This review was originally posted in the Roatan Travel Tips & Info Facebook Group and has been expanded for RoatanYP.com.
Green Cilantro is one of Roatan’s more interesting newer restaurant openings, and after this visit, it is clearly a place worth keeping on your radar.
Perched on a hill within Prospera near Crawfish Rock, the restaurant has a breezy setting that gives it a relaxed, slightly tucked-away feel. It does not feel like a rushed in-and-out stop. It feels like a place to settle in, enjoy the trade winds, and take your time with the meal.
Many island diners will remember Chef Robby Molina from two of his earlier restaurants, Ikigai in French Harbour and Kazoku in Sandy Bay. Those restaurants are no longer open, but his style and kitchen confidence clearly carry into Green Cilantro.
I started with my usual Flor de Caña, Coke Zero, and lime while looking over the menu. There were so many good options that I finally just told Chef Robby to surprise me and send out whatever he felt like making.
That turned out to be the right move.
First out were the calamari rings.
These were not the thin, forgettable kind that show up on too many appetizer menus. They were thick cut, lightly battered, and served piping hot with a very nice herb tartar sauce. The batter was light enough to let the calamari still be the star, and it made a strong first impression.
Then came the Peruvian-style ceviche.
Honestly, this was one of the best ceviches I have had in a long time.
A lot of places get ceviche wrong by leaning too hard into acidity and letting the citrus overpower everything else. This one had a much better balance. The acidity was there, but it was controlled, and the fresh mango added just enough sweetness to round it out. It was beautifully plated, had great color, and even included bits of edible gold leaf.
This is the dish I would most strongly recommend.
Saturday is sushi night at Green Cilantro, and Chef Robby sent out a surprise roll that looked as good as it tasted.
I got so distracted by the presentation that I forgot to ask exactly which roll it was, which is a little embarrassing, but it was very fresh and very well executed. It was topped with fresh avocado and finished with eel sauce and a small touch of yum yum sauce. The balance worked well, and nothing felt heavy or sloppy.
If you are a sushi fan on Roatan, Saturday is the day to go.
As if I had not already eaten enough, the chef followed all of that with the seafood paella.
This was a proper finish.
There was plenty of seafood, the rice was cooked exactly the way it should be, and the saffron came through nicely without overpowering the dish. Paella can go wrong fast if the rice is off, but that was not the case here. It was flavorful, satisfying, and clearly made with care.
I hate to admit this publicly, but I did not quite finish.
There was still a little rice left and a piece and a half of bread on the table by the time I gave up.
I surrendered. The Chef won.
While this visit centered around Saturday sushi night, Green Cilantro should not be thought of as just a one-night specialty stop.
They also run other specials, including a Sunday lobster dinner that comes with two lobster tails, vegetables, and a glass of wine for $20. That is one of the better lobster deals on Roatan right now. They also serve breakfast and offer enough range to make the restaurant more than a single-theme concept.
That broader mix fits the place well. Green Cilantro leans into Mediterranean fusion, but there is enough variety here to keep the menu interesting.
Green Cilantro is a strong addition to Roatan’s restaurant scene. The setting is relaxed, the food shows real skill, and Chef Robby’s experience comes through from one course to the next.
The standout dish for me was the ceviche. The sushi was excellent, and the paella finished the meal on a high note. I left full, impressed, and already thinking about what I would order on the next visit.
Pro Tip: Go on Saturday if you want the sushi experience, but keep Sunday in mind too. Their lobster special is one of the better island deals at the moment.
Browse the full Green Cilantro listing on RoatanYP.com.
Jason Janes