The Best Street Food in Puerto Morelos You Can't Miss

Puerto Morelos is not the kind of town with Michelin stars and reservation-only restaurants. It's the kind of town where the best meal you've ever had comes from a plastic table on the side of the road, served by a woman who has been making the same recipe for thirty years.

The Ceviché Stand on the Malecón

Every morning, the fishing boats come in at the town pier. By noon, the ceviche stands are open. The shrimp is so fresh it's practically still swimming. Tostadas de ceviche — heaped with lime-cured fish, avocado, red onion, and habanero — cost about 60 pesos and will change your life.

Tacos al Pastor at Don Ernestos

Don Ernesto sets up his trompo (vertical spit of marinated pork) on the corner near the plaza every evening around 6pm. The pork is shaved off the spit onto small corn tortillas, topped with pineapple, cilantro, and a devastating salsa roja. Three tacos is a meal. Six is a commitment. Both are excellent decisions.

Marquesitas

You haven't been to the Yucatán until you've had a marquesita — a crispy, rolled crepe filled with Edam cheese and your choice of sweet toppings: Nutella, cajeta (caramel), or condensed milk. The marquesita cart appears in the plaza most evenings, usually accompanied by a crowd of children and the smell of warm sugar.

Fresh Fruit and Agua Fresca

The fruit stands near the central park sell cups of mango, papaya, and coconut with lime and chili powder. For something to drink, look for agua de jamaica (hibiscus tea) or horchata (sweet rice milk with cinnamon). Both are perfect in the heat.

The Fish Taco Debate

Ask five locals where to get the best fish tacos in Puerto Morelos and you'll get six opinions. The truth is, they're all good. The fish is local, the tortillas are handmade, and the salsa is always better than you expect. Our only advice: try them all.

Eat Like a Local

The best food in Puerto Morelos isn't in the tourist-facing restaurants on the beach road. Walk two blocks inland, follow the smoke, and sit down wherever the locals are sitting. You'll eat better, spend less, and have a conversation that might last all evening.

Buen provecho. 🌮