Top Restaurants in Rio Lagartos
Top 9 restaurants in Rio Lagartos, Mexico
Discover the best restaurant in Rio Lagartos, Mexico including Restaurante El Popular Vaselina, Buddha Rio Cafe, Macumba restaurant, Pete's Camp, Perico Marinero, Ria Maya Restaurant, Restaurante La Chiquila, La Mojarrita Rio Lagartos, La Bocana
Things to do in Rio Lagartos
1. Restaurante El Popular Vaselina
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 52 reviews
Reviewed By Candice C
Recommended by hotel owner in Rio Lasgartos, this tiny town had a large restaurant right on the water. Had the langostina which was OK, but husband Vaselina fish special with grouper, shrimp, mushrooms and a cheese sauce which was very good. Again we were served the potato, carrot and onion appetizer, but this time it was whipped and also very tasty. Under a huge palapa. A bar-disco version of the restaurant was across the street blasting dance music. We have encountered much blasting of the Mexican music while on this trip, but the best part was leaving Rio Lagartos and listening to "Let it Snow" in Spanish being played, or rather blasted, in the square.
2. Buddha Rio Cafe
Overall Ratings
5 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By WMarkR - Montreal, Canada
Normally we like to visit a wide variety of restaurants wherever we find ourselves on vacation. However, during our 1-week stay in Rio Lagartos we took all but two of our meals at Buddha Rio Café. The same owners manage Hotel Villa de Pescadores, which we also recommend highly as the perfect base for explorations in this lovely part of the Yucatan (http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g1168987-d1649921-Reviews-Hotel_Villa_de_Pescadores-Rio_Lagartos_Yucatan_Peninsula.html).
Every item on the café’s locally-inspired menu was delicious—our favourites were the shrimp quesadillas and the grilled lobster—plus the hosts often offered us interesting Yucatan delicacies not on the menu, including desserts and beverages. Don’t miss out on the locally-made Hach-Ki hot sauce or the excellent coffee!
What really kept us going back, however, was the warmth of the staff, who always made us feel right at home. We also greatly enjoyed our conversations with Paulino, one of the hands-on owners, who shared many interesting stories about the area.
Few restaurants anywhere (including many that are much more glitzy) offer such a complete experience. We have many fond memories of our time in Rio Lagartos, and those of Buddha Rio Café and Hotel Villa de Pescadores are at the top of our list.
3. Macumba restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 99 reviews
Main street that runs beside the water
Reviewed By TR26 - Dayton, Ohio, United States
We were a little weary after having had to drive to Tizimin to get more pesos. Visitors ot Rio Lagartos take note: get more pesos than you think you'll need, do not run out! Anyway, we needed a late lunch, and this location was quite close to our hotel and was highly regarded on TripAdvisor, so we were happy to walk over and find them open.
The interior is spacious, high-cielings with great fans providing much-desired air circulation. There's a lot of Mayan decor--big head sculptures, lots of palm fronds, and one very noisy little parrot bird that provided entertainment.
Service was nice and prompt, and despite some language barrier we quickly had a couple of beers. A complimentary bowl of fresh tortilla chips came with three toppings--one was a terrific black bean, another was a tomato-and-pork combination, and the third was spiced chopped shark meat. It was a welcome way to prime the appetite.
I had the fish soup. Imagine a wonderful bowl of white fish fragments, tomato base, occasionally a little crunch from some vegetable (onion?), I say it hit the spot. My wife, with more ambition, ordered a fish-and shellfish-in-pastel and got a plate with a large round of pastry chell with a white sauce drizzled on top, full of goodness from the sea--I tried a bite, it was superb. Hers also came with french fries--pretty good ones--and the almost-always bit of fresh lettuce and tomato (which our traveller's guides suggested we should not eat).
We liked it so much that we went there for dinner--and found them closed! It's the off-season for tourists, and quite a few places are operating on reduced hours and shorter-staffs, so I suppose that, come November, they'll be extending those hours again.
4. Pete's Camp
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By Jim V - Phoenix, AZ
We have a home in San Felipe and it has become a tradition to stop at Pete's for a large dinner and a few yummy Margarita Especials
You will most likely find Juan behind the bar mixing up some great drinks, that are very generous in size and has plenty of booze.
As a benefit there is a wonderful view of the Sea of Cortez, and if you have an RV or Tent you can camp on the beach.
Enjoy
5. Perico Marinero
Overall Ratings
4 based on 212 reviews
Reviewed By aerowood2016 - Noblesville, Indiana
Short walk down the Malecon from the center of town, this was always the busiest restaurant. Had breakfast and dinner here, exciting to have real coffee in an out of the way town. Food was adequate, service efficient and prices reasonable. All the usual suspects on the menu.
6. Ria Maya Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 121 reviews
"RIA MAYA" is open daily for breakfast, lunch and supper on the water front in Rio Lagartos. There is new Traditional Palapa roofed dining room on the second floor . Fresh seafoods, ceviches and Yucatecan dishes skillfully prepared with all the freshest ingredients. Cold drinks,beer,wine and liquors. All served in a beautiful palapa roofed restaurante with the best view of the waterfront in Rio Lagartos,Yucatan. (and we think in all the Yucatán )
Reviewed By Traveler60A - Bethesda, Maryland
Had an excellent lunch (fish soup was fresh and delicious) following a 3 hour boat tour. Highly recommend it. Not only is the food excellent but the views are awesome.
7. Restaurante La Chiquila
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By Barbara R - Danville, California, United States
This restaurant is at the very far east end of Calle 9 - the spot less travelled. It is run by the naturalist, bird guide, Ismael Navarro and is a hidden gem and unexpected treat at the end of a rewarding day of birding. In addition to his outstanding birding skills, he is a fantastic cook. His ceviche is to die for! By American standards, the food is very inexpensive for the quality and freshness.
8. La Mojarrita Rio Lagartos
Overall Ratings
5 based on 2 reviews
fish and seafood restaurant with a combination of aromas and species with styles of Yucatan and oaxaca. menu from 11am to 7pm fried fish, breaded or grilled. lobster with butter or garlic sauce. Cebiche of: fish, octopus, lobster, shrimp. Shrimp: fried, breaded or grill. Fried octopus. seafood soup. natural waters of season. Open from Monday to Sunday it will be a pleasure to serve you.
Reviewed By Dalton G
We wandered into this restaurant on a sunny afternoon not expecting much but left knowing it was something we would never forget.
First of all, the view from the Seating area is absolutely beautiful! The windows point out onto the water and everything is so turquoise.
My girlfriend and I shared the ceviche and it was unique and delicious. The woman sitting at the table next to us had the fried fish and it looked amazing as well.
Finally, our server was very kind and spoke great English. He even went out of his way to answer our questions about the area and pointed out some really cool spots to visit that We never would have found on our own. (By the way, server guy, if you’re Reading this - ask for me at the Seattle Bouldering Project any time and I’ll take you Surfing!)
Bonus point: The music was
9. La Bocana
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By K H - Canton of Bern, Switzerland
Wir haben das filete relleno bestellt. Es war sehr lecker. Ich habe es mit Käsefüllung bestellt und mein Freund mit Shrimps. Das Personal war sehr freundlich und zuvorkommend!
