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Looking for a place to grab a bite in Bacalar? This quiet town along the Lagoon of Seven Colors (Bacalar Laguna de 7 Colores in Spanish) is one of my favorite places in Mexico, and after visiting it several times, I put together a list of the best Bacalar restaurants.
In this guide, I will go over the best options for dinner, lunch, and breakfast in Bacalar, so you can find the right place for your taste and budget.
✅ Check my complete guide to Los Rapidos in Bacalar
BEST PLACES FOR BREAKFAST IN BACALAR
Bacalar boasts many great breakfast restaurants, so you can start your day on the right note. From traditional Mexican chilaquiles to Western-style pancakes and waffles, Bacalar breakfast places deliver!
1. Enamora
One of my favorite places for breakfast and brunch in Bacalar, Enamora offers chilaquiles, guacamole toasts, sandwiches, pancakes, and waffles.
Their drinks include coffee, hot drinks, frappes, and smoothies. Vegan and vegetarian options are clearly marked on the menu.
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The staff at Enamora is friendly and ready to accommodate your requests. The place is at the intersection of the street but has a nice quiet feeling as it’s surrounded by plants and greenery.
Address: C. 18, Centro, 77930 Bacalar, Q.R.
2. El Manatí
One of the most popular restaurants in town with a nice ambiance and tropical vibes. If you want to try the best breakfast in Bacalar, come to Manati early because this place gets busy!
Some of the most popular items on the menu are burritos, omelets, chilaquiles, fluffy pancakes, smoothies, and coffee.
The restaurant has a cozy feeling as it has a nice patio with greenery and colorful murals. During the brunch time, the place often has live music with local artists coming to this place to play their music.
Right at the entrance of El Manati, you will find an artisan shop and a small gallery where you can buy artwork, clothing, and goodies made by local artisans. If you are in the mood for shopping, it’s an excellent way to support the artisan community of Bacalar.
As in other places in Bacalar, bring plenty of cash, because credit cards are not always accepted.
Address: C. 22 116, Centro, 77930 Bacalar, Q.R.
3. Ixchel Bacalar
One of the best places for breakfast in Bacalar, Ixchel offers Mexican food, such as chilaquiles, croissants, fruit plates, and pancakes. Visitors like Ixchel’s breakfast and brunch options and the restaurant’s casual vibe.
You can’t go wrong with their brioche, scrambled eggs, and freshly brewed coffee.
Address: Calle 26, Avenida 3 y 5, Mario Villanueva Madrid, 77935 Bacalar, Q.R.
BEST BACALAR RESTAURANTS FOR BRUNCH
Brunch is a perfect time to grab some tacos, burritos, pasta, and other Mexican dishes. Whether you are looking for cheap eats in Bacalar or want something fancier, brunch is a perfect time to continue exploring the Bacalar food scene.
4. Mi Burrito Bacalar
A perfect place to grab a fat burrito, Mi Burrito Bacalar is a food truck surrounded by picnic tables just 5 minutes away from the main square of Bacalar.
This casual eatery serves a variety of burritos with different fillings and toppings wrapped in banana leaves, as it strives to reduce unnecessary waste. I tried their vegan burrito and a vegan bowl and absolutely loved it.
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The staff at Mi Burrito Bacalar is friendly and accommodating, so it’s no wonder this place is always busy.
This small outside restaurant is on the main road that stretches along the coast of Bacalar, so you are only a few steps away from the Bacalar Lagoon.
Address: Costera entre calle 16 y Calle 18, Centro, 77930 Bacalar, Q.R.
5. Maracuyá Beach Club
A great spot with a view of the lagoon that is home to several cafes and restaurants, Maracuya offers tacos, sushi, different seafood dishes, and ice cream.
The place also offers kayak rentals, so don’t forget to bring cash.
Address: Avenida Costera Sur, Bacalar 77930 Mexico
6. El Paste Hidalguense
A small cafe that offers delicious pastries and empanadas, El Paste Hidalguenses is located along the road toward downtown Bacalar. Their empanadas have different fillings like cheese and mushrooms, Nutella, and other flavors.
It’s a perfect place to grab a quick snack or enjoy a hearty brunch.
Address: Av 5, entre 8 y 10, Magisterial, 77933 Bacalar, Q.R., Mexico
7. La Playita Bacalar
Facing the lagoon, La Playita is one of the most popular restaurants in town, and it’s not hard to see why:
The place boasts fantastic views of the Bacalar Lagoon, in a relaxed setting with plenty of greenery hammocks and a nice ambiance with a cool jungle theme.
Here you can try burgers, fish tacos, ceviche yummy coconut shrimp. Make sure not to skip cocktails and smoothies the best. After enjoying the meal, you can hang out and swim in the lagoon, so don’t forget your swimsuit.
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They also have good Wi-Fi, so you can stay and hang out if you need to work after enjoying your food.
There’s also live music every day with a band playing in the restaurant which makes it a fun place to visit.
Address: Av. 1 765 Costera, C. 26 Esq, 77930 Bacalar, Q.R.
Hours: 12 p.m.-11 p.m. every day
8. Heladería Annie Delicias
The best ice cream in Bacalar at the corner of the main plaza. They have a variety of ice cream and paletas, Mexican popsicles that come in different flavors. I loved that they have different flavors made with almond milk like chocolate, cherry, lemon pie, and pineapple.
Cash only
Address: C. 22, Centro, 77930 Bacalar, Q.R., Mexico
BEST VEGAN RESTAURANTS IN BACALAR
As a vegan eater, I was surprised to discover a good variety of vegan restaurants in Bacalar. For its small size, Bacalar has plenty of plant-based options like burgers, tacos, burritos, and delicious brownies and snickerdoodles.
9. Mango y Chile
If you think vegan food is boring, this Bacalar restaurant will prove you wrong!
Overlooking the stunning Bacalar Lagoon, Mango Y Chile boasts the best comfort vegan food in Bacalar. Their menu includes mouthwatering burgers, crispy tofu sandwiches, salads, and tacos. I absolutely loved their chocolate milkshake and yummy brownies.
You can also buy kombucha and other drinks for your menu.
This colorful cafe sits near Bacalar near Fuerte San Felipe, so you can stop by after visiting one of the most popular Bacalar landmarks where you can learn the history of this town.
The restaurant strives to minimize its impact on the environment by avoiding plastic cups and straws, which is a great bonus, if you care about sustainability.
The staff is super friendly and welcoming and the view of the lagoon in front of you is the icing on the cake!
Address: Av.3 Fuerte San Felipe, entre calle 22 y Calle 24, Centro, 77930 Bacalar, Q.R.
10. Con.Siente de LULU La Bruja
One of the best vegan restaurants in Bacalar, Con.Siente is a new addition to the Bacalar vegan scene, but it has already become popular with travelers. Located a bit away from downtown Bacalar, this restaurant is attached to a Lulu La Bruja Hostel.
Here you can try vegan tacos, toast, hummus, kombucha, and smoothies.
Address: Costera 599, Magisterial, 77930 Bacalar, Q.R., Mexico
11. Yasai
A new vegan restaurant in Tulum, Yasai opened its second location in March 2022, after it became super popular with Bacalar visitors. This casual eatery offers vegan street food and is just a few steps away from the Bacalar Lagoon.
At Yasai, you can try a variety of vegan bowls, sandwiches, and healthy smoothies, so if you are looking for a healthy brunch, you shouldn’t skip this place.
Address: Villa Corsario, Ave Costera y Calle 12, Centro, 77930 Bacalar, Q.R.
BEST RESTAURANTS FOR DINNER IN BACALAR
Dinner is the time to splurge or enjoy a traditional Mexican flare. If you are looking to treat yourself or celebrate a special occasion while staying in Bacalar, you have plenty of choices as Bacalar has several fancy restaurants that get top reviews from happy customers, in addition to more casual eateries located along the main square.
12. Savora Bakhalal
Located in downtown Bacalar, Savora is the perfect dinner spot that offers a mix of Mexican food like tacos and fajitas, pizzas, and Italian pasta. After satisfying your hunger, try one of their margaritas or yummy desserts.
Address: C. 22, Centro, 77930 Bacalar, Q.R.
13. Mr. Taco
If you are craving more authentic Mexican food, head to Mr. Taco located on the main square of Bacalar.
As the name suggests, this restaurant serves a variety of tacos that are made right on the spot. They also have burritos, tostadas de ceviches, and various breakfast options.
If you want to try traditional Mexican dishes, make sure to add Mr. Taco to your list of Bacalar restaurants.
Address: Calle 20 y 5, entre 3, Centro, 77930 Bacalar, Q.R.
BEST FINE DINING RESTAURANTS IN BACALAR
14. Nao Bacalar
A Japanese restaurant along the Bacalar lagoon. The options include a mix of Japanese and Mexican dishes such as ajillo japonés – sautéed vegetables with garlic with a dash of sake; a variety of sushi, soups, and poke bowls are excellent for vegans and vegetarians.
✅ Read: best sushi places in Tulum
Other options on the menu include nigiri, wraps, and burritos. And let me tell you, Nao’s cocktails are simply unbeatable, and you can’t go wrong with any flavor.
Address: Av 1 27, Magisterial, 77930 Bacalar, Q.R.
15. Finisterre Bacalar
Finisterre offers a mix of Italian and Greek food, as you enjoy a spectacular view of the Bacalar Lagoon right in front of the restaurant.
Some of the items on the menu are gnocchi pesto, salads, and a variety of pasta with many toppings, some of which include pesto, zucchini, and bolognese. They are also known for their wood-fired pizzas like margaritas and vegetarian.
Vegan options include one vegan pizza and a vegan starter.
I haven’t had a chance to eat anything at Finistrerre, but other travelers said the food is delicious.
Address: Av. 3 entre calle 24 y calle 26, Lote 16, Centro, 77930 Bacalar, Q.R.
16. Macario Bacalar
One of the best fine dining spots in Bacalar, Macario puts a fancy spin on traditional Mexican staples. Guests leave glowing reviews because of Macario’s delicious cocktails and food that come in artsy displays.
Prices at Macario are higher than in most restaurants in Bacalar, but if you are looking for a fun place to spend the night out, you can’t miss this spot! The place boasts a wonderful ambiance, friendly staff, and a welcoming atmosphere.
Address: Avenida 3, C. 0 esquina, Magisterial, 77930 Bacalar, Q.R.
17. Agni Vital Kitchen Bacalar
If you are a vegan foodie, you will love Agni Vital Kitchen, one of the newest eateries in downtown Bacalar that has delicious options for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Most customers who try food at Agni, end up returning at least one more time, even when they are not vegan.
Their menu includes several cuisines like Thai, Japanese and American, and the food is made from the ingredients that they grow on site and get from local farmers. The food at the restaurant comes in a nice presentation and you can enjoy your meal indoors or at the garden in the back.
✅ Read: Best places to eat in Tulum
I recommend trying their vegan chilaquiles, gnocchi and the mooring soup, ramen, okonomiyaki maki and ceviche. Their meals are also accommodated by a complimentary kombucha shot. And make sure to try their chocolate mousse, it’s a can’t miss!
Address: C. 20 56, Centro, 77930 Bacalar, Q.R., Mexico
A word on street food in Bacalar
Every evening, you can find dozens of street vendors selling typical Mexican snacks on the streets of Bacalar.
Whether you want to try marquesitas, crispy pancakes with different toppings, or elotes, classic Mexican corn on the cob that comes straight from the grill, you will enjoy delicious street snacks in this town.
Make sure to have plenty of cash, because street vendors in Bacalar don’t accept credit cards.
WHERE TO STAY IN BACALAR:
If you want to be close to some of the best Bacalar restaurants, stay in downtown Bacalar. While Bacalar is a compact town and you can get around on foot, if you stay further away, you will need to taxi or ride a bike every time you want to go out to eat.
Here are some of the hotels within walking distance from downtown Bacalar:
- Low budget: Casa Delia is one of the best budget hotels in Bacalar, Casa Delia offers basic accommodations with a swimming pool, spacious outdoor area, and comfy rooms. The hotel is a short distance from Bacalar’s ADO bus station and less than 10 minutes from downtown Bacalar on foot.
- Mid-budget: Blue Palm Bacalar is a small boutique hotel with a pool and a continental breakfast. It boasts beautiful decor and a convenient location near downtown Bacalar.
- Luxury: Makaaba is a gorgeous sustainable hotel a few blocks away from downtown Bacalar, and very close to the lagoon where you can kayak, swim and take a sailboat tour.
THE BEST BACALAR RESTAURANTS BY CATEGORY
- Best restaurant for a special occasion – Macario
- Best breakfast in Bacalar – Enamora
- Best brunch in Bacalar – Maracuya
- Best vegan restaurant in Bacalar – Mango y Chile
- Best Japanese food in Bacalar – Nao
- Best burritos in Bacalar – Mi burrito
- Best views of the Bacalar Lagoon – La Playita
- Best tacos in Bacalar – Mr. Taco
- Best ice cream in Bacalar – Heladería Annie Delicias
BEST BACALAR RESTAURANTS: FAQ
Can I pay with a credit card in Bacalar restaurants?
You can pay with a credit card in most restaurants, but if you want to grab some street food or enjoy a plate of traditional Mexican food from one of the small local places, you will need cash.
Most places on this list accept credit cards, but you should always have pesos in your pocket if a credit card terminal is down or if you want to split the payment between your credit cards and cash.
Do I need to tip in Bacalar restaurants?
Tipping in Mexico is customary, and Bacalar is no exception. Whether you want a more upscale experience or to grab some tacos, you should leave at least 10 percent of your bill in tips. Some restarts in Bacalar add an automatic tip to your bill, which is why it’s a good idea to ask if a gratuity is already included.
What are the best restaurants in Bacalar?
The best restaurant in Bacalar depends on your taste and budget. Although Bacalar is a small town, it has something for everyone.
Final word
Bacalar is one of the most beautiful destinations in Mexico that’s famous for its stunning lagoon of several colors. Bacalar also boasts an incredible food scene with plenty of restaurants where you can find everything from tacos to elaborate international dishes.