I’ve eaten at Asia Caribe probably five or six times over the past couple of years. This restaurant definitely isn’t as popular as some other restaurants on the main street. However, it does offer something that many of them don’t: Asian fusion.
In my opinion, this can be a good restaurant if you’re looking for something other than the Mexican and Italian food that many of the other restaurants on the island offer. Unfortunately, it also has some drawbacks. Let’s find out!
Isla Mujeres Asia Caribe Menu: What to Order
Asia Caribe is known for being one of the only restaurants on Isla Mujeres that mainly focuses on Asian Food. Let’s have a look at what they have to offer.
Drinks – A Wide Selection of The Basics
The drinks menu in Asia Caribe offers a wide selection of beers, wines, cocktails, and sodas. On top of that, they’ve also got a selection of tequila, vodka, gin, rum, and brandy.
To be fair, it’s nothing special, but it’s ideal if you’re with a larger group of people because you can be sure that everyone will be able to find something. I usually take a beer, so there’s very little to complain about. My girlfriend took a glass of their white house wine the other day, and that was a solid pick.
Food – Asian Fusion
Let’s talk about the food in the restaurant. I took the liberty to make some pictures of the menu, and as you can see, Asia Caribe offers many options. 80% of the dishes are Asian or Asian-inspired. We’re talking a variety of curries, noodles, and Asian-inspired seafood dishes such as pescado Bangkok (Bangkok-style fish).
Now, I’m always a little hesitant to try Asian food in non-Asian countries. That’s because it’s often very clear that the cook doesn’t really know what they’re doing. However, I have to say I’ve never been disappointed by this restaurant. The quality of their food is good and consistent.
I’ve had the yellow curry a couple of times here, and it’s very rich, creamy, and flavorful. My girlfriend has ordered the Pad Thai numerous times, and that one has been very consistent as well. What’s also good to know is that portion sizes are big. We often end up taking some of the food home with us.
Isla Mujeres Asia Caribe Prices: Is It Worth It?
Now, in my opinion, Asia Caribe has one major negative point, and those are the prices. Take my yellow curry, for example. That dish sets me back 390 pesos ($19.5 USD). Because most main courses on the main street cost me 200 – 250 pesos, Asia Caribe charges a premium and then some.
The same goes for the tofu Pad Thai that my girlfriend often eats here. That’s 325 pesos ($16 USD).
If you’re a meat eater or want some seafood, expect things to start at 400 pesos ($20 USD) and go all the way up to 650 pesos. ($32.5 USD)
This is my main problem with Asia Caribe: the food is good, but compared to the other restaurants on the island, they charge a premium that simply doesn’t justify the quality. It’s also the reason why we eat here only twice a year.
Best Time to Visit Asia Caribe (Avoid the Wait)
Asia Caribe is only open during dinner time, between 4 PM and 11 PM. They’re open six days of the week, except on Wednesdays.
Between 7 PM and 9 PM, it’s the busiest. However, in the case of Asia Caribe, that often doesn’t mean there’s no spot anymore. I’ve walked past this restaurant dozens of times during dinner time and not once can I remember an instance in which it was packed. Therefore, I wouldn’t worry too much about when to show up here.
What the Atmosphere Is Really Like at Asia Caribe
In my opinion, Asia Caribe isn’t the restaurant with the best vibe in Isla Mujeres.
Inside, the room has some night lighting, but overall it feels a bit cold and doesn’t look that cozy to me. Part of the reason for that is probably because they use sturdy black plastic chairs throughout the restaurant. If you compare this to a restaurant like Lola Valentina, where they use solid wooden chairs, it just creates a completely different vibe.
On top of that, many restaurants on the island have some form of live music, of which live saxophone players are my favorite. Asia Caribe never has any of that and relies on the music of nearby restaurants to set the tone.
Vegetarian, Vegan, and Dietary Options at Asia Caribe
One of the things that I do like about Asia Caribe is that they clearly label dietary options in their menu. This is true for all vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free meals.
Not only that, but because the Asian kitchen has a lot of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free dishes to begin with, there’s also a large variety of options. This is another reason why this restaurant is a good option if you’re planning to come with a larger group of people.
Is Isla Mujeres Asia Caribe Good for Remote Work or Long Dinners?
Asia Caribe definitely isn’t the place to get some remote working done. Because of their opening hours (4 PM to 11 PM) it’s a restaurant focused on serving dinner and drinks to tourists after a long day at the beach. It’s best to respect that.
Now, if you want to have a long dinner and sit around, Asia Caribe definitely is a good place. Because they’re never really full, and they don’t have a long line of people that are waiting for a table, they often let you sit as long as you want. I’ve never felt rushed here.
Location of Asia Caribe: How to Get There Easily
Asia Caribe is located right on the main street, Avenida Miguel Hidalgo. If you’re staying in the northern part of the island, it’s going to be a 5-minute walk at most to get to the restaurant.
If you’re staying further south on the island, you’ll either have to take your golf cart here and park it, or flag down a cab and pay 150 – 200 pesos to get you to the north.
How Asia Caribe Compares to Other Restaurants
The good thing about Asia Caribe is that they offer something that other restaurants on the main street don’t offer: Asian Fusion. Between all the Italian and Mexican restaurants, that’s honestly a relief.
However, if I compare it to restaurants like Lola Valentine or Oceans, which are both on the same street, I have to say that those have a lot more vibe and that they are often 30-50% cheaper than Asia Caribe while maintaining the same quality of food. Oscars Grill is another example of a restaurant with a better price-quality ratio.
If you’re staying on the island for a while and are craving something other than tacos or pizzas, then Asia Caribe is a good choice. However, it ranks quite low on my list of best restaurants on Isla Mujeres.
FAQ About Isla Mujeres Asia Caribe
Does Isla Mujeres Asia Caribe take reservations?
Asia Caribe does have a phone number on their website, which you can call to make reservations (99 88 88 09 37). However, it’s not needed to make reservations because the restaurant is never full.
How long is the wait at Isla Mujeres Asia Caribe?
Asia Caribe doesn’t have a waiting time. Most people will be seated immediately on arrival.
Is Isla Mujeres Asia Caribe cash only?
No, Asia Caribe also takes Mastercard and Visa. American Express is not an option.
What are the opening hours of Isla Mujeres Asia Caribe?
Asia Caribe is open from Thursday to Tuesday from 4 PM to 11 PM. On Wednesdays, they’re closed.
Is Isla Mujeres Asia Caribe kid-friendly?
Yes, Asia Caribe does offer a kids’ menu with chicken fingers, fish fingers, and macaroni with cheese. The restaurant does not offer any playing facilities for children.
