Hotel Xcaret Arte: The Best Restaurants and Bars + Menus

Typically, all-inclusive resorts are known for food and drink quantity over quality. Not so at Hotel Xcaret Arte! The food throughout the resort is top notch. We ate and drank extremely well there – even the room service food was delicious! We will review all the restaurant and bar options available on the property so you can make informed choices for your stay.

For questions about the available activities, details about the accommodations, packing lists, or an introduction to the Xcaret, check out the other parts of the series:

• Hotel Xcaret Arte: The Best Restaurants and Bars + Menus
• Hotel Xcaret Arte: Time for Adventure-the Activities and Excursions
• Hotel Xcaret Arte: How to Maximize your Vacation ++ Complete Packing List
• Hotel Xcaret Arte: The Ultimate Guide *Start Here*

Five restaurants on the Arte side require reservations, and five do not. In addition, there are food carts scheduled throughout the day, multiple bars, and room service. You won’t go hungry! All the restaurants will ask you when you enter if you have any food allergies, so definitely let them know your restrictions. Let’s dig in!

Restaurants That Require a Reservation

Encanta

• Type of Cuisine: Mexican, chef’s tasting menu
• Hours: 6pm-11pm
• Link to Menu
• Dress Code: elegant (women: cocktail dress, blouse, skirt, trousers, and shoes or sandals, and men: trousers, shirt, and closed shoes)

This restaurant comes to us courtesy of Michelin Star chef Paco Mendez. As of January 2023, you receive a 10 course chef’s tasting menu (plus a surprise at the end) and have the option to add a wine pairing. Of course, I did, and the 4 wines worked perfectly with the courses. Regarding drinks, the rest of our party went with mixed drinks, most notably the Chuuk, which is agave liquor, lime juice, mint, ginger, and activated charcoal. Some tried the white chocolate martini as well and agreed it was perfect for 1 drink and more would have been too much. This is a good bar to swing by even if you aren’t having dinner there.

I was worried about the picky eaters in our group prior to this meal, but they do a great job making the food accessible for everyone. I’ve heard reviews of meals here taking a long time – our party of 6 was there approximately 90 minutes, which is reasonable to me for a nice dinner. The restaurant is located on the first floor of Casa de la Musica, and has a view of the Musica stage. If you time your dinner right, you’ll get dinner AND a show!

Tah Xido

• Type of Cuisine: contemporary Japanese
• Hours: 6pm-11pm
• Link to Menu
• Dress Code: casual formal – whatever that means. Their dress code classifications don’t always translate well! I would say this is in between truly casual and elegant. (women: dress, blouse, skirt, trousers and shoes/sandal, men: trousers, formal shorts, shirt, closed shoes)

Tah Xido is located in Casa del Patron (home of several of the restaurants), and there are 3 different options, all of which require reservations. First is the teppanyaki, with fresh food and an entertaining chef. There are approximately 12 seats around the table for the “show”. We got the mixed seafood and meats, and the calamari was the most tender we had ever had. the food isn’t as spectacular and inventive as other options, so it’s a good option for any picky eaters that may be in your group.

You also have the option of reserving a table for the Asian fusion/sushi menu. This is very popular and it may be difficult getting a reservation, so if it’s high on your list be flexible with the day/time!

The final option is the omakase menu, which comes with an extra charge of $200 per person. This is a tasting menu chosen by the chef, and is available from 6pm until 8:30pm.

Chino Poblano

• Type of Cuisine: Asian/Mexican fusion
• Hours: 6pm-11pm
• Link to Menu
• Dress Code: resort elegant (women: dress, blouse, skirt, trousers, and shoes or sandals, and men: trousers, shirt (polo is fine), and closed shoes)

When Chino Poblano first opened, it was a chef’s tasting menu like Encanta. Now you can order a la carte from this unique menu. It was still a tasting menu while we were there and we only wanted to do one, so we missed this one, unfortunately! You should still expect gourmet-level food and a beautiful atmosphere! It is located in Casa del Patron.

Kibi Kibi (Exclusively for Casa Artistas guests)

• Type of Cuisine: Mexican-Lebanese fusion
• Hours: breakfast 7am-11:30am, lunch 12:30pm-5pm, dinner 6-11pm
• Link to Menu
• Dress Code: breakfast and lunch: casual, dinner: casual formal (no swimsuit/wet clothes)

Kibi Kibi is located on the 1st floor of the Casa de los Artistas building and is exclusively for guests of that casa. Check out Hotel Xcaret Arte: Let’s Explore the Resort post for more information on Casa de los Artistas!

Chef Roberto Solis is the force behind this unique menu, blending traditional Lebanese and Mexican cuisines. Go in the morning for what is (in my opinion) their best offering – french toast and bread service with spreads for breakfast. Room service in Artistas also comes from the Kibi Kibi kitchen.

The spreads at dinner (hummus, garlic, baba ganoush) are delicious. The other highlight of our dinner there was a Redfoot Margarita – an invention of the adorable bartender that blends tequila, chambord, and fresh raspberries. Unfortunately, our steak was overdone, but the chicken was well cooked as well.

Xaak

• Type of Cuisine: Mexican Cuisine
• Hours: 6pm-11pm
• Link to Menu
• Dress Code: elegant (women: dress, blouse, skirt, dress pants, and shoes or sandals, and men: dress pants, shirt (polo is fine), and closed shoes)

Xaak has a menu designed by some of the top chefs of Mexico, and this elevated experience is an additional $120 per person. There is an additional wine pairing by an award winning sommelier as well. It is located in Casa de la Piramide. I realllly didn’t want to spend any more above and beyond the price we were already paying, so we passed on this one! I’ve read very positive reviews of the food, and if you are looking for a fine dining experience, Xaak has you covered!

Restaurants That do NOT Require a Reservation

Arenal

• Type of Cuisine: classified as “international” cuisine – this is more of a steakhouse for dinner, and has a fun, eclectic menu for lunch with Mexican influence
• Hours: lunch 12-6pm, dinner 6-11pm
• Link to Menu
• Dress Code: casual formal (women: dress, blouse, skirt, trousers and shoes/sandal, men: trousers, formal shorts, shirt, closed shoes – no swimsuit/wet clothes)

Arenal is in a semi-open space under the main pool by the cove area. We went for both lunch and dinner, and both were great, but lunch especially stood out! The decor is particularly gorgeous, with blue everywhere. We loved their welcome cocktail – it was like a pink peppercorn strawberry margarita. Other favorite dishes were the Chilango hot dog (lunch menu), the fish tacos (lunch menu), and the tomahawk steak (dinner menu).

Although no reservations were required, we had no issues getting seated for lunch or for dinner. The breeze coming off of the water feels amazing in the evening! Don’t forget dessert, we had some of our favorites at Arenal. They have a different dessert menu for lunch and dinner as well, get one of everything!

Cantina ViaIPy

• Type of Cuisine: traditional Oaxacan
• Hours: lunch 1-6pm, dinner 6pm-3am
• Link to Menu
• Dress Code: casual during the day, casual formal for dinner (no swimsuit/wet clothes)

Located on the top floor of Casa del Patron, Cantina ViaIPy is in a beautiful space with a great bar. It’s a good choice for late night fun, and their late night menu hits the spot. If you are unfamiliar with Oaxacan cuisine, they utilize insects as a protein source and condiment, so don’t be surprised when you order guacamole and there are some crispy critters on top! We stopped by here for drinks several times but will have to wait for next time to enjoy a full meal.

Mercado de San Juan

• Type of Cuisine: primarily Mexican
• Hours: breakfast 7am-12pm, lunch 1-5pm, dinner 6pm-11pm
• Rotating buffet, no menu link
• Dress Code: casual during the day, casual formal for dinner (no swimsuit/wet clothes)

The Mercado, located in Casa del Patron, is intended to mimic Mexico’s open air markets. Traditional pastries, every kind of Mexican food you can think of from carnitas to quesadillas, and a full bar make this an elevated buffet experience. You have to try the Mexican coffee as well! If you go for breakfast, there is a Bloody Mary cart that travels between the tables – it is not to be missed! Secret tip: the cute woven bags for fresh fruit are yours to take home if you choose!

Cayuco

• Type of Cuisine: Mexican/Mediterranean fusion
• Hours: breakfast 7am-11am, lunch 12-6pm, dinner 7pm-11pm
• Link to Menu
• Dress Code: casual during the day, casual formal for dinner (no swimsuit/wet clothes)

Cayuco was a fun surprise for us! I hadn’t heard as much about it as some of the other restaurants, so didn’t really know what to expect. All the food we had was great, the server was a ton of fun (surprise shots and magic tricks!), and the open location right by the main pool makes for a pleasant atmosphere. Recommendations include the melted cheese, mussels, and any of the carpaccio dishes. If you get the delicious calamari, don’t be like my son and eat the pepper that comes with it – it’s a spicy habanero! Caliente!

Apapachoa

• Type of Cuisine: Vegan
• Hours: breakfast7am-1pm, dinner 6pm-10pm
• Link to Menu
• Dress Code: casual

Apapachoa is Hotel Xcaret Arte’s latest restaurant. It is vegan, and you will not miss the animal products at all. The spectacular location on the rooftop of Casa de la Paz is a plus as well. If you wake up feeling a little under the weather from an extra fun night, go check out their selection of fresh squeezed juices. We went for breakfast and loved it, and are looking forward to visiting for dinner next time!

Hotel Xcaret Mexico Restaurants

As of January 2024, If you stay in Casa de los Artistas, you also have access to the Hotel Xcaret Mexico portion of the resort. Please check before you go – they often change guidelines like this without warning. On the Mexico side, we tried 3 restaurants and had the Sunday Brunch (Brunch Domenical) as well. I encourage you to try Artistas if you can – I’m so glad we did!

Brunch Domenical (requires reservation)

• Type of Cuisine: everything, focus on Mexican
• Hours: Sunday 10am-4pm
• no menu available
• Dress Code: casual (no swimsuit/wet clothes)

The Brunch Domenical is located in the Las Cuevas “caves” restaurant. It is $100 per person if you are not a Casa de los Artistas guest, and if you are, then it’s included! That sounds pricy (it did to me, too), but we splurged and it was probably the most memorable meal we had ever had.

The extensive buffet includes sushi (the tuna is flown in that morning), a raw bar, taco/quesadilla, bao buns, traditional Mexican candies, gorgeous pastries, smoked meats, and omelets/benedicts. That doesn’t even scratch the surface – there is high qualify food everywhere you look. When you arrive, you are taken around by a host/hostess to orient you to the location of everything. if you like wine as I do, don’t miss the wine cave with meats and cheeses – the selection of high quality Mexican wines made me never want to leave, and the knowledgeable sommelier was wonderful to speak to. The gin cart peddler got us as we were leaving as well!

Fuego (requires reservation)

• Type of Cuisine: Mexican/Mediterranean fusion
• Hours: breakfast 7am-11:30am, lunch 12:30-5pm, dinner 6pm-11pm
• Link to Menu
• Dress Code: casual during the day, formal for dinner (no swimsuit/wet clothes)

Fuego was our favorite restaurant during our stay. It’s a simple walk over from Artistas, and I liked it so much for dinner that I went back for lunch the following day. The truffle pizza and Caprese salad at lunch were some of the best I’ve had. For dinner, the Mezze Luna (a truffle oxtail ravioli dish), the beef carpaccio, and the gnocchi were all wonderful. I can’t wait to try their breakfast next time! The service is a notch above as well, and if you sit outside on the pool deck, you can’t beat the ocean views!

Las Cuevas

• Type of Cuisine: Brazilian style Steakhouse
• Hours: dinner 6:30pm-11:30pm
• no menu available
• Dress Code: casual (no swimsuit/wet clothes)

This is the restaurant that hosts the Brunch Domenical, and the rest of the time it’s a Brazilian Steakhouse. If you’ve never been to one, there are servers that come around to all tables offering some meat sliced from their skewers. There are also buffets such as pasta, salad, break, and charcuterie. This one was more for the atmosphere (the caves are gorgeously lit up at night) and experience for us, the food was not at quite as high a standard as the food we had elsewhere. There was about a 30 minute wait when we arrived, but they had a stand with welcome drinks in the waiting area.

Bio

• Type of Cuisine: Vegan
• Hours: breakfast 7am-12pm, lunch 1-5pm, dinner 6:30pm-11:30pm
• Link to Menu
• Dress Code: casual (no swimsuit/wet clothes)

Bio was my favorite breakfast while we were there! I could be a full time vegan if food like this was widely available near me. The blue bowl was great, and it was the best avocado toast I had ever had. On a vacation like this, it’s nice to have some food that makes you feel healthy afterwards. We had about a 45 minute wait, but just explored the area while we waited! Next time I plan to visit for more meals!

Room Service, Bars, and Rooftop Pools/Food Carts

Room Service

We had room service for breakfast and late night a couple of times. The breakfast was in Artistas, so it was prepared in the Kibi Kibi kitchen and included their menu items. There were also some other breakfast basics available, such as eggs and bagels with smoked salmon.

For a late night snack, we found out that while they wouldn’t deliver a bottle of wine to the room by itself, they could deliver 2 beers or glasses per person there. I requested 6 glasses of champagne for NYE for the 6 of us, and they went ahead and brought the bottle anyway, haha! All drink orders have to accompany food, so we ordered 3 key lime pies and 3 chocolate cake slices – so good!

Rooftop Pools/Food Carts

The main pool has various food carts available on a rotating basis, for some delicious bites throughout the day and evening. The fresh margarita cart and the hot dog cart were my favorites! It sounds odd to say I had one of the best hot dogs of my life in Mexico, but there you go! We also sampled some more traditional Mexican snacks – esquites (street corn salad) and fresh roasted sweet potatoes with condensed milk (I’m thinking this is a winter only treat). There is also a street taco stand outside of the speakeasy, El Deseo – they serve late night, and it is soooo good!

All the casas have rooftop pools with bars (except Paz), and Artistas and Diseno also have food available. it’s not a large menu, but the food is surprisingly high quality. The guacamole in Artistas and the smoked salmon crudo at Diseno were our favorites!

Bars

As mentioned above, all the rooftop pools have bars, and there are also several other bars (mostly attached to pool areas) throughout Arte. None of them have food besides Artistas and Diseno, but they all have tasty signature drinks and an interesting drink menu (although they can make whatever you like). We wanted to give a shoutout to our favorites – Mankii (kind of like an alcoholic Starbucks pink drink) and Xacate (refreshing with notes of cucumber and lemongrass). The tiki bar for Artistas guests (Changaritto) has a specialty tiki menu – we loved stopping by here to drink from the fun tiki mugs!

With so many quality food options, narrowing your list down is the most difficult part! Bon Appetit!

For more information about Hotel Xcaret Arte, check out the articles below!

Hotel Xcaret Arte: The Ultimate Guide *Start Here*

Hotel Xcaret Arte: How to Maximize your Vacation ++ Complete Packing List

Hotel Xcare Arte: Adding some Adventure – The Activities and Excursions

Hotel Xcaret Arte: Diving into the Resort and Grounds

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