Palenque Restaurants

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I loved the food here it was very good. I think people came here from outside EL Panchan because the parking was full every evening (it is not that big the parking)
There are also great shows at the dinner. I stayed here every evening.

Favorite Dish: I had combination 1
carrotsoup, fish filet with green salade for 70 pesos.
breakfast fresh orange juice, fruit, yugurt grains/granalo. about 45 pesos
Chicken filet in orangesauce.
Mananita = banana blended with chocolatemilk
Spinach pizza

Pizzeria Palenque is a small pizza restaurant on the main street pleasantly surprised me. I was looking for something simple late in the evening and was hankering for something reminiscent of home. It offers a variety of pizza sizes, pre-planned choices, and a la carte toppings. I chose the smallest size (the “chica’) with mushrooms and cheese. The flavor was quite pleasing and the size was perfect for one person. I had the pizza and a Modela for 58 $MX. This place definitely pleased my appetite, taste buds, and my wallet. It would make a good choice for something simple and laid-back.

I went to Café de Yara looking for some good coffee because my guidebook listed it as one of the better choices. Unfortunately, the coffee did not meet up to my expectations but was acceptable. The café con leche was only a so-so coffee choice. However, the chicken tostadas were much better. There were two tostadas with generous fresh yummy toppings. The atmosphere was well decorated, fresh, and clean. One item of note: because of the location right on the street and the open-air seating, there was a bit of noise coming from traffic. In particular, there is a water grate in the street, so the cars going over it make a consistent clanging noise that was slightly bothersome.

For chicken tostadas, café con leche, and a small bottled water, the cost was only 59 $MX, which seems pretty reasonable for everything.

Mara’s Restaurant was a fair choice in a good location. It sits at the end of the main street, across from the public park. The restaurant has open-air walls that give a nice breeze and great view of the park for people watching. The complimentary chips and salsa were pleasant. It had a nicely priced happy hour special of 2-for-1 tequila sunrises and entrée for 40 $MX. I had the enchiladas suizas, which were only fair, but the drinks made up for it. The drinks were definitely generous with the alcohol, especially considering the price. It made for a satisfying happy hour.

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There are a few restaurants around the main plaza of Palenque. Some better than other ones. At the end, comes to what you like and if you like to explore with the local cuisine. Specially, you don't spend hardly any pesos. And the taste mmmmm you have to try it.

Favorite Dish: Be adventurous and try Chilaquiles, and of course jugos naturales.

Palenque is where my friends and I first discovered the delight of tamales, a traditional Mexican dish that can often be found along roadside food stores. see my restaurant tips under my Cancún page for more about this dish which originated from Aztec times.

per tamale: USD 0.50

Palenque is a small town and there is no way you can get lost because there is only 1 Main street. just before the road from the first class bus station forks into two roads, there is a restaurant on the right-hand side of the road called Trotamundos which makes delicious roasted chicken (called Pollo Rostizados) for just USD 2.50 per order. this set meal incl udes spaghetti, silent, refried black beans, and tortillas.

Good tortas can be found just 10 feet away from Trotamundos ( see another tip) at the Street store called Daniel's Tacos and Tortas. Daniel has been running the stall for over 12 years and makes an excellent torta. his four daughters sometimes help out.

Tortas: USD 1.20
Tacos: USD 0.40