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109. Ponchos - $$ - This restaurant has a beautiful garden patio area that is great for a romantic dinner or a break from the hot streets.
Calle 59-a No. 509, Merida 97000, Mexico
+52 999 923 0942
6:00 pm - 2:00 am
93. Apoala -$$ This restaurant is my favorite. Located on Santa Lucia Park at Calle 55 and 60, Apoala is wonderful Mexican food with a Oaxacan flair. The food is the highest quality and perfectly prepared. I love dining outside in the evenings since it is right on the park. Number 93 http://www.apoala.mx
31. Chaya Maya - $$This is a popular restaurant to try authentic Yucatecan Cuisine. Food in the Yucatan is very distinct from food in other regions of Mexico. Discover something new and try it while you are here. There are 2 locations down town. My favorite dish is the Tres Mosqueteros (Three Musketeers)
24. Trattos - $$ Also located on Santa Lucia Park this restaurant is good for a cocktail and Mediterranean food. Their gourmet pizzas are vey good - think caramelized onions, gourmet cheeses and truffle oil. Number 24 on the map.
83. kiXOCOLATL - This is not really a restaurant but it’s also on Santa Lucia Park so I thought I would mention it. This very small artisan chocolate store is garnering international acclaim. . Made from locally grown cocoa these mouthwatering chocolates makes wonderful gifts to take home in your suit case. I love their little boxes of assorted filled chocolates. It’s 83 on the map, but it is right on Santa Lucia Park now and not on 55.
95. Oliva - $$ This restaurant became so popular they had to expand. Located at the corner of 54 and 47, Oliva is a wonderful Italian restaurant for the pasta lover in your group. 95 on the map. olivamerida.com
107. M60 - This is actually a collection of eateries that is casual and fun. It is located on Calle 60 between Santa Lucia Park and Santa Ana. They have Mexican, Lebanese, Asian, Italian, Argentinian food, burgers, pizza, French pastries, a wine bar and more. I recommend a little stall called Flautas. They make the best flautas I have ever had. Try the frijole sauce or if you like mole try the Salsa Negra. Also the French pastries right next to Flautas are great!
For Breakfast or Lunch
108. Manjar Blanco - $$ (breakfast) I really like this restaurant for a great breakfast or lunch. They have a great breakfast paquete that includes coffee, a fruit plate and an breakfast entree cooked to perfection. Try the motulenos for a local specialty. I actually like the Yucatan food here better than the highly touted Chaya Maya. The food quality is great and even chef, Rick Bayless, made a stop there. Located on Calle 47 # 496 por 58 y 60 | Centro, Merida, Yucatan. In front of park & mercado Santa Ana, Merida, Mexico
+52 999 923 0003
8:00 am - 6:00 pm
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*El Barrio Breakfast $$
Calle 45 #493 A x 58 | 60 Atras De Las Casas Gemelas, Merida 97000, Mexico
+52 999 197 4745
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102. Santa Ana Marcado (market) - $This little market is great to have a cheap lunch in an authentic Mexican loncheria. Located at Calle 60 and Calle 47. You’ll see line after line of little food stalls. I like the one at the end that sells fresh fruit juices, but you can order food there too. I recommend trying panuchos, salutes, and sopa lima. Also try some of the fresh fruit juices. If you like green drinks try the jugo de naranja y chaya (orange juice and chaya) Chaya is a green similar to spinach that is very good for you.
105 - Pita - This little Middle Eastern restaurant is very close to the house and offers breakfast, lunch and dinner. Their pitas are really good. It is on Calle 55 right before you get to Santa Lucia Park.
34. Trompos - $$This restaurant is a popular chain in Mexico. I am not a fan of chain restaurants, but sometimes I have to go there for a potato stuffed with cheese and arrachera (steak) or stuffed with pastor (marinated shredded pork). Located on Calle 60 about half way between Santa Lucia and the zocalo (main square) on the right hand side. It’s 34 on the map
108 Gorditos - $ This is Mexican fast food, but it is good if you just want a little snack that is small, fast, cheap and tasty.
They are fat little tortilla like pitas stuffed with various meats and stews. It is located on the corner of 60 and 61 there at the main square. Be warned it is not a very clean place, but the little gorditas are tasty. I have never gotten sick there.
98 & 99. Colon Sorbeteria - This sorbet shop is a Merida institution it has been around so long. It is sorbet, not ice cream. It is very refreshing on a hot Meirda day or just for a treat at night. My favorite flavors are the coco (coconut) or the mamey (a local fruit that is velvety sweet. The are two locations - one in the middle of the walk way with all the arches on the main square and one on Paseo Montejo. The one on Pasejo is my favorite. It is not far after Roasa and Chocolat Hotel.
106. Delphin’s -$ Located in the fish market at the main mercado this is for the brave, Mexican culture warrior. I usually get ceviche. It is like a long diner bar in the middle of the fish market. Yes it is a stinky fish market. You can eat there or sometimes I get it to go and eat it by the pool at the house. If you follow calle 56 until it runs into the market and don’t go into the market but go to your right and go around it you will see the fish market around the corner on the left.
102. Kuuk - $$$ This restaurant is becoming a Foodie’s travel destination. It is a dining experience you will not forget. For an over the top splurge do the tasting menu.
Avenida Romulo Rozo #488 por calle 27 y 27A Col. Itzimná
Nota - Note: En frente al Monumento a la patria, Paseo de Montejo. / In front of the Monumento a la Patria in the amazing Paseo de montejo.
C.P. - Zip Code 97100
+ 52-999-9443377
104. Nectar - $$$ Néctar Food + Wine
Owner and chef Roberto Solis has captured international attention. After working at some of the finest restaurants in the world like Noma in Denmark, and training underside of the best chefs, Roberto uses his creativity and expertise to put a new twist to the cuisine of the Yucatan.
Address: Av. Andrés García Lavín 32, San Antonio Cucul, 97116 Mérida, Yuc.
Phone:01 999 938 0838
Hours: Open today · 7:00 PM – 12:00 AM
http://www.nectarmerida.com.mx/nosotros_eng.html
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BARS & Coffee Shops
As far as bars, (both these bars are walking distance, but the Fundacion Mezcaleria is only 2 blocks away.)
I have not been to any, but I hear that La Negrita is a neat bar.
20. La Negrita
https://www.facebook.com/LaNegritaMerida
http://www.yucatanliving.com/merida-restaurants/la-negrita
and then we once had a house across the street from the 109 . Fundacion Mezcaleria and they were always packed and had live music.
107. Bengala Kaffehaus - For excellent coffee visit this shop located on Calle 60 right across from Santa Lucia Park. They have coffee made with all the latest and trendiest apparatuses. I buy my chocolate across the street at Kixocolatl and eat it with my coffee!
SERVICES:
In House Massage - If you would like an in-house massage, a gentleman named Emiliano can come to the house and give you an 1 hour massage for only 500 pesos or a 90 minute massage for 700 pesos.. He speaks good English and Spanish. He will do Swedish massage, deep tissue massage or a combination of both. He needs 24 hour notice, so if you would like to use this service just let me know and I will arrange it for you. U.S. 417 894-2440 or email at magiazulcaribe@gmail.com
Money Changers - There is a casa de cambia to change money for pesos on Calle 60 by Santa Lucia Park. There are also some on Calle 60 on your way to the Main Square.
ATM - There are several banks on Calle 59 between 52 and 56 that have ATMs. There are also several on Paseo Montejo also.
Things to See.
Haciendas - Here’s a good article about haciendas in the area. http://www.yucatanliving.com/print.php?article=164
Cenotes - if you have not swam in a cenote then you MUST swim in one while you are here. They are magical. There are various tours you can book. I like going to Satuto de Peon because you get a Hacienda and a cenote all in one. They have a tour office on Calle 55 between a Printer (on the corner of 58 &55) and an Artisan Shop. There is no sign on the door yet.
Ruins -
Chicen Itza and Uxmal Most my clients like Uxmal the best.
Celestun - During tithe season you can see thousands of flamingos, but off season there are still a lot there. You can read about this in the Yucatan Today Magazine.
Both Cathedrals - The smaller Cathedral is on Calle 60 about halfway between Santa Lucia Park and the main square or zocalo. If the doors are open look inside. There is beautiful baroque architecture and artwork.
The Governors Palace - tells the interesting and brutal history of the area through 27 beautiful murals. If you like art and history you will want to see this. Most of the murals are on the second floor. Be sure to go to the 2nd floor front ballroom. It is the prettiest room with the most murals and it is a great location to get photo of the zocalo. The green building on the Corner of 60 and 61. Free.
Macay Modern Art Museum - nice museum on 2 levels. The exhibits change. Located on the main square next to main Cathedral. The entrance in in the glass domed walkway.
Casa Montejo - Today it houses a bank and museum with a permanent exhibition of renovated Victorian, neorococo and neorenaissance furnishings of the historic building.
Free. Located right on the zocalo on Calle 63 #506 Hours Mon - Fri 10 -7 Sat. 10 to 2
Quinta Molinas - http://www.laquintamm.com This a a beautiful mansion on Paseo Montejo you can tour in the afternoons. Check website for times.
House and Garden Tour - http://www.meridaenglishlibrary.com/house-garden-tour/ Every Tuesday 9 - 12 between Nov. and March.
SHOPPING:
Coqui Coqui - Spa & Perfumery This is a luxury spa that is gorgeous and also a wonderful place to pick up a custom perfume. 96
The gift Shop at Media Mundo Hotel - Ring the bell and they will let you in. They have cute things at a reasonable price.
The gift shop at the corner of 55 y 60 across the intersection from Santa Lucia Park.
The cheapest place to get Mexican tops is from the Indians on the street. If you go into any go the shops on 60 or on 62 if the items are not priced do not pay what they are asking. It is probably at least double what they would take for the item.
There are cute shoes on Calle 55 after the park.
El Studio - On Paseo Montejo has some cute housewares and gifts.
100% Mexicano at the San Angel Boutique Hotel at the Remate of Paseo Montejo. This store has nice examples of handicrafts from all over Mexico.
The gift shop in the Museum of Popular Art just a block and a half from the house has really good prices on some cute things. They don’t have a huge selection but good prices and the museum is worth seeing. Go down 52 and turn left on 57. go one block and it is on the corner of Mejorada Park.
On Sunday mornings and afternoons there are all kinds of both of handicrafts on the main square until about 2. There are also some both at Santa Lucia Park.
