Best restaurants in Campeche: where to enjoy the seaside capital’s rooted culinary scene, breakfast to sundowners to dinner.
Last updated: April 2024
Move over, Mérida. There’s a new cultural capital rapidly becoming Mexico’s newest it-destination in the Yucatán Peninsula. San Francisco de Campeche (i.e. Campeche City), residing along the peninsula’s sleepy yet spectacular Gulf coast. Here, amidst a revivalist renaissance breathing new life into the UNESCO-designated capital, a rooted culinary scene is making its mark. From freshly caught seafood to locally sourced land fare, we give you the best of Campeche’s dining culture: restaurants to cafés to cantinas.
Best Restaurants in Campeche: Breakfast & Coffee Shops
In the morning, fuel up at breakfast hot spot Luan. The popular café is located on a quiet stretch of Calle 59, resides in a converted colonial-era home complete with kitschy checkered floors, and serves up heaping portions of chilaquiles (a brothy dish of sauteed tortilla chips covered in toppings) paired with fresh-squeezed jugos (juices).
Across the street, Chocol Ha cures coffee, chocolate and light bite cravings any time of day. The caffeinated oasis offers several seating spaces indoors and out, though we prefer the idyllic back garden. Around the corner, step into Origen Specialty Coffee for a welcome reprieve from the Campeche heat. Here, expertly brewed concoctions (hot or ice’d) pair with breakfast bites savory to sweet, plus powerful A/C.
Related: Best Hotels In Campeche City: Boutique Hideaways to Haciendas to Rooms-with-a-View
Best Restaurants in Campeche: Lunch Spots
A ten minute stroll from Campeche’s Plaza de la Independencia (main square) brings you to the quiet neighborhood of Guadalupe and with it: El Winik. This hidden gem is only open Wednesdays-Sundays from 8:30am-12:30pm, and worth the discovery for a mouthwatering menu of regional tacos that I’m still dreaming about. The options are primarily meat-leaning (try the poc chuc negro, bud de relleno and adobada asada) though vegetarians will find options too, like rajas poblanas, huevo con chaya and plátano macho frito.
On the other side of the Historic Center, Son Jarocho sits on a quiet side street across from the faded yellow facade of the Archivo Municipal de Campeche. Here, regional fare from the nearby coastal state of Veracruz is served in a casual setting for breakfast or lunch. The unhurried eatery is a great place to try such palatable plates as picadas (small fried tortillas with turned-up edges to hold savory toppings) or the huachinango a la Veracruzana (tender white fish in a spicy tomato sauce with olives and capers).
Headed to Campeche’s Archaeological Museum, housed in the city’s historic San Miguel Fort? El Faro Del Morro is a near-obligatory stop pre or post. This casual eatery is spread throughout several palapa-roofed huts stretching along a quaint dock, where unfussy seafood boasts a backdrop of idyllic Gulf views.
Just outside of the city yet feeling worlds away, a grand stone staircase leads to the restaurant at historic Hacienda Uayamon. Here, the queso relleno (stuffed cheese) is savory in the best comfort food kind of way; the cochinita pibil (stewed pork) and relleno negro (stewed turkey) both perfectly succulent. The latter two, slow cooked in centuries-old Maya tradition: underneath the ground in a traditional pib (underground oven) resulting in marvelously tender and flavorful cuisine. You would be remiss not to take a tour of the property’s enchanting grounds before leaving, or better yet – spend the night.
Related: Checking in: Hacienda Uayamon, a Restored Oasis in Mexico’s Remote Jungle
Best Bars in Campeche: Cocktails & Cantinas
Looking to sling back a few cervezas, Mexico style? In Campeche, Salón Rincón Colonial is the best place to do it. This traditional cantina located at the end of Calle 59 – right by the Puerta de Tierra (Land Gate) – serves up brews and botanas (complimentary snacks served with each round of drinks) in a laid-back, authentic setting favored by locals and tourists alike.
In Campeche’s Plaza Principal, we recommend snagging a spot on the balcony of Casa Viejo del Río for pre-dinner drinks and bites with cathedral views. As the plaza fades to dusk, the baroque facade of the city’s 16th-century landmark lights up in spectacular fashion.
Sundowners are also best served with sea views, preferably on the oceanfront terrace at Campeche Country Club. Located twenty minutes outside of the Historic Center, this hidden gem is worth the drive to soak in arguably the most mesmerizing sunset around. Visitors are welcome to enjoy the property’s beautiful bar, terrace and restaurant – Ronsel Seafood & Grill – without a membership. Reservations recommended.
On Fridays and Saturdays from 7pm, reserve a table in the back patio of La María Cocina Peninsular. The space transforms into a candlelit speakeasy brimming with artesanal cocktails from rotating guest bartenders. The focus here is on made-in-Mexico spirits, like Gin Katún (crafted in neighboring Yucatán) and Xila: a spiced mezcal liqueur from the country’s first female-powered distillery. Plus, a nice selection of Mexican wines by the glass.
Best Restaurants in Campeche: Dinner
Not just for cocktails, La María Cocina Peninsular is a top pick for authentic Campeche cuisine. The foodie paradise elevates the region’s Maya-rooted fare to perfection, like the pork belly al achiote (pork belly in native achiote paste), pan de cazón (a hearty layered casserole with dogfish) and manzana verde con pibinal (green apple with underground-cooked corn). Choose from the front dining room or the back patio: transformed into a moody, candlelit affair at night. Either way, reservations are a good idea to secure your table at this popular spot.
Away from the hustle and bustle of Calle 59 in the quiet barrio of Guadalupe, La Pigua reigns supreme for freshly caught coastal fare. The location may seem unassuming, but this fine dining establishment has been delighting locals and tourists alike since 1987. The space is open and airy, where white tablecloths and wine glasses pair with encircling greenery and a soaring vaulted ceiling. The ceviche, coconut shrimp and jumbo stone crab claws are all excellent, as are top regional picks like the filete tikin-xic (achiote-marinated fish wrapped in banana leaves) and chiles xcatic rellenos de cazón (local chile peppers stuffed with dogfish).
A newcomer to the Campeche culinary scene, pass through the understated street entrance to reach the open-air garden of Cola de Gallo. This modern Mexican kitchen serves up elevated takes on traditional antojitos (cravings) like blue corn tacos and quesadillas, plus craft cocktails in an atmospheric space (think: stone walls, flickering candles and hanging neon lights). Open from 6pm Wednesday through Monday; closed Tuesdays.
Marganzo Restaurante is another excellent choice for contemporary Campeche dining. The upscale establishment is located just off Calle 59 across from the Puerta de Mar (Sea Gate), where original arched interiors, stained glass and elegant crown moldings frame a nostalgic dining room. Here, Maya-rooted flavors take center stage, like costillar de lechón (slow-cooked suckling pork ribs), pulpo maya a la parilla (grilled octopus marinated in regional spices) and empanadas de chaya y queso de bola (flaky corn pastries stuffed with mayan spinach and cheese).
Had your fill of regional cuisine? On a quiet stretch of Calle 59 towards the Puerta de Tierra (Land Gate), Italian eatery Casa Vittoria awaits with doughy, stone-oven pizza, savory pasta and bountiful cheese plates. Vegan and gluten-free diners will find several options here too. Plus, Mexican wine by the glass or bottle and rotating live music.
If you’ve followed our advice to Campeche Country Club for oceanfront sundowners, you’d be remiss not to stay for dinner. At Ronsel Seafood & Grill, you can choose to dine in the indoor dining room – a sleek space appointed with contemporary furnishings and artful decór – but we feel dusk dining is best enjoyed on the balmy, sea view terrace. Either way, expect excellent surf and turf cuisine (the grilled octopus, rib eye and roasted bone marrow are all standouts), an extensive wine list and friendly, prompt service.
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