Restaurants

More than 300 restaurants spanning North American, European, and Asian cuisines have opened across Cancún. They have come to supplement the many U.S.-based franchise chains that have long dominated the Cancún restaurant scene. These include Hard Rock Cafe, Rainforest Cafe, Tony Roma's, T.G.I. Friday's, Ruth's Chris Steak House, and the gamut of fast-food burger places. The establishments listed here are typically locally owned, one-of-a-kind restaurants or exceptional selections at area hotels. Many schedule live music. Unless otherwise indicated, parking is free.

One unique way to combine dinner with sightseeing is aboard the Lobster Dinner Cruise (tel. 998/849-4748; www.thelobsterdinner.com). Cruising around the tranquil, turquoise waters of the lagoon, passengers feast on lobster dinners accompanied by wine. Cost is $79 per person for the surf-and-turf menu and $89 for the lobster-only menu. There are two daily departures from the Aquatours Marina (Bulevar Kukulkán 6.5). A sunset cruise leaves at 5pm during the winter and 5:30pm during the summer; a moonlight cruise leaves at 8pm winter, 8:30pm summer. Another -- albeit livelier -- lobster dinner option is the Captain Hook Lobster Dinner Cruise (tel. 998/849-4451; www.pirateshipcancun.com), which is similar, but with the added attraction of a pirate show involving two 28m (93-ft.) replicas of 18th-century Spanish galleons, making this a fun choice for families. It costs $86 per person, departs at 7pm from El Embarcadero at Playa Linda, and returns at 10:30pm.