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Restaurant Reviews
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Comments: Family of seven (three adults and four teenagers ranging in age from 16 to 18) ate at Primas and was very pleased with everything.  We had heard mention that the service was lacking and we found this to be far from the truth.  Everyone was very attentive and extremely friendly.  My husband had the steak prima and said it may have been the best steak dish he has ever eaten (we're from Texas so that says ALOT!).  Others had surf n' turf, surf n' surf, and various italian dishes.  We thought the price was quite reasonable and the portions were huge.  We will definately be eating there again when we return to Cozumel!

We don't have small children so the "kid friendly" rating did not apply to us.

Comments: My husband and I spent 13 days in Cozumel.   We ate at Prima 3 nights.  My husband enjoyed the veal.  I tried 3 different meals and was pleased.  Although some of the previous reviews indicate that the place was the "best" italian, they obviously have not eaten in the North Beach district of San Francisco.  But as far a cozumel restaurants go, when you are there for 12 nights, you  need to get away from fajitas.

Comments:    Didn't live up to its 'best restaurant in Cozumel' claim.  Our group of six had a variety of seafood entrees.  Three were quite pleased, three were somewhat disappointed.  Shrimp & crab are a bit delicate to be smothered in such a heavy layer of cheese!  The bread was pretty good, & the salads OK, but overpriced for the quality.

Comments: I don't get the appeal...not in the mood for Italian when in Mexico, and the seafood was only okay-I had the shrimp.
Price was right, but preferred Lobster House and shrimp at Mission House better.

Comments: The seafood here is great.  We each had something different and it was all good, extremely fresh and tasty.  It is a little expensive, but is worth it.  Place itself is very nice.  If you want great seafood this is the place.

Comments:
We enjoyed a rich, stodgy and expensive night out at La Prima - the food was really quite good with generous, tasty helpings, but it certainly left a lump in your guts afterwards.  After La Choza and Costa Brava, this was the best place we ate in Cozumel (well, Hog Town Cafe may have been better, but that was for cheeseburgers and curly fries, which were delicious - but only after the exertions of a two-tank dive; I can't say it would have been good in another situation).

Comments: la prima is the BEST !!! We go to Cozumel usually twice a year and always end up at Prima at least 4 out of 7 nights. Juan Carlos is excellent and so it the staff. The atmosphere is great including the guitar player. Would reccomend the whole menu, from pizza to pasta, to the very best LOBSTER... try lobster alfredo chuncks, big enough to share. Also the ribeye steak with blue cheese, some wine, wow...

Posted on 08/16/02
From: Mike B.

I have been to Cozumel two times and have a third trip planned. On both occasions I ate a Prima and enjoyed my meal. I have visited many Italian restaurants in the US and this one is better then most. By Cozumel standards I found the food excellent the service was average once and excellent the second time. All in all I will be returning to Prima when I visit Cozumel in November

Comments: We loved this place, the food was GREAT.  We had the seafood combo with a great marinara sauce and one of the daily seafood specials.  The drinks were reasonably priced and view was nice.  It is on top of a building so you can watch all of the street traffic if you sit next to the railing.  Good food is hard to come by we suggest you give this one TRY!

Comments: We ate at Primas our first night in Cozumel.  I ordered a mixed salad, a shrimp appetizer and the mud pie.  My husband had the best grouper of our trip, salad and key lime pie.  We both had margaritas.  We were served excellent bread.  Total was $46 including tip.  We were upstairs, little white lights on the railing, musicians strolling through....a woman selling roses....a mosquito incense next to us plus they brought repellent for us to put on.  Excellent dinner.  We had hoped to return before the end of the week but too many other places to go! 

Comments: We finally got to try Prima this trip and wish we had tried it sooner.  The food was excellent and not as expensive as everyone kept telling us.  Tiff got the steamed mussels with spaghetti and said they were the best she has ever had, I got lasagna and it was a huge portion and very tasty.  There were items in every price range on the menu and several kinds of salads and desserts if you wanted to add them but we found the portions to be very large and none of us could finish our plates. 

robin, ron, & tiffany

Comments: My husband loved the deep dish meat pizza (about $10).  I had a big bowl of conch chowder that was out of this world for about $4.  Calzone was so-so.  The entrees are between $12-25 dollars but are big American-sized portions.  The steaks are excellent; fat & juicy.   Overall it was a nice experience.

Comments: Prima was our second favorite restaurant on the island.  The spiral stairs that lead up to the restaurant are quite dangerous as they are narrow and steep.  Don't get caught there during a fire. 

The food was pretty good.  Liked the alfredo sauce.  Prices are comparable to an upscale Italian restaurant.  Portions are fair.

The only thing I didn't like about the restaurant was the service.  They didn't treat us very well and the waiters pressured you for tips they did not deserve.

Comments: Prima serves what they call Northern Italian cuisine. Whatever it is, it is very good. The only problem is the size of the meals. This is a great place after a strenous two tank dive. When your body needs a lot of food, Prima will satisfy.
One work of warning, limit your alcohol intake as the stairs from the second floor restaurant level are narrow and winding.

Comments: SUPER Italian Restaurant.  Great, tasty dishes, wonderful atmosphere and very friendly service.  Can't beat the price. Great drinks.  Highly recommended by a  close local friend of ours, we went twice while in Cozumel this year and will be sure to frequent this restaurant next visit.  Hello to Juan Carlos and a big thankyou for not serving the "octopus".  Just kidding!!!See you next time...

Comments: Prima's is a standard on Cozumel.  They do have very good food but when they are busy they just want to get you in and out.  Do not plan on eating leisurely on a Sunday night.  They do have very good food but the waiters and owners are not very friendly or nice.  They act like they are in New York instead of Cozumel.  Also they hate it when one person in your party just wants a salad for dinner.  They will harass you into buying a dinner or charge you extra for a dinner roll.

Comments: This place came highly recommended by Antonio at El Cozumeleno as a great place for sea food and pasta. We were not disappointed. Several people ordered the 1 lb. of lobster tails and said it was great. They have USDA beef, and those of us eating that were really happy with it. They also have a good selection of pasta dishes that are very good. Cesar salad is wonderful. If you order the garlic bread, be prepared - it is strong! We will definintely come here again.

Posted by megan on 09/27/01

Re: ROMANTIC DINNER ??

La Prima is good place if you and your wife like Italian.  Good food, great service, very friendly enviroment

Posted by Julie on 09/05/01

The food was good, but I thought it was a little overrated by other reviewers. Not in the same league as La Cocay, but was almost as expensive. I’d say good but not excellent.

Posted by Bill on 08/27/01

One of the best restaurants in the world (and I say that modestly from my dining experiences at restaurants in North, Central and South America, the rest of the Caribbean, Europe and Asia) is in Cozumel, and it’s not that expensive:  Prima Trattoria, a block southeast of the Plaza.  Tell Albert that Alison and Bill sent you.

Posted by Carolyn on 07/19/01

In my opinion, this is the best restaraunt on the island - the atmosphere, the food, the drinks, the prices and the impecable service make for a remarkable time in Cozumel.  I have been many times and have never been disappointed in anything.  The wait staff if knowledgeable, attentive and friendly.  The manager is extremely personable and an asset to the business.  And the food -  simply delicious.  Prima's will always be my first stop for dining on each trip...thanks go out to Luiz, Valentino, and especially Juan Carlos.
Carolyn

Posted by Gina & Tammy on June 13, 2001

There are no words to describe the excellence of Prima.  By far the best Italian food we've had.
Excellent service and very good prices. Very creative menu with something for everyone.
Gina & Tammy

Posted by Jim on 05/30/01

Outstanding! One of the best restaraunts I have ever eaten in. Terrific service, food was delicious in every way, prepared to perfection. Not expensive. Excellent deserts. Great atmosphere. The best we ate at in Cozumel.

Posted by Bryan on 03/19/01

We ate at Prima on March 17th, 2001.  The food was excellent...nice location...good service but the owner/manager (?) was a jerk.  Our kids were playing "pick-up-sticks" with 10 toothpicks while waiting for dinner to be served.  The owner was concerned about the cost of the 10 toothpicks...we thought this was really out of line, considering we spent over $250 for dinner.  As well, we were not allowed to order from the kids' menu for a 4 year old because he was sleeping when the orders were taken!  Whoever is managing this place is being penny wise, pound foolish!  We're not likely to go back because of the attitude.

Posted by Marti/Little Rock on 10/05/00

We ate at Prima (Sept 00).  Good food--nice to get a USDA cut of beef when you are sooo far from home.  Had steak and shrimp and was very pleased.  We had conch fritters appetizer and surprise they actually had conch in em....ha ha.  Very much enjoyed our dinner!!!

Marti/Little Rock

Posted by Stuart and Kristin on 08/23/00

La Prima...Wonderful food and atmosphere. Located on the second floor (wine shop downstairs). You can see most of the town square and the water in the distance. We had grilled swordfish and filet mignon. Tender and prepared to perfection. Yum, yum. The prices were very reasonable, too.

Posted by Beccad71@aol.com on August 23, 2000

This was one of our favorite experiences on the island. The restaurant is on the second floor in the middle of town...great atmosphere, friendly staff and EXCELLENT food. Great bread and olive oil, we collectively ordered the Lobster Ravioli, Seafood Pasta and Linguini with Shrimp and Seafood Pesto sauce. Probably some of the best italian food I have had I a long time.. We did not try any of the traditional food...since we were by the sea we only wanted seafood...but I am certain that all their food is good. Prices were reasonable..about what you would pay here at a nice Italian place.I HIGHLY recommend this place, especially for those of you who might be a little nervous about eating away from your hotel. There were more Gringos in the place then I saw throughout the whole trip and I have never heard of anyone
getting sick at Prima. (Actually, I hear of more people getting sick from the AI food then anywhere else on the island....) Have a great time at PRIMA!

Posted by Bobby on June 12, 2000

La Prima is the only place to eat!!  Just got back from another week on the island and I have eaten all over the island!  Prima's beats them all hands down. Say hi to Santiago at the door from Bobby & Cindy and don't forget to have Louis sing "kiss me" for you his is the best on the island too!!

Posted by : Zude@zudeblue@vvm.com on June 12, 2000

We ate at Prima's the last night we were in Cozumel and were amazed! This place was excellent!  We ate the Surf-n-Turf dinners and they were super!  The steak was nice sized and better than most steaks from the USA that I have eaten.  The lobster and shrimp were great too.  The atmosphere is nice and it is very clean.  Wish we had found this place earlier in our trip.  Be sure to add this place to your list of places to visit.

Posted by Haden on March 31, 2000

If you get tired of Mexican and seafood, try Prima. Very good Italian

food.

Haden

Posted by tat2chas on March 5, 2000

Prima is located on the corner of Adolfo Salas & Ave. 5 (one block east of the waterfront) enter thru the cigar store at #109 Adolfo Salas & go up the circular stairway for some excellent Seafood & Pasta combo's.

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