El Socio Naiz

El Socio Naiz takes the downtown taquería and gives it a contemporary polish. It is an open-air restaurant on Avenida Carlos J. Nader, in the centre of Cancún, and it has earned a place in The Infatuation's guide to the best restaurants in the city as a reward for visitors willing to leave the Hotel Zone.

The tacos are made with heirloom corn tortillas, and the headline order is the taco del trompo, also known as al pastor. From there, the menu gets more playful. The campechana combines grilled sirloin with spicy Argentine-style chistorra sausage, and the octopus chicharrón taco is finished with crumbled pork crackling and a crisp tuile of fried cheese. Salsas are served in mezcal glasses, a small touch that sums up the place: familiar street food presented with a wink.

The drinks list follows the same line, with spicy craft cocktails, including one served with a chamoy rim.

Not everyone will love the flourishes. The Infatuation's reviewer notes that some diners will find the fancier touches fun and others will find them gimmicky, so this is a better choice for adventurous eaters than for purists in search of the most traditional taquería in town. For that, Carnitas Don Enrique, also downtown, is the more classic option.

El Socio Naiz is a casual dinner spot that welcomes walk-ins, and there are tables outside. It suits couples, groups of friends and travellers who want a relaxed meal in the city rather than at a resort.

Opening hours are not listed in the review, so check the restaurant's Instagram account or call before you go. It works well as a dinner stop after an afternoon at Mercado 28 or in the Parque de las Palapas, also in the downtown district. Mercado 28 brings together more than 200 craft shops and restaurants on Avenida Xel-Há, and the Parque de las Palapas, renovated by the city in 2023 and 2024, is where local families gather among snack sellers and artisans. If you want to compare the new-wave taquería with an old-school one, Carnitas Don Enrique on Avenida Tikal has been serving carnitas tacos and tortas since 1974, served with three house salsas.