An explosion of new eateries on Isla Mujeres, Mexico!

Yummy chicken salad with citrus dressing

These last few months have seen an explosion of new restaurants, cafés, and eateries on the island, plus a few favourites are undergoing massive remodels. 

The foodie scene is just getting better and better every year.

We recently enjoyed a fabulous lunch at the NorthGarden, which is attached to the new Paradise Suites on Avenida Carlos Lazo, and across from Sea Hawk Suites and Dive Shop. The restaurant is operated by Fernando from Argentina and Brenda from Monterrey, Mexico, who are very hospitable hosts. Fernando didn’t even mind us bringing Sparky and Max to sit under the umbrella at a street-side table. 

Lawrie at North Garden 

He even arranged a drink of water for the boys. I had a delicious salad with chicken and citrus dressing. Lawrie opted for the amazing tacos camarón, shrimp tacos. I stole a bite of his lunch. Mine was very tasty, but his was - wow!  Delicious.  https://www.facebook.com/northgardencaffe/

Our friends Debbie Crinigan and Willy Chacón are opening their Rosa Sirena’s Restaurante and Rooftop Bar sometime in December. They describe their food as new island cuisine with a variety of creations by Chef Willy using local ingredients, plus fresh fish, arrachera, ribeye, New York strip, and filet mignon. When Chef Willy isn’t creating incredible dinners, he entertains the guests with his fabulous voice and guitar music.  

Rosa Sirena's Restaurante and Rooftop Bar

Anyone who has been the lucky recipient of Deb’s secret Santa parcels left on a doorstep will understand that my addiction will be the desserts. I’m thinking I might fall for the Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie like my character Jessica Sanderson does in Book #3 of the Isla Mujeres Mystery series. Located on the corner of Calles Josefa Ortiz de Dominguez and Narisco Medina, it is easily found by driving south a block past Mango Café and turning right onto Calle Narisco Medina across from Caribbean Brisas. It’s the three-story building at the end of a short block.  https://www.facebook.com/rosasirenasrestaurant/

Mango Cafe closed for remodeling

And speaking of Mango Café, it is undergoing a massive remodel, incorporating the building beside the restaurant as well as adding another floor. Polo Avila says he doesn’t have a firm re-opening date as yet, but the crews are hurrying to get it done as soon as possible. The busy season is just starting, and every restaurant owner on the island wants to be operating at top capacity.  https://www.facebook.com/mangocafeisla/

Chilitos by Ruben, 2nd floor

One of our recent favourites, Javi’s Cantina, has also remodeled, expanding into their back lot. The new garden area has a second level, a stage for musical performers, and a huge new kitchen. We are looking forward to more delicious meals and live music. https://www.facebook.com/javiscantina/

Then there is Ruben’s new second-floor eatery – Chilitos by Ruben – located in Colonia la Gloria at #18 Mojarra Street. They are open from Monday to Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. We have already heard good things about the food.

Inside the Isla 33 condominiums on the eastern side of the island, south of Villa la Bella B&B, the new Topaz bar has opened to rave reviews for its food. And speaking of Villa la Bella, Slow Foods hopes to reopen at that location in mid-December. They make the best skirt-steak sliders we have ever had.

Tarima Food Park

Another new one restaurant is La Tarima Food Park, located on Rueda Medina out past the orange-coloured housing complex for navy officers and their families. The restaurant is near Oscar’s Pizza but across the street. It’s a funky outdoor space with lots of seating, interesting lighting, and greenery. We stopped to check the menu. The baguettes and hamburgers look great, worth coming back to try it another day. https://www.facebook.com/LaTarimaFoodPark/

With all of these amazing restaurants happening on the island, we just might give up cooking entirely. But then we would have to go get jobs to support our restaurant habits. It’s a dilemma.

Cheers from paradise,

Lynda, Lawrie, Sparky, and Max

~

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Here's the link to Mujeres Mystery Series - L. L. Lock

The evolution of Bobo’s almost gourmet Bar & Grill

Bobo's Bar & Grill on Matamoras in Centro

Bobo’s Bar & Grill started as a pocket-sized, take-out location on Isla Mujeres; a place with fish so fresh it was swimming an hour before it hit the plate, and chips so yummy we couldn’t stay on our diets.

Now it’s a two-level eatery that spills out onto the street, with a quirky wooden sign ‘torn’ in half. 

On one building, the sign reads Bo, and on the adjacent building, Bo’s. The sign is a humorous improvisation to placate a neighbour.

Cocktail time with friends

In the summer of 2009, Brian Kerr leased the former location of Lolo Rapido on Matamoras Avenue in Centro. Employed as a wine sommelier at Sutton Place in Vancouver, BC, Brian discovered this little piece of paradise while on vacation. He decided to take the plunge, to be an entrepreneur. Isn’t that every man’s fantasy? To be self-employed on a tropical island in the Caribbean Sea?

In the beginning, the business was primarily take-out, until Brian managed to squeeze a couple of tables and eight chairs along the edge of the narrow, busy street.  Then he expanded to a neighbouring property to add a bar and additional seating, and the two-part Bobo’s sign. 

The newest expansion upper level

A year later, Ben Coleman and his partner, Vicki Dupuy, became entwined with island life. The boy from Birmingham, Alabama, and the girl from New Orleans had originally met at a Saints football game in her hometown.  

Both worked for AT&T, Ben in outside sales and Vicki as a manager. Frequent visitors to Isla Mujeres and regular patrons at Bobo’s, they struck up a friendship with Brian Kerr.

One Sunday afternoon, while immersed in the warm Caribbean water at Playa Norte, near Fenix Restaurante, Vicki asked Ben that life-changing question.

“Why can’t we live here six months a year?”

Almost gourmet!

Becoming partners with Brian Kerr in 2013, Ben and Vicki moved to Isla Mujeres and became full-time islanders. Bobo’s Bar & Grill went through another transformation. 

The rooftop junk-collecting, storage area was converted into comfortable open-air seating. More stools were added along the upper edge, giving patrons a view of the action on Matamoras Avenue.  The kitchen was re-done, and the downstairs bar was enlarged.

Next, mixologist Lory Manzo was hired to update the beverage menu and train the bar staff. Bright and bold murals were painted by islander Barbara Siebenlist Palomar.  

Summertime special drink

And on Wednesdays and Fridays, live music is provided by The Caribbean Beats Band. With the recent addition of Chef Nick Altringer from Minneapolis, the modest little fish and chip take-out has become, in Ben’s words, almost gourmet, and a very happening place. 

Check out their signature drinks and their tasty new menu. We’re still fans of the fresh fish and chips.

Hasta Luego

Lynda, Lawrie, and Sparky

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