Over the past five years, I’ve eaten at Lola Valentina well over twenty times. A lot has changed here, but for many tourists it’s still one of the most sought-after spots on Isla Mujeres. Below, we’ll look at what Lola Valentina has to offer in terms of drinks, food, and vibes.
Isla Mujeres Lola Valentina Menu: What to Order
Lola Valentina is known for offering a creative menu, both when it comes to drinks and the food they offer. That’s also one of the reasons why I gave it a prominent spot in my list of best restaurants in Isla Mujeres. Let’s have a look at why it deserves that spot.
Drinks – Best Mixology On The Island
When you look at the drinks menu of Lola Valentina, you’ll notice two things: there’s more than enough to choose from, and the prices are higher than what you’d normally see on the island. There are reasons for that, but we’ll dive into that in a minute.
The upside of Lola Valentina is that they do offer the fanciest drinks on the island, and they’re the only ones to do it this well. They have a variety of house cocktails and ‘fancy-ritas’ that are worth a try. So, worth it every once in a while if you ask me.
Food – Surprisingly Creative Dishes
One of the reasons why we like to go to Lola Valentina (we eat here weekly) is that their food menu, much like their drinks menu, offers options that you won’t find anywhere else on the island. Another positive thing about this is that their food is consistent, and all their dishes are good and/or great.
Personally, I’m a vegetarian, and we eat here because they have delicious fried cauliflower tacos. That could be a boring dish if it’s not executed right. However, the fresh guacamole and the mole and peanut sauce that come with it make it an absolute banger. The best thing is that it’s only 200 pesos ($10 USD) and it’s more than enough food for a casual dinner.
I’ve also had the Caribbean tostones, which are smashed fried plantains topped with guacamole and pico de gallo. That’s a good appetizer, but I think I would prefer the regular guacamole overall.
We’ve also visited this place with many of our non-veggie friends. Everything from their ranchero steak tacos to their tuna bolognese has received great reviews from the people in our friend group.
Isla Mujeres Lola Valentina Prices: Is It Worth It?
Besides creating creative and delicious dishes, they’re good at another thing at Lola Valentina: charging money.
When we look at their drinks, examples of this are their margaritas (175 pesos / $8.8 USD) and their mojito (225 pesos / $11.25 USD). In many places on the island, including places on the main street (e.g., El Patio, La Terazza), you’ll find both of these cocktails for around 120 – 150 pesos ($6 – 7.5 USD).
The same goes for the food: you’ll have to pay for it. Most dishes cost between 300 and 500 pesos ($15 – 25 USD). Many of the restaurants on the island charge 180 – 280 ($9 – 14 USD) for a meal, so you’re definitely paying a premium. Every once in a while, it’s worth it, though.
If you’re with a group of 6 or more people, they do also recommend tipping 18%. When it’s just my girlfriend and me, we typically tip 10 to 15%. Their menu says ‘cash only’, but we’ve paid with a card here multiple times, and they don’t charge an extra fee for that.
Best Time to Visit Lola Valentina (Avoid the Wait)
Lola Valentina is open from 8 AM to 11 PM every single day of the week. It’s located right on the main street, which means that during high season (January to April) it can get busy.
Lola has both a brunch and a dinner menu. In general, I wouldn’t worry too much about seating space during breakfast or lunch. A lot of people will be on the beach during this time (Playa Norte and Playa Norte are right around the corner) or further down south on the island.
Dinner time is where it gets busier. From 7 PM to 11 PM, availability is typically fine. However, there are only 5 tables on the street side. If you want to sit there, you’ll have to be quick or make a reservation. Inside the restaurant, there’s plenty of space during the week. This may be a little more difficult on Fridays and Saturdays. In general, though, we’ve always had space as a couple and never had to wait.
If you’re going to show up with a group of 6 people or more during weekend days in high season, it may be worth giving them a call beforehand to secure your spot.
What the Atmosphere Is Really Like at Lola Valentina
Another thing that Lola Valentina Isla Mujeres does really well: the vibe. It’s chill, it’s smooth, and it’s exactly what you’re looking for, especially after a long day in the sun. The restaurant is nicely decorated with high-quality wooden furniture and some stylish neon signage on the wall. The swings at the bar, which you’ll see in many places on the island, are also present here.
Between 7 PM and 9 PM, during high season, they also have a guy playing the saxophone to some Frank Sinatra or similar style of songs.
Again, the only restaurant on the island to do this so well so consistently. This is also what makes it a terrific restaurant for couples.
The noise level of the saxophone is also the exact right volume, something that I can also confidently say about the music they play the rest of the day.
Finally, the crowd insight is a mix of tourists and expats. Not many locals show up here.
Vegetarian, Vegan, and Dietary Options at Lola Valentina
Yes, Lola Valentina has multiple vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options on their menu.
When we look at their dinner menu, we see stuffed jalapeno peppers, Caribbean tostones, cheese with mole, cauliflower tacos, cactus tacos, a vegan burger, and a bunch of salads as options for vegetarians. The Caribbean tostones, the tacos, and the vegan burger are all also options for vegans.
For gluten-free people, I counted a total of 19 dishes that are also clearly marked on the menu. Lola’s Caribbean Ceviche, stuffed poblano, and chicken/steak tacos are all part of the options.
Again, there are not many restaurants on the island that make it this easy for vegetarians, vegans, and gluten-free people to eat there, while also offering plenty of options for people without these diet preferences. This makes it a great restaurant for groups, cause chances are high that everybody will be happy.
Is Isla Mujeres Lola Valentina Good for Remote Work or Long Dinners?
Lola Valentina isn’t an ideal place to get work done for a long period of time. However, if you need to do 1-2 hours of work, and you visit between the hours of 3 PM and 6 PM, it’ll be quiet enough to be productive.
Between the hours of 12 PM – 3 PM and after 6 PM, the restaurant is typically quite busy. In the evening, there’s live music in the form of people playing the saxophone.
On the other hand, Lola Valentina is an ideal restaurant to sit for a longer period of time. I’ve always felt very welcomed here, and the staff doesn’t try to rush you out the door. Lola is great if you want to have dinner and enjoy a couple of drinks afterwards.
It’s also a restaurant for couples, since the vibe in the restaurant allows enough opportunity to have a good conversation with your partner.
Location of Lola Valentina: How to Get There Easily
Lola Valentina is located at the beginning of the main street in the northern part of the island. The street is called Avenida Miguel Hidalgo and is lined with the best restaurants on the island. If you’re staying in a hotel in the northern part of the island, it will be a short 5-minute maximum walk to the restaurant.
If you’re coming from the south with your own form of transportation, keep in mind that parking in the city center is limited. You won’t be able to park the golf cart right on Avenida Miguel Hidalgo. Instead, I like to park my golf cart or scooter in this parking spot (it’s free but not marked on Google Maps, I’ve linked the coordinates).
How Lola Valentina Compares to Other Restaurants
When I compare Lola Valentina to other restaurants on the island, I think it offers an experience that few can replicate. The atmosphere is the right amount of comfortable, vibes, and a little romance. The food is creative while still honoring the basics of Mexican cuisine. Finally, the service is friendly and attentive.
Now, other restaurants on the island also have live music and good vibes, but they don’t hit the same level of quality. El Patio, for example, is one of my favorite spots as well, but the red and white plastic chairs that fill the restaurant don’t breathe the same romance as Lola Valentina does. La Terazza also has live music, but that’s really more of a bar to begin with. Oscars Grill serves the best American-style pizzas on the island, but it is a completely different style of restaurant.
There’s also Limon restaurant, which is more of a fine-dining experience and not as easy-going or vibey as Lola.
Probably the restaurant that comes closest to Lola Valentina is Oceans, located across the street from it. They have the music and the uptown vibe as well. However, I never found their menu to be as interesting as what Lola Valentina has to offer.
FAQ About Isla Mujeres Lola Valentina
Does Isla Mujeres Lola Valentina take reservations?
Yes, Lola Valentina does take reservations. They don’t have a website, so you’ll need to call them at +52 998 104 7643.
How long is the wait at Isla Mujeres Lola Valentina?
Lola Valentina doesn’t often have a waiting time. It’s a large restaurant that is easily able to accommodate most people and groups, even during high season. However, if you have a group of 6 or more people, it can be worth it to give them a call beforehand.
Is Isla Mujeres Lola Valentina cash only?
No, Lola Valentina is not cash only. They also take cards at no extra charge.
What are the opening hours of Isla Mujeres Lola Valentina?
Lola Valentina Isla Mujeres is open from 8 AM to 11 PM on a daily basis.
Is Isla Mujeres Lola Valentina kid-friendly?
Lola Valentina does accept kids; They even offer paper and crayons for kids to stay busy at the dinner table. However, the restaurant doesn’t have many other facilities that cater to kids. There’s no playground and not a lot of areas to run around. The menu does offer enough for kids to enjoy as well.
