A Foodie's Guide to the Best Restaurants in Mayakoba, Mexico

LUNCH

La Fondita: Located in Mayakoba's El Pueblito, La Fondita is a small cantina that serves up delicious tostadas. They probably have about six tables and it's walk-in only, so you may have to wait a few minutes for a table, but it's worth it. They make a cold tostada called La Fresa that I absolutely loved - the base is made of jicama and it's topped with avocado, watermelon, tomato and mint. So refreshing and maybe my favorite thing here! The best hot tostada is the Cochinita, made with pulled pork, beans, red onion, and avocado. You'll be tempted by other options, but make sure these two are definitely in your order.

Aqui Me Quedo: This toes-in-the-sand spot is adults only during the day, and its palapas, pools and design-forward lounge areas create the perfect daytime ambiance. During lunch, a vintage-style food truck serves casual Mexican fare such as ceviche, Tijuana-style shrimp tacos, frozen cocktails and more.

Brisas: Situated just off the beach at the Fairmont Mayakoba, Brisas is the perfect lunch spot to feel the ocean breeze or dine poolside. Do yourself a favor and order the Baja Red Snapper Tacos and the Baby Gem Salad with Shrimp. I enjoyed these so much, I got them again for lunch the next day.

Hix Bar & Lobby Lounge: Located in the lobby of the Fairmont, Hix is a great choice for a refreshing lunch when you have a spa treatment next door or the weather isn't optimal. I dined here on a rainy day and was pleasantly surprised by how delicious the food was. Menu favorites include the Wonton Salmon Tostada, Crispy Tuna Rice, and the Hamachi roll.

DINNER

Saffron: The vibes at Saffron are undeniable - the string lights and tables set on docks that hover above the lagoons make it a romantic dining option in Mayakoba, and the quality of the food measures up. If you're questioning getting Thai food in Mexico, don't hesitate here. Saffron is the signature restaurant of the independent Asian hotel group, Banyan Tree, and they hit the mark every time. Some of my must-order items are the Thai Satay Ruam (satay skewers), Pho Pia Thod (veggie spring rolls), Phad Thai, and Massaman Curry. Each dish blew us away, and I was thrilled to learn you can order half portions of many items here if you don't have a huge appetite or prefer to order a wider variety of items!

Tauro: Tauro is a upscale steakhouse at the Fairmont, complete with a martini bar and a live piano player. They'll start the meal with very tasty bread, but don't fill up because you'll want to order the smoked salmon appetizer and it comes with toasted brioche sticks you cannot miss. And of course, the star of the show here are the steaks, which are cooked to perfection.

Gaia: For an immersive dining experience, Gaia is where you want to go. After checking in for your table, you'll be escorted to the raw bar display where one of the chefs will speak about the fresh catches available that evening and offer you a choice between five raw bar samplers, beautifully displayed over ice. Without spoiling too much, I'll say their take on bread with butter is served quite creatively, and the black cod entrée with caviar, brown butter and potato mousseline was phenomenal - a must try. Gaia is a great choice if you want to dress up for date night and try some delicious seafood.

La Ceiba: Exclusively available to guests staying at the Rosewood, La Ceiba offers a unique al fresco Chef's Dinner in their garden. Guests are seated at communal tables where they enjoy live music, craft cocktails and a five-course menu, often comprised of ingredients grown just a few feet from where you're seated. This experience is only available on Wednesdays and Saturdays, so book your stay with this in mind.

DRINKS

Cielo Rooftop: Cielo is my favorite spot to grab sunset drinks in Mayakoba. The adults-only rooftop has a perfect view of both the ocean to the East and the sunset to the West, and the sunken lounge seating with private fire pits offers the ideal vibe for evening drinks. I recommending coming around 45 minutes before sunset to catch golden hour and watch the space transform from day to night. Order the Hunab Ku cocktail if you like gin!

Zapote Bar: Ranked as one of North America’s 50 Best Bars (number 11!), Zapote Bar is a must when in Mayakoba. We visited twice, once during the day and once at night, and nighttime is where the vibes are. The night we went there was live music and a guest mixologist from Mexico City who crafted the most delicious cocktails. Make a reservation to ensure you can get a table as this is a popular spot!