Best Restaurants Near Chichen Itza
Where to eat before or after your visit — from authentic Yucatecan cuisine to quick bites near the ruins.
Where to Eat Near Chichen Itza
After hours of exploring the ruins under the Yucatan sun, you'll have worked up a serious appetite. Fortunately, the area surrounding Chichen Itza has excellent dining options ranging from roadside Yucatecan kitchens to upscale hacienda restaurants. Here are our top picks.
1. Hacienda Chichén Resort Restaurant
Located just steps from the archaeological site's back entrance, this elegant restaurant sits in a beautifully restored 16th-century hacienda surrounded by tropical gardens. The menu features elevated Yucatecan cuisine — try the cochinita pibil (slow-roasted pork marinated in achiote) or the papadzules (egg-filled tortillas in pumpkin seed sauce). Expect to pay $15-25 USD per entrée.
Best For: Couples and special occasions. Reservations recommended.
2. Restaurant Ik Kil
Adjacent to the famous Ik Kil cenote, this large buffet restaurant serves an all-you-can-eat spread of traditional Yucatecan dishes. The buffet includes poc chuc (grilled citrus-marinated pork), chicken with mole, rice, beans, fresh tortillas, and tropical fruits. At $12-15 USD per person, it's excellent value.
Best For: Tour groups and families. Most guided tours include lunch here.
3. La Mestiza Valladolid
If your tour includes a stop in Valladolid (30 minutes from Chichen Itza), La Mestiza on the main plaza is a must-visit. Their sopa de lima (lime soup) is legendary — a citrusy chicken broth with crispy tortilla strips. The queso relleno (stuffed Edam cheese) is another Yucatecan specialty worth trying. Meals run $8-15 USD.
Best For: Authentic local dining experience at fair prices.
4. Pueblo Maya (On-Site)
Located right inside the Chichen Itza visitor complex, this food court-style venue is convenient for a quick bite. Options include tacos, tortas, fresh fruit, and cold drinks. Quality is decent and prices are reasonable for an on-site venue ($5-10 USD). It gets crowded between 12-2 PM.
Best For: Quick bites without leaving the site.
5. Lonchería Doña Celia (Pisté)
In the small town of Pisté, just 2 km from the ruins, this family-run lonchería serves some of the most authentic home-cooked Yucatecan food you'll find anywhere. Daily specials like relleno negro (turkey in charred chili sauce) cost $4-7 USD. It's basic — plastic chairs and paper plates — but the flavors are extraordinary.
Best For: Budget travelers seeking authentic, no-frills Yucatecan cooking.
Yucatecan Dishes You Must Try
- Cochinita Pibil: Slow-roasted pork wrapped in banana leaves, marinated in achiote and citrus. The signature dish of the Yucatan.
- Sopa de Lima: A fragrant chicken and lime soup with crispy tortilla strips — comfort food at its finest.
- Papadzules: Egg-filled tortillas bathed in a creamy pumpkin seed sauce with tomato.
- Poc Chuc: Grilled pork marinated in sour orange, served with pickled onions.
- Panuchos: Fried tortillas stuffed with black beans, topped with shredded turkey, pickled onion, and avocado.
Tips for Dining Near Chichen Itza
- Eat early or late: Restaurants near the ruins get packed between 12-2 PM when tour buses arrive for lunch.
- Carry cash: Smaller restaurants may not accept cards. ATMs are available in Pisté and Valladolid.
- Try the drinks: Fresh horchata (rice drink), agua de chaya (spinach-like plant), and local craft beer are all excellent.
- Don't skip Valladolid: If your tour includes a stop, the restaurant scene there is far better than roadside options near the ruins.
- Vegetarian-friendly: Yucatecan cuisine has many vegetarian options — papadzules, sopa de lima (without chicken), and panuchos with beans are all excellent.
Our Recommendation
Most of our tours include a traditional Yucatecan buffet lunch, so you're covered! But if you're visiting independently, we recommend La Mestiza in Valladolid for the best combination of quality, authenticity, and atmosphere. For budget travelers, Doña Celia in Pisté is unbeatable.
Most of our tours include lunch at one of these restaurants as standard. See the what to bring guide for tips on snacks, water, and dietary restrictions. Tours depart daily from Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and Mérida.
Planning your visit? Our guided day tours include lunch at carefully selected restaurants. Contact us for recommendations tailored to your dietary needs.
