Lobster pizza is the most famous dish in Holbox, and trying it is essentially a requirement when you visit the island. You can find lobster pizza, or “pizza de langosta” in Spanish, at several restaurants across Holbox, with styles ranging from thin and crispy wood-fired crusts to thick Roman-style pinsa. Not everyone loves it, and it isn’t cheap. But it’s one of those things you have to try at least once.
Pizzeria Edelyn claims to have been the first to serve lobster pizza in Holbox, back in 1985. Since then it has become the dish the island is known for, and a handful of spots have made it their specialty.
Isla Holbox is a serene, car-free island on the north of the Yucatán Peninsula, with a long beach, calm water, and a dining scene that punches well above its size. Enjoy a day at the beach, catch some live music around sunset, and then go find the best lobster pizza on Holbox for dinner.
Here are the top spots to know about.
When is Lobster Season in Holbox?
Lobster season varies across Mexico, but in the state of Quintana Roo, which includes Holbox, the season runs from July through February. Trapping lobster is banned from March 1 through June 30 each year.
The closed months allow for sustainable harvesting, giving lobsters time to reproduce and remain a vital part of the local ecosystem and economy. If you order lobster pizza during the off-season, it may have been caught before the ban, frozen, or in some cases illegally caught. This is important to know before you order.
Where to Find the Best Lobster Pizza in Holbox
These are the spots I recommend visiting for lobster pizza in Holbox, ranked by my personal preference. Each one takes a slightly different approach to the pizza de langosta, from wood-fired thin crust to Roman-style pinsa, so the best one for you depends on what kind of pizza you prefer. If you’re only going to one, start with El Crustáceo Kascarudo.
#1. El Crustáceo Kascarudo
The last place I visited for Holbox lobster pizza ended up being my favorite. El Crustáceo Kascarudo is a short walk from the center of town and doesn’t get nearly as much attention online or in Facebook groups as some of the better-known spots, but frequent visitors to the island know it well. That local loyalty was on full display after a fire ravaged the restaurant in 2021 and the community rallied behind it during the rebuild. It’s back and as good as ever.
It’s more of a seafood restaurant than a pizza shop, with specialties like seafood pasta, fresh fish, and ceviche rounding out the menu. But the lobster pizza is the reason to come.
The crust is very thin and crispy with no flop, which sets it apart from most of the wood-fired options on the island. What makes it my favorite lobster pizza in Holbox comes down to two things: the lobster is cut into larger chunks so you can actually taste it in every bite, and it’s integrated into the cooking process rather than added on top at the end, so it gets held in by the melted cheese rather than sitting loose on the surface.
If you only have time for one lobster pizza on Holbox, this is where I’d send you.
#2. Quartieri
Quartieri is one of the newer pizza spots on Holbox but has quickly built a following, and for good reason. It’s my favorite pizza on the island overall, because they make a true Neapolitan pizza: cooked at extremely high heat, with just a bit of char on a crust that is thicker than the wood-fired options elsewhere but still remarkably light.
The lobster pizza here is a little different from what you’ll find at the other spots. Neapolitan-style pizza changes character when you add toppings that aren’t traditionally Italian, and lobster is no exception. They also add sweet cherry peppers, which none of the other places do, and it works well. My personal favorites here are the Diavola and the Margherita, but the langosta pizza is genuinely one of the better versions on the island.
If you’re not ordering lobster pizza, the focaccia and the lobster pasta are also worth trying.
#3. Roots Pizza a la Leña
If you only make it to one spot for lobster pizza in Holbox, it will probably be Roots. It’s the most popular pizza restaurant on the island, sitting right in the center of town, and it’s the place you’ll keep seeing recommended in travel blogs and Facebook groups. For good reason too: the atmosphere is genuinely fun and the pizza is solid.
The outdoor garden is the main draw, with giant wooden tables and padded stumps for seating that range from mildly uncomfortable to extremely uncomfortable. It’s part of the charm. There’s also a stage where live music plays most evenings, which makes it a good spot to linger over dinner rather than just eat and leave.
The wood-fired pizza has a very thin crust, crispy on the bottom but with a lot of flop in the slice. The lobster is sautéed in white wine and served over a Margherita pizza base. It’s a good pizza and a great experience, even if some of the other spots edge it out on the lobster preparation itself.
Roots pizza in Holbox is pretty much a must if you’re on the island for more than a day or two.
#4. Pizzeria La Pinsa Holbox
If you love thick crust pizza, La Pinsa might be your favorite lobster pizza in Holbox. The style here is closer to a traditional Roman pinsa, which takes its name from the Latin word “pinsere,” meaning to stretch or press. The crust is thick but much lighter and airier than you’d expect, and it’s honestly my second favorite crust on the island after Quartieri.
The lobster portion is generous and the cheese is restrained, which I appreciate. Pizza doesn’t need to be buried in mozzarella, and La Pinsa gets that balance right.
The dealbreaker for me is the onions. The lobster is mixed with chopped onions that are more of a topping than a background flavor, and if you’re not an onion person you’ll notice them in every bite. That’s what keeps it from ranking higher for me. If onions don’t bother you, this could be a higher pick for you.
The Diavola with salami is one of my favorite pizzas in Holbox overall, just not the lobster version. They’ve also opened a second location called La Pinsa Jr.
Other Lobster Pizza in Holbox
Cronicas Taproom: Right near the central park, Cronicas is popular for the rooftop and the beer selection, with 10 to 12 craft options on tap alongside cocktails. They added a pizza menu at some point and the lobster pizza is a solid option, with a crust that sits somewhere between the thin wood-fired style and the thickness of La Pinsa. Come here for the vibe and the drinks, and the pizza is a fine bonus.
Parador 33: This Italian-Argentinean restaurant tucked into a small plaza is more of a full-service dinner spot than a dedicated pizza place. The menu runs to carpaccio, salads, seafood, and proper entrees, so you don’t need to order pizza here at all. But the lobster pizza is available and good to try if you want something more upscale than a casual pizza garden.
Restaurant y PizzerÃa Edelyn: Located on the corner of the central square, Edelyn claims to have been the first restaurant to serve lobster pizza in Holbox, back in 1985. That history gives it a certain legitimacy, and you should consider a visit for that reason alone. The pizza is thin crust, the setting is open-air and casual, and it remains a popular spot with locals and tourists alike. Manage your expectations and go for the experience rather than the best pizza on the island.
D’Alex Pizza: A local spot on Paseo Kuka that doesn’t get as much attention as the bigger names but has a solid following among repeat visitors. Pizza, pasta, and baguettes make up the menu, and reviewers consistently praise the quality relative to the price. Worth knowing if the main spots have long waits.
