Restaurants in Merida, Mexico: Gastronomy & Typical Cuisine

100% Natural

Attractive, healthy cuisine including tropical juices and shakes, fresh fruit salads, grilled chicken dishes, soy burgers and big sandwiches served on freshly baked whole wheat bread, are just a few of the delicious options at 100% Natural. The concept of this casual restaurant is simply to provide people with a more nutritious alternative, and promote a healthier lifestyle. Located in the north of the city, 100% natural offers an air-conditioned indoor area, or you can choose to dine "al-fresco" under their huge thatched-roof palapa. Whichever you decide you will love the efficient service, relaxed environment and the delicious healthy cuisine.

Chili's

Renowned for the generous portions of their dishes, such as hamburgers, juicy cuts off the grill or their famous ribs, Chili's has won the respect of discerning customers from all over the country and Merida is no exception. A casual ambiance, delicious salads and a couple of beers or Margaritas are the perfect complement to fully enjoy the very American flavor that this restaurant offers. You'll be leaving the restaurant with a full tank and a happy heart.

Eladio's

This is the place where the people of Merida come to relax and cool off with one of those excellent Yucatecan beers, always drunk ice cold. Beer is accompanied by delicious regional appetizers called "botanas". The menu also includes a wide range of traditional dishes.

El Tucho

If you want to enjoy the music of a live Mexican band and sample some traditional appetizers (botanas), then there is no better place than El Tucho. Located on "Calle 60" (60th Street), this family friendly restaurant/bar is a tradition with the locals and popular with tourists who want to relax, drink an icy cold beer and escape the hot Yucatecan sun.

Fiore Bistro

Found in the charming colonial city of Merida, Fiore Bistro offers coffee, fine pastries and salads, served in eye-catching presentations. Its specialty is homemade, fruit-flavored "gelato", a delicious Italian ice cream that is of a denser, more flavorful consistency than regular ice cream. With tasteful minimalist decor and a cozy atmosphere for small groups, Fiore Bistro is excellent for a laid-back afternoon, where you can drink coffee and enjoy a good selection of music.

Hacienda Teya

Hacienda Teya is a historical landmark located eight miles from Merida. This charming 17th century estate has lovely plantation houses and buildings surrounded by nicely landscaped gardens. It used to house an old sisal hemp producing plantation and is now a fine hotel and restaurant, offering superb Yucatecan cuisine and an incredible view of this magnificent city. Enjoy traditional dishes such as panuchos, salbutes, and codzitos or the more elaborate dishes like cochinita pibil, poc-chuc, relleno negro and turkey escabeche, painstakingly made by local chefs, served on dinnerware, typical of the region.

Il Caffe Italiano

Il Caffe Italiano is the perfect place to spend a romantic evening enjoying exquisite pastas, as well as a well chosen selection of wines. The old fashioned paintings enhance the casual atmosphere and elegant decor, echoing an ambiance of fine European restaurants. Il Caffe Italiano is an excellent choice when visiting Merida.

La Beltraneja de Manzanero

Famous Mexican singer/songwriter Armando Manzanero is owner of this concept called La Beltraneja de Manzanero, offering excellent service and an extensive variety of dishes which run the gamut of poultry, beef and seafood, consisting of ingredients which include Cornish game hen, mussels, steak, salmon and shrimp. Weekends are spirited and offer live music in this restaurant that is decorated with art, pastel colors and photos of its owner.

La Habichuela

Mouthwatering steaks and seafood dishes make up this restaurant's menu of delectable international cuisine. The restaurant's soft lighting and charming decor with Mayan motifs, fine stained glass windows and furnishings enhance the experience. La Habichuela also features a lovely, open-air terrace, ideal for a nice lunch during the day or a romantic dinner at night. Highly recommended is the "Cocobichuela", an original lobster and shrimp recipe in curry that is the specialty of this restaurant.

La Nao

Part of the Cancun-based Hong Kong chain, La Nao with its authentic Cantonese decor is ideal to sample an endless assortment of authentic southern Chinese dishes. The buffet option is definitely the best choice.

La Parranda

With distinct Mexican decor, this quaint restaurant serves a delicious selection of tacos, juicy steaks and fresh seafood. All this accompanied by a nice cold beer make this restaurant a cool haven for diners seeking shelter from the afternoon heat in Merida. It is locally acclaimed for its live music entertainment and excellent promotions in meals and beverages.

La Parrilla

This vibrant restaurant has managed to repeat the exact same success, in Merida, as it has in Cancun. La Parrilla continually surprises customers with its traditional Mexican menu that features a total of one thousand and one ways to, with a hot tortilla, make tacos and fajitas out of beef, chicken, cactus, arrachera (marinated beef skirt steak), and pastor (spicy pork). La Parrilla also offers traditional Maya specialty cuisine, and many other enticing entrees, including incredibly fresh lobster, juicy steaks, and even a ''melted cheese dinner''. Bon appetit!

La Pigua

Just blocks away from the main hotels in Merida is La Pigua, a renowned establishment in Campeche that now has a branch in the heart of the capital of Yucatan. It serves excellent seafood dishes made with fresh ingredients, free of preservatives and served in mouthwatering presentations. Because of its casual elegance and pleasant atmosphere, it is a favorite of celebrities, movie stars and politicians who dine here when they come to the beautiful "White City".

La Reina de Montejo

If you visit Merida and don't eat at La Reina de Montejo you can't say you have truly experienced everything this wonderful city has to offer. This famous restaurant, located in the beautiful area of Paseo de Montejo, is considered an icon in the city, in part due to its long illustrious past, and also because of the incredible quality, flavor and variety of the cuisine. You have to try the famous "Trolebus" (a type of shake), the most popular of all their fantastic desserts.

La Tratto

One visit to this specialty Italian restaurant and you'll know why it is one of the most popular places in the white city. Try the most classic Mediterranean recipes and enjoy the warm friendly atmosphere.

Las Jirafas

Famous in Yucatan, Las Jirafas serves a tantalizing variety of delicious tacos and grilled meats from their many little restaurants located throughout the city of Merida. Founded in 1992, Las Jirafas has built a strong reputation for having some of the best tacos in town, they open early evening and don't close until late into the night.

Los Almendros

Los Almendros is a culinary institution and a long standing tradition in Yucatan. Dining here is a must while on your trip to Merida. The menu includes pictures to help breach the language barrier and assist in your selection.

Los Henequenes

Covered by a thatched roof (palapa) and featuring air-conditioning and a children's play area, Los Henequenes is where the locals go for their ice cold midday beer and free "botanas" (appetizers). A Yucatecan tradition, this busy restaurant has delicious dishes and a lively atmosphere, all enhanced by live music. Los Henequenes has two locations, one in the neighborhood of Nueva Samula and the other in downtown Merida.

Nectar

Giving Yucatecan cuisine a modern twist, Nectar offers its distinguished clients not only a delicious meal but a supreme dining experience. The unique menu combines ingredients from the Yucatan Peninsula with a fresh take on traditional preparation, while faithfully keeping to the culinary influences of the region. The excellent service and the appetizing atmosphere will give your feast a tasty touch.

The chef's passion and extensive experience in haute cuisine are reflected in all his creations, maintaining the philosophy of continuous evolution in dishes from Yucatan, experimenting with local ingredients. Recognized award-winner restaurant in Merida and beyond, Nectar is an excellent choice for food lovers, located in the northeastern part of the beautiful "Ciudad Blanca" ("White City", the name that locals call the city of Merida).

Panchos

Panchos is a restaurant with a traditional feel and decor representative of the Mexican Revolution. The house specialties are succulent steaks and ribs, however you simply have to try the Mayan Coffee, definitely a unique experience for the pallet! Panchos is located on 59th Street, in the heart of downtown Merida.

Portico del Peregrino

Located in a gorgeous colonial house, the Portico del Peregrino restaurant will transport you back in time to colonial Mexico while you enjoy modern day amenities. Enjoy dinner in a pleasant colonial style dining room that is exquisitely decorated but also has modern features such as air conditioning. The cuisine is an excellent fusion of ancient Spanish flavors and Maya cuisine. Portico del Peregrino seats up to a total of 34 people and also offers a charming open-air patio filled with exotic tropical plants.

Smoking Club No. 1

This is quite possibly the best place in the entire city if you want to try delicious tacos, tortas and the famous Yucatecan dish "Cochinita Pibil". The friendly atmosphere is also about as authentically "Mexican" as you can get. But remember to get there early in the morning as this is when the cohinita pibil tastes best! Located next to the Fiesta Americana hotel, close to the ADO bus station.