Ocean’s — Restaurant in Isla Mujeres

What drew us to this restaurant was that no one was hawking us to come into the restaurant 😅 Being called into a restaurant, makes me purposefully not want to go in. But here we could comfortably look at the menu without anyone calling out "Hello, welcome, speak English?" etc etc. When I was looking at the menu, I didn't even know I was standing next to the manager.

The manager made a small comment that their fish of the day is really good. He was down to earth and we could ask some questions about the menu before committing to being seated.

Decent food: We decided to go for the fish tacos (it a grupper fish, along with cilantro rice & beans, and a mayo dressing) and the beef tacos (which also came with cilantro rice & beans, and salsa Rojo). On the menu it said the fish tacos should come with peanut something, but it didn't. And I ordered a litchitini which said should come with cranberry juice, but there was no cranberry. So just be prepared that your food or drink doesn't come exactly as explained in the menu. Or be more diligent than me and ask about what you are ordering. The food was okay, nothing spectacular.

Good margaritas & cocktails: These were the most delicious and unique margaritas we have had on our trip to the Quintana Roo. We tried a margarita al pastor and margarita with peach & Chipotle, which were spicy and delicious. (the AL pastor margarita was my favorite) I ordered the litchitini which was very delicious (although not fresh litchi/lychee) and a cocktail with gin & grapefruit fruit, with toasted sprig of thyme. There were a couple of more exciting ingredients in the gin cocktail, but I didn't really notice them. But nonetheless, we were very satisfied with our drinks.

Good atmosphere: We noticed/heard three groups of couples that had returned to this restaurant. So many other couples have been pleased with the experience of the food, so maybe...

I came here for a specific dish which was lovely. My friends saw great reviews and were excited to join. Food was fantastic, service was great until the bill came.... We split the bill 3 ways, calculating the total and tip ourselves. 2/3 of us paid and tipped with card. We were both questioned and criticised for our tips. Our third was expected to pay the remaining 5% card fee for the entire bill, which was not mentioned to us verbally, nor applied individually to those of us who had already paid using a card. The remaining amount was therefore much more than expected for our third party, especially since this person was paying cash. To be helpful, I mentioned the confused to our waiter, explaining that charging the 5% card fee individually to those using a card may prevent this issue in the future. He said that it's not his job to calculate the 5% card fee for us, "imagine it was 10 people" he said. He carries around a flash light to show you your bill, but no calculator to tell you how much you actually owe the restaurant... After everything was paid in full with a tip, we said thank you, gracias, many times as we left. In response he said, "you were disrespectful." This completely caught us off guard and changed the entire experience from positive to negative. If you expect a tip, I expect you to work for it. I sincerely regret coming here after his last words to us. The food is good, but not good enough to be treated this way. Furthermore, I took a photo of the menu. My meal was supposed to come with beans and rice, which I never received.

The guy who had the audacity to call us disrespectful was the white guy with glasses, a beard, a pocket flashlight, and yet, no...

Ocean’s Isla is a fantastic restaurant that delivers not only incredible food but also an atmosphere that truly elevates the dining experience. From the moment we arrived, we felt welcomed by the friendly staff, including our server Juan, and the relaxing seaside vibe that made the perfect backdrop for our meal.

We started with happy hour margaritas, which were expertly made and refreshing. The queso appetizer was warm, creamy, and paired perfectly with the crisp chips. For our entrees, we decided to try a variety of dishes. The fajitas were a highlight-finished tableside with a dramatic flame that made them sizzle and added a fun, interactive element to the meal. The meat was perfectly seasoned, and the fresh toppings brought everything together.

We also had the catch of the day, which was grilled to perfection, flaky, and flavorful, capturing the essence of a fresh, seaside meal. The grilled chicken was another excellent choice—tender, juicy, and well-seasoned, it showed how much care the kitchen puts into even the simplest dishes.

The combination of great food, stellar service, and a wonderful atmosphere made this an unforgettable dining experience. Ocean is a must-visit spot, whether you’ve been before...