Zenia’s Mérida Guidebook
Food scene
Excellent Italian restuarant. One of my favorites. Fun fact, this restaurant and my house share the same architect.
146 locals recommend
Oliva Enoteca
Excellent Italian restuarant. One of my favorites. Fun fact, this restaurant and my house share the same architect.
My favorite seafood restaurant in the Centro. Excellent food and drinks.
84 locals recommend
Micaela Mar & Leña
458 Calle 47My favorite seafood restaurant in the Centro. Excellent food and drinks.
Excellent restaurant in Plaza Santa Lucia. Very small and reservations recommended. Good option for Thursday Serenatas.
127 locals recommend
Apoala
471 Calle 60Excellent restaurant in Plaza Santa Lucia. Very small and reservations recommended. Good option for Thursday Serenatas.
Mexi Mediterranean Fusion. Excellent food. Small and reservations recommended. Great option for Thursday Serenatas.
16 locals recommend
Rosa Sur 32
471- 4 C. 55Mexi Mediterranean Fusion. Excellent food. Small and reservations recommended. Great option for Thursday Serenatas.
Los Almendros
493 C. 50-ALocal Yucatecan food. Frequented by locals.
Due Torri
349-A C. 27Fantastic authentic low key Italian restaurant located outside the Centro.
Local favorite cantina with friendly service, live music, complimentary botanas (snacks), and local cerveza artisanal (craft beer)
276 locals recommend
La Negrita Cantina
415 C. 49Local favorite cantina with friendly service, live music, complimentary botanas (snacks), and local cerveza artisanal (craft beer)
My favorite pub type restaurant. They carry a local craft beer Cerveza Patito on draft. Also great small meal food options.
37 locals recommend
Hermana República Centro
472 C. 64My favorite pub type restaurant. They carry a local craft beer Cerveza Patito on draft. Also great small meal food options.
Likely the most highly rated seaside restaurant in Progresso. It is on the Malecon with views of the water.
192 locals recommend
Crabster Palapas
148a C. MaleconLikely the most highly rated seaside restaurant in Progresso. It is on the Malecon with views of the water.
Fun, casual seaside restuarant with great views. Extensive menu offering seafood and numerous other options. Efficient service and great food. I frequent this establishment often.
8 locals recommend
Los Mariscos de Chichí
144 D Calle 19Fun, casual seaside restuarant with great views. Extensive menu offering seafood and numerous other options. Efficient service and great food. I frequent this establishment often.
Lively outdoor food court with various types of food and drink options. There is often entertainment. Beware that food options become limited after 10pm.
177 locals recommend
Mercado 60
461 C. 60Lively outdoor food court with various types of food and drink options. There is often entertainment. Beware that food options become limited after 10pm.
Oldest ice cream/dessert establishment in Mérida since 1907. Assortment of refreshing fruit and classic flavored ice cream sorbets and milkshakes as well as other desserts. Great way to cool down when its hot.
El Colon
Oldest ice cream/dessert establishment in Mérida since 1907. Assortment of refreshing fruit and classic flavored ice cream sorbets and milkshakes as well as other desserts. Great way to cool down when its hot.
Local Yucatecan cuisine with a flare in a small elegant artistic setting.
54 locals recommend
Manjar Blanco
496 Calle 47Local Yucatecan cuisine with a flare in a small elegant artistic setting.
Fun casual place with outdoor courtyard with lively music and colorful murals and light show. Great drinks and delicious eclectic Mexican food options. I prefer to go for lunch or early dinner, as it can get loud at night when it gets busy.
62 locals recommend
Catrín
463B Calle 47Fun casual place with outdoor courtyard with lively music and colorful murals and light show. Great drinks and delicious eclectic Mexican food options. I prefer to go for lunch or early dinner, as it can get loud at night when it gets busy.
Cozy patisserie. The breakfast menu is limited the good. My favorite is the avocado toast. Excellent coffee and cappuccinos.
26 locals recommend
Latte Quatro Sette
475 Calle 47Cozy patisserie. The breakfast menu is limited the good. My favorite is the avocado toast. Excellent coffee and cappuccinos.
Lovely hacienda that houses an excellent gourmet restaurant. Perfect place for a special occasion. The food is excellent and there is an extensive wine menu. About a 20-30 minute drive from the city center on route to Progresso.
11 locals recommend
Hacienda Xcanatun
12 Carretera Mérida - ProgresoLovely hacienda that houses an excellent gourmet restaurant. Perfect place for a special occasion. The food is excellent and there is an extensive wine menu. About a 20-30 minute drive from the city center on route to Progresso.
Yucatecan and Mayan fusion offering an upscale epicurean experience. Right near the Monumento de la Patria in a beautifully restored historic mansion. You can choose the multicourse tasting menu with or without wine pairing, or a la carte. Each course is beautifully presented. Foodies come from afar to experience the gastronomic dishes. Be prepared as the experience comes at a cost. Dinner reservations recommended.
32 locals recommend
Kuuk
488 Av Rómulo RozoYucatecan and Mayan fusion offering an upscale epicurean experience. Right near the Monumento de la Patria in a beautifully restored historic mansion. You can choose the multicourse tasting menu with or without wine pairing, or a la carte. Each course is beautifully presented. Foodies come from afar to experience the gastronomic dishes. Be prepared as the experience comes at a cost. Dinner reservations recommended.
Lovely French inspired bistro with a wonderful selection of cheese, breads, pastries and other breakfast items. Lovely patio. Parking available. One of my favorite breakfast and lunch places.
Offer breakfast, brunch and lunch.
41 locals recommend
CAFÉ CRÉME
386-B Calle 41Lovely French inspired bistro with a wonderful selection of cheese, breads, pastries and other breakfast items. Lovely patio. Parking available. One of my favorite breakfast and lunch places.
Offer breakfast, brunch and lunch.
Small restaurant with mouth watering food made out of organic products. Serve breakfast primarily until 2 pm. Recommend reservations.
21 locals recommend
El barrio
429 Calle 58Small restaurant with mouth watering food made out of organic products. Serve breakfast primarily until 2 pm. Recommend reservations.
One of my favorite places to get lunch. Robust diverse menu including salads, pastas, kebabs and much more at a very reasonable price. Food great quality. Can do take out order.
22 locals recommend
Pita
496 C. 55One of my favorite places to get lunch. Robust diverse menu including salads, pastas, kebabs and much more at a very reasonable price. Food great quality. Can do take out order.
Sightseeing
Beautiful 1902 mansion on Paseo de Montejo reflecting the sisal gilded age in Mérida. The house has been family owned for many generations. The decorations are original to the period and stunningly displayed. You can tour the house with guided tours in both English and Spanish throughout the day.
English tours are Monday-Friday, 9 am, 10 am, 11 am, & 3 pm; Saturdays at 9 am & 11 am.
30 locals recommend
MUSEO MONTES MOLINA
469 P.º de MontejoBeautiful 1902 mansion on Paseo de Montejo reflecting the sisal gilded age in Mérida. The house has been family owned for many generations. The decorations are original to the period and stunningly displayed. You can tour the house with guided tours in both English and Spanish throughout the day.
English tours are Monday-Friday, 9 am, 10 am, 11 am, & 3 pm; Saturdays at 9 am & 11 am.
Excellent museum focusing on Mayan history in the region. 20 minute ride from the house.
Hours: 9:00-5:00, 6 days per week (closed on Tuesday)
Price: $150 pesos
Location: Calle 60 299 E
313 locals recommend
Mayan World Museum of Mérida
299 E C. 60Excellent museum focusing on Mayan history in the region. 20 minute ride from the house.
Hours: 9:00-5:00, 6 days per week (closed on Tuesday)
Price: $150 pesos
Location: Calle 60 299 E
Is the oldest and most beautiful house on Merida's central square. It overlooks the park with its impressive facade. Casa dates back to 1542. It was built on the orders of Francisco de Montejo, the conqueror of Yucatan.
127 locals recommend
Museo Casa Montejo
506 C. 63Is the oldest and most beautiful house on Merida's central square. It overlooks the park with its impressive facade. Casa dates back to 1542. It was built on the orders of Francisco de Montejo, the conqueror of Yucatan.
Merida’s bustling market dates back to the late 1800s when it was just a small shed. It sure has grown since then. Today Merida main market is a sprawling and delightfully chaotic place that’s now packed with local life.
Hours: Daytime. Hours for each stall varies, but are generally open between 6:00 am – 5:00 pm
Price: Free to be a lookie-loo. Products are priced accordingly and are generally inexpensive.
Location: For a main entrance to the market, walk towards the intersection of Calle 56 and Calle 65.
61 locals recommend
Mercado Lucas De Galvéz
Calle 65AMerida’s bustling market dates back to the late 1800s when it was just a small shed. It sure has grown since then. Today Merida main market is a sprawling and delightfully chaotic place that’s now packed with local life.
Hours: Daytime. Hours for each stall varies, but are generally open between 6:00 am – 5:00 pm
Price: Free to be a lookie-loo. Products are priced accordingly and are generally inexpensive.
Location: For a main entrance to the market, walk towards the intersection of Calle 56 and Calle 65.
Beautiful building worth a visit.
Symphonies are played on most (not all) Fridays at 9:00 pm and Sundays at Noon.
Price: Ticket prices start at $150 pesos. Free to look around during the day.
Hours: Open 9 am – 6 pm. Concert times vary, usually Friday nights and Sunday at Noon. Check the box office for current schedule and tickets.
Location: Here at Calle 60 near Calle 57.
149 locals recommend
Jose Peon Contreras Theater
Beautiful building worth a visit.
Symphonies are played on most (not all) Fridays at 9:00 pm and Sundays at Noon.
Price: Ticket prices start at $150 pesos. Free to look around during the day.
Hours: Open 9 am – 6 pm. Concert times vary, usually Friday nights and Sunday at Noon. Check the box office for current schedule and tickets.
Location: Here at Calle 60 near Calle 57.
Showcases Mayan archaeology across two levels of a big Neoclassical mansion. Closer to the city center although smaller the the Mayan World Museum.
156 locals recommend
Canton Palace Museum
481 P.º de MontejoShowcases Mayan archaeology across two levels of a big Neoclassical mansion. Closer to the city center although smaller the the Mayan World Museum.
In Plaza Grande with art displayed in the open courtyard and interior balcony. Great view of the Plaza.
Free
Hours Mon-Fri, 10am-5pm. Sat, 10am-3pm
96 locals recommend
Museo Fernando Garcia Ponce Macay
502B C. 60In Plaza Grande with art displayed in the open courtyard and interior balcony. Great view of the Plaza.
Free
Hours Mon-Fri, 10am-5pm. Sat, 10am-3pm
Built in the 1500s. There is an English tour of the Cathedral de San Ildefonso on Saturdays at 10:00 am and English-speaking church services occur on Sundays at 9:00 am.
247 locals recommend
Cathedral de Merida
Calle 60Built in the 1500s. There is an English tour of the Cathedral de San Ildefonso on Saturdays at 10:00 am and English-speaking church services occur on Sundays at 9:00 am.
Built in the late 1800s, the lovely “government palace” now houses some large and impressive murals depicting the history between the Mayans and Spaniards, by artist Fernando Castro Pacheco. Open until 9:30 pm.
31 locals recommend
Palacio de Gobierno del Estado de Yucatán
Built in the late 1800s, the lovely “government palace” now houses some large and impressive murals depicting the history between the Mayans and Spaniards, by artist Fernando Castro Pacheco. Open until 9:30 pm.
Neighborhoods
The Mérida equivalent of the Paris’s Champs-Élysées built during the sisal boom. One can walk, take a horse carriage or ride bikes on Sunday morning when sections of the street are shut off to vehicles.
The most scenic stretch of Paseo de Montejo is from the Montejo Monument near Plaza Santa Ana to the ornate Monumento a la Patria that’s encircled by a busy roundabout. This 1.6-kilometer section can take about 30 minutes to walk, each way, if taking a leisurely stroll.
43 locals recommend
Paseo de Montejo
Paseo de MontejoThe Mérida equivalent of the Paris’s Champs-Élysées built during the sisal boom. One can walk, take a horse carriage or ride bikes on Sunday morning when sections of the street are shut off to vehicles.
The most scenic stretch of Paseo de Montejo is from the Montejo Monument near Plaza Santa Ana to the ornate Monumento a la Patria that’s encircled by a busy roundabout. This 1.6-kilometer section can take about 30 minutes to walk, each way, if taking a leisurely stroll.
Merida’s second-most popular plaza is lined with great restaurants, has the large novelty-sized “you-and-me” chair for fun photos (see below), and free concerts on Thursday nights (La Serenata).
46 locals recommend
Parque Santa Lucia
Merida’s second-most popular plaza is lined with great restaurants, has the large novelty-sized “you-and-me” chair for fun photos (see below), and free concerts on Thursday nights (La Serenata).
City/town information
Seaside city on the northern gulf coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. It is a 30-40 minute drive from the city center, depending on traffic. The relaxed city comprises mostly of locals escaping from the heat of Mérida. There is a small board walk with numerous restaurants. The restaurants vary from extremely casual to casual. The specialty of most of the restaurants is, no surprise, seafood. Food and drink are abundant. There is a beach and you can swim most of the year.
426 locals recommend
Progreso
Seaside city on the northern gulf coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. It is a 30-40 minute drive from the city center, depending on traffic. The relaxed city comprises mostly of locals escaping from the heat of Mérida. There is a small board walk with numerous restaurants. The restaurants vary from extremely casual to casual. The specialty of most of the restaurants is, no surprise, seafood. Food and drink are abundant. There is a beach and you can swim most of the year.
City advice
Customs and culture
Merida Walking tour
Time: 9:30 am, every day
Price: Free (consider a tip)
Location: Merida Tourism Office, located here on the ground floor the Palacio Municipal (Municipal Palace) on the west side of Plaza Grande.
Currently limited to 10 persons to day. Check with the tourism office to confirm availability.
Customs and culture
Mike & Duck Walking Tour
English tour starts at 5pm
Cost $24 USD
1.5 hours in length
Departure: Calle 60 S/N, Centro
Return: Calle 60 476A, Parque Santa Lucia, Centro
Customs and culture
Pok ta PoK: Representation of Mayan ball game
The tradition of this ancient sport is kept alive each Saturday night at 8:30 on Calle 60 in front of the Cathedral and Plaza Grande. The tradition of this ancient sport is kept alive each Saturday night at 8:30 on Calle 60 in front of the Cathedral and Plaza Grande.
Hours: Saturdays 8:30 pm -9:30 pm, but be sure arrive early
Price: Free
Location: On the east side of Plaza Grande, on Calle 60 here, right in front of the Cathedral
Customs and culture
Bici Ruta (Bike Route)
Each Sunday, some of the Merida’s most beautiful and popular streets in the Centro near the house are shut down for La Biciruta (Bike Route). This allows cyclists a chance to ride around town.
Price: Bike rental prices vary from $15-$40 pesos per hour. Be sure to bring an ID of some sort, which is required for the bike rental person to hold as collateral. Water and bike repair services are offered complimentary along Merida’s Biciruta.
Location: Paseo de Montejo and Merida Centro
Don't miss
Free Music nights in Merida
Monday’s: Vaqueria Night on Calle 62 at Plaza Grande begins at 9:00-10:00 pm. Folkloric Ballet of Merida accompanied by the Jaranera Orchestra
Tuesday: Musical Memories in Parque Santiago begins at 8:30-10:00. Older local crowd who come out to dance to Big Band sounds played by the live orchestra.
Thursdays: Yucatecan Serenade in Parque Santa Lucia at 9:00 pm is one of the longest standing weekly events in the city. A must do.
Saturdays: Noche Mexicana boasts Mexican culture from across the country with song & dance performances on stage at Remate Paseo Montejo from 8:00pm-midnight.
Don't miss
Sundays in Mérida/Mérida en Domingo
Merida en Domingo is all day event (8:00 am – 9:00 pm) taking place in Plaza Grande. Food stalls and pop-up restaurants congregate in the plaza with more marquesita stands than you can count. As night approaches, bands begin to play and people start to dance. It’s a beautiful Sunday tradition in Merida.