We dive with Aldora and stay at CM as well. Usually at least twice a year. Good choice. Do a search on restaurants or favorites and you will get a weeks worth of reading.
Here is the quick list-
Lobster and lionfish- la Perlita (take a cab) ceviche is good too. Must do
Lobster sandwich with bacon- la Chef. Easy walk. Must do
Lobster rolls- lobster Shack across from the Thirsty Cougar
Scallops- guidos, longer but easy walk. Nicer restaurant
Lunch -la Choza, easy walk
Drinks and lunch after diving- The Thirsty Cougar, between Aldora pier and CM, must do
Coffee and desserts- coffee shop behind Thirsty Cougar, must do
Burritos- burrito Gordito or King Burrito, longer but easy walk
Bakery-Zermatt, by Burrito Gordito, breakfast pastries and cookies
Ice cream and awesome jorchata, Manchocan east of the square, easy walk (pina colad jorchata and a vanilla ice cream bar....mmmmmmmm)
Christy, owner of Blue XTSea divers and a strong supporter of this site, has a list of restaurants on their website.
When you get in, walk south of CM about 2 blocks and stock up on snacks, little bananas (they are like crack), bottled water, beer (Bohemia Obscura), and coconut water. Aculpoco brand, pineapple flavored is really good. Aldora does their surface interval at a beach club so food and drinks are available. I like coconut water and bananas to avoid cramps while diving so we load up at Mega and take them with us. If you freeze the coconut water, it is perfect by the surface interval time. Dive Master Jorge (and every other captain and DM) likes the little chocolate cookies by the way, and I usually buy several boxes of the individually wrapped cookies to take on the boat for the SI. You can take fruit from the buffet for the SI. I have also heard that CM will let you make a lunch to take with you.
The breakfast buffet is awesome. It's a shame you are diving right after breakfast so go easy. I get heart burn when I eat a lot then dive. The buffet starts at 7 but you can get coffee and fruit usually by 6:50 or so. We leave at 7:20ish and it's a 5 minute walk to the pier to leave.
Bottled Water is available on the boat for free.
Aldora uses 120cf tanks for long dives. Most of ours push 75 to 90 minutes. Nitrox is a good idea and strongly recommended. I think it also gets you on the better boats after your check out dive.
Don't forget to do a night dive...you will thank me later.
Christian and Abraham at the Cougar will treat you like family. Tell them Jay and Kelly and ******* the Cat from Oklahoma say hello. My wife loves the chocolate peanut butter margarita. Drink a Bohemia Obscura for me. It's the best beer I have found.
Truth is, there is so much good food on Coz, it's hard to have a favorite. It's just a matter of what your in the mood for.
Again, do a search on favorites or restaurants and there are several posts on the subject.
Safe travels,
Jay