
Merida's cuisine is distinctly different from the rest of the country for several reasons. It is a delicious blend of Mayan cooking with Spanish influence from the colonial period that lasted more than 300 years.
European and Arab influences brought here by immigrants, who have been here for decades and are now part of the culture of Merida, can also be seen.
Meridian cuisine is characterized by the use of some special ingredients and condiments, which are found in several typical dishes. Some such examples are the hot but tasty habanero chili peppers, purple onions and green orange juice mixed with annatto seed paste and spices commonly used to marinate vegetables and meats. These special flavors add a spicy and tangy flavor, as well as an appealing color to famous Meridian specialties.
You can also savor delectable appetizers and snacks between meals. The famous papadzules, panuchos, or salbutes can be found almost everywhere you eat in Merida, from popular market eateries to the finest restaurants.
You can't miss visiting the famous Los Almendros Restaurant or order a fine Yucatecan beer at Eladio's, served to accompany a delicious cochinita pibil, a steamy bowl of lime soup or poc-chuc.
For those who mind what they eat, the renowned 100% Natural Restaurant offers a creative selection of low calorie specialties featuring mild seasonings. The menu covers the gamma of fruit and vegetable juices, freshly baked whole wheat bread and rolls, vegetables, fruits or chicken salads, as well as delectable soy burgers, garnished with a lot of veggies.
This restaurant is part of the international franchise that has, in recent years, become very successful in Mexico and now they are serving diners in Merida the classic American fare that has become so popular. When you see the generous size of the dishes, all presented in very attractive ways, it becomes easy to see why this restaurant has developed such a great reputation. Juicy cuts of beef and chicken, fresh salads and their famous ribs, make up the extensive menu, which along with the refreshing drinks and very friendly service, ensures diners always leave very well satisfied
At Eladio's, you can find Merida's most delicious snacks and appetizers accompanied with an icy cold beer or two.
Eladio's is a family restaurant, where you can also enjoy a full course meal and non-alcoholic beverages.
This locally acclaimed restaurant in Merida offers an array of delectable dishes and typical beverages, as well as a lively ambiance featuring live music and a standup comedy shows. You can eat good appetizers and spend a nice time at El Tucho, founded in 1986, and which features two restaurants near the downtown district.
With avant-garde, contemporary decor and a vibrant atmosphere, Fiore Bistro serves an exciting selection of healthy cuisine, including salads, chicken, beef and seafood, as well superb coffee and decadent desserts. All the dishes are presented in such an interesting and enticing way that your mouth is sure to water. The style and cuisine of Italy were definitely the inspiration for the modern concept of both Fiore Bistro and its culinary creations. This is clearly apparent in the way the rich and creamy gelato is prepared, following a unique recipe and using only the freshest fruits of the season.
The lavish decor and design of this 17th century hacienda reveals history as well as beautiful landscapes all around, making it perhaps one of the most welcoming hotels in the area as well as an excellent restaurant that still uses traditional cooking methods. At Hacienda Teya, enjoy delicious dishes from the region, prepared artistically by Yucatecan chefs. Everything from traditional food like salbutes, panuchos or codzitos and even dishes that are visually pleasing like cochinita pibil, relleno negro and turkey in escabeche.
Il Caffe Italiano opened in 2001 and since then, has become a favorite of locals and tourists alike, offering a tasty menu and a nice ambience. The chef's creative cuisine includes delectable main courses cooked in fine olive oil, white wine, and aromatic liqueurs. The pastas here are fresh and cooked impeccably al dente. Everything here smells and tastes delicious and the portions are generous enough to share.
Immerse yourself in the cozy atmosphere of La Beltraneja de Manzanero, while enjoying exquisite dishes, served by the friendly staff who'll really show you the famous hospitality of the Yucatan. Fine cuts of beef, delicious quail, salmon and shrimp all feature in this restaurant's many exquisite specialties. Let the food, the wine and the romantic atmosphere at La Beltraneja de Manzanero seduce you, just like the romantic songs of the proprietor, Don Armando Manzanero, have for many a couple in love.
The restaurant "La Habichuela" is very well known in the Yucatan Peninsula for the fantastic dining experiences patrons have had there since it was first opened in Cancun, over three decades ago. The branch in Merida offers the same degree of excellent quality cuisine, drawing on Mayan, Mexican and Caribbean inspiration and flavors. La Habichuela has lots of wonderful dishes on offer, however, you must try the house specialty a mouthwatering dish called "Cocobichuela", made with lobster, shrimp and a curry sauce, served in a coconut shell. Sounds tempting? Then, no matter if you are visiting Merida or Cancun, don't miss dining at La Habichuela!
La Nao is part of the Hong Kong Restaurant chain from Cancun. It's been one of the best Asian restaurants in the Yucatan Peninsula for decades. La Nao of Merida features Cantonese specialties a la carte or buffet service.
This charming, very Mexican, restaurant is a favorite spot for both locals and tourists alike, because it has all the elements needed for a delicious meal and great evening out. The fun and colorful decor, the endless entertainment and the live music can't fail but to cheer anyone up who walks into this place. La Parranda serves a good variety of typical Mexican food, such as spicy tacos, juicy grilled steaks, exquisite seafood and lots of flavorsome appetizers. Accompany your meal with a cold beer or maybe a shot of tequila and enjoy the festive atmosphere of La Parranda.
Located on Prolongacion Montejo, this family restaurant offers an imaginative buffet of prime steaks, a real treat for meat lovers. It also features a relaxed open-air bar, known as Jardin de la Trova, where they play romantic Latin American music on weekend nights until 2am.
Come and experience the exquisite seafood specialties and excellent service at La Pigua, located right in the heart of downtown, just steps away from many of the main tourist attractions in Merida. The preparation of the cuisine is done with great care, only using the freshest, preservative-free ingredients. Each dish is artistically displayed on the plate and the combinations of flavors and textures are simply to die for.
Considered an emblematic place by many, La Reina de Montejo has been serving tasty traditional appetizers, main courses, beverages, and desserts for decades. Try their famous "trolebus" (trolleybus), a blend of fruit, sugar and frapped ice, when you come and visit colonial Merida.
Located on Merida's most charming street, Paseo de Montejo Avenue, La Tratto offers a nice lounge-salsa ambiance, which is especially appealing to young people. They serve delicious Mediterranean style cuisine and an array of trendy drinks and cocktails.
With more than 15 years of experience, Las Jirafas offers 5 branches in Merida. The food offered consists of delicious grilled steak and traditional Mexican tacos al pastor, (slices of pork cooked on a vertical rotisserie). Steak and flank tacos, grilled cheese and rib burritos are just a few examples of their extensive menu.
All of Merida's tradition and flavor can be found at Los Almendros, a classic place with renovated facilities and a new, more modern look. Los Almendros serves delicious typical dishes made with fine quality standards, which makes it one of Merida's most popular places.
This is a busy place in the center of Merida, where locals and tourists go for beer and snacks at noon. Los Henequenes features traditional architecture with air conditioning, live music and a kiddie playground, so you can go with the whole family.

Nectar restaurant is a modern, exclusive place in the white city of Merida. Chef-owner Roberto Solis innovative Yucatecan cuisine guarantees a pleasant evening in an exclusive ambient and professional friendly service. Chef Solis masterly handles this haute cuisine with a Yucatec flavor, and a true delight for diners looking for something different in the colonial Merida. The wide international selection of the wine list is as exquisite as the original dishes prepared in this contemporary restaurant.
Pancho's is a theme restaurant decorated in the style of the Mexican Revolution. The waiters wear large hats, ammunition belts and boots. With nice Mexican folk music, delectable dishes and a few shots of tequila, they create a lively ambience, which can get anyone in the mood for a festive Mexican atmosphere. We highly recommend ordering a Mayan coffee. It is quite a show!
Experience a delicious gastronomic journey to one the most traditional periods in the history of Mexican cuisine: the colonial era. "El Portico del Peregrino" (Pilgrim's Porch) perfectly combines the exotic ingredients of the Yucatan Peninsula with the finest cooking techniques of Europe and Arabia, brought to the Americas by the Spaniards. The restaurant features two different settings to enjoy a superb lunch or dinner: a lush patio surrounded by tropical vegetation or an air-conditioned dining room with charming colonial decor.
Located just a few blocks from the Fiesta Americana Hotel and the ADO Bus Terminal, Smoking Club No. 1 serves, according to most locals, the most delicious cochinita pibil sandwiches in all of Merida. It is a simple diner with very friendly and attentive service.