Emara Antojitos Yucatecos — Restaurant in Cancún

Sometimes the "foodie" sites miss the important restaurants and Emara Antojitos Yucatecos is an important restaurant. If you're tired of the "5 star" (overpriced and boring) restaurants in the hotel zone then head on over to Mercado 28 and try the offerings at this hidden local gem. But bring a group because you'll probably want to try (share) everything on the menu! Our small group ordered (see pix) Sopa De Limon - using sour chicken and lemons this palate cleansing soup will replace the taste of the hotel zone with "pure love"! Relleno Negro - Chicken and beef stuffed into a "black sausage" made from grilled chilies and a spice mixture, with just enough heat to open your taste buds (not too hot). Papadzules - (I wish we could have come back one morning to try this for breakfast). Warm tortillas covered with chopped eggs and a spice blend including ground pumpkins seeds - the whole thing bathed in tomato and pipian sauces. Cochinita Pibil - yes other local restaurants offer this dish - BUT how many of them make it the traditional way (steamed underground for 24 hours!) Vaporcito - this confection is made from steamed corn dough spiced with achiote, filled with pork and wrapped with banana leaves. Nuff said. Empanadas - Well I have had empanadas in many latin countries and until now, the best were (in my opinion) in Spain. Not anymore: ours were stuffed with minced meat but you can choose from quite an array of meaty and cheesy options. Yumm! And the prices...Our entire meal (including drinks) was about $30! Better yet - stay in the hotel zone and keep this gem...

Anytime we go to Cancún we like to get out of the tourist area with it’s bland and americanized “Mexican” food where every dish leaves you saying “falta chile”. Well we found this place and sampled a ton of dishes and everything was DELICIOUS!! Comida yucateca is really a gem inside the diverse and delicious realm of Mexican foods. This place delivered!! Excellent service as well. Try sopa de lima, salbutes and panuchos (our fav) de lechon or cochinita. Top it off with a ton of cebolla and the gem of the Yucatan, chile habanero verde. Will definitely return to this spot! Get a bunch to go so you can have some actual flavor back in the hotel zone which is diluted with non-mexican culture. Pairs well with some Chente and chelas!! Saludos desde Detroit! 😁 Next time we will buy a gallon of the chile to go as well to sprinkle on all the bland hotel foods. Bus R1 from hotels to stop near parque las palapas. Quick walk from there and right near mercado 28 where one can buy all sorts of mexican goods way cheaper than downtown. Hotelera bus from Tulum st. to get back. Not associated with the restaurant. I’m just a Sicilian guy who loves México and all of its...

This place is pure nourishment. I am staying nearby and needed a hearty meal. I saw this place packed with Mexicans, so I knew it was going to be delicious.

I eat here a lot. So much that they just bring me a bowl of sopa de lima when I sit down. Today they didn't have it so I had rhe comsomé de pollo instead, also perfectly flavored.

I've also tried a few of the different types of tamales and empenadas. The tamales are massive. The empenadas are pretty greasy but tasty all the same.

Seek this place out for authentic Yucatecan when you are here. Depending on the hour you may have some people come thru trying to sell you crafts - it's across the street from Mercado 28 - but on a whole they aren't loud or pushy about it. If you aren't interested just say no thank you and be kind, everyone...