Christine's Recommended Cafés, Restaurants and Nightlife
Restaurants and Breakfast Places
Here are some of our favorite restaurants as well as recommendations from friends.
This café is just 5 minutes walk from our casita. Enjoy a delicious breakfast with fresh ingredients and a great coffee selection.
26 locals recommend
Café Montejo
584 Calle 59This café is just 5 minutes walk from our casita. Enjoy a delicious breakfast with fresh ingredients and a great coffee selection.
La 70
Calle 70Right around the corner from Casita Bonita, this cafe serves yummy breakfast and lunch.
El barrio
429 Calle 58Delicious, super fresh, organic breakfast/brunch!
Pan & Kof.feé
Beautiful, elegant café with fresh food and baked goods.
The restaurant is located in a beautiful colonial building. They serve local yucatecan cuisine and make their tortillas on-site. Expect a wait during the high season. We went in the spring time and walked right in. The staff was very friendly, we found the food to be delicious, but slightly overpriced.
94 locals recommend
La Chaya Maya Casona
The restaurant is located in a beautiful colonial building. They serve local yucatecan cuisine and make their tortillas on-site. Expect a wait during the high season. We went in the spring time and walked right in. The staff was very friendly, we found the food to be delicious, but slightly overpriced.
Artsy place with homestyle Mexican home cooking. The mole is fantastic!
35 locals recommend
El Apapacho
Artsy place with homestyle Mexican home cooking. The mole is fantastic!
This is one of the taquerias located around the Mercado Municipal No 2, only about 10 minutes walk from the house. This is about as local as it gets. The place is simple but you will find very good seafood there. Try the ceviche misto!
Taqueria Tetiz "Los Originales de Santiago "
Calle 72This is one of the taquerias located around the Mercado Municipal No 2, only about 10 minutes walk from the house. This is about as local as it gets. The place is simple but you will find very good seafood there. Try the ceviche misto!
This dive restaurant serves some of the best octopus ceviche and other tasty seafood.
12 locals recommend
El Marlin Azul
488B C. 62This dive restaurant serves some of the best octopus ceviche and other tasty seafood.
Apoala is a favorite of Rosalinda. Apoala's cuisine is a modern take on traditional Oaxacan food and is really excellent. She has spent a lot of time in Oaxaca and says that the chef really does the region's cuisine justice.
127 locals recommend
Apoala
471 Calle 60Apoala is a favorite of Rosalinda. Apoala's cuisine is a modern take on traditional Oaxacan food and is really excellent. She has spent a lot of time in Oaxaca and says that the chef really does the region's cuisine justice.
We have not yet had the chance to visit Pancho's, but it was recommended by a local tour guide. According to him, it's a restaurant with a lot of history about the revolution and very nice for dinner.
33 locals recommend
Pancho's
509 Calle 59We have not yet had the chance to visit Pancho's, but it was recommended by a local tour guide. According to him, it's a restaurant with a lot of history about the revolution and very nice for dinner.
This is the little sister to the Bistro Cultural on Calle 66 and somewhat new to the Santiago neighborhood.
I love the atmosphere, the food is delicious, and the staff super nice!
40 locals recommend
Bistro Cultural
This is the little sister to the Bistro Cultural on Calle 66 and somewhat new to the Santiago neighborhood.
I love the atmosphere, the food is delicious, and the staff super nice!
Bistro Cultural is a French restaurant with a great atmosphere, delicious food, and very friendly staff.
Perfect for a weekend brunch!
40 locals recommend
Bistro Cultural
Bistro Cultural is a French restaurant with a great atmosphere, delicious food, and very friendly staff.
Perfect for a weekend brunch!
If you like to get away from the touristy areas, check out Bar La Ruina. This is where the locals hang out, and it's only a short walk from the casita. They've got a cozy patio, cheap drinks, and they serve botanas.
6 locals recommend
Bar La Ruina
If you like to get away from the touristy areas, check out Bar La Ruina. This is where the locals hang out, and it's only a short walk from the casita. They've got a cozy patio, cheap drinks, and they serve botanas.
Located outside Mercado Municipal No. 2 at Parque Santiago, this place offers traditional yucatecan home cooking. They stay open late, if you find yourself in need of some nourishment at night.
Panucho Yucateco
Located outside Mercado Municipal No. 2 at Parque Santiago, this place offers traditional yucatecan home cooking. They stay open late, if you find yourself in need of some nourishment at night.
A great little spot connected to Hostal La 59. The pizzas here are wood fired and super tasty! I can also recommend the Kalamata salad.
Dirosso Pizzería Napolitana
569 Calle 59A great little spot connected to Hostal La 59. The pizzas here are wood fired and super tasty! I can also recommend the Kalamata salad.
I have visited this restaurant a few times. It's a small place, located in the back corner of Parque Santa Lucia. I have only been here twice, but each time was delicious!
16 locals recommend
Rosa Sur 32
471- 4 C. 55I have visited this restaurant a few times. It's a small place, located in the back corner of Parque Santa Lucia. I have only been here twice, but each time was delicious!
Restaurante Corazón valiente
Beautiful house with a great individual style and wonderful atmosphere.
They are only open on Saturdays and Sundays, but definitely worth a visit. Beautiful breakfast, fresh juices, great sandwiches, and a super relaxing atmosphere.
17 locals recommend
Maiz, Canela y Cilantro
464 C. 70They are only open on Saturdays and Sundays, but definitely worth a visit. Beautiful breakfast, fresh juices, great sandwiches, and a super relaxing atmosphere.
Nightlife
This is our favorite neighborhood Cantina, just 5 minutes walk from the house. It's an eclectic place with great outdoor seating, friendly staff, local cervezas, cocktails and food.
47 locals recommend
El Cardenal Cantina
527 C. 63This is our favorite neighborhood Cantina, just 5 minutes walk from the house. It's an eclectic place with great outdoor seating, friendly staff, local cervezas, cocktails and food.
Irish pub located in a beautiful historical building. Friendly staff, great drinks, food, and entertainment. This is where you will find a lot of expats.
99 locals recommend
Hennessys Irish Pub
Irish pub located in a beautiful historical building. Friendly staff, great drinks, food, and entertainment. This is where you will find a lot of expats.
Usually this place is packed, and you will find locals dancing to live music. It's artsy, eclectic and fun!
276 locals recommend
La Negrita Cantina
415 C. 49Usually this place is packed, and you will find locals dancing to live music. It's artsy, eclectic and fun!
They almost always have a good live jazz band. Good beers, cocktails, rum, mezcal and botanas!
47 locals recommend
Cantina El Dzalbay
They almost always have a good live jazz band. Good beers, cocktails, rum, mezcal and botanas!
We had the best time here. It is usually packed and can be loud. However, even though my spanish is not very good, the comedian that evening still made me laugh out loud. And the best part of this place is, as long as the drinks are flowing the botanas (free small plates) keep coming.
13 locals recommend
El Nuevo Tucho
482 C. 60We had the best time here. It is usually packed and can be loud. However, even though my spanish is not very good, the comedian that evening still made me laugh out loud. And the best part of this place is, as long as the drinks are flowing the botanas (free small plates) keep coming.
Life music, dancing and mezcal. What more do you need for a perfect night out!
122 locals recommend
Mezcaleria La Fundacion
509 Calle 59Life music, dancing and mezcal. What more do you need for a perfect night out!
If you like Rock español and wings, this is the place to go to. They've got music on big screens, live music on different nights, cold beer, and daily promotions.
La Tanda Santiago
If you like Rock español and wings, this is the place to go to. They've got music on big screens, live music on different nights, cold beer, and daily promotions.
Food and Beer Scene
Another recommendation from Rosalinda is this hacienda.
She says: For a very traditional Mayan meal, I can highly recommend Hacienda Teya. They do old school Mayan food and they do it well. The Hacienda is very beautiful and all the fascinating photographs of Merida in the past are well worth the trip out to see. It's about 30 minutes drive from the city.
www.haciendateya.com
72 locals recommend
Hacienda Teya - Fundada en 1683
Merida - PetoAnother recommendation from Rosalinda is this hacienda.
She says: For a very traditional Mayan meal, I can highly recommend Hacienda Teya. They do old school Mayan food and they do it well. The Hacienda is very beautiful and all the fascinating photographs of Merida in the past are well worth the trip out to see. It's about 30 minutes drive from the city.
www.haciendateya.com
This is a bit of a foody/hipster scene with elevated prices. However, we went with friends on a night with live music. People were dancing to cuban rhythms, and everyone had a fun time. It's set up as a big market square (hence the name) with food stalls and bars around the outside and seating in the center.
177 locals recommend
Mercado 60
461 C. 60This is a bit of a foody/hipster scene with elevated prices. However, we went with friends on a night with live music. People were dancing to cuban rhythms, and everyone had a fun time. It's set up as a big market square (hence the name) with food stalls and bars around the outside and seating in the center.
Food scene
The market is located at Parque Santiago, just 10 minutes walk from our casita. Here you will find fresh fruits and vegetables offered by local growers.
There are also several taquerias located around the building. All of them offer delicious local dishes.
Mercado Municipal No 2 Santos Degollado
s/n C. 70The market is located at Parque Santiago, just 10 minutes walk from our casita. Here you will find fresh fruits and vegetables offered by local growers.
There are also several taquerias located around the building. All of them offer delicious local dishes.
They have two locations. One downtown on the Plaza Grande and the second one on Paseo Montejo.
Founded in 1907, the family continues the tradition and still uses original recipes from the founder Senor Vicente Rodríguez Peláez for their gelatos and sorbets. This is a favorite with locals and travelers alike. The sorbets made with the exotic local fruits are fantastic! Try the mamey flavor or corn!
113 locals recommend
Dulcería y Sorbetería Colón
474A C. 56They have two locations. One downtown on the Plaza Grande and the second one on Paseo Montejo.
Founded in 1907, the family continues the tradition and still uses original recipes from the founder Senor Vicente Rodríguez Peláez for their gelatos and sorbets. This is a favorite with locals and travelers alike. The sorbets made with the exotic local fruits are fantastic! Try the mamey flavor or corn!
The ki’XOCOLATL chocolate shop is located at the Santa Lucia Park in downtown Merida. Try the traditional Mexican Hot Chocolate made with organic chocolate paste, natural cinnamon, and cane sugar. You can have it whitened and whipped with milk or water.
If you are just looking for a chocolate souvenir, go on inside, they let you sample as much chocolate as you wish.
28 locals recommend
Ki'xocolatl
Calle 60The ki’XOCOLATL chocolate shop is located at the Santa Lucia Park in downtown Merida. Try the traditional Mexican Hot Chocolate made with organic chocolate paste, natural cinnamon, and cane sugar. You can have it whitened and whipped with milk or water.
If you are just looking for a chocolate souvenir, go on inside, they let you sample as much chocolate as you wish.
A hotel, restaurant and bar nestled in a luxurious, historical colonial building. Enjoy a nice breakfast, brunch or dinner on the terrace.
Mansión Mérida on the Park
498 Calle 59A hotel, restaurant and bar nestled in a luxurious, historical colonial building. Enjoy a nice breakfast, brunch or dinner on the terrace.
City advice
Don't miss
Marquesitas
A common street snack at busy corners in the downtown area, marquesitas are like crunchy crepes with hints of vanilla and almond. But it’s all about the sweet and savory fillings like Nutella, cajeta (caramel), lechera(sweet condensed milk), banana, queso de bola (Edam cheese).
Order with cheese! (no cheese is not marquesita).
The marquesita originated in Mérida; as one story tells it, an ice cream vendor devised it in 1945 during a cold winter when ice cream sales were down. Luckily for beachgoers, it’s since spread to other parts of the Yucatán Peninsula. Good luck having just one.
Don't miss
Piedras and Kibis
Another street food you shouldn't miss are the polcanes or "piedra" (rocks), fried balls of cornmeal with brown beans inside, served with hot-spicy or mild cole slaw; and the "kibis", a Middle Eastern delicacy, fried bulgur wheat with or without ground beef inside. They are to be enjoyed with pickled cabbage and chile habanero: good to the last bite.