Excellence Riviera Cancún

The resort's main buffet restaurant serves a wide variety of international dishes for breakfast and lunch, with themed stations and live cooking options in a spacious, open dining room.

✨ Insider tip: Arrive early for breakfast to secure a good table; the spread is extensive and a great way to fuel up before a day at the beach. Lunch here is ideal if you want a quick, no-fuss meal with plenty of variety.

Note: Hours based on standard Excellence Collection buffet schedules; confirm on arrival.

The resort's signature French restaurant transports guests to the Left Bank of Paris with a romantic ambiance, plush indoor and outdoor seating, and a menu of classic hors d'oeuvres, entrées, and desserts. Live music plays nightly to enhance the intimate atmosphere.

✨ Insider tip: This is consistently rated the top restaurant on property—book a table early in the evening to secure outdoor seating under the stars. The French onion soup and crème brûlée are standout dishes.

Agave serves authentic Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine in a hacienda-style courtyard setting with the option of indoor or outdoor seating under the moonlight. Tableside mariachi entertainment is a nightly feature, making this a lively and festive dinner destination.

✨ Insider tip: Request outdoor seating in the courtyard for the full mariachi experience. The guacamole prepared tableside and the fajitas are crowd favorites—try the spicy versions if you can handle the heat.

Basmati specializes in the regional dishes of India's North-West frontier, combining tangy herbs, aromatic spices, and traditional cooking techniques in a dramatic and romantic setting. It stands out as one of the few Indian restaurants at any all-inclusive resort in the Riviera Maya.

✨ Insider tip: Basmati is frequently cited as a guest favorite alongside Chez Isabelle—the chicken tikka masala and lamb dishes are particularly well-executed. Reservations are not required but arriving early helps.

Spice offers an Asian dining experience combining an à la carte menu with live Teppanyaki cooking stations, where chefs prepare dishes tableside with theatrical flair. The menu spans Japanese, Chinese, and Pan-Asian flavors.

✨ Insider tip: The Teppanyaki stations are the highlight—sit at the grill counter for the full show. Note that Spice fills up quickly; arriving right at opening is advisable. Some reviews note this is one of the harder tables to snag.

Oregano is a relaxed trattoria-style Italian restaurant serving hand-stretched pizzas, fresh-baked calzones, pastas, and sweet treats in an unpretentious and casual atmosphere. It's the go-to spot for a lighter, comfort-food dinner or a casual lunch.

✨ Insider tip: The Pizza Ai Frutti Di Mare with octopus, shrimp, and smoked oysters is a standout. Oregano's late closing time makes it a great option if you missed the earlier dinner seatings at other restaurants.

Note: Lunch and dinner hours based on travel agent sources; confirm on arrival.

The Lobster House is located poolside under an open-air thatch-roof palapa and offers à la carte breakfast, fresh Mexican seafood at lunch, and lobster-focused specialties at dinner. The ambiance transitions from relaxed daytime dining to a softly lit, romantic evening atmosphere.

✨ Insider tip: Note that Mexico's lobster closed season runs from March 1 to June 30, so lobster availability may be limited during spring visits. The poolside breakfast here is a quieter alternative to the main buffet. Some guests note shorter wait times than The Kitchen Table.

Note: Hours are approximate based on multiple sources; confirm with front desk on arrival.

The Grill is a stylish indoor steakhouse serving an à la carte menu of prime cuts, grilled proteins, and hearty seasonal salads, with an alfresco option where steaks, chicken, and shrimp are seared on an open flame in a giant thatch-roof palapa setting. At lunch it transitions to a casual grill offering salads, sandwiches, burgers, and wraps.

✨ Insider tip: The Mixed Grill platter—featuring filet mignon, sirloin, skirt steak, pork chop, and grilled chicken—is the signature order. The Argentine sausage and oxtail soup appetizers are also worth trying.

Flavor Market is a gourmet tapas restaurant with a cozy, intimate atmosphere, specializing in small-plate dishes designed to be paired with a curated selection of wines. It operates exclusively for dinner with a late closing time, making it a great option for a lighter or more social evening meal.

✨ Insider tip: Flavor Market is ideal for sharing multiple plates with a partner—order four to six tapas between two people and pair with the wine list. The late midnight closing means you can dine at a leisurely pace.

Magna is an exclusive à la carte restaurant reserved for Excellence Club guests, offering a sophisticated international menu with French influences for both breakfast and dinner. The restaurant features ocean views and a refined, private atmosphere befitting the Excellence Club's VIP tier.

✨ Insider tip: Exclusive to Excellence Club room categories only—standard guests cannot dine here. The dinner menu showcases elevated French-inspired dishes in an intimate setting; it's the most formal dining option at the resort.

Note: Hours based on Excellence Collection pattern for Magna; confirm with Excellence Club concierge.

Las Olas is a casual beachfront snack grill open for lunch, serving light fare, burgers, snacks, and refreshing drinks steps from the sand. It operates as a daytime dining option for guests who don't want to leave the beach.

✨ Insider tip: Perfect for a quick, no-fuss lunch without leaving the beach area. Las Olas also has an adjacent beach sand bar, so you can grab a cocktail with your food without missing any beach time.

Note: Daytime only; hours may vary seasonally.

Food Shark is the resort's themed food truck, offering casual takeaway bites and snacks as a fun, informal dining option between meals. It provides a street-food vibe in the all-inclusive setting.

✨ Insider tip: Great for a quick snack between the pool and dinner. Check the daily schedule at the resort app or concierge for Food Shark's current location and hours as these can shift.

Note: Operating hours and location vary; check with front desk or resort app daily.

Healthy Cuisine is a poolside wellness-focused dining concept offering nutritious, lighter fare as part of the resort's pool and beach service program. It highlights spa-inspired and vegetarian options for health-conscious guests.

✨ Insider tip: Vegetarian and spa menu options are available through this program at all main restaurants as well. The healthy cuisine station is a good option if you want something lighter poolside without heading to a full restaurant.

Note: Hours and exact format vary; often daytime poolside service.

The Sports Bar features multiple large-screen TVs broadcasting live sporting events and offers full bar service alongside a casual snacks menu. It provides a lively pub-style atmosphere for guests who want to catch a game during their stay.

✨ Insider tip: A great spot to watch North American sports, European football, or major events. The snacks menu makes it a decent option if you missed a meal and just want something light with a drink.

Note: Open during key sporting events; check schedule at front desk.

Round-the-clock room service is included for all guests, with Excellence Club guests receiving an upgraded menu that includes premium wine and liquor selections and a more expansive food offering.

✨ Insider tip: 24-hour room service is fully included in the all-inclusive plan. Excellence Club guests receive an upgraded room service menu with premium liquor and wine; worth taking advantage of late-night if you skipped dinner.

The resort's signature lobby bar, Martini is centrally located in the main building and serves as the primary social hub of Excellence Riviera Cancún. A dramatic lounge celebrating the iconic martini cocktail, it offers an extensive menu of classic and fruit-infused variations alongside live music.

✨ Insider tip: This is the best pre- and post-dinner meeting spot on property, perfectly located between Chez Isabelle and Spice. Live music creates a great ambiance in the evenings. The passionfruit martini is a popular guest choice.

Prelude is a relaxed lounge bar offering refreshing beverages and expertly crafted cocktails in a cozy atmosphere. It serves as a comfortable spot to unwind with a drink before or after dining.

✨ Insider tip: A quieter alternative to the Martini Bar when you want a drink without the crowds. Ideal for a casual, low-key evening cocktail.

Note: Hours not confirmed; open evenings based on typical resort bar schedules.

Blue is the resort's main swim-up bar, located within the principal pool complex and serving refreshing tropical cocktails, blended drinks, and classic beverages without guests needing to leave the water.

✨ Insider tip: Guests consistently rave about the blended tropical drinks at Blue—the coconut mojito and frozen margaritas are favorites. The swim-up positioning means you can hold a cold drink all afternoon without ever toweling off.

Note: Pool bar hours are approximate; most pool bars close by 5–6 PM.

Sol is a pool and signature cocktail bar conveniently positioned between the beach and the main pool, serving wood-fired oven pizzas, gourmet salads, and cocktails throughout the day. It doubles as a casual daytime snack and drinks option.

✨ Insider tip: Sol is one of the few bars that also serves food—the wood-fired pizzas here make it a great mid-afternoon snack option. Located between beach and pool, it's a natural stopping point on your way between the two.

Cielo is an exclusive pool and beach bar reserved for Excellence Club guests, offering light refreshments, tropical cocktails, and a refined, VIP atmosphere with turquoise water views. It operates as a private amenity within the Excellence Club zone.

✨ Insider tip: Exclusive to Excellence Club guests only—if you're in the club tier, this quieter beach bar is a great perk. Reviews note Bar Cielo stays open late (reportedly until 4 AM), making it a unique late-night option for club guests.

Note: Reported to stay open until approximately 4 AM for Excellence Club guests; verify on arrival.

The Excellence Club Lounge Bar is a private, upscale lounge exclusive to Excellence Club guests, offering top-shelf cocktails, premium wine, and smart buffets in an elegant, air-conditioned environment with personalized concierge service.

✨ Insider tip: This lounge is open 7 AM to 11 PM and includes smart buffets throughout the day—a great way to snack between meals without going to the main restaurants. The dedicated concierge is invaluable for dinner planning and excursion bookings.

Note: Lounge Bar (bar service): 3:00 PM – 11:00 PM; Lounge with buffets: 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM.

X Lounge is a romantic, South Beach-style chill-out lounge perched on an open-air deck above the beach, featuring candlelight, soothing music, plush mattresses, pillows, and stylish couches for an intimate evening experience.

✨ Insider tip: One of the most romantic settings on property—perfect for an evening cocktail under the stars with ocean breezes. Go after 6 PM when the atmosphere really comes alive with candles and ambient music. The mattress loungers fill up quickly.

Note: Evening only lounge; hours may vary.

Stars is the resort's theater bar, located inside or adjacent to the main indoor theater. It provides full bar service while guests enjoy the nightly live entertainment shows, creating a comfortable lounge atmosphere with drinks in hand.

✨ Insider tip: Grab a cocktail at Stars before the nightly show starts and settle into a good seat. The combination of live entertainment and bar service makes this a popular evening hangout.

Alegria is the resort's nightclub and disco, offering a lively late-night atmosphere with dancing and full bar service. It transitions from a piano and sing-along bar earlier in the evening to a full disco experience later in the night.

✨ Insider tip: Alegria typically opens around 9 PM. The early evening sing-along and piano bar format is a fun, more intimate experience before it transforms into the disco later. This is where the late-night crowd gathers.

La Habana is the resort's cigar lounge, offering a plush, intimate setting where guests can enjoy premium cigars paired with fine cognac, single malts, and premium spirits in a refined atmosphere.

✨ Insider tip: La Habana is one of the more distinctive amenities at ERC—the cognac and single malt pairing with a premium cigar is a memorable evening experience. Open from around 3 PM, it's ideal as a pre-dinner or post-dinner wind-down spot.

Revive is a health-focused juice and smoothie bar located steps from the Miilé Spa, serving revitalizing blends of fresh seasonal fruits, cold-press juices, nutrient-packed elixirs, and cocktails for guests seeking a wellness-oriented refreshment.

✨ Insider tip: Located right beside the spa, Revive is an ideal stop after a hydrotherapy session or workout. The freshly made smoothies and cold-press juices are among the best non-alcoholic options on property.

Note: Daytime hours; check with the spa or front desk for current schedule.

The Las Olas beach sand bar is located directly on the beach beside the Las Olas snack grill, serving tropical cocktails, beers, and refreshing drinks with the sand between your toes and the Caribbean as your backdrop.

✨ Insider tip: The most casual and laid-back bar on property—perfect for a mid-afternoon beach drink. The Mayan Mule (tequila, fresh ginger, and lime) is a popular house cocktail worth requesting here.

Note: Daytime beach bar hours; approximate.

Aroma is the resort's coffee house and dessert café, serving freshly brewed coffees, espresso drinks, oven-baked breads, pastries, éclairs, cakes, ice cream, waffles, crêpes, muffins, and cupcakes throughout the day in a casual, sweet-focused setting.

✨ Insider tip: A perfect morning stop before heading to the buffet, or an afternoon treat after the beach. The crêpe station is especially popular—try it with fresh fruit and Nutella.

Note: Also known as Café Kafé in some older sources. Hours are approximate; confirm on arrival.