There is an ongoing debate on the message boards as to who has the “best” hamburger, ceviche, whole fried fish, etc. Perhaps the most frequent question is who serves the best pizza? Our personal pizza preferences (thin crust, fresh toppings etc) help determine our top choice but for us it is also about our desire to support a family business of islanders who has been around since before we started visiting (over 20 years ago) and who has managed to not be squeezed off of Hidalgo. Pizza Rock is all of these things and therefore we think they serve the “best” pizza!

My friend Carlos was quick to accommodate three pairs of family, friends and newbies even though the place was jammed on a Monday night.

It was full of locals which I think really tells a story of its own.

There was live music which was a lovely accompaniment to our evening. (There are times when music can be a huge distration to a meal on this island).

They have a great wine selection and goblets of wine were selected all around (well mostly). My friend Karen had a beautiful pina coolada garnished with a fresh flower.

We had some help selecting an appetizer. Carlos recommended that we taste their Spinach Dip. Served hot, it was a concoction of cream cheese, parmesan cheese and spinach. It was accompanied by a whole loaf of premise made bread. We had a bite and then passed it around the table. Everyone agreed that it was scrumptious. My sister-in-law was particularly enamored with the dish and would love to have the recipe. I mean this literally, Carlos, would your kitchen mind sharing the recipe with me to pass along to her?

The gang around the table were interested in pizza and ordered meat lovers,

pear, gorgonzola and provolone,

Hawaiian

and Mediterranean.

Two of us were dreaming of pasta. I chose Carlos’s recommendation of Lemon Fusilli. He also encouraged me to add shrimp to it which I happily agreed to. When it arrived, I eyeballed it and thought that I would have no trouble eating the plate. In the end it was so rich and flavourful but I could only managed half.

The richness came from the plentiful bacon. It was chockful of the aforementioned shrimp, sauteed mushrooms and el dente fusilli in a three chili seasoning. It was just my cuppa tea even though I could not detect the lemon.

My sister-in-law selected the Fettucine with Shrimp. Wow! The pasta was tossed in olive oil, white wine, cream & ribbons of grated parmesan cheese. A seemingly endless line of shrimp was perched upon the pasta row. She was delighted by her choice, so much so that she wanted to save some for a little meal on another day.

I am so proud of the family that owns and operates Pizza Rock. They are typical of the hard working islanders-doing their very best, day in and day out. Their results are divine.

Kath’s quote: “Most seafoods should be simply threatened with heat and then celebrated with joy.” — Jeff Smith

Love never fails.

I think that luxury is relative. If the shower has plenty of hot water,

if the sheets are white and lightly fragrant, if there is a corkscrew in the kitchenette, if there is a real wine glass for my dinner libation, if there is a large enough coffee mug for my cup of jo, I am a happy girl.

When you can watch the sunrise from your private balcony I am overjoyed.

When there is a sparkling swimming pool all to myself, I am ecstatic. I was all these things when I enjoyed the hospitality at Villas San Miquel.

The kitchen is full stocked with matching table and flatware! There are those real wine glasses as well as water glasses and coffee mugs. There is a toaster, a microwave and a blender. The granite countertops match the ones I have at home.

There is a comfortable dining table for 4 with 2 extra (and beautiful) chairs nearby to pull up for more people.

The cleanliness is over the top. You could eat off of the porcelain tiled floors. The sinks and shower don’t look like anyone has ever stepped into them.

There is room for all of your toiletries and personal items. And an enormous wardrobe to hang everything up and tuck away.

There is an enormous, upholstered bench for extra seating or to lay your open suitcase upon.

The living room boast a comfortable futon couch. Comfortable being a unique word when describing a futon. It folds out to a double bed. The oversized easy chair also folds open as a child’s bed. This is extra convenient if you have visiting friends who shouldn’t drive their golf cart home. But the living room can be closed off from the bedroom to sleep a couple and at least one little one. There is a full sized TV which I never turned on. In fact, in over 20 years on the island I have maybe watched TV a dozen times.

There are plenty of lamps and pot lighting AND a number of electrical outlets which is a rarity in Mexico!

The outside lighting is also plentiful so that you can make your way around after sunset. Some of the suites are entered from the street or courtyard.

The gate to the Malecon and an extra heavy gate to the courtyard mean that you feel perfectly secure as you doze off to sleep at night in the huge and comfy bed. There is also a working safe.

The beach towels are plentiful as well as loungers, umbrellas, dining tables and chairs and those little tables that can hold your beverage, your book, sunglasses and phone as you lounge around the pool.

The first night I stayed, I was up for that sunrise. The second night I was poolside and had to walk perhaps 50 footsteps to the Malecon. As I sat there friends from all over the continent hugged me hello as they got their morning walk in.

The attention to detail and the craftsmanship of the properties is second to none.

I discovered a common area space with comfortable seating and table and chairs for a working space. But the big news is the addition of Sabor Restaurant. They open in time to grab a coffee before sunrise. Sister Sue has also enjoyed breakfast there. Read all about it in the attached link. https://foodmusings.ca/isla-mujeres/sabor-a-mexico-isla-mujeres-restaurant-feature-2026/

Villas San Miquel are not in everybody’s price range for a lengthy stay but as I was checking out, a couple asked if I would mind them poking their head in to see my space. They thought it was so economical because another couple could share the expense. There would be very few cab rides back & forth to Centro where all the action is, because you are literally close to everything you could possibly need (or want).

The pools are perfectly positioned for the sun and shade if you so desire. My visitors that morning thought that their grandkids would enjoy the pool more than the beach or beach club.

If you are seeking a convenient, safe, comfy place to lay your head on Isla Mujeres, this is the place.

Kath’s quote: “A house is built with bricks and mortar, but a home is created with love and shared moments”.-Authour unknown

Love never fails.

Whenever we get into a chat about our time on Isla Mujeres, we inevitably land on the island’s excellent food quality and variety. You may be surprized that the restaurant that is sited as many of our family and friends absolute favourite is not a Mexican restaurant, but a Mediterranean one. Olivia’s Taste of the Mediterranean is a fusion of Greek, Bulgarian, Moroccan and Turkish cuisine. Almost two decades have evolved and Olivia’s has stood the test of time by continually delivering their cherished dishes in a lovely garden seating or next to an open window near the open kitchen. Everything is made from scratch daily in their kitchens and you can witness as much if you pass by their bustling kitchen on your way to or from the local’s beach.

Last year we met Lior the shared owner of Olivia. This year Yaron introduced himself to us. We have spent many happy times gathered around their largest table under a palapa in the garden.

The garden area is exquisite and we know why this place is so special to so many.

In Greece it is very traditional to start your meal with mezedes, AKA tapas. Small plates to keep you just satisfied enough until your main meal arrives. They also wake up your taste buds for what’s to come. The Greek tapas at Olivia was a lovely combination of fine feta cheese drizzled with olive oil, green olives, creamy tzatziki, an incredible eggplant and red pepper dish, and right out of the oven Parmesan bread.

For our mains we ordered the Moussaka. A layered, baked dish with ancient Middle Eastern roots, likely evolving from an Arab dish of spiced meat and eggplant. Olivia’s version is described as a traditional Balkan casserole with ground beef, eggplant and a creamy Parmesan béchamel sauce. A rich dish, perfectly complemented by the accompanying fresh tomato salad with onion and parsley. 

Next was Spanakopita, the iconic Greek spinach and feta pie, with roots in the ancient Byzantine era. Originating from a need for portable, nourishing meals for workers, it combines Mediterranean staples like wild greens, spinach, feta cheese, and olive oil wrapped in delicate, flaky phyllo dough. The Olivia version was crispy and delicious and combined the a fresh tomato sauce, hard boiled egg and house marinated olives made for the perfect bite. 

Once again dessert had to be passed up as we couldn’t justify another morsel. One of our attentive waiters (3-4 of them took care of us through our time there), offered to pack up our leftovers which I enjoyed again last evening.

There is no wonder why more and more people are enthralled with a stay on Isla Mujeres. Long standing restaurants like Olivia’s keep the throngs coming back for more.

Kath’s quote: “Greek food is not about complexity, but about a perfect balance of ingredients.“ — Diane Kochilas

Love never fails.

Food anthropology is a new fascination for me.  Shall I define the terminology for both your benefit and my own? It is the study of how food reflects and shapes human culture, social relationships and identity. It’s like how food is more than sustenance, it’s a way to understand people and societies.

Mexico is the perfect place to study. Case in point:  we are currently in the Mexican province of Quintano Roo. There is a wonderful restaurant here that highlights Yucatán food. Our waiter David is from the neighbouring province of Yucatán and he is a proud ambassador.

As we walked into the simple, cool and elegant dining room, a food tale started to unfold. I had travelled to Mexico before I had the opportunity to visit the middle east and was fascinated that Middle Eastern countries had adopted the tradition of meat that they slow roasted on a spit. I now know that the influence was vice versa and that the Lebanese first brought al pastor to Yucatan and Mexico, as told by waiter David!

We started with a refreshing chia lemonade and my first cinnamon horchata. I loved it so much that I knocked mine back in a few giant slurps.

For dinner we shared an appetizer of “Kibis”. The name is derived from the word Kibbeh and is a trio of fried balls concocted from wheat flour & mushrooms then stuffed with a nugget of Edam cheese and fried until crunchy. Edam? Isn’t that a Netherlands cheese? That is another food tale but will have to wait for another day. As is often the case for me, the appetizer was my favourite treat. I love crunchy, savoury tastes and these were elevated by pickled cabbage and an xcatik pepper aioli.

Our first entrée, a Queso Relleno, was a work of art. An island of Edam cheese floated in a white sea. The morsel that looked like a patch of earth was created with a cheese sphere stuffed with ground beef in a succulent tomato and caper sauce surrounded by a white sak kool (another traditional Yucatan specialty). David explained that the rich taste of the dish is intentional to celebrate a very special occasion, like a birthday.

The second entrée was a deliberate contrast. Going from the extreme of the special occasion dish to a middle class, everyday supper-Langaniza de Valladolid. David explained that the Queso was an expensive and extravagant meal and that this one was more affordable and consumed often. The dish itself was a smoked pork sausage made from scratch in-house and flavoured with achiote and fire grilled. It is a dry sausage which is to be enjoyed with chiltomate tomato sauce, bean sauce and a grilled sour orange to squeeze on top. The sausage was perched upon three paper thin but beautifully marinated pork slices. A lovely compliment to the sausage.

We could have chatted with David all evening but we had to decline dessert because we were more than satiated. Before we left, he showed us the Cantina to the rear of the restaurant where on Fridays “botanas” are served-little bowls of simple Mexican tapas to compliment your time with a cocktail.

I personally feel even more enthralled with a dish I am tasting, when I know its origination and history. We all have to eat, isn’t wonderful to eat and learn at the same time?

Kath’s quote: “Food for us comes from our relatives, whether they have wings or fins or roots. That is how we consider food. Food has a culture. It has a history. It has a story. It has relationships.” – Winona LaDuke

Love never fails.

On our Facebook page, Isla Mujeres Food, we often have followers asking, “where can I find an authentic Mexican, mom and pop kind of restaurant”.  Well Taqueria MAFER is the perfect recommendation for these folks. Owners Ricardo and Margarita do all the cooking, serving and delivery along with son Alfredo and daughter Maria.

Their menu allows you to build you own taco, quesadilla or sandwich. As well as choose from a few other delightful options. The ingredients are fresh and cooked to perfection. And it’s super affordable making it of excellent value.

The restaurant is humble. Located in the home of the family in the La Gloria neighborhood. A few tables with vinyl table clothes and plastic stools.  An open kitchen where you can see your food being prepared. Just outside the front door is the Pastor rotisserie which often doesn’t get started till later in the day as it’s a favourite of the late night diners.

When you arrive you’ll be told what’s available that day. On the night we dined in Margarita informed us that she had pastor blanco, chorizo, and chicken.

We order a popular dish called Alambra.  It’s a mixture of chopped grilled meat, bell peppers, and onions, topped with lots of melted cheese. We very much enjoyed the Hawaiian version which also had ham and grilled pineapple.  It was served with a stack of tortillas for making wraps.

We also ordered a quesadilla featuring their white pastor. Prepared in a similar style to regular pastor this version doesn’t have achiote paste or red chillies, instead it is cooked with garlic, white vinegar, cinnamon and pepper, allowing the taste of the meat to really shine through.

Recently I asked Matt, a devoted regular customer at Taqueria MAFER about his favourites. He thinks the taqueria has the most moist Quesabirrias he has had on the island. Typically this is on offer once or twice a week. Owner Richard tells him it sells out fast every time.

He also recommended the battered shrimp tacos, which had me very excited. Unfortunately they weren’t available that evening. So now I have reason for a return visit.

Much of the taqueria’s business is home delivery. The limited tables inside the restaurant were quite full on our visit. Then after dinner, as we were waiting for our taxi, three golf carts full of people on the Cultural Cruisers tour pulling up once again bringing the restaurant to capacity. The tour takes you to the islands best home cooking and taqueria MAFER definitely meets that criteria.

Kath’s quote: “Small kitchen, big heart — that’s our secret ingredient.”– Author unknown

Love never fails.