Merida, located on the Yucatán peninsula, is a great place to go and escape winter. With an abundance of Mayan Ruins, like Uxmal, beaches, and wildlife viewing, it’s a must visit.
Mexican cuisine is some of the best cuisine in my opinion and just good food in Merida was no exception. There are so many great restaurants and all use local ingredients. So, while you are visiting to see the flamingo migration or swimming in a Cenote, these are the best restaurants in Merida to help make your trip, whether it’s your first time or your 10th, an all-around awesome time.
Coyote maya
Address: Parque de la maternidad, C. 60 501, Parque Santa Lucia, Centro, 97000 Mérida, Yuc., Mexico
Located in the center of town, near the main square, Coyote maya looks small and unassuming from the outside, with staff waiting to usher you in. But once in, there is a spacious back patio area and a large menu. It has all the typical dishes you can expect, from lime soup (which is found pretty much everywhere in Merida) to poc chuc (one of my husband’s favorites). Poc chuc is a Mayan dish, usually pork, marinated in a citrus sauce and cooked over a grill.
Gorditas Doña Gorda
Address: esq. con calle 61 Calle 60, C. 61 499, Centro, 97000 Mérida, Yuc., Mexico
Another centrally located restaurant, with a lot of locals. It’s an unpretentious place to grab a quick bite and they specialize in, you guessed it, gorditas. They are these little pockets of meat and vegetables, like a type of sandwich, but not quite. It’s a great spot to stop for lunch and try a couple different types.
El trapiche
Address: C. 62 491, Centro, 97000 Centro, Yuc., Mexico
If you are looking for a date night spot, El trapiche is a great option. They have live music and a large space for groups as well, with all the typical Mayan cuisine. One of the top places to eat in Merida and if you are looking to try something very typical Mayan, make sure to have the cochinita pibil. This is a pork dish, so not vegan friendly, but it is a very traditional food found in most restaurants in the area.
Picheta
Address: C. 61 501, Centro, 97000 Mérida, Yuc., Mexico
This might be the ultimate date night spot. Located right in the main square of the city centre, Picheta overlooks the square from it’s rooftop bar. There are a lot of great choices on the menu, though compared to other locations, portion sizes are a bit smaller (I guess that classifies it as a fancier restaurant).
La chaya maya
Address: C. 57 x 62, Parque Santa Lucia, Centro, 97000 Mérida, Yuc., Mexico
I really liked this restaurant. They have delicious food and they hand make their own corn tortillas. Of course, as with anywhere, you can get the sopa de lima as well as the poc chuc and any other typical Mayan dishes. But they are really well done and the prices are very reasonable.
El Nuevo tucho
Address: Calle 14 x 23, Circuito Colonias 205, Miraflores, 97179 Mérida, Yuc., Mexico
This is one of the best places in the city, in my opinion, and my top restaurant recommendation. They have friendly staff and it was the best meal I had the whole time I was there (aside from maybe the elotes from the food stalls. This place is known for its ceviche and man do they do ceviche right! They also continuously bring out appetizer sized dishes whenever you order another round of drinks, so you get to try fresh jicama, dips and specialities. There is also live music and comedians that perform during the meals.
We loved this place so much we went twice.
Food trucks/Market day
On the weekends the food scene moves to the local markets, with the main square filling up with vendors and local food. Here you will find traditional recipes, like tamales wrapped in banana leaves, elotes (a must have! We went back for a second one immediately after finishing the first one it was so good), and some desert style dish that is a crepe with nutella, cheese, and your choice of fruits, jam or other toppings (it sounds really weird, but it is really good).
Don’t miss out on exploring these markets, there is a lot of local culture in these places.
Concluding thoughts
Many restaurants have vegan options and it is pretty easy to find gluten free options as well, though keep in mind that the culture is heavily meat eating, so there will not be many vegan options. Merida is definitely my kind of place, with so much to explore nearby and my favorite places were also some of the most surprising, like swimming in the cenotes in Santa Barbara and seeing wild pink flamingos in Celestun.
Merida offers not only lots of great things to do, but also is an epicenter of Mexican cuisine.
