One of the functions of our facebook group, Isla Mujeres’ Food, is to give restaurants an opportunity to share about their food online with an interested audience. We’ve noticed that post-pandemic there are more and more restaurants offering home deliver, whether they have a brick and mortar store, or what is known in the business as a ghost kitchen, that only does delivery. Yiron is a hybrid of the two. There is a physical building located not too far south of Chedraui. But there is no actual seating inside. Just a kitchen and a take away counter. The business is primarily delivery.

All year long we have been approving posts from Yiron about what they have available and it’s been making me very hungry. Problem is I live 5,000 km away for 10 months of the year. Thats a lot of drooling over mouthwatering options that I know I can’t have until I get to the island.

So now that I’m on Isla, the time has finally arrived. We arranged for take out for two and told them to surprise us. When Kathryne walked into the kitchen with two big containers I could hardly contain my excitement.

I opened the first container to find a generous portion of Chilaquiles rojos. A traditional Mexican breakfast, this dish consists of tortilla chips slathered in a light tomato sauce topped with sliced onion, cilantro, avocado and usually topped with an egg or shredded meat. We got both, shredded chicken and eggs!  The sauce softens the chips as they soak it all up for the most delicious bite.

The next container just happened to have my very favourite Mexican breakfast of all time-Huevos Motuleños. Corn tortillas are brushed with refried beans and topped with a fried egg, strips of ham, peas, and tomato sauce and sprinkled with queso fresco cheese. My favourite part is they are served with a couple slices of fried plantain. The sweetness tastes great with the otherwise savoury dish. They come three in a serving.

There was so much food for such reasonable prices! We had left overs for the next morning. I could get used to having this beautiful food brought directly to my door. It’s like Door Dash without all the extra charges. But don’t forget to tip your driver.

Insider Tip: There is also Yiron Pizza which I am sure would be as delicious as the items that we sampled.

Kath’s quote: “The most important things to do in the world are to get something to eat, something to drink and somebody to love you.” — Brendan Behan

Love never fails.

Opened in 2021, Marina Bartolome may be a young restaurant, but it has a rich history. The family are original islanders, making their livelihood from the bounty of the sea. One just has to glance at the photos that adorn their gallery wall to see how deep the roots go into Isla Mujeres history. 

The marina is what one might call a one-stop-shop. A marina, restaurant with an air conditioned private function room, sports bar, take away counter, and small dipping pool, all under one roof. 

You enter the restaurant on Medina, just south of the ferry dock, and walk into a crisp, nautical restaurant at the foot of the marina. The location provides an expansive view of the water between Cancun and the island. It’s a perfect place for enjoying the sun set and fish and seafood recently caught in those very waters. 

Kath enjoyed the pera primavera cocktail. An delicious inventive creation of gin, white vermouth, pear, eureka lemon, agave and ginger ale.

On the day we dinned there, the catch of the day was fresh caught Mahi Mahi. This is a rarity as it’s low season for that fish. So, we started with appetizers that would feature this firm, white fish.

We selected the ceviche mixto on the recommendation of our server Angel. Piled high on a platter was whole shrimp, chunks of mahi mahi, octopus and calamari with chopped tomato, red onion, and cilantro.  The beautiful taste of fresh lime sparkled on your palate. 

We also really enjoyed the fish fritters. They were lightly battered, hot and crispy. Served with a spicy mayo and a side of guacamole that was topped with picked red onion. 

For main we both picked shrimp dishes. I had the garlic shrimp. I must confess, I was drawn to it by the anticipation of mashed potatoes, which did not disappoint. The potatoes were whipped to smooth perfection and full of buttery flavour, the side of corn was sweet and worked well against the salt of the large sautéed garlic shrimp. 

Kath selected the pasta Alfredo with shrimp. Served in a rich cream sauce, highlighted with white wine and citrus. It was a generous portion served with garlic toast.  

By this point we were very full, so packed up the leftover shrimp pasta and topped it with the garlic shrimp from my plate. It made a delicious dinner the next evening. We did somehow access enough tummy space to share some vanilla ice-cream. 

Marina Bartolome also hosts special events such as wine pairings and tequila tastings in a lovely, large air conditioned space that can also be booked for private events. 

Insider tip: The shrimp skewers that have topped the Isla Mujeres Food Page are from our visit in March 2024! I recall that they were sensational and so was the spicy octopus.

Kath’s quote: “The sea is the same as it has been since before men ever went on it in boats.” – Ernest Hemingway

Love never fails