or red salsa and a variety of hearty sides such as shredded chicken, cheese, sour cream, beans, onions, and avocado.

How to eat the best chilaquiles in Cancún?

Known as the breakfast of champions, this hearty dish will set you up with all the energy you need for the day. Pair chilaquiles with traditional Mexican hot chocolate to add some sweetness.

5. Panuchos

Yucatán’s version of a tostada, panuchos are fried corn tortillas stuffed with black beans and topped with shredded chicken, lettuce, avocado, and pickled onions. They’re most popular as a snack, but you may be tempted to get enough to make a meal.

How to eat the best panuchos in Cancún?

Panuchos are a favorite street food — you can easily find them at food stands across Cancún’s best neighborhoods, like the Hotel Zone or Cancún Centro, or at popular foodie spots such as Avenida Tulum and Parque de las Palapas.

6. Queso Relleno

The key ingredient of queso relleno isn’t Mexican but Dutch. Edam cheese is the base of this dish, and its arrival in the Yucatán Peninsula is linked to Dutch traders in the 19th century. The cheese is hallowed out and stuffed with ground meat, raisins, capers, olives, and spices before being baked and topped with a tomato-based sauce. It’s the perfect fusion of rich European cheese with traditional Mexican ingredients.

How to eat the best queso relleno in Cancún?

If you’re spending Christmas in Cancún, you’ll find queso relleno everywhere, as it’s a staple holiday dish. Otherwise, it’s found at most traditional Yucatán restaurants — it’s best enjoyed as a main course with a side of rice or refried beans and a fresh salad to balance out the decadent flavors.

7. Papadzules

Papadzules are similar to enchiladas and are considered one of the oldest traditional Yucatán dishes. Corn tortillas are dipped in a creamy pumpkin seed sauce, rolled up with boiled eggs, and slathered in more sauce. A tomato and habanero salsa tops it off, adding the perfect blend of tang and spice.

How to eat the best papadzules in Cancún?

Given papadzules are a staple of Cancún’s culinary scene, you’ll find them on the menu at traditional restaurants across the city. You can request to add meat such as shredded chicken or pork for a more substantial meal.

8. Tamal torteado de pollo

Tamales are a famous food of ancient origin, and the tamal torteado de pollo is Yucatán cuisine's take on it. Traditionally made from masa (corn dough), tamales are stuffed with meat, vegetables, and cheese. The tamal torteado’s distinct filling is shredded chicken with tomatoes. “Torteado” also refers to the method of flattening the tamal before steaming, which creates its unique shape and texture.

How to eat the best tamal torteado de pollo in Cancún?

Head to a local market such as Mercado 28 or Mercado Ki Huic to find the best tamal torteado de pollo, and top it with your choice of red or green salsa and a dollop of crema (Mexican sour cream).

9. Sopa de lima

Lighten things up with this flavorful chicken soup prepared with a savory and citrusy broth, shredded chicken, and crispy tortilla strips. What makes this version distinct from the Mexican tortilla soup you may know is the addition of lima, a local lime with a distinct sweet and floral taste. Going for a big bowl of sopa de lima is one of the best things to do when it rains in Cancún.

How to eat the best sopa de lima in Cancún?

Sopa de lima is on the menu at almost all traditional restaurants. It’s best enjoyed with an extra squeeze of lime and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro.

10. Marquesita

Travelers with a sweet tooth will rejoice over the marquesita, a Mexican-style crepe. Cooked in a waffle iron to crispy perfection, marquesitas are rolled up with a topping of your choice, such as peanut butter, Nutella, jam, caramel sauce or cheese for savory fans.

How to eat the best marquesitas in Cancún?

Marquesitas are one of the best street foods to try in Cancún. Look for them at vendors in Mercado 23 and El Parque de las Palapas, especially in the evening.

FAQs

What are the three most popular foods to try in Cancún?

Don’t leave Cancún without trying cochinita pibil (slow-roasted pork), ceviche (fresh seafood salad), and marquesitas (crispy crepes). Find cochinita pibil and marquesitas at food stands across the city, and dine on ceviche at a beachfront restaurant.

How much is a meal in Cancún?

Street food costs between 100 and 200 pesos ($5-$10), whereas food at mid-range restaurants costs between 400 and 1,000 pesos ($20-$50).

What are the top local food markets in Cancún to visit?

The best food markets to explore are Mercado 23, known for its fresh local cuisine and produce, and Mercado 28, which offers a variety of traditional food and handcrafted souvenirs.

How do I avoid getting food poisoning in Cancún?

Stick to eating at reputable restaurants and choose highly frequented street food stands. Ensure that the food you eat is thoroughly cooked and avoid tap water. Wash your hands frequently and carry hand sanitizer to use before meals.

Is the food in Cancún spicy?

Traditional Mexican cuisine often incorporates chili peppers and spices, so food in Cancún can be spicy. However, many dishes are customizable, allowing you to adjust the spice level to your preference.