La Palapa (Calle 12 between Calles 11 and 13, tel. 988/916-2063, 11 a.m.–6 p.m. daily, US$5–12) is easily the best and most reliable restaurant in Celestún, serving tasty seafood, plus various chicken and beef dishes beneath a soaring palapa roof. Whereas other restaurants in town have a somewhat liberal approach to appearance and cleanliness (we tracked down one restaurant owner chopping chicken in the kitchen with no shirt on), the service, facilities, and food prep at La Palapa are impeccable. Tour groups often eat here, but the dining area is large enough to give everyone space.

Restaurante Boya (Calle 12 at Calle 11, tel. 988/916-2129, 9 a.m.–7 p.m. daily, US$5–9) serves a standard seaside menu of fish fillet, shrimp, seafood soup, and more, plus cheap beer and a full bar. Eat in a somewhat dim indoor dining area or at shady tables set up in the sand on the beach.

Restaurante El Lobo (Calle 10 at Calle 13, no tel., 8 a.m.–noon, 6–11 p.m. daily, US$3–6) has great breakfast options, including Belgian waffles and yogurt with mixed fruit. For dinner, the pizza is decent and a welcome alternative if you are seafooded out.

The mercado municipal (central plaza, 7 a.m.–6 p.m. daily) has a decent selection of fruit, veggies, bread, and other foodstuff. There also are several cheap taco stands near the entrance.