The Best Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants in Cancún, Mexico

At this Cancún restaurant dedicated to plant-based cooking, traditional Mexican dishes get a vegan makeover. Try the nachos supreme – freshly baked tortilla chips smothered in ‘melted cheese’ made from walnuts, mushrooms, black beans, guacamole, jalapeños and sour nut cream. Other national favorites include tamales, tacos and enchiladas; international mains include pasta, burgers and salads. Raw foodies should try the falafel taco or a ‘burrito nori’. Finish with a refreshing slice of lemon pie.

Gopal’s looks like a standard Mexican taco joint, but its menu will delight those looking for a cheap, no-meat, fast-food fix. This no-frills eatery serves up fried empanadas stuffed with chunks of soy meat, carrot and kale, as well as tacos filled with rajas con papas (chiles with potatoes), zanahoria con tofu (carrot with tofu), and ‘chorizo’ con nopal (soy meat with nopal, a type of Mexican cactus). A set menu includes a juice, bread, soup and entrée for a very affordable price.

Those seeking authentic Indian flavors should make a beeline for Patravali, a modern eatery serving classic Indian fare in generous portions. Think vegetable samosas, naan bread stuffed with onion, potatoes with garlic, and lentil curry and potato dumplings. The chef’s specialities include dishes like fried potatoes filled with paneer cheese, sultanas and cashews bathed in a thick spicy sauce. Vegan alternatives available.

This hip restaurant with a cute pastel pink interior serves up well-presented plates of wholesome comfort food. Using 100% plant-based ingredients, Veggie has perfected its healthy fast-food menu to include juicy beet burgers, fried cauliflower ‘boneless no-wings’ and tofu burritos. For dessert, try the matcha ice cream or a slice of red velvet cake. Veggie is also open on Sundays for breakfast.

This vegetarian café has welcoming staff, outdoor dining in a leafy little garden and a varied menu. Jackfruit tostadas, vegan nuggets and veggie burgers accompanied by homemade sweet potato fries are just some of the dishes available at Sirena Morena. For breakfast, expect to start the day with organic poached eggs, nutritious fruit bowls and superfood smoothies. Sirena Morena also has a small store selling organic foods and vegan beauty products like make-up and locally hand-made soap.

A popular vegetarian and vegan-friendly franchise with branches in nine Mexican states, 100% Natural Cancún offers plates of nourishing food in a light, airy dining room decked with plants, Mexican art and wall sculptures. The menu includes a standard choice of veggie tacos, soy burgers, tofu rolls, soups and salad. Although the food won’t win any awards for creativity, the portions are large, the prices are reasonable, and each meal comes with complimentary chips and salsa.

Established in 1983, La Dolce Vita Centro is one of Cancún’s oldest and most popular Italian restaurants. Expect appetizers like breaded mozzarella and eggplant alla parmigiana. Pastas include spinach and ricotta ravioli, capellini with a tomato and basil sauce, and linguini with mushrooms and spinach in a spicy chipotle sauce. Wash it down with a large glass of pinot grigio, or if vino rojo (red wine) is more your thing, try the Tuscan chianti. Ask about the vegan and gluten-free options.

Natura can be found behind the beach in the Zona Hotelera. Sit outside on the terrace with its greenery and colorful Toucan mural. The prices are very reasonable for the hotel zone, and the menu includes ample vegan and vegetarian options – expect vegetable fajitas, tofu pasta and bean burgers. Natura also has an extensive juice menu, including the eight-veg combo for those needing an instant vitamin hit.

This upscale eatery near the center of Cancún serves modern Mediterranean food in the atmospheric ruins of an old building. La Fonda del Zancudo’s chefs use local organic ingredients to create delicious vegetarian dishes like homemade ravioli filled with huitlacoche – a type of corn fungus considered a Mexican delicacy – in a fresh tomato sauce. Vegans will not be disappointed either, as options include empanadas filled with dairy-free mozzarella, cherry tomatoes and basil.

Typical of Levantine cooking, the Lebanese cuisine at this family-run restaurant makes abundant use of fruit, vegetables and whole grain. Expect casual dining in a relaxed atmosphere. Treats include tabbouleh, hummus and falafel as well as mutabal, a smoked eggplant dip, and fatush, a salad of mixed greens, tomatoes, radishes and toasted pieces of flatbread. There’s also a fairly cheap buffet on Saturdays and Sundays.