Our island is changing and continues to grow. Just this past year they paved paradise and put in a Sam’s Club along with Bodega Aurrera (Mexican Walmart). To some this was/ is a negative as it sort of changes the landscape of Cozumel (sorry folks when you build the Sam’s amidst the concrete jungle downtown it didn’t change it that much, it’s not like they built it right on the water). To me however, this means better ingredient availability (if I can only find those darn lemons…)and the possibility of new restaurants.

And yes, new restaurant’s and specialty stores are popping up. From cruise pier to cruise pier, cafe’s, bars and dessert shops have appeared. Some of the local owners are familiar faces to me and I am so happy to see the successes of these new stores.

Bamboo Berry

Healthy…well depends on what you put on top I guess, but this is an “All Natural Non-Fat Frozen Yogurt & Topping Bar”. On Facebook they post weekly specials & flavors. You may get the opportunity to “Guess the Mystery Flavor” and get a free serving. Tangy, sweet and you get to choose you flavor and toppings…definitely can’t go wrong here. Cozumel Chef Tip: If you are local be sure to grab a local “punch” card to earn free yogurt!

Plaza Zona “V” Avenida 11 in front of the Municiple Park Q.Roo | Mon-Sat 1pm-11pm, Sun 4pm-11pm | (987) 869-0764

El Postrecito

Cute, sweet & pink! (checkout the fab GE refrigerator…it’s pink and I want one). A variety  of brownies, pies and other sweet delights are displayed on their counter and display case.  They have WIFI and of course espresso. I definitely recommend this place if you have a  sweet tooth.

Plaza Zona “V” Avenida 11 in front of the Municiple Park Q.Roo | Mon-Sun 8am-11pm | (987) 869-1428

Oh La Vache

Trendy Euros opened up shop on Calle 5…they are serving a variety of sweet & savory crepes. I dig that they ride their beach bikes with baskets to purvey their ingredients for the restaurant daily. Now that’s dedication! They have booth seating and the inside of the restaurant looks like a Jersey cow (for those who don’t know their cow varieties, thats the black and white one). We have only tried the sweet crepes because we like to end our evenings on a sweet note and a bit of cafe, but I am sure the savory are just as good.

Calle 5 sur, entre Rafael E. Melgar | Tue 4pm-10pm, Wed-Thur 2pm-10pm, Fri-Sat 1pm-11pm

Goa

What can I say…cute Argentinean brothers who open a Nespresso cafe…you bet! Selling      bohemian goods and featuring local artists (right now one of our fave photographers shots are  up on the wall. Well done Nora!). Goa is a great little cafe nook just off of the San Miguel Square  near the ferry pier. This place is a good way to end an evening out on the “square” with a warm  vibe inside that puts me in a European state of mind (old fashion cartoons playing on the flat screens and chill Franch music plays in the background, love it).

Rosado Salas & corner of Ave 5 | Mon-Sun 8am-10pm

“La Tienda” Guidos Delicatessen

This is a much anticipated shop for me. Specialty import goods, organic Mexican items, cheeses ,wine, beer (Chimay – a Belgian import), whole wheat pastas and a deli counter! Just the other day I poked my head into the “tienda” to check things out. Both Robert & Yvonne (the owners) happily greeted me and gave me a personal tour of the store. It is fabulous! Stop by for a quick bite for lunch in the lovely garden. They offer daily specials with salad, main course and of course dessert!

Corner of Ave 15th & Calle 10 |

Tapioka

Another boutique type shop that specializes in “Bubble Tea” which is a pearl milk tea/ juice beverage that originated in tea shops of Taiwan. This place too has become a secret lunch spot of mine. My favorite thing is the ciabatta chicken sandwich with a combo of bacon (oh yes a must) and creamy habanero sauce. My husband hails to the breakfast sandwich…bacon, egg & cheese on a bagel (hey fellow Jerseyans if you are in Cozumel missing that BE&C on a bagel, try this one).

Calle 3 & Rafael E. Melgar | Tue-Sun 8am-11pm

Bite’s

The gourmet cupcake has caught on here in Mexico (still waiting for the gourmet cupcake street truck, I believe that they will get there as Mexico has the “street truck” thing down). This dessert shop is located back on Ave 65 near Moby Dick (the place where many of the Carnival events are held). The operation is quite intense with a professional baking kitchen and equipment to make hand crafted baked goods. The shop brilliantly opened up just before Christmas and they were pumping out sugar cookies that were available to purchase pre-decorated or to take home and decorate yourself (Photo taken on my camera by Jennifer Lewis from M&J Photography).

Ave 65 & Calle 15 | (987) 872-2957

Disclosure: I am being compensated for my work in creating and managing content as a Community Manager for the Mexico Tourism Board. All stories and opinions for all things Mexico shared here are completely my own.