Looking for the best Holbox restaurants? Look no more! Here you’ll find the greatest eateries on the island to make your vacation delicious!
Isla Holbox is a Mexican island, situated at the northern tip of Quintana Roo, that resembles the paradise stereotype pictures you may see in postcards and wallpapers. Yup, it’s that beautiful. Add to it the fact that there are no cars or paved roads and you’ve got yourself the perfect holiday destination for a complete reset and ultimate relaxation.
But Holbox is not just pretty beaches and great hotels; it also offers a fantastic culinary experience. So, where to eat in Holbox if you’re craving the famous tacos Al Pastor, local cuisine, or the yummiest breakfast? You’ll find out below!
READ ALSO: Isla Holbox: Things to Do + Where to Stay, Eat & Play
After you check it out, keep this guide handy to remember what are the best Holbox restaurants and visit them once you’re on the island.
Milpa
Milpa Holbox serves not only food to make your taste buds sing, but your eyes as well. Their dishes are delicately arranged on the plates, and they excel at creating art pieces with your dinner.
Their Mexican, Mediterranean and Contemporary cuisine offers a wide range of options and while fresh fish is their strength, they also serve vegetarian dishes.
All of their produce is locally sourced, and they also offer homemade breads and sauces to go with your meals. It’s definitely one of Holbox best restaurants.
Milpa: C. Palomino & C. Porfirio Díaz.
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 6 PM to 11 PM. Make reservations to ensure your spot before you go.
ROOTS Pizzas a Leña
For a fantastic wood fired pizza, head to Roots Pizza a Leña. They serve amazingly big homemade pizzas, made on wood ovens right in front of your eyes. The place has a really cool beach vibe and ambience, there is live music and a courtyard where you’ll find one of the greatest Holbox bars, serving some of the best drinks on the island.
They also have a 100% Mexican wine cellar, so you can get a taste of the real Mexican wine. For the adventurous when it comes to food, one of the most requested flavours is the Lobster Pizza, so don’t forget to try it.
It’s one of the most sought-after and absolute best restaurants in Holbox, so get there early in the evening to grab a table.
Roots Pizza a Leña: C. Porfirio Díaz between C. Palomino & C. Carito.
Opening Hours: Daily from 12 PM to 11.30 PM.
Painapol
Painapol is a beautiful location for brunching, as it specializes in fresh smoothies, hearty sandwiches, pancakes, and delicious acai bowls.
The unmissable items of any brunch, including coffee, avo toast, eggs, and cakes of different flavors, are also available at Painapol, where you’ll be able to refuel after a morning spent at the beach or set yourself up for success before a day of adventures.
A healthy lunch menu and luscious desserts can also be found at this Isla Holbox restaurant, which opens very early in the morning and serves its delicious meals until past dinner time.
Painapol: Calle Tiburon Ballena
Opening Hours: Wednesday to Sunday from 6 AM to 10 PM. Monday from 8 AM to 3.30 PM and from 6 PM to 10 PM.
TacoQueto
Best tacos in Holbox, you said? You’ll find those in TacoQueto, where you can find authentic Holbox food.
This restaurant specializes, as its name suggests, in tacos, quesadillas, and burritos, served right next to the beach. A true classic on the island, TacoQueto has been serving food and honoring the Mexican flavors for 15 years now and, according to the many reviews it gets, their burritos are the most scandalicious in the area; you’ve been warned!
If you’re not into burritos, though, you’ll still be able to enjoy their pizzas, nachos & guacamole, and the best street food in Holbox. Although who can resist the classic Al Pastor tacos when in Mexico?
TacoQueto: Ave. Pedro Joaquín Coldwell & C. Tiburón Ballena.
Opening Hours: Daily from 5 PM to 11 PM.
Alma Bar
Alma means Soul in Spanish, and Alma Bar’s location with perfect views of the sunset, crafted cocktails and grilled food is all it takes to treat your body and soul; add a beautiful rooftop pool in the mix for the ultimate lunch experience in Holbox.
Whether you visit for brunch or dinner, or only stop by for a sunset drink (highly recommended!) don’t leave without trying their tortillas and (at least) one of their cocktails; that’s their specialty!
The bar also hosts music festivals and brings in DJs, and they are the perfect spot to celebrate your birthday or special occasion, so if you have an anniversary coming up during the trip, you now know where to go! It’s certainly one of the best bars in Holbox.
Alma Bar: Calle Paseo Kuka 150.
Opening Hours: Daily from 11 AM to 8 PM.
Las Empa Holbox
Las Empa Holbox specializes in empanadas, a typical Argentinian dish with a Mexican twist. The empanadas are basically a pastry with different kinds of filling, which can be savory or sweet, but they’re mostly served as lunch or dinner with meat-based or vegetable fillings.
They’re an ideal meal to have on the go, or to enjoy by the beach or at the pier, but you can also head to their shop to indulge in empanadas of various and very original fillings.
Las Empa Holbox also serves alfajores, a very popular South American dessert, and sweet empanadas.
Las Empa Holbox: Av Pedro Joaquin Coldwell and Calle Tiburon Ballena
Opening Hours: Daily from 10 AM to 10 PM
Arte Sano
Arte Sano is THE vegan spot in Holbox to visit if you’re vegan/vegetarian, or you simply want to take a break from meat. They take the traditional fast-foods like burgers, pizzas or tacos and turn them into yummy, healthier versions that include gluten-free and vegan options. It’s one of the best places to eat in Holbox with absolutely no guilt.
All food is freshly made, and they use the best Mexican flavors to make your meal as tasty as it is healthy. Homemade bread, sauces, and dips go well with all the menu options, and you can also get all sorts of fresh juices to go with your lunch.
It’s a particularly good place to visit for a healthy, hearty breakfast, whether you’re a vegetarian or not; some fruit and veggies never hurt anybody!
Arte Sano Holbox: C. Gerónimo de Aguilar & C. Palomino.
Opening Hours: from 9 AM to 10 PM every day.
El Chapulim
El Chapulim is a pretty unique restaurant for different reasons. For starters, you won’t get a menu once you sit down; they don’t have one. This restaurant offers only 4 main courses that change daily, because they only use the freshest ingredients, seafood, and veggies, so depending on the day, the meals you’ll be offered.
The person talking you over your different options is no other than chef and owner Erik, personalizing the experience of all his customers.
The cocktail and juice menu works pretty similarly, so you’ll only have a small selection of drinks on offer – trust me, this is a good thing. Prepared right in front of you with fresh fruits and aromatic herbs, you’ll be having different first-rate cocktails every day.
Its originality, service and good food make it one of the best restaurants in Isla Holbox.
El Chapulim: C. Tiburón Ballena between C. Damero & C. Coldwell.
Opening Hours: Daily from 9 AM to 10.30 PM.
Alta Gula
Alta Gula is the best restaurant in Holbox, Mexico, to enjoy South American cuisine. They serve traditional dishes from Argentina and Venezuela, and their staples go from mouth-watering milanesas and empanadas to arepas, sandwiches, pies, and small bites.
They also offer a wide variety of vegetarian alternatives, salads, and hearty side dishes to go along with the main courses.
The setting is very charming, featuring swinging seats, great artwork, and a beautiful plant arrangement. The staff is very friendly, the prices are reasonable, and the dishes deliciously flavorful.
Alta Gula: Carito y Porfirio Díaz
Opening Hours: Daily from 1.30 AM to 11 PM
Casa Nostra Roof Restaurant
Casa Nostra is an Italian Holbox restaurant, bringing the Mediterranean flavors all the way to your table.
As in any good Italian restaurant, the homemade pasta, Holbox’s very best, is one of their star dishes, and they have reinvented many Mediterranean classics to fit in the fresh catch of the day and some local spices. This fusion is a total success, and reviewers point to this restaurant as a gastronomic gem in Isla Holbox.
When you visit, don’t forget to ask for the dessert menu regardless of the time of day; you cannot leave without tasting their cannoli or tiramisu. If you have a sweet tooth, you’ll enjoy the best breakfast in Holbox right here!
Casa Nostra: Av. Pedro Joaquín Coldwell & C. Canane.
Opening Hours: Daily from 8 AM to 11 AM for breakfast and 1 PM to 10 PM for lunch and dinner.
Clandestino Coffee Roasters
Clandestino Coffee Roasters is a fantastic coffee shop that serves a wide variety of healthy breakfasts and high-quality coffee.
There are plenty of vegan and vegetarian options, and the main items on the menu include pastries, smoothie bowls, bagels, avo toasts, and salads, all of which pair perfectly with their freshly roasted coffee.
If you’re not a coffee drinker, you can go for one of their alternative drinks. There are matcha and chai lattes, smoothies, tea, and hot chocolate available.
Clandestino is a very good spot for treating you with a special Holbox breakfast or brunch, or to get a quick pick-me-up in the middle of the day.
Clandestino Coffee Roasters: Paseo Kuka, 12
Opening Hours: Daily from 8 AM to 6 PM
Mandarina
Mandarina is a seaside restaurant by Casa Las Tortugas, one of Holbox boutique hotels. Its location right on the beach makes it one of the best-situated restaurants in Holbox island, and it offers a wide range of dishes, combining local and international cuisine.
At Mandarina you can get tasty French toast or waffles for breakfast and choose from pasta, salads, meat or fresh fish dishes, and sandwiches as your main courses. The best dinner in Holbox can be found here if you’re after a simple, comfort meal.
All their dishes come in generous portions and they also have craft beers, an extensive wine list, and cocktails to go with your meal. If you’re looking for the best food in Holbox, Mandarina won’t disappoint.
Mandarina: Av. Damero 310
Opening Hours: Daily from 7 AM to 11 AM; 12 PM to 5 PM and 6 PM to 10 PM.
Cafe del Mar
Cafe del Mar is situated right in front of the beach, offering fantastic views while you have your breakfast or lunch, or enjoy a cup of coffee. The cafe also boasts a garden surrounded by palm trees; if the weather is nice, there’s nothing like eating outside with nature all around you.
The food is really good and its location makes it one of the top Holbox, Mexico restaurants for a quick bite before heading back to the beach, or a post-sunbathing-session hearty lunch.
Cafe del Mar: Calle Erizo 3.
Opening Hours: Wednesday to Monday from 9 AM to 6.30 PM.
A few other restaurants that I heard are very good, but I haven’t personally tried yet, are these:
Tierra Mia Juice: Tierra Mia is a popular breakfast spot in Holbox. It specializes in fresh juices and smoothies, coffee, bagels, and waffles.
Rosa Mexicano: Authentic Mexican cuisine can be found at Rosa Mexicano, from seafood to vegetarian dishes and local flavors.
Barba Negra: This highly-rated restaurant offers a wide variety of taco flavors, from seafood fillings to vegan and vegetarian options, and gluten-free dishes. Pizzas are also a staple at Barba Negra.
Las Panchas: Las Panchas’ menu is mainly local cuisine, from tacos to seafood cocktails, soups, and ceviche. It’s particularly praised for the large portions of the dishes.
Isla Holbox Restaurants FAQ
ROOTS Pizzas a Leña is the best restaurant in Holbox if you’re in the mood for pizza.
Painapol serves a delicious breakfast and brunch in Holbox, and it’s possibly the best place to enjoy the first meal of the day!
Clandestino Coffee Roasters prides itself on its high-quality roasted coffee. It’s also a great place to have breakfast!
