The Best Seafood Restaurants in Cozumel, Mexico

Making its home in the backstreets of San Miguel, away from the usual tourist trail, La Perlita (the little pearl) truly is a hidden gem. It specializes in lionfish, an invasive – and delicious – species, and by eating it, you’re actually helping out the local marine environment. The win-win menu is practically all seafood, from coconut shrimp to grilled octopus, while a friendly and unpretentious atmosphere makes it an understandably popular spot for residents, too.

No prizes for guessing what this family-run, palapa-style restaurant’s specialty is. Opened in the 1970s, the Lobster House is one of the longest established dining spots on the island, so it knows a thing or two about cooking seafood. Of course, the grilled lobster is a highlight, and if you’re ravenous, you can add a T-bone steak. As night falls, numerous lanterns and hanging lights make for a wonderfully atmospheric dining experience, helped along by live tableside music.

A little off the beaten track, but worth the extra legwork, El Sazón del Camarón is known for its grilled shrimp tacos. The fish tortas (a type of sandwich) are also worthy of a mention, and its prawn cocktail and ceviche are popular picks as well. Portions are on the generous side, so you won’t leave hungry, either. It serves proper Mexican fare at local prices.

This unpretentious seafood coctelería (cocktail bar) off of the main drag offers some of the best value on the island. You’ll want to bring your appetite, as it serves huge portions at pocket-friendly prices. For example, the seafood platter features six types of seafood, including grilled lobster, and is enough for two. It’s little wonder it’s super popular with local residents as well as a trickle of savvy travelers (like you) who seek it out.

Just one block from the port, Mariscos Camilo’s is a great pick if you’re hungry for fresh-off-the-boat seafood. It’s a small restaurant with some big flavors, especially in the form of its home-made guajillo chili sauce. The menu at this family-run eatery includes dishes such as whole grilled fish, tuna steak and crab-claw broth, as well as plenty of traditional Mexican options. It makes an excellent margarita, too.

If you don’t mind paying a little more for top-quality cuisine, Kondesa offers a foodie-friendly menu of genuinely creative flavors. The angle is modern Mexican cuisine, with seafood at its heart and an emphasis on local ingredients. Though anchored in the center of town, you dine in a secluded jungle-like environment that turns twinkly by night. Its lionfish cakes with coconut milk are an inspired opener, while the bao lobster buns are outrageously good.